Had ours for 5 years, probably the best out of the 4 R55/R56 Mini’s we’ve owned, great torquey engine and over 50mpg and in hindsight we should have kept it. As its replacement was an absolute nightmare.
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A mini cooper question.
- Thread starter Dave7
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Had ours for 5 years, probably the best out of the 4 R55/R56 Mini’s we’ve owned, great torquey engine and over 50mpg and in hindsight we should have kept it. As its replacement was an absolute nightmare.
My daughter has expressed an interest in a BMW mini. So I've done some research and it seems the later F56 build design are far more reliable than earlier R models.
They still suffer with some issues and are GDi engines. If we were to get one it would be a petrol engine. I would fit two PVC catch cans for the turbo and idle inlet return pipes. This would reduce the oil vapour into the inlet, lowering carbon build up and increasing octane levels for slightly better performance
They still suffer with some issues and are GDi engines. If we were to get one it would be a petrol engine. I would fit two PVC catch cans for the turbo and idle inlet return pipes. This would reduce the oil vapour into the inlet, lowering carbon build up and increasing octane levels for slightly better performance
Fastpedaller
Über Member
I worked on gasoline direct injection research for a major manufacturer over 20 years ago - All competitors' vehicles had severe carbon build up within the inlet valves apart from one, which had an additional fuel injector in the inlet manifold that occasionally functioned to minimise the problem. Fuels have detergents in them designed to clean the inlet valves, and direct injection is straight into the cylinder, thus bypassing the valves. Not a great 'technology leap' - a google search may show it was also used in WW2, testament to its minor 'benefits' which were consequently not used again for over half Century! From my experience, I'd go for something more mainstream.
gbb
Squire
- Location
- Peterborough
Not relevant to OPs specific question (because of the age) but a former colleague brought a Cooper Works for his wife around 2005 iirc.
He was not impressed with the build quality and showed us how the rubber window seals were disintegrating...and the car was only around 6 months yo a year old at that point.
Great fun
Mid 70s i had a mini countryman, with an 1100 engine and 12 inch wheels (among other bits). It was fast.
A friends sister had a mini saloon fitted with a 1300, no idea if any other mods but it was a classic sleeper look barring the wider 10s she had on. I drove it one day...bloody thing had so much power you couldn't pull away quickly without the front end literally bouncing as it tried to get traction
He was not impressed with the build quality and showed us how the rubber window seals were disintegrating...and the car was only around 6 months yo a year old at that point.
Great fun
Way back in 1973, a pal of mine ( who I'm still in touch with) had a Mini Cooper S. Dropped suspension, spaced wheels & twin Weber carbs.
Went like a s**thouse door in a gale and was a blast to drive - !
Sadly it eventually succumbed to rustosis, but great in it's day and many happy memories of trips out with our respective girlfriends of the time.
Mid 70s i had a mini countryman, with an 1100 engine and 12 inch wheels (among other bits). It was fast.
A friends sister had a mini saloon fitted with a 1300, no idea if any other mods but it was a classic sleeper look barring the wider 10s she had on. I drove it one day...bloody thing had so much power you couldn't pull away quickly without the front end literally bouncing as it tried to get traction
Jameshow
Veteran
Not relevant to OPs specific question (because of the age) but a former colleague brought a Cooper Works for his wife around 2005 iirc.
He was not impressed with the build quality and showed us how the rubber window seals were disintegrating...and the car was only around 6 months yo a year old at that point.
Great fun
Mid 70s i had a mini countryman, with an 1100 engine and 12 inch wheels (among other bits). It was fast.
A friends sister had a mini saloon fitted with a 1300, no idea if any other mods but it was a classic sleeper look barring the wider 10s she had on. I drove it one day...bloody thing had so much power you couldn't pull away quickly without the front end literally bouncing as it tried to get traction
My brother's first car was a slammed mini.... hit a puddle in Chorley wood and aqua planned and into a ditch, his head went through the screen. He was found walking down the middle of the road with blood everywhere!
What about the Mini 😉
Jameshow
Veteran
Currently doing back to back Mini test drives. First we had the Mini Cooper S EV with level 3 accessories (fully loaded)
Nice car, smooth, quiet cabin, comfortable, cruises very well and pretty powerful. A few features are great, excellent 360 cameras in reversing mode, simple user interface. Pretty accurate range indicator
Annoying aspects it only comes in 3 doors for the traditional round headlight body, speed warning system, limited rear passenger comfort, and the most concerning point it torque steers like a pig. Terribly bad on dry straight roads, squirming left then right. There is a pull away assist(traction control) in driving settings which does a fairly decent job of taming the EV motors torque, but not completely. I asked the dealer if there was going to be an AWD in this body shape- only the larger countryman model.
We are now driving a 1.5ltr 3 cylinder petrol. It has slightly less features being level 2 accessories. Mini have copied all the start, gear select and park functionality between EV and ICE. The UI is also mirrored across all models. So far the petrol is much nicer to pull away quickly, no torque steering, auto gearbox is super smooth, less power and punch than the EV, but so much There is tyre hum noise, which. could be a brand or run flat design
I'm reluctantly liking the petrol over the EV because of the torque steer issue.
We give the car back at the weekend and will then make some decisions .
Nice car, smooth, quiet cabin, comfortable, cruises very well and pretty powerful. A few features are great, excellent 360 cameras in reversing mode, simple user interface. Pretty accurate range indicator
Annoying aspects it only comes in 3 doors for the traditional round headlight body, speed warning system, limited rear passenger comfort, and the most concerning point it torque steers like a pig. Terribly bad on dry straight roads, squirming left then right. There is a pull away assist(traction control) in driving settings which does a fairly decent job of taming the EV motors torque, but not completely. I asked the dealer if there was going to be an AWD in this body shape- only the larger countryman model.
We are now driving a 1.5ltr 3 cylinder petrol. It has slightly less features being level 2 accessories. Mini have copied all the start, gear select and park functionality between EV and ICE. The UI is also mirrored across all models. So far the petrol is much nicer to pull away quickly, no torque steering, auto gearbox is super smooth, less power and punch than the EV, but so much There is tyre hum noise, which. could be a brand or run flat design
I'm reluctantly liking the petrol over the EV because of the torque steer issue.
We give the car back at the weekend and will then make some decisions .
presta
Legendary Member
I used to work with a guy who'd been through a screen. Even a decade or more after the crash, he was still fishing fragments of glass out of his face when they snagged on the razor in the morning.
What is the range of the EV Mini?
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Seatbelt no good then?
Jameshow
Veteran
I can't remember it was 30 years ago!
