Welcome to M/A!
It has been bandied around that the 2006 MINI Cooper S is the best one that was ever built. I don't know that for a fact, but, since I own two of them and, other than normal maintenance issues, I'd have to agree.
I bought one new, off the lot. The other, I bought used [off a Honda reseller lot], but it only had 26k in 2012 and now is pushing 90k pretty much carefree miles.
If you find a used '05 or '06 MCS that you like, take it to a MINI specialist and have it checked out before buying so they can tell you what is or is not wrong with it. That's what I did with the second MCS and since it is now my wife's car, I am even happier that I did.
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wmwny Well-Known Member
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DneprDave Well-Known MemberSupporting Member
Really, the second generation MINIs with the N14 engine aren't bad at all. The key to a long lived N14 engine is to change the oil, every 5000 miles. Frequent oil changes will mitigate problems with the timing chain and tensioner, it is all about keeping the oil clean and topped up. A good CarFax will show how often the oil has been changed.
The carbon should be cleaned from the intake valves every 50,000 miles. not doing so will not cause engine failure, but performance will be significantly reduced. What happens is that the oil mist from the PCV system builds up on the backs of the intake valves and cooks there and slowly chokes off the intake ports because it is not washed off by the fuel injectors as on a port injected engines, like the series one MINIs have. These MINIs are direct injected, the fuel injectors push the fuel directly into the cylinders, bypassing the intake ports and valves. If you already have a shop sized air compressor, you can buy the tools needed to walnut shell blast the intake ports for a couple of hundred dollars. There are shops that will clean your intakes for as low as $300.
If you have an automatic transmission, the fluid should be changed every 50,000 miles. The Aisin-Warner TF60SN transmission used in Mini Coopers is a solid transmission that is also used in Audis and Volkswagens, but it needs to have clean transmission fluid, the factory claims that it has "lifetime" fluid, this is nonsense.
The series two MINIs are lighter and quicker than the series one MINIs, they also get better mileage, I average around 30 mpg, without trying to maximise my fuel consumption. If I really try to take it easy, I can get as much as 36 mpg, but that isn't as much fun. What is fun is keeping my foot in it and squirreling around back roads, that will bring the mileage down to 23 mpg.-
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vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador
My '07 MCS had 135K miles on it when I traded it in. It was still going strong last time I saw it. I was pro-active in my preventative maintenance. Replaced T-stat, water pump, belt, and a few other parts before they failed or caused something else to fail. Did my first walnut blasting at 100K and boy did it need it. With an N14 the first thing I would do is the BSH boost tap and OCC. I used one of the taps to activate a Forge BOV. And yeah, it's easy to catch the mod fever. When I traded for my F56 I had every intention of keeping it stock and just driving it. That lasted about a week. I'm trying my best to stay at the "lightly modded" stage.
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In addition to the turbo the 2nd gen S has a high pressure fuel pump which has a shaky history. Both died at 119K on my clubman. That was quite a frightening bill. Fortunately, MINI USA extended the warranty on both to 120k so I was able to get reimbursed.
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I have a 2005 non-S with 160k miles on it. Owned since new and very well taken care of. I also drive this MINI as hard as I can! 8000+ miles at redline on the Dragon, 50-60 track days and always among the fastest lap times....not down the straights, but hold my own. Non-S’s can be driven quick.
Now, why are the used MINIs used? Were they taken care of? These are the hard questions I’ve have. I’ve seen many, many owners of used MINI S’s experience problems, very expensive problems(especially with the N14 engines $5000-$10,000!). Non-S’s tend to be owned by less aggressive drivers, less performance modded and generally a better fun car, while maybe not the fastest. Find someone local who has a MINI or better yet is a MINI shop to check out any car before buying.
I absolutely love my MINI R50 and the MINI community. Find a good car and enjoy the drive!-
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If you're looking at GEN 1 this may be helpful.
http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/-
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Oh wow. I had the dates wrong. I thought 06-07 were the last years of first gen. I'm sure some seconds are fine, but I have no way to know if there maintanance was kept up (although Carfax helps with this a lot).
I'll be doing at least prevevntative maintinence myself. If I can get to the parts without a lift, I'm willing to do it myself. Never worked on a euro before, but I'm eager to learn.
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Goldsmithy MINI Alliance AmbassadorArticles Moderator Supporting Member
Welcome to MA...a great site and greater people. I would stick to a 2005/06 MINI S in your search. When you find the car of your dreams make sure to get a pre-purchase inspection, including a compression test and a leak-down test if needed. Having the service history is a big plus. And post up any potential cars here as we love to help people spend their money and to do it wisely...
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@EpicDad Maybe a long explanation is in order. As you can see there a lot of first Gen fans here, for good reason. I have a soft spot for the Gen one cars too. I have owned my 2002 for almost 15 years. It has been a great car and lots of fun. I have 4 kids the youngest is 20, so as you can see they were young when I got the car. My wife always had the SUV people hauler. Now she has a 2014 R57 convertible. I also have a 2011 JCW Coupe R58. I told my wife I would sale the R53 but just can't seem to do it.
The Gen 1 cars are more visceral, the Gen 2 more refined. Both are great fun. Way more than a Smart car. As with any used car there will be some preventive maintenance you will need to do. On a MINI of any year this is a must, you cant let things go or you will regret it. It is not a Ford. But if you take care of it it will be trouble free for years.
Gen1: If the lower control arm bushings have not been replaced you will have to do it, stock ones go bad around
30k. Powerflex will last the life of the car. You may need to change the belt and tensioner. The crank
pulley will have to be checked for cracks. The electric power steering pump has a recall on some years.
Gen 1 cars have a supercharger before you buy make sure it is not making any noise or leaking.
Gen2: 2007-2010 S These have an N14 engine. They are not glass but it is imperative that you keep the intake
valves clean. If not the motor will grenade. This is why people say stay away from them. If the previous
owner did not keep up with the car the damage to the internals may already be done even if you have
the old oil blasted off the valves. To have a shop do this it will cost around $800. @DneprDave feel free
to chime in here you have owned yours longer than me. If you get a JCW the N14 motor was used from
2007-2011. But there is some difference. Bigger turbo and the block has some extra welds. I encourage
to go to this link and read it. it is a good explanation of the N14.
https://jmtcperformance.com/tech-info-and-help/mini-cooper-engine-n14-weak-piston-issue-myth/
Gen2: 2010-2013 all these cars have the N18 motor. these seem to be more trouble free.
Both My wife's MINI N18 and my Gen2 R58 N14 have between 50k & 60k on them. I am an old fart and some here will tell you I am full of it. If you get a Gen 2 car with a turbo don't run it hard and shut it off. That is bad for them. Yes the MINI has a pimp that runs oil around the turbo to prevent it from cooking the oil after shutdown. but it only runs 5min. Let the car idle for a minute or two or drive it easy before shutdown. KEEP THE OIL CHANGED. I do it every 3k. I know this is too often but it is cheep insurance.
OK I hope we haven't scared you off we just want you to find a good MINI. Dont be in a hurry take your time. If you get an abused MINI you will be sorry. I know more about Gen1 cars then Gen2 people like @DneprDave @Tigger2011 @Metalman know more and may want to add what they think will help.
One last thing...............this is important............Mods! we can help with that too. You will start modding, it cant be helped. It's a disease transmitted by contact with mini owners that have the moving addiction. Your here, on MA, you've probably already caught it. MA is a petri dish of this disorder-
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@MCS02 thanks for the long-winded explanation.
To be honest, I had a bit of a panic attack last night, contemplating swearing off the Cooper, but my wife (Bless her) convinced me otherwise.
Although the general consensus around seems to be to stay away from Gen2, I think I like the styling of the cabin too much. Maybe I'll regret it later, but only time will tell.
As far as mods. Eventually. I rallied for a bit last year. Long term, I would live to get a newer Mini (barring that for some reason, I hate it) and use the old one to rally in. If that happens, then yes, I will probably go mod crazy.
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When I ordered my car (2005 MINI Cooper S with manual transmission), the only options I ordered were sport seats, fog lights, and chrome mirror covers. When the car arrived, it came with the "Premium Package" and a few other things I did not order so the dealer did not charge me for them.
I got heated seats, Sport suspension +, sunroof, 17" S-lite (aka S-heavies) wheels and tires. And even though the rear fog light and switch panel were installed, the car was a Pre-November 2004 build so there was no wire between the light and the panel...go figure the politics involved in that.
So yes...heated seats were available for the facelifted R53 MINIs.-
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DneprDave Well-Known MemberSupporting Member
I used it as a signal source for my Boost/Vacuum gauge. I also installed a BSH oil catch can on the PCV line to the turbocharger intake. https://bshspeedshop.com/shop/shop/mini-cooper/bsh-mini-cooper-r56-competition-catch-can/
I am nearing 50,000 miles on my car, and I haven't felt any decrease in performance, due do carbon build up in the intake ports. I will take off my intake manifold this summer and check for carbon build up, but I suspect that there will be little or no deposits, as the PCV line I blocked off is the source for oil mist to the inlet ports and valves. I already have all the tools necessary to walnut blast the valves, if necessary.-
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No it should not need blasting. As far as I know it is reliable. But that is a non turbo car. It will not have near the same power a S version will have.
Have you driven a S vs a straight cooper? If not you need to before you make your decision.-
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Here is some R56/N14 Education for what you get when you buy cheap
This is a 19 part playlist. An R53 from 05/06 would be a about 12 part playlist if bought cheap in unknown condition
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Dave.0 Helix & RMW PoweredLifetime Supporter
Here is a good car.....
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2006-mini-cooper-s-26/-
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Dave.0 Helix & RMW PoweredLifetime Supporter
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DneprDave Well-Known MemberSupporting Member
BMW has a VIN decoder that works for MINIs
http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi-
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I'd love to get a Clubman, but I can't find any in my price range. (Only looking to spend around 3K) So I've been looking at the 06-07 Cooper S. From research I've done, it seems this will be the most reliable that I can afford.
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