Looking to buy a Cooper S

[nickyboy]

Hi i' m Nick from Forres, Moray. Currently driving an 07 Golf GTI Edition 30 but had enough of VW and want some fun again and a bit of extra cash. My budget was originally 5 grand for an R53 but as always the way that has gone out the window and looking to spend around 7 which takes me into R56 territory.
I test drove an 07 yesterday which was fun, but there were a few niggles like squeaking electric windows, creaks/knocks on full lock and quite bad torque steer. I hope these are not indicative of the quality of these cars? The front tyres were shot which probably made the latter issue, worse.
I suppose I could get a 53 but from research online, they suffer more problems? Having different engines (Chrysler) etc, leaking crank oil seals and failing steering racks?
If I buy one from a BMW dealer, would the car be an approved BMW with the same 12 month warranty as one?
Also, i'm finding many cars have the Chilli pack but not the Winter pack, which is frustrating as I really want heated seats after blessing my butt with them in the Golf.
And a full BMW service history is also rare in my experience, is this normal? It's a bit off putting imo to see back street non specialist services, especially the likes of Arnold Shark.
Thanks a lot

[LadyR]

Hi Nick, welcome to nms. You seem fairly well informed so I can't offer you too much info other than to say good luck finding your S, I've just upgraded from a cooper and am loving it! Same as you I went for the (over budget) r56 with my first mini due to reading about faults and problems with the r53s, but plenty of guys on here have them so I'm sure they'll be able to help you out with the technical stuff 😄

[nickyboy]

Thanks. Yeah i've been hitting the internet hard doing my research, it always pays to know more than the salesman when car shopping. My biggest issue is location, all the good cars are at least 100 miles away, and there has always been some sort of highland tax, where cars are a good 15% cheaper further south.

[T5LLC]

Approved Mini dealers ie BMW will give you minimum 12 months MOT and warranty

Then at least the little niggles ie window creeks etc they'd fix.. As for heated seats I don't think many have them, more a convertible thing I think. I love them but would rather spec other things in my Mini so guess its personal taste.

Good luck!

[nickyboy]

I just want them after having them so long in the Golf.

Saw a nice 2006 R56 in a BMW dealership in Edinburgh (online) priced at £7250, only to discover the slyness of "non VAT qualifying"

So that will be £8600 then! Slimy sales technique there

[Stewart]

Welcome to the site Nick. That price should be the sticker price where did the extra price come from??? Did you just estimate it or did the sales team actually say that.

When is says it VAT Qualifing it’s just disclaiming that VAT is part of this price otherwise would it not just be without VAT. So I think the original price is the right one.

[nickyboy]

I see, I assumed it was a marketing ploy, to those who can claim back VAT or something. Still, Edinburgh is a fair trek from here just to look at a car.

[Craig]

In my experience (I had 2 of them) the early R56S's are not very well put together. For your money I would find an 06/56 high spec R53 which are better built and use any spare cash for upgrades or tweaks you want to make :thumbs up:

[nickyboy]

Yeah i would need to test an R53 for comparison, but they are quite a jump in mpg, tax and insurance

[Craig]

In my experience and opinion I'd have an R53 over an R56 at the price your talking about... ;)

[MINIme:)]

Hi Nick, :welcome:
definitely worth driving an R56 and an R53 to compare them. I'm not on your territory having had an R50 One and an R56 Cooper but they are worlds apart. To be honest I miss the drive feel of the R50 like mad. And yeah I think it's the early R56 that had more build/mechanical problems rather than the R53. You're gonna have to try driving both as it might make a big difference to your decision.
Have you looked into whether you can retrofit heated seats? If you would really miss it it might be worth pricing if it's possible so you cna factor it in. Unusual spec is a bit of a rarity. I gave up looking for a sunroof and had to spec a new car to get what I really wanted spec wise!

[nickyboy]

Yeah mate I have found you have to sacrifice something when looking for your perfect spec, or the one you want is in deep Englandshire.

I guess I could lose the bumwarmers, and look to retrofit later. Which reminds me of more questions...

I've read retrofitting MFSW buttons to a 3 spoke wheel is a bit of a mare?

And changing the head unit on an R56, I wouldn't know where to start :confused:
Not a problem if the head unit charges the iPod simultaenously when playing, but if not I want my own Alpine iPod in there

[T5LLC]

And changing the head unit on an R56, I wouldn't know where to start :confused:
Not a problem if the head unit charges the iPod simultaenously when playing, but if not I want my own Alpine iPod in there

Not sure you can change the head unit in the R56 as its slightly different to the older shape, having the speedo built within the buttons for the stereo. I could be wrong, just couldn't work out where you'd get a different CD player to sit.... As for controlling your iPod. My old Mini (R56 shape) had only an aux port so it couldn't be controlled through my steering wheel or controls, only the iPod itself could control it. You'd need iPod cable fitted(normally in the glovebox). The newer R56s have aux and USB so with one cable you can control your iPod but they may be little out of your price range.

IMO I think for what you want and want to do to your Mini an R53 is your best option. Can change stereo easily, and probably cheaper to fit heated feature for your seats and R53 would be cheaper so you'd get better spec....

[nickyboy]

Does the R56 with iPod compatibility charge whilst playing though?

These are the 4 Minis I am considering at the moment

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201241487728406/sort/locasc/usedcars/price-from/4000/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/price-to/8000/fuel-type/petrol/make/mini/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1500/postcode/iv361gf/page/2?logcode=p No MFSW

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/mint-john-cooper-works-mini-cooper-s--jcw-bodykit--leather-recaros--53k-miles--motd--fsh/112021285 Ireland

http://www.easternwestern.co.uk/used/Mini/Cooper%20S/2006/602678852/2721821/ Edinburgh

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mini/cooper-s-works/john-cooper-works-with-all-factory-upgrades/780912 Preston
Which would you choose and why?

[Mon the fish]

Early/high-mileage R56's are having lots of problems - turbo issues that aren't resolved, the coke issue, etc.

The R53 problems are relatively well known - PAS pump can go etc, so I would agree with Craig on this.

Also depends what you want from a car. On every measurable level, the R56 is better (cost, power etc). But the R53 just 'feels' better to drive, makes you smile more IMO.

[Gismo]

I'm with Craig, if i was in the market for a used S i'd be looking for a well specced as late as possible R53 Supercharged S, so that's 2006.
I'd rather have the JCW upgrade for the power over standard, but, you could easily go the mod route to achieve the same.

2 of your choices caught my eye, the Ireland one and the one on Piston heads, both well modded but perhaps too old at 2004, only drawback for me would be going to Ireland and then getting UK plates etc, but, for the right car it may be worthwhile.

[nickyboy]

And for the wrong car it's a real PITA, sellers often forget about negatives in the adverts, conveniently.

Oh and lol at the salesmans explanation of the squeaking windows "that's just dirt mate"

[T5LLC]

I'd say the Edinburgh one as its newer and would have 12 months MOT & warranty... But limited with cd change / iPod stuff that you were asking about...

[nickyboy]

and it's an early r56 to prone to problems? i know it has warranty but i dont want to go all that way to find squeaky windows etc

[T5LLC]

and it's an early r56 to prone to problems? i know it has warranty but i dont want to go all that way to find squeaky windows etc

My last mini was a 2008 and had no major issues until.... My turbo went then the replacement went... Just out of warranty as well. I got goodwill but only because of my custom. But doesn't every car have good ones and bad ones? My friends 2008 had zero issues ... So chance you take with a used car...

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and it's an early r56 to prone to problems? i know it has warranty but i dont want to go all that way to find squeaky windows etc

Ps I can check it out for you if you want? I'm an eastern customer and work in town....

[nickyboy]

aye I am leaning towards the Edinburgh one for the BMW warranty tbh, just a long 3-4 hour drive that's offputting especially if I find a niggle or 2. What would be great if a forum buddy in Edinburgh could have a quick look on my behalf, in exchange for a few beer tokens :)

[T5LLC]

aye I am leaning towards the Edinburgh one for the BMW warranty tbh, just a long 3-4 hour drive that's offputting especially if I find a niggle or 2. What would be great if a forum buddy in Edinburgh could have a quick look on my behalf, in exchange for a few beer tokens :)

I shall have a look tomorrow for you, first day back at work after 3 weeks off due to health so I'll be finishing early enough to nip along :)

[nickyboy]

mate I love you!!! :smilewinkgrin:

I sent you a PM, in fact I may have sent 2 lol the message isnt appearing in Sent so not sure if I did send it. Unless it doesnt appear until you have read it?

[T5LLC]

Got it :D

[MINIme:)]

don't think it defaults to saving sent messages but there's an option somewhere in your settings if you want them to save. ;)

[nickyboy]

Yep all sorted now. Liking this forum a lot, hopefully I will be a fully fledged Mini owning member soon :thumbs up:

[RobSco]

aye I am leaning towards the Edinburgh one for the BMW warranty tbh, just a long 3-4 hour drive that's offputting especially if I find a niggle or 2. What would be great if a forum buddy in Edinburgh could have a quick look on my behalf, in exchange for a few beer tokens :)

Hi Nick

Welcome to New Mini Scotland... :thumbs up:

:welcome:


Nice choice of Mini, but I'm not sure that it is a Cherished Mini as sold in BMW Franchise garages as if you buy a cherished mini it comes with the following...

And remember, not every used MINI is a Cherished MINI and only a Cherished MINI comes with:

12 months MINI unlimited mileage warranty
12 months MINI Emergency Service cover
12 months MOT (6 months N.I)
Independent mileage and history check
Full service history

Just thought I'd highlight this as I notice that the one your looking at you have to pay for a Car Care Plan and everything might not be covered in this...
Have you had a look at Peter Vardy who is one of our sponsors on http://www.petervardymini.co.uk/approved-used-mini - If you do decide to go to Peter Vardy ask for John Grey or John McKinstry, I'm sure they'll look after you... :thumbs up:

Hope you get what your looking for... :yes nod:

[nickyboy]

Thanks mate, I searched the cherished Mini website and this car wasn't on the list, but an approved 12 month BMW warranty will be as good? I mean they're the same dealerships?

I have my own breakdown cover so that's not a problem

[RobSco]

Thanks mate, I searched the cherished Mini website and this car wasn't on the list, but an approved 12 month BMW warranty will be as good? I mean they're the same dealerships?

I have my own breakdown cover so that's not a problem

As you say, its still part of the Eastern Group, and I've found them to be very helpful when I've been in, having your own breakdown as well will help as I now have mine through my insurance so you have this covered...

Hope it all works out for you, and Leanne finds more information regarding the Mini... :thumbs up:

[nickyboy]

Cheers pal! Such a bonus having someone else look at a car for you, forums are fantastic :thumbs up:

[Mon the fish]

If you want warranty, the only one worth having is the BMW one IMO. Every other company will find an excuse to avoid paying out. If you go the R53 route, nothing that goes wrong is that difficult or expensive to fix

[N16SHP]

Hey, I am an early R56 S owner and for what it's worth, I'd rewind and buy an R53. Don't get me wrong, I love my R56 but I have had problems (now all fixed thankfully) the length of my arm. Had the dreaded death rattle, power steering pump failure (twice, fixed second time under warranty) and also the constant niggle of coke build up in the engine. Couple that with the usual dash rattles, squeeky windows and boot rattle I'm probably just about average on being an R56 S owner :thumbs up: I have to say, after driving the R53 and R56 back to back, the drive in the R53 was hands down better. The supercharger whine and the go-kart handling are gone in the R56. Although the R56 had a better equiped interior and for me the finish was much better so it's swings and roundabouts.

My wife also has an R56 S (Aug 07 build) and compared to mine (Jan 07 build) they are two totally different cars. The gearbox and clutch on hers is much slicker. My Mini feels like you really have to drive it hard, where as hers feels much more refined.

Anyway, good luck on the search and welcome to the forums.

[nickyboy]

Damn now I really am lost :lol:

I am drawn to the 56 because of the better interior fit & finish among other reasons, thinking the one I drove was just a bad example. If i had to choose between better interior but more rattles, squeaks and niggles than a sorted 53, well it would be a tough call tbh. I have warranty on one hand, but that wouldn't cover rattles, they always stop at a dealership, or they create another one whilst fixing the original

[stoney]

rattels are murder to fix

as others have said i would go for a late R53 and mod it i have a GP and love it :) but then the R56 is much better on the petrol :lol:

[N16SHP]

Yeah. The dash rattle on the R56 is pretty common. I tend to find it happens on a really hot day with the sun beating down and presumably expanding the dash slightly, or on a cold day when the heating is pumped right up. I have chosen to live with the rattles as I can always put the radio up a little louder but once the BMW techs starts prising the dash apart and leaving screwdriver marks in the dash there aint no going back :D

Another thing I would say in regards to warranty and service history. Don't be nervous about a car that doesn't have a full BMW service history. In my experience, BMW charge you more for less. I for one, like others on here, use local mini or BMW specialists who, like it should always be, put the customer first and respect the customer. I'm not saying all 'Stealers' are like this as some are very good, sadly not up in Aberdeen though. When my power steering pump went, JC Aberdeen wanted over £1k to fix it. My local specialist bought the parts from JC's and fitted it for £500...that speaks for itself really.

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rattels are murder to fix

as others have said i would go for a late R53 and mod it i have a GP and love it :) but then the R56 is much better on the petrol :lol:

What sorta MPG are you getting from your GP Stoney? I am only averaging around 31mpg on a good day around town but my car is needing a service which will help (slightly)?

[nickyboy]

Aye I have no problem with specialist service history, what I mean is are there things that need special attention that would be missed at Kwik Fit specials

[N16SHP]

Aye I have no problem with specialist service history, what I mean is are there things that need special attention that would be missed at Kwik Fit specials

Yeah very true. And it's hard to justify driving the length of the country for what looks like a good car only to find the person selling it was talking rubbish about the service history. Take each car as it comes and weigh up the options. Which ever way you go, you'll have a blast :)

[stoney]

around tound around the 26-28MPG at best but if i am up and down the M74 then can get 35MPG if being very good even got

3814this was a very boring drive tho :lol:

[N16SHP]

around tound around the 26-28MPG at best but if i am up and down the M74 then can get 35MPG if being very good even got

3814this was a very boring drive tho :lol:

Was that last one stuck behind a tractor by any chance lol...Good effort though.

[Craig]

I think it's that GP club tbh, cos when I got mine it was showing 38.6 mpg..... Now showing 19.2 :thumbs up:

[ELFMAN]

around tound around the 26-28MPG at best but if i am up and down the M74 then can get 35MPG if being very good even got

3814this was a very boring drive tho :lol:

Yes Rob, that's what you get when it's PARKED! :smilewinkgrin:

[Tam1314]

Good luck on getting an S.
I have had mine for four months now and love it.

[stoney]

Was that last one stuck behind a tractor by any chance lol...Good effort though.

that was on way back from a show down south cruse control on at 70MPH all the way back up the road

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I think it's that GP club tbh, cos when I got mine it was showing 38.6 mpg..... Now showing 19.2 :thumbs up:


thats what it should be :lol:

[T5LLC]

My JCW is sitting at 38mpg :D 80 on the motorway for 20 miles then little town driving

[MiniSnaps]

My JCW is sitting at 38mpg :D 80 on the motorway for 20 miles then little town driving

Shurelee "70 on the motorway" ? ;)

[Tam1314]

Cruise control set at 70 from Aberdeen to Dundee in a 2010 got me 46.8 miles

[T5LLC]

Shurelee "70 on the motorway" ? ;)

Oops yes 70 ;)

[MINIme:)]

My JCW is sitting at 38mpg :D 80 on the motorway for 20 miles then little town driving

this is what i get in the cooper.... !!

[Duncan Stewart]

:welcome: and all the best with your mini search.

[nickyboy]

cheers
love this but 8 grand! http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mini/cooper-s/mini-cooper-s-1-6-cooper-s-jcw-spec-see-30-photos-and-hd-video/817272

maybe if it had the JCW Recaros and brakes and 20k less miles

Are factory option stripes painted or vinyl?

[MINIme:)]

stripes are vinyl. Really surprised me at first as I'd always presumed they were painted...

[nickyboy]

yeah I thought they were. oh well good news, some look good but some gash

[T5LLC]

My Cooper S stripes were painted :) for cleaning etc as vinyl ones were scratching so easy when cleaning :(

[nickyboy]

Tested an R53 today, not fast enough. Very stiff gearchange from cold.

[Craig]

Tested an R53 today, not fast enough. Very stiff gearchange from cold.

Oh well seems your decision is made then.... ;)

[nickyboy]

The windows didn't squeak though lol also got a few smiles from girls, not sure how to interpret that though haha

[LadyR]

Loving your decision making process! One thing though, how often are you up and down with your windows?! Is it a deal breaker? I'd vote for the r56 shape personally but more for aesthetics than mechanics :)

[nickyboy]

Deal breaker for sure, the car has to be faultless, i'm selling a very nice Golf for this, which is fault free with very good build quality. Going to something with squeaky windows will put me off.

Still after an R56, but a good example with no faults.

[MiniSnaps]

cheers
love this but 8 grand! http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mini/cooper-s/mini-cooper-s-1-6-cooper-s-jcw-spec-see-30-photos-and-hd-video/817272

maybe if it had the JCW Recaros and brakes and 20k less miles

Are factory option stripes painted or vinyl?

or was a GP ? ;)

http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac282/selectivefocus1/F1D76871-CD76-4B2D-BD9E-BE6C7F8D0DF2-4708-000005E9ADAF0B21.jpg

[N16SHP]

Still after an R56, but a good example with no faults.

In the politest way possible...good luck. I think most of us will be in agreement here that we buy these cars and put up with them because we love them. Most of us have encountered some kinda problem.

Also forgot to mention, avoid any with a panoramic sunroof as they rattle like mad too :thumbs up:

[nickyboy]

No need for a sunroof in Scotland :lol:

[Gismo]

Forgot to mention that we have a sponsor on this NMS page (http://www.newminiscotland.co.uk/Gallery.html)
Click the Mini link and search for the car you want :thumbs up:

[nickyboy]

damn I wish I saw Billy was selling his Clubby earlier! i would have had it! http://www.newminiscotland.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?23618-Selling-my-Clubman-S

[MINIme:)]

never had a problem with either of my sunroofs :) I love the sunroof, one of the reasons I bought brand new in the end as I couldn't find a second hand one with one!

[N16SHP]

never had a problem with either of my sunroofs :) I love the sunroof, one of the reasons I bought brand new in the end as I couldn't find a second hand one with one!

They are great in the summer when you can open them up. But in Kirsten's S it rattles like mad and also because the height of the roof has been lowered by a couple of inches to include the sunroof, it means my head brushes the roof in hers but not mine :idunno:

[Crombers]

I think it's that GP club tbh, cos when I got mine it was showing 38.6 mpg..... Now showing 19.2 :thumbs up:

A massive improvement :thumbs up: well done, that'll be it 'warmed up' :yes nod:

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Loving your decision making process! One thing though, how often are you up and down with your windows?! Is it a deal breaker? I'd vote for the r56 shape personally but more for aesthetics than mechanics :)

Suppose we are all different :idunno: but for me a 1st gen will always get 'the nod' :yes nod:

Put them side by side & I cannot fail to see who wins hands down :arms:

[MINIme:)]

I'm with Amy on this one, I find the R56 a much more aesthetically pleasing car... but I preferred the drive of the gen 1.

[nickyboy]

Close to giving up on this. If it has the right options, the mileage is too high or it's the wrong colour. If its the right colour and options, it's too expensive. And everytime it's at least 200 miles away or the "Highland Tax" is added, for example an 07 Cooper S with 40k is around £9500 within 80 miles. The same car further south for £8000.

[MINIme:)]

don't give up! :arms:

[nickyboy]

:D

[Craig]

In my experience if your looking fir a specific second hand car then it's well worth the travel.... Your example is a saving of £1500, so it might cost £100 to get it... Seems like a no brainer to me. I went all the way to Bournemouth to pick up a mini and I got it for nearly half the price I would have paid in Scotland... I would say concentrate on the spec and price and then look at distance. If it's from a mini dealer then they can ship so work that into the deal ;)

[nickyboy]

You are correct mate. I'm no stranger to travelling for a car, Inverness airport is handy :D

It's just having to trust a sellers description I don't like, going all that way to find faults never mentioned puts me off.

[Craig]

Completely understand that, loads of photos and questions always worked for me.... Plus other forums could give you advice on good or bad dealers in Englandshire ;)

[nickyboy]

Aye before I contact a seller, I always do a background research on google.

[Mon the fish]

Deal breaker for sure, the car has to be faultless

Not being rude, but you're looking at the wrong car.

[nickyboy]

That doesn't fill me with confidence lol

[LadyR]

I'm sure you could find a faultless car, and as you say, you're in no rush...but what you're looking for is so specific but the spec's coming from a totally different car. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a car that isn't quite what I went looking for, and I do wonder if you could be missing a really great car just because it's missing heated seats or whatever else? Personally I'm always suspicious of a warm seat 😳

You'll stick in though til you find a cracker I'm sure, happy hunting.

[Craig]

What Gordon is saying is that NO MINI is perfect. They all have some little issue... My GP has a crack in the rear spoiler, has more rattles inside than a toddlers convention and it cost about 3 grand more than your budget.

Tbh you could buy a £25k new mini and still have faults ... It's part of their charm !! :lol:

[LadyR]

Craig! It's not that they're not perfect, they just don't have the correct owner. It's true though, unless you build the car yourself and spec the living daylights out of it, you'll never be 100%

[Craig]

I stand by my comments ... Every mini has its faults... ;).

[MINIme:)]

has more rattles inside than a toddlers convention
another :lol: !!

[Mon the fish]

I agree with Craig, Mini's aren't perfect, aren't 100% reliable, and aren't the cheapest cars to run. A Type-R or Focus ST makes more rational sense. Wouldn't change my Mini for one though...

[Craig]

I agree with Craig, Mini's aren't perfect, aren't 100% reliable, and aren't the cheapest cars to run. A Type-R or Focus ST makes more rational sense. Wouldn't change my Mini for one though...

And that's the same for me..... If you want a perfect car, stay with your golf or go jap. Once you have lived with a MINI for some time you will find it's "characteristics" and it will make you love it more.

I wouldn't change mine either :thumbs up:

[Gismo]

I may try other cars but i always return to MINI

[N16SHP]

And that's the same for me..... If you want a perfect car, stay with your golf or go jap. Once you have lived with a MINI for some time you will find it's "characteristics" and it will make you love it more.

I wouldn't change mine either :thumbs up:

I think that's it in a nut shell Craig. I was ready to take a massive loss and sell on my Mini after 6 months because of all the bother I'd had with the car, it's little niggles and poor BMW after care. 3 and a half years on, I couldn't even think about selling it. All the wee problems and little niggles are all part of the journey. The fun part has been fixing most of them myself with the help of my father in law.

On another note, it took me over a year and 6 test drives in different Mini's (R53's and 56's) to find the right one. The Mrs took less time but travelled down to Manchester to get her's and drove it back...also part of the fun!