Are you getting any work done on your car while quarantined? Comment below! Also, we have a sale on Air Lift Performance right now! Check it out! bit.ly/38WmCsS
Fitment Industries I was putting in lower rear control arms on my G35 and I snapped my sway bar bolts. Nissan doesn’t sell them by themselves because they consider them part of the subframe, you need to buy the whole rear subframe to get them, looks like it’s time to get crafty. FML. Btw Ferraris air ride is looking fresh af Alex you must be pumped.
I've never wanted a Mini, but after driving a John Cooper Works edition in the mountains of Maui, I could totally get down with owning one. Quick, nimble, great sounds out of the gate.
@@tomster7574 not necessarily. If they are treated right they can be just as reliable as any other car. The turbo charged models often have A LOT more problems than the Supercharged, which is what I have
@@calebroper4826 the car in general has a terrible track record. from bad timing chain tensioner to wiring that is far to thin for its application. thats just to start. like i said, good like while it lasts.
Nah spot on, alot of misinformation in this video surrounding the first gen R53, solid little cars, mines was on 145k, in my ownership all it needed was a new radiator and fan (faulty fan causes the "overheating issues"), supercharged dont need rebuilt every 100k, just an supercharger oil change. M45 eaton SC are bomb proof if you look after them. My mini had a 17% reduced SC pulley, intake, IC, full exhaust and some handling goodies. Used to beat the absolute shit out of it and it sounded superb and performed better than my civic type r on corners and in a straight line. Strut towers can be fixed with a mallet and some force. Iron block takes boost well and 350hp+ turbo conversion builds are getting more common. Theres a half truth when talking about reliability, R56 (2nd gen) are horrifically engineered. I've got a friend who's R56 S shell is on 62k, it's on its third engine. Everyone knows someone with a buggered R56 parked in their garage lol. I'd have another R53 in a heartbeat.
Just wait... I have a 2002 R50 ive replaced clutch, wheel barring because it decided to blow up, I have heating issues and in a couple months ill be on my second engine. But hey I still love that thing
Will’s Vlogs&Stuff yeah, there’s gonna be people that had almost no issues with their minis and then preach the reliability when the other 98% have had endless issues lol. They’re fun but definitely not reliable unless you baby the hell out of it.
Mike Stooker I loved my R53! It was reliable as hell, till some asshat rear ended me in a pickup truck. I used the insurance money to get my R56. The R56 is definitely a good bit faster, a bit prettier in my opinion, and it’s very fun, but I dunno, there’s something about the R53 that gives it some extra charm. They feel a lot more mechanical, than the R56, and I feel like they can take a lot more punishment than the R56. Both lovely cars though in my opinion.
Robert Justin yeaaa its a joy 😂 thankfully I just got all that done when I got my clutch replaced a couple weeks ago so praying that I should be good, for a while at least😂
As mentioned, the car does suffer from a few common reliability issues, especially if you purchase one pre-owned (used), but once those common issues are fixed overall a pretty good car to drive. Tons a compliments on my R56 (GEN 2) MINI and it's bone stock. Can't wait to start slappin' on some mods!
I bought my first Mini 2 months ago and i have to admit in love with it. I find myself using it more than my 1.8T jetta because that damn R53 is really a street legal go-kart
I've got a stock '16 base Cooper with the 3 cylinder and even this is a blast to drive. It's got a good pull up to about 90 or so for something with only 3 cylinders and 130hp. For a first car it amazing. It's very light and peppy and the reliability issues are much less of a worry with this 3rd generation (hopefully not talking out of my ass since I'm only at 50000 miles). The torque on the low end is what really does it because it's got something like 15lbs of boost and spools up pretty early so max power is made at like 2300 RPM. And when I need to save on gas because of course this car costs just a little more than it should, I can make up to 50mpg in green mode. It's all around one of the best cars to have as a first car over a Civic or a Golf if you're interested in a hatchback that's actually going to be fun.
I own a 05 Mini Cooper S in black eyed purple and I just love this car. Definetly feels like a go kart around the canyons and mountain roads. And the supercharger whine sounds amazing
The 3rd generation (F57) reliability has improved a lot. I held off on buying my 2018 Cooper convertible till Consumer Reports showed almost all categories as green (good). Good mileage & a blast to drive.
I have an 08 Mini and frankly I love the thing. It is so much fun to drive. It does cost a bit more annually for maintenance but it is baked in the cake. Once you use one as a daily driver you don't want to drive anything else. Even the base model is spirited in town and on the highway it feels like you are on a rail. There just isn't anything else like it.
Replaced the head due to damage from timing chain tensioner issue. Then replaced the entire engine due to warped head from bad cooling issue. Replaced the High Rate fuel pump twice, alternator twice, Rear suspension, O2 Sensor twice, and a small list of other issues. ive sunk almost 20k in repairs, and FINALLY just paid off my R56. Im gonna drive it until the wheels fall off. Then get something else.
I'm on my second r53. My first one seemed to have every failure that you hear about. Knowing where and how to do every repair possible has made me feel like a guru. I work on all types, but I did a complete front suspension rebuild, added coilovers, and new axles in about 2.5 hrs. I can't say that for anything else I've worked on.
I own a 2016 Cooper which I have built of the last few years to chuck out about 245bhp from its 3 cylinder. I love my car. My recommendation if you get the Gen 3 mini, is for the love of god, change the intercooler to a big and better aftermarket one cause the car suffers from heat soak. Also stay away from the automatic transmissions cause they do not like torque and can be quite limiting in the tuning department. If you do get one please be prepared for shitty fuel economy and for a car which screams MODIFY ME!!!
I have a 2011 mini clubman base.I spent $90 on a stage three chip from Thornton and it gave me a boast of 60 hp.The difference is amazing. l’ve owned it going on 7 years.Other than coil packs failing it’s been a great car.It has 102k on it and doesn’t burn oil.Trick is to change oil every 5k.I’d like to see new ones go back to super charging instead of turbos.
I have '06 R53 MINI Cooper S (the supercharged one), and I must say that after few little mods its an absolute beast ... smaller pulley, tune, intake, exhaust, etc ... and it is pushing over 220HP and weights around a 1000kg (or 2200lbs for you), so it is perfect track / mountain roads car. I would not change it for anything else in the world, even though it spends like 1/3 of the year broken
Owned 3(02 S,03 S,04 S) and getting a 4th(05 S) of the first gen BMW mini's. Cant beat a mini I love them. With the right modifications you could easily improve the gas mileage while getting more power, as long as you keep up with the regular maintenance alot of the issues aren't that common
Mine is a 1st gen, R53 and its awesome!!! I drive the heck out of it and it’s been pretty good although it did break down three times. The engine is solid and the ares of failure is always around the drive belt. I have had the tensioner, the idle pulley and the crankcase pulley fail. Each time I’ve replaced with upgraded part which will make my mini more reliable. Go out and get an S, you’ll love it.
Got a modified 2017 S with 320hp. These little cars rip with FBO and a stage 2 93 or e30 tune . Most fun car I’ve ever owned. And…..got my summer wheel and tire package from Fitment this past spring.
I have a 2014 F56 Mini S, wanted the JCW but that was way out of my price range unfortunately. Anyways, I've had none of the aforementioned issues. A lot of the issues you mention are from the previous gen Mini's. The only problems I ever had were, one was electrical where the wires melted in the passenger side headlight. Thankfully it was under warranty still, so the dealership fixed it at no cost. And the other issue I had was computer related. The gas sensor wasn't reading properly so they flashed the CPU, updated it, and everything has been fine ever since. I will say, finding mods for the F56 is way harder though than fining mods for the previous 2 gen models. I did add a sport intake and an Invidia sport exhaust, so that added a bit mo powah babeh. Next upgrade is the intercooler, wheels, spacers for a more aggressive stance, maybe a new turbo, but I read that upgrading the turbo could actually lessen the power, and a Duell AG wing and hood, because I hate the fact that the hoodscoop is fake and closed off. I actually popped the plastic piece off to let cool air into the engine bay. Not really sure that's really doing anything but, I've at least convinced myself that it's kind of functional since it's now open to make myself feel better. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
My 2013 Clubby S has got a good amount of upgrades and with damn near 130000 miles on it. It drive great. Minimum rattle. Have not changed the timing chain. Very reliable.
Yo! Let's not forget to mention that the 2.0 B48 that's in the GEN 3 series is a monster and has been shown to be dead reliable. The whole 3rd gen chassis is significantly better on the reliability!!
Yeah, true. I'd say, in terms of reliability F56 > R53 > R56. In terms of driving - R53 > R56 > F56. So, choose between R53 and F56 - whatever you need more (reliability vs driving emotions).
I have owned 2 of them. I still have both of them. My 2004 is not an S. However it is still fun to drive. I recently bought a 2017! Love is putting it mildly. All kinds of Bella and whistles. It is a rag top. Beautiful teal color. It is a head turner. I’m a Mini Cooper owner probably forever. Love love love.
Late to comment but I drove a 2020 cooper s (189 hp) for 8 months and it was soo fun to drive, just hearing those twin turbos spool and the acceleration was very impressive. I now own a 2005 r50 mini (poverty spec) and although it doesn't have great hp I've had so much fun with it. And because its cheap I've gained experience with working on it and modifying it (mostly cosmetic like dechroming and painting). Great fun to drive and very nippy
Bought an '03 S for with 133k for $2k, opened it up to check and the supercharger was in perfect condition. After a few mods, it's an absolute blast. Unbeatable for the price.
I have a 2011 Mini Cooper S. Definitely the most fun car I've ever driven. Blown it up 2 times though. Shit's gonna happen when you try to make a corner killer.
I think as long as you keep up with the maintenance on the mini's they work great🍻🍁 plus the newer mini's especially 2011+ have better engines which fix these problems
I’ve got a 2019 Cooper S personally. Slowly working though adding mods to it. 17x8 wheels with 225/45 Firehawk Indy 500s, aFe Power intake, Forge high flow intake pipe, Forge charge pipes, Wagner intercooler, Miltek catless downpipe, 3in straight mid pipe, Dinan axle back. On the stock tune I’m making 205whp and 215lb-ft. Up from the 177whp, 186lb-ft the car was making bone stock. Looking forward to new suspension and a quality tune this summer to the most I can before I move on to forged internals and a bigger turbo.
I had a Mini Cooper as my first car. It had 100k miles on it and it broke at almost 200k miles it was a 2008 2 door Mini Cooper. I loved it, it drives divine, cheap on gas, expensive to give maintenance though but I loved it. After that I bought a Nissan and it’s transmission broke at 50k miles.
My Mini Cooper is CONSTANTLY overheating, first we thought it was bubbles in the radiator (it wasn’t) then we thought it was the fan (it wasn’t) and tomorrow I’m changing the thermostat 🥵. I wouldn’t change it for the world mind you 😍
I used to have a Chili Red '02 R50. It didn't have much horsepower, but god was it fun to throw around corners. It was an adult go-cart, and with a decent exhaust, was just a blast to drive. Anyone who hates on them has never gotten behind the wheel.
@@DS..69 If you're thinking about the 1st gen Mini, only go for 2005. It's really not worth looking at any of the previous years due to just silly reliability issues. Not saying that the '05 is perfect, it's just much better. They're insanely fun to drive if you're not hooked on power. With some simple mods like air intake, reduced supercharger pulley, and exhaust, you'll have a car that sounds great with a LOUD supercharger whine. I floor it through a tunnel every day on my way home from work.
I have a supercharged E46 M3, built WRX on E85, Alafa 155 Q4 2.0, just picked up my first mini Cooper S with a 6 speed. man I love it. plus I've been averaging 32 mpg. how you started explaining the background I was like the MPG and power has me amazed. it's fun no doubt
I am absolutely in love with my Mini. Fun as hell till you gotta fix it, but once it’s fixed all the pain of fixing is leaves your mind and it’s all fun again 😂
Owner of an ‘03 Cooper S. Absolute blast to drive. First gens are far more reliable than the 2nd gen (r56). Had the car for 2 years now and no serious issues, just the regular maintanance. Could have a bit moh powehh though
I know I’m late, but I’ve never owned a more fun car in my life other than my 2006 R53 Mini Cooper S. The supercharged 1.6 makes it a badass screaming toaster that never fails to get people to look and ask themselves “that little thing?!”
I own 2 minis and love them both, I own an '02 R50 with about 120k miles and besides the radiator fan not working and an emissions leak she is a blast to drive. My latest mini is a 2015 Mini Cooper Countryman s ALL4. With 3 kids the extra doors are great and the all wheel drive is super fun in the rain and snow when you turn off DSC and Abs. With the 50/50 power split on launchs you the car feels like it has more torque than what the manufacturer says and it's so fun. Any buddy I sit in the passenger seat is surprised about how the car handles. I have had it on 2 wheels once since the R60 is a bit bigger but with some proper suspension I'm sure I can fix that problem.
Countryman seem cool on paper, just wish they would remodel it because as is its in the ugliest car up there with the Cube, new tesla truck and the prius... would just get the clubman which is actualy cool
That beat is a real one. It didn’t have to go that hard for us but it still did. Mad respect. Also, so you want a Nissan Sentra? Maybe? Possibly? Not the greatest of sedan offerings but IDK? I’d watch it 🤷♂️
Alright so i bought a 09 cooper s (93k) and had to fix within 5 months: Water pump High pressure fuel pump Fuel filter Spark plugs Ignition coil pack Possibly a turbo return line It took a little tlc bc the previous owners weren’t keeping up with it but ever since i fixed all this its runs like the sickest mario kart and its been a great base car now that im starting to get into car culture and doing a couple mods
I had a manual 2005 Mini Cooper S until about 2015 and it had 150,000 miles and never had a single issue. Now I have a 2016 Mini Cooper 4 door and no issues. I love my minis. Secondly, I bought these two because the 2005 mini S manual and the 2016 manuals have the BEST reliability for the mini brands per consumer reports. Just like any “sports” car, you have to take more care of them. Simple as that.
2014 R59 MINI cooper S roadster Lowered on Koni V2s WaveTrac LSD Catless DP Usable hood scoop right into intake Bytetronic tune Bigger Inter cooler Wagner M7 Strut Bar Bigger sway bar 21mm Wilwood BBK 255 WHP in a pretty light little car all in all a RIOT!!
The issues are mainly for the newer ones, r56 and onwards cause of bad carbon build up, r56s are direct injection where as r53s (supercharged) are port injection, r53s are solid minis, if you get em with a stick, don't bother with the CVTs take care of your mini and it will take care of you and let you have a blast while doing so
I've owned mine for three weeks. I changed the broken high pressure fuel pump and fuel filter on week one £340. I changed the leaking leaking turbo oil feed line, oil filter housing gaskets, oil cooler gaskets, coolant/antifreeze and downpipe fittings on week two £150 and 10 hours. I've changed the oil and oil filter this week and bought an extra 5l of oil for top ups (it has used 600ml in 2000 miles) £80. It still needs a new rocker cover, timing chain kit, water pump and antiroll bar bushes. When I get chance the front and rear subframes are pretty rusty and need changing for reconditioned ones along with all of the bushes that go in them. That's before I even think about performance modifications...but I still love it and the way it makes me feel.
I love my mini, but had to put in almost as much as I paid for the damn thing right off the bat. Pretty much wouldn't trade it away tho now that its (fairly) sorted
Yes they are a pain in the ass at times but im sticking with the mini for as long as possible 😅 i have an 06 s with 198,xxx and 2 classic minis. One with a vw motor and the other with a yamaha R1 motor!!
My minis are for the most part always having something go wrong. But no matter what I will always own a mini. My wife and I have 2 an R50 and a R56 working on getting an R53 now.
Bro, I want a Mini so bad that I literally have 21 different versions/tune setups of the 2009 JCW in Forza Horizon 4 ...and yes I use all of them...a lot 😂
I got to say I have a 2010 Mini Copper D and it’s the best thing I ever brought perfect amount of power and torque for everyday driving, but also if you want to ragit it and go for a track day it will hold its own against other little hot hatches
I have had a 2004 s for 3 years as of last week, amazing car to own and drive because it literally will want you to push harder into corners and made me a better driver. That being said, you need a decent income to handle the maintenance. lowering this car will without a doubt blow out your axles faster than you will run through your tires. 500 dollar axle change however is the less costly issue with this car lmao
My r56 is already having timing chain issues and I’ve only had it a year. But I don’t give a frack, this car is so fun to drive. Replacing the chain and guides currently. Sense the front end is already torn apart, I don’t see a reason why not to put the JCW turbo in it lol.
I love the R56 S because it will never looked dated, it's just small enough and fast enough to call it a fun car to drive daily. Get a tune and you'll be amazed by the torque and even though there are faster cars, none as nimble in tight spaces.
I bought my Mini Cooper s Convertible 2009 as sommer car almost 4 years ago. He had 120 T Km. I drive him seance than. Today he has 197 T Km. Still drives like day 1. Only service done is engine gasget and regularly oil change. And I must admit... That car is eye catcher😎 Great video 👍
I bought a 2005 R50 base automatic for my son's first car and drove it for about a 6 months before I bought myself a 2011 R60 S All4. I love both cars and went in knowing their "issues" and accepting that working on them can be expensive. That being said, my R50 base has been about as bombproof as it can be and I actually really love driving it even with the automatic and no forced induction (I have added an air intake and a pedal tuner (to minimize the by wire throttle lag). Then there's my R60- I bought it about a year ago with under 100k and went at it as if no service had ever been done and expecting to have to bring it current on repairs and service. I have had to replace the coil packs and recently a transfer case BUT I purchased a 100k extended warranty otherwise that repair itself would have been brutally expensive. Nonetheless, I'm a fan of non-typical cars or niche cars like classic, pre 70's Volkswagen (my favorite was my 69 with a 2250) which I feel like Mini fits that cultish love scene. Even my R60 is kind of a niche within the mini world because there aren't really that many out there being modified- most tend to me mom grocery getters. That being said, my R60 is in it's way to being a beautiful, enhanced beast and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Cheers.
my first car was a 2012 mini cooper and I loved it but with time it started getting weird, just weird. But that only made me want a new one and I just got a 2018 mini cooper and it's my baby and my whole life. it just looks so cute.
I just bought an 03’ mini matted with a 5spd, got it for 2K with 130K miles on the odometer. It’s a blast, best two grand I’ve ever spent. So far I’ve hooned it on backroads, and it’s a car that likes to be revved, much like a rotary due to the small engine size. BUT, I will say there are small problems, like bad bushings that’s you get with these cars, power steering pump failing (which isn’t a big deal if you don’t mind working the wheel in lower gear) and of course cooling. Feed these bastards coolant and you’ll be all okay. Clutch is fast and heavy and I love that, gearing is close and nimble. I highly recommend these cars to anyone learning stick because it’s the easiest 5spd I’ve ever driven.
Just slammed my r56 Cooper s if your considering it know that there is a good chance your axles are gonna vibrate 🤷🏼♂️ still the most fun I've ever had driving a car tho
I don't know man. I had three back to back and only one of them had a turbo that blew up. 😂 4 BMWs later, currently in an M6, I am searching for another MINI now to keep the 6 company. I think I want a 2017 S though. They are absolutely the most amount of fun for the money and degree of car.
Tbh if your gona do a show car get an r56 or f56 cause I think those are the more practical ones for that. I love my r53 which I wanna build into a little autocross beast while I’m in college over the summers. After I do my clutch I will hopefully get the money to get her to get some stickier tires and coilovers from yinz. Tbh the gen 1 cars run really well if you take even remotely decent care of them but the r56 gen cars are prone to some more weird shit (hense why your buddy keeps blowing motors). If you want a really fun car for sub 5k, it’s hard to beat a well cared for r53.
i have a 2007 mini s and it awesome car. i have had to work on it but once it was finished i have had it wide open every day i drive from -30 to plus 30C and no issues. just did a 12 hour drive and it ran 3800rpm for about 2 hours straight no issues
Had a manual 2003 base, had it turboed but otherwise stock. Replaced the headlights and got it repainted to the classic green, some of the most fun drives of my life in that little shit box. It was my daily for about four years and was definitely prone to breakdowns for the most random reasons, but was totally worth every penny for the way it drove. Got totaled in an accident two months ago and I’ve never missed a project car more. It’s a fun challenge if you know the risks.
Are you getting any work done on your car while quarantined? Comment below! Also, we have a sale on Air Lift Performance right now! Check it out! bit.ly/38WmCsS
hell yea have to install an intercooler on my mini with some friends in quarantine
Fitment Industries This channel is going to continue to blow up because of Alex alone. Love the content you guys put out!
Do so you want a alfa romeo.
My friend has the new generation mini cooper s but I'm trying to get the gen before that so I can safe money on parts and repairs for damages
Fitment Industries I was putting in lower rear control arms on my G35 and I snapped my sway bar bolts. Nissan doesn’t sell them by themselves because they consider them part of the subframe, you need to buy the whole rear subframe to get them, looks like it’s time to get crafty. FML. Btw Ferraris air ride is looking fresh af Alex you must be pumped.
Where my mini guys at
fixing their broke car lol
Hell yeah
Love my 06 s
R56 2012 owner, biggest money pit but always in love with it
1980 with no paint😂
I've never wanted a Mini, but after driving a John Cooper Works edition in the mountains of Maui, I could totally get down with owning one. Quick, nimble, great sounds out of the gate.
to bad they just dont last. got an e30 318i m42. now thats a car that can outdo a mini and still last forever :P
they are fun cars man. For what you are getting it's a steal, i have had one for year now and with a few minor upgrades it's a little rocket!
@@calebroper4826 they are so extremely unreliable. have fun while it lasts.
@@tomster7574 not necessarily. If they are treated right they can be just as reliable as any other car. The turbo charged models often have A LOT more problems than the Supercharged, which is what I have
@@calebroper4826 the car in general has a terrible track record. from bad timing chain tensioner to wiring that is far to thin for its application. thats just to start. like i said, good like while it lasts.
As someone with a first gen Mini Cooper S. Pretty reliable with the manual supercharged version. 16 years old and no issues
That's impressive hats off to you man for quality maintenance
Reliable...? You are definitely up to date maintenance then. I can tell by that comment you baby your r53
Nah spot on, alot of misinformation in this video surrounding the first gen R53, solid little cars, mines was on 145k, in my ownership all it needed was a new radiator and fan (faulty fan causes the "overheating issues"), supercharged dont need rebuilt every 100k, just an supercharger oil change. M45 eaton SC are bomb proof if you look after them. My mini had a 17% reduced SC pulley, intake, IC, full exhaust and some handling goodies. Used to beat the absolute shit out of it and it sounded superb and performed better than my civic type r on corners and in a straight line.
Strut towers can be fixed with a mallet and some force.
Iron block takes boost well and 350hp+ turbo conversion builds are getting more common.
Theres a half truth when talking about reliability, R56 (2nd gen) are horrifically engineered. I've got a friend who's R56 S shell is on 62k, it's on its third engine.
Everyone knows someone with a buggered R56 parked in their garage lol.
I'd have another R53 in a heartbeat.
Just wait... I have a 2002 R50 ive replaced clutch, wheel barring because it decided to blow up, I have heating issues and in a couple months ill be on my second engine. But hey I still love that thing
Will’s Vlogs&Stuff yeah, there’s gonna be people that had almost no issues with their minis and then preach the reliability when the other 98% have had endless issues lol. They’re fun but definitely not reliable unless you baby the hell out of it.
“People still run these badboys cause they don’t care” perfectly sums up how I feel about my r56’s reliability 😂
Amen brother❤
Dayne Cakerri same here with mine r53 :)
Mike Stooker I loved my R53! It was reliable as hell, till some asshat rear ended me in a pickup truck. I used the insurance money to get my R56. The R56 is definitely a good bit faster, a bit prettier in my opinion, and it’s very fun, but I dunno, there’s something about the R53 that gives it some extra charm. They feel a lot more mechanical, than the R56, and I feel like they can take a lot more punishment than the R56. Both lovely cars though in my opinion.
Gotta love the timing chain, water pump and all the weird things that go wrong lmao
Robert Justin yeaaa its a joy 😂 thankfully I just got all that done when I got my clutch replaced a couple weeks ago so praying that I should be good, for a while at least😂
Alex: "We're not here to talk about the history..."
Literally over half of the video: Explains the history
Mo Powah Baybee
*LIGHTNING, LIGHTNING*
I really wish the donut and fitment guys would do a collab it would be so sick 🚫🧢
As mentioned, the car does suffer from a few common reliability issues, especially if you purchase one pre-owned (used), but once those common issues are fixed overall a pretty good car to drive. Tons a compliments on my R56 (GEN 2) MINI and it's bone stock. Can't wait to start slappin' on some mods!
So do you think a 2021 would be ok? I really want one but the reviews and what ppl say about the reliability of the car scare me a little. 😨
This was my first car. Absolute blast to drive and such a perfect car to learn to really drive in!
i completely agree!
@Eze&Yare Dominguez get some class, yah jabroni
bought a mini cooper 2011 43k miles on first car and it makes me super confident to drive in
I’m getting my dads 2014 countryman and I’m really happy about it
And wrench on? 😂
I had 2013 R56 with 100k miles. Once maintained correctly, it really is a good reliable daily driver.
I bought my first Mini 2 months ago and i have to admit in love with it. I find myself using it more than my 1.8T jetta because that damn R53 is really a street legal go-kart
I always get super anxious when there isn't something broken on my mini.
😂
Because you know it's coming 😅
😂 😂 😂 My R56 has a check engine light and idk why but I feel alot more comfortable
@@blackduncan9812 yooooo
@@alfrednava5622 Ikr prayers have been answered 🙏🙏🙏🙏
I've got a stock '16 base Cooper with the 3 cylinder and even this is a blast to drive. It's got a good pull up to about 90 or so for something with only 3 cylinders and 130hp. For a first car it amazing. It's very light and peppy and the reliability issues are much less of a worry with this 3rd generation (hopefully not talking out of my ass since I'm only at 50000 miles). The torque on the low end is what really does it because it's got something like 15lbs of boost and spools up pretty early so max power is made at like 2300 RPM. And when I need to save on gas because of course this car costs just a little more than it should, I can make up to 50mpg in green mode. It's all around one of the best cars to have as a first car over a Civic or a Golf if you're interested in a hatchback that's actually going to be fun.
I own a 05 Mini Cooper S in black eyed purple and I just love this car. Definetly feels like a go kart around the canyons and mountain roads. And the supercharger whine sounds amazing
My 21yr old R50 Mini Cooper died, so I got myself a F56 Mini Cooper S. happy days 😊
7:20 never say that again. Ever. - All mini owners
Pjijn BURN!!!
If the shoe fits..
Darius Brown its trying to fit a size 8 into a custom size 21
😂😂
I love how the thumbnail shows a 3rd gen, and you never once spoke about the third gen
I was hoping to hear more about the 3rd gen then the 1st gen.....
The 3rd generation (F57) reliability has improved a lot. I held off on buying my 2018 Cooper convertible till Consumer Reports showed almost all categories as green (good). Good mileage & a blast to drive.
I have an 08 Mini and frankly I love the thing. It is so much fun to drive. It does cost a bit more annually for maintenance but it is baked in the cake. Once you use one as a daily driver you don't want to drive anything else. Even the base model is spirited in town and on the highway it feels like you are on a rail. There just isn't anything else like it.
about goddamn time you did one of these.
Sincerely a broken R56 owner.
Bashdun haha my r53 is also broken 🥱😂
Yeah I have a r53 broken and r56 broken also 😂👍
Fix it i guess?
Broke R56 gang rollin strong🤙🏻
Replaced the head due to damage from timing chain tensioner issue. Then replaced the entire engine due to warped head from bad cooling issue. Replaced the High Rate fuel pump twice, alternator twice, Rear suspension, O2 Sensor twice, and a small list of other issues. ive sunk almost 20k in repairs, and FINALLY just paid off my R56. Im gonna drive it until the wheels fall off. Then get something else.
I'm on my second r53. My first one seemed to have every failure that you hear about. Knowing where and how to do every repair possible has made me feel like a guru. I work on all types, but I did a complete front suspension rebuild, added coilovers, and new axles in about 2.5 hrs. I can't say that for anything else I've worked on.
I own a 2016 Cooper which I have built of the last few years to chuck out about 245bhp from its 3 cylinder. I love my car. My recommendation if you get the Gen 3 mini, is for the love of god, change the intercooler to a big and better aftermarket one cause the car suffers from heat soak. Also stay away from the automatic transmissions cause they do not like torque and can be quite limiting in the tuning department. If you do get one please be prepared for shitty fuel economy and for a car which screams MODIFY ME!!!
I have a 2011 mini clubman base.I spent $90 on a stage three chip from Thornton and it gave me a boast of 60 hp.The difference is amazing.
l’ve owned it going on 7 years.Other than coil packs failing it’s been a great car.It has 102k on it and doesn’t burn oil.Trick is to change oil every 5k.I’d like to see new ones go back to super charging instead of turbos.
I have '06 R53 MINI Cooper S (the supercharged one), and I must say that after few little mods its an absolute beast ... smaller pulley, tune, intake, exhaust, etc ... and it is pushing over 220HP and weights around a 1000kg (or 2200lbs for you), so it is perfect track / mountain roads car. I would not change it for anything else in the world, even though it spends like 1/3 of the year broken
Owned 3(02 S,03 S,04 S) and getting a 4th(05 S) of the first gen BMW mini's. Cant beat a mini I love them. With the right modifications you could easily improve the gas mileage while getting more power, as long as you keep up with the regular maintenance alot of the issues aren't that common
Mine is a 1st gen, R53 and its awesome!!! I drive the heck out of it and it’s been pretty good although it did break down three times. The engine is solid and the ares of failure is always around the drive belt. I have had the tensioner, the idle pulley and the crankcase pulley fail. Each time I’ve replaced with upgraded part which will make my mini more reliable. Go out and get an S, you’ll love it.
Alright you talked me into it(I didn't need to be talked into it)
Got a modified 2017 S with 320hp. These little cars rip with FBO and a stage 2 93 or e30 tune . Most fun car I’ve ever owned. And…..got my summer wheel and tire package from Fitment this past spring.
That’s awesome! 🤘
I have a 2014 F56 Mini S, wanted the JCW but that was way out of my price range unfortunately.
Anyways, I've had none of the aforementioned issues. A lot of the issues you mention are from the previous gen Mini's. The only problems I ever had were, one was electrical where the wires melted in the passenger side headlight. Thankfully it was under warranty still, so the dealership fixed it at no cost. And the other issue I had was computer related. The gas sensor wasn't reading properly so they flashed the CPU, updated it, and everything has been fine ever since.
I will say, finding mods for the F56 is way harder though than fining mods for the previous 2 gen models. I did add a sport intake and an Invidia sport exhaust, so that added a bit mo powah babeh. Next upgrade is the intercooler, wheels, spacers for a more aggressive stance, maybe a new turbo, but I read that upgrading the turbo could actually lessen the power, and a Duell AG wing and hood, because I hate the fact that the hoodscoop is fake and closed off. I actually popped the plastic piece off to let cool air into the engine bay. Not really sure that's really doing anything but, I've at least convinced myself that it's kind of functional since it's now open to make myself feel better.
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
Depending on the model the issues aren’t terrible but working on them can be a pain in the ass
My 2013 Clubby S has got a good amount of upgrades and with damn near 130000 miles on it. It drive great. Minimum rattle. Have not changed the timing chain. Very reliable.
Yo! Let's not forget to mention that the 2.0 B48 that's in the GEN 3 series is a monster and has been shown to be dead reliable. The whole 3rd gen chassis is significantly better on the reliability!!
Yeah, true. I'd say, in terms of reliability F56 > R53 > R56. In terms of driving - R53 > R56 > F56. So, choose between R53 and F56 - whatever you need more (reliability vs driving emotions).
I have owned 2 of them. I still have both of them. My 2004 is not an S. However it is still fun to drive. I recently bought a 2017! Love is putting it mildly. All kinds of Bella and whistles. It is a rag top. Beautiful teal color. It is a head turner. I’m a Mini Cooper owner probably forever. Love love love.
Love the mini but hear me out. What about if you want a infiniti Q50?
Or maybe G37 sedan?
Assxmption there is already an episode on that
@@isuckatvideogamez6276 Oh lol, now I see
q60?
Spank these all day long in a stock s lmao the infinite looks nice but is junk
Late to comment but I drove a 2020 cooper s (189 hp) for 8 months and it was soo fun to drive, just hearing those twin turbos spool and the acceleration was very impressive. I now own a 2005 r50 mini (poverty spec) and although it doesn't have great hp I've had so much fun with it. And because its cheap I've gained experience with working on it and modifying it (mostly cosmetic like dechroming and painting). Great fun to drive and very nippy
I started driving on my dad's Mini and they're fun as heck to drive so I want one now
Bought an '03 S for with 133k for $2k, opened it up to check and the supercharger was in perfect condition. After a few mods, it's an absolute blast. Unbeatable for the price.
I have a 2011 Mini Cooper S. Definitely the most fun car I've ever driven. Blown it up 2 times though. Shit's gonna happen when you try to make a corner killer.
I think as long as you keep up with the maintenance on the mini's they work great🍻🍁 plus the newer mini's especially 2011+ have better engines which fix these problems
Reliability only problematic in 1st and 2nd gen. 3rd gen has completely new engine and chassis and is one of the most reliable cars there is.
I’ve got a 2019 Cooper S personally. Slowly working though adding mods to it. 17x8 wheels with 225/45 Firehawk Indy 500s, aFe Power intake, Forge high flow intake pipe, Forge charge pipes, Wagner intercooler, Miltek catless downpipe, 3in straight mid pipe, Dinan axle back. On the stock tune I’m making 205whp and 215lb-ft. Up from the 177whp, 186lb-ft the car was making bone stock. Looking forward to new suspension and a quality tune this summer to the most I can before I move on to forged internals and a bigger turbo.
Finally you guys did it! Representing the F56s here!
I had a Mini Cooper as my first car. It had 100k miles on it and it broke at almost 200k miles it was a 2008 2 door Mini Cooper. I loved it, it drives divine, cheap on gas, expensive to give maintenance though but I loved it. After that I bought a Nissan and it’s transmission broke at 50k miles.
My Mini Cooper is CONSTANTLY overheating, first we thought it was bubbles in the radiator (it wasn’t) then we thought it was the fan (it wasn’t) and tomorrow I’m changing the thermostat 🥵. I wouldn’t change it for the world mind you 😍
Oil cooler, Aluminum radiator, Amsoil coolant boost. Try these
I used to have a Chili Red '02 R50. It didn't have much horsepower, but god was it fun to throw around corners. It was an adult go-cart, and with a decent exhaust, was just a blast to drive. Anyone who hates on them has never gotten behind the wheel.
Been waiting for this one! Let's go!
This was super accurate and of course I still love my mini
Zachary Ramirez I just bought a 08 Mini Cooper s like 4 days ago i was hype to see this vid got any tips for ownership
@@zgarrett1125 yeah basically keep up on your maintenance and keep a code reader with you. I have 150,000+ on my Cooper and it runs fine.
I feel you man
I heard they were garbage. Any truth. What years should be avoided?? I like the look. Reliability??
@@DS..69 If you're thinking about the 1st gen Mini, only go for 2005. It's really not worth looking at any of the previous years due to just silly reliability issues. Not saying that the '05 is perfect, it's just much better. They're insanely fun to drive if you're not hooked on power. With some simple mods like air intake, reduced supercharger pulley, and exhaust, you'll have a car that sounds great with a LOUD supercharger whine. I floor it through a tunnel every day on my way home from work.
I have a supercharged E46 M3, built WRX on E85, Alafa 155 Q4 2.0, just picked up my first mini Cooper S with a 6 speed. man I love it. plus I've been averaging 32 mpg. how you started explaining the background I was like the MPG and power has me amazed. it's fun no doubt
I am absolutely in love with my Mini. Fun as hell till you gotta fix it, but once it’s fixed all the pain of fixing is leaves your mind and it’s all fun again 😂
I agree!
@@almaiscupcake damn this was 4 years ago i forgot about this. I have an f82 m4 now. Still love minis, think of mine from time to time.
@mizaqenyad4269 wow that's so nice!
@@mizaqenyad4269 I have a 2010 R56 mini copper s
Thankyou for being honest about build quality and issues. This is what people really need to know about
Do a video for the passat. we need to know why it is so HATED, mine is 20 years old and runs perfect and purres like a kitten!!
It's cool to hate them, but is a budget audi a4
I respect that - the VW Passat is hated needlessly. Sure, the older ones are a bit boring, but I still think it receives more hate than it deserves
Owner of an ‘03 Cooper S. Absolute blast to drive. First gens are far more reliable than the 2nd gen (r56). Had the car for 2 years now and no serious issues, just the regular maintanance. Could have a bit moh powehh though
I have a mini cooper s and I love it out of the 5 cars I have it's been the most reliable
I know I’m late, but I’ve never owned a more fun car in my life other than my 2006 R53 Mini Cooper S. The supercharged 1.6 makes it a badass screaming toaster that never fails to get people to look and ask themselves “that little thing?!”
1:10 **hears the intro song popping up** 😫 turns volume all the way up 🔥🔥🔥
I own 2 minis and love them both, I own an '02 R50 with about 120k miles and besides the radiator fan not working and an emissions leak she is a blast to drive. My latest mini is a 2015 Mini Cooper Countryman s ALL4. With 3 kids the extra doors are great and the all wheel drive is super fun in the rain and snow when you turn off DSC and Abs. With the 50/50 power split on launchs you the car feels like it has more torque than what the manufacturer says and it's so fun.
Any buddy I sit in the passenger seat is surprised about how the car handles. I have had it on 2 wheels once since the R60 is a bit bigger but with some proper suspension I'm sure I can fix that problem.
Countryman seem cool on paper, just wish they would remodel it because as is its in the ugliest car up there with the Cube, new tesla truck and the prius... would just get the clubman which is actualy cool
My wife is on her 3rd Mini Cooper, and Yes, I do want one!
I have a 13' S convert, never had a problem in 48k miles but will get rid of the runflat tires for a smoother ride!
That beat is a real one. It didn’t have to go that hard for us but it still did. Mad respect. Also, so you want a Nissan Sentra? Maybe? Possibly? Not the greatest of sedan offerings but IDK? I’d watch it 🤷♂️
Alright so i bought a 09 cooper s (93k) and had to fix within 5 months:
Water pump
High pressure fuel pump
Fuel filter
Spark plugs
Ignition coil pack
Possibly a turbo return line
It took a little tlc bc the previous owners weren’t keeping up with it but ever since i fixed all this its runs like the sickest mario kart and its been a great base car now that im starting to get into car culture and doing a couple mods
YES! YES! FINALLY! I get to see someone explain what a poor financial decision I made!
I had a manual 2005 Mini Cooper S until about 2015 and it had 150,000 miles and never had a single issue. Now I have a 2016 Mini Cooper 4 door and no issues. I love my minis.
Secondly, I bought these two because the 2005 mini S manual and the 2016 manuals have the BEST reliability for the mini brands per consumer reports.
Just like any “sports” car, you have to take more care of them. Simple as that.
I didn't buy the mini, the mini bought me
They're like cats
2014 R59 MINI cooper S roadster
Lowered on Koni V2s
WaveTrac LSD
Catless DP
Usable hood scoop right into intake
Bytetronic tune
Bigger Inter cooler Wagner
M7 Strut Bar
Bigger sway bar 21mm
Wilwood BBK
255 WHP in a pretty light little car all in all a RIOT!!
Just get a 2015 if you want the fun and good reliability. Easy
Are the 2013’s reliable??
@@leoephrem4889 nope
The issues are mainly for the newer ones, r56 and onwards cause of bad carbon build up, r56s are direct injection where as r53s (supercharged) are port injection, r53s are solid minis, if you get em with a stick, don't bother with the CVTs take care of your mini and it will take care of you and let you have a blast while doing so
Being someone with an r56 mini. I've been waiting so long for this video
R50 lmao
Lord admiral Ravenclaw R55 JCW same!!! Been in the DM’s trying to get one of these
R53 FTW
@@XX-ce5tv superchargers are my favourite ☺️
Osip Channel I’d take a R56 or my JCW R55 over the R53 any day 🤷🏽♂️
I've owned mine for three weeks. I changed the broken high pressure fuel pump and fuel filter on week one £340. I changed the leaking leaking turbo oil feed line, oil filter housing gaskets, oil cooler gaskets, coolant/antifreeze and downpipe fittings on week two £150 and 10 hours. I've changed the oil and oil filter this week and bought an extra 5l of oil for top ups (it has used 600ml in 2000 miles) £80. It still needs a new rocker cover, timing chain kit, water pump and antiroll bar bushes. When I get chance the front and rear subframes are pretty rusty and need changing for reconditioned ones along with all of the bushes that go in them. That's before I even think about performance modifications...but I still love it and the way it makes me feel.
I love my mini, but had to put in almost as much as I paid for the damn thing right off the bat. Pretty much wouldn't trade it away tho now that its (fairly) sorted
I am 19. And i am on my second mini already. Super fun cars to drive, and the JCW coopers are totaly worth getting
Yes they are a pain in the ass at times but im sticking with the mini for as long as possible 😅 i have an 06 s with 198,xxx and 2 classic minis. One with a vw motor and the other with a yamaha R1 motor!!
My minis are for the most part always having something go wrong. But no matter what I will always own a mini. My wife and I have 2 an R50 and a R56 working on getting an R53 now.
Bro, I want a Mini so bad that I literally have 21 different versions/tune setups of the 2009 JCW in Forza Horizon 4 ...and yes I use all of them...a lot 😂
Colin Hawks I’ll sell you my r56 s :)
I got to say I have a 2010 Mini Copper D and it’s the best thing I ever brought perfect amount of power and torque for everyday driving, but also if you want to ragit it and go for a track day it will hold its own against other little hot hatches
I have had a 2004 s for 3 years as of last week, amazing car to own and drive because it literally will want you to push harder into corners and made me a better driver. That being said, you need a decent income to handle the maintenance. lowering this car will without a doubt blow out your axles faster than you will run through your tires. 500 dollar axle change however is the less costly issue with this car lmao
My r56 is already having timing chain issues and I’ve only had it a year. But I don’t give a frack, this car is so fun to drive. Replacing the chain and guides currently. Sense the front end is already torn apart, I don’t see a reason why not to put the JCW turbo in it lol.
The car didn’t bring me here....it was Alex’s face😂😂
So you want a dodge dart/ challenger??
No
No one wants a dart xD
id take a dart manual with the 2.4 and buy the turbo kit ramping the hp up to 305 and instant sleeper....google it.
@@Scypher0th an instant sleeper that screams poverty zone
I love the R56 S because it will never looked dated, it's just small enough and fast enough to call it a fun car to drive daily. Get a tune and you'll be amazed by the torque and even though there are faster cars, none as nimble in tight spaces.
So you want a CRX
or maybe eg civic, ef civic, ek civic
it would be cool if it would be a EF or a CRX doe
nice my comment got hearted hope you guys mention kanjozoku lol
I bought my Mini Cooper s Convertible 2009 as sommer car almost 4 years ago. He had 120 T Km. I drive him seance than. Today he has 197 T Km. Still drives like day 1. Only service done is engine gasget and regularly oil change. And I must admit... That car is eye catcher😎 Great video 👍
I've said it before, I'll say it again...the beat slaps.
I bought a 2005 R50 base automatic for my son's first car and drove it for about a 6 months before I bought myself a 2011 R60 S All4. I love both cars and went in knowing their "issues" and accepting that working on them can be expensive. That being said, my R50 base has been about as bombproof as it can be and I actually really love driving it even with the automatic and no forced induction (I have added an air intake and a pedal tuner (to minimize the by wire throttle lag). Then there's my R60- I bought it about a year ago with under 100k and went at it as if no service had ever been done and expecting to have to bring it current on repairs and service. I have had to replace the coil packs and recently a transfer case BUT I purchased a 100k extended warranty otherwise that repair itself would have been brutally expensive. Nonetheless, I'm a fan of non-typical cars or niche cars like classic, pre 70's Volkswagen (my favorite was my 69 with a 2250) which I feel like Mini fits that cultish love scene. Even my R60 is kind of a niche within the mini world because there aren't really that many out there being modified- most tend to me mom grocery getters. That being said, my R60 is in it's way to being a beautiful, enhanced beast and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Cheers.
my first car was a 2012 mini cooper and I loved it but with time it started getting weird, just weird. But that only made me want a new one and I just got a 2018 mini cooper and it's my baby and my whole life. it just looks so cute.
I just bought an 03’ mini matted with a 5spd, got it for 2K with 130K miles on the odometer. It’s a blast, best two grand I’ve ever spent. So far I’ve hooned it on backroads, and it’s a car that likes to be revved, much like a rotary due to the small engine size. BUT, I will say there are small problems, like bad bushings that’s you get with these cars, power steering pump failing (which isn’t a big deal if you don’t mind working the wheel in lower gear) and of course cooling. Feed these bastards coolant and you’ll be all okay. Clutch is fast and heavy and I love that, gearing is close and nimble. I highly recommend these cars to anyone learning stick because it’s the easiest 5spd I’ve ever driven.
R56 Gang where y’all at?
Flightboss33 in the shop
Same mine is in the shop too. He isn’t lying when he said least reliable. I just bought a Honda Si for that reason. Get yourself a Honda!
Yes sir 🤟🏻
Just slammed my r56 Cooper s if your considering it know that there is a good chance your axles are gonna vibrate 🤷🏼♂️ still the most fun I've ever had driving a car tho
Low key I was looking at mini coopers yesterday
I love my mini so much. However, I cannot recommend it to anyone because of the potential for problems.
If you go r56 check the timing chain
Flash Smith buy a r53. That’s all you want :p
like others have said, if you do it, go for an r53.
@@humansd221 or an F series. Still fun to drive and the most reliable generation.
Dude your channel is just one big COMMERCIAL................
Alex: "... more power...baby, there I said it.." HAHAHA
I actually had to pause the video just laugh my face off .. thank you Alex
I don't know man. I had three back to back and only one of them had a turbo that blew up.
😂
4 BMWs later, currently in an M6, I am searching for another MINI now to keep the 6 company. I think I want a 2017 S though. They are absolutely the most amount of fun for the money and degree of car.
I love that beat drop 🔥🔥🔥 straight fuego my friend
Tbh if your gona do a show car get an r56 or f56 cause I think those are the more practical ones for that. I love my r53 which I wanna build into a little autocross beast while I’m in college over the summers. After I do my clutch I will hopefully get the money to get her to get some stickier tires and coilovers from yinz. Tbh the gen 1 cars run really well if you take even remotely decent care of them but the r56 gen cars are prone to some more weird shit (hense why your buddy keeps blowing motors). If you want a really fun car for sub 5k, it’s hard to beat a well cared for r53.
I wish he would have talked more about the 3rd gen 😂 most if not all of the issues have been solved
Current f56 Cooper S owner and I freaking love this beast of a car. Punches well above it weight on the highway
MO' POWAH BEBEH
tu mama
i have a 2007 mini s and it awesome car. i have had to work on it but once it was finished i have had it wide open every day i drive from -30 to plus 30C and no issues. just did a 12 hour drive and it ran 3800rpm for about 2 hours straight no issues
Looks like y’all listened to me🙏🏻
We be out here making the suggestions and they be listening
I had one. Got ~20 miles per gallon of gas and ~500 miles per quart of oil. Still loved it but was mildly relieved when I totaled it.
SO yOu WaNt A Lexus LS 400!!!/430!! Dam imagine a Mini Cooper with a V8 that’s crazy 🙃
hoonigan made a video on one like two years ago look it up lol
Had a manual 2003 base, had it turboed but otherwise stock. Replaced the headlights and got it repainted to the classic green, some of the most fun drives of my life in that little shit box. It was my daily for about four years and was definitely prone to breakdowns for the most random reasons, but was totally worth every penny for the way it drove. Got totaled in an accident two months ago and I’ve never missed a project car more. It’s a fun challenge if you know the risks.
The intros are always bangers damm 🔥🔥
The F56 after 2014 are pretty reliable due to the B46/48 engine. But the early ones were a mess.
"Its usually all SUNSHINE AND DORITOS" LMAO WHY AM I DYING?!
rx7 vert?
@@somestranger8598 LOL