Wait until it needs work and they will. Thermostat housing is plastic and will crack and melt. The motor mounts are bolted to the head which causes the head bolts to stretch and blow head gaskets. The factory battery costs $450.
I have base 2004 r50 mini cooper, I'm 20 and it's my first car. I absolutely love it, it's such a fun little car, and everything wanted in my first car. It's fast (but not too fast) and handles great. Mine's not supercharged like the r53 cooper s, so I haven't had any unreliable engine issues. I'm also restoring a lot of the car, right now I'm insulating the interior and building a rear seat delete with audio upgrades, and when the weather warms up I have some rust to repair. It's a great little car that I'm going to have for a long time.
I had a ‘09 Clubman S, with the N14 engine. Just replace the timing chain, guides & tensioner now before you have problems. Always check your oil level and change it early and often. Also check the engine ground straps. They my look good but they really decay with age and exposure to winter salt. Best of luck! FYI, I still own 2 first gen MINIs an R50 & R53...always a blast to drive. Happy motoring Tommy!
True to all of that. After the head gasket goes, install arp racing studs, copper head gasket and I used the copper sealant on the gasket. Worked great for me
The timing chain is easier to replace than you might think. I had to replace the turbo oil feed line, which is on the front of the engine behind everything... So while I was in there is was simple enough to change the chain and tensioner as well.
Got an R53 1 year and a half ago, absolutely love it ! And just like you, I know they're not the most reliable cars out there, but I've budgeted for that, and the car's simply worth it. Can't wait to see more from this car !
I have a Mini Cooper since 2009 and I'm so happy with it. I don't care about people saying bad things about them, my experience after 11 years driving this car almost every day is great and I'm very satisfied.
I totally agree with you guys hey. I'm obsessed with Mini's. Got one recently, got a couple problems. I'm just gonna fix it, simple. But this car has been the most fun to drive. I'm not interested in driving any other car and I'm going to buy another Mini😎🤭😁😋
The key is to keep up on the maintenance or even staying ahead of it (Like many newer cars actually). The head gasket is not forgiving as so many cars that have 0 clearance aluminum head. Defiantly fun to drive though!
I had a 2013 Mini S with the John Cooper Works engine tune, exhaust, suspension and brakes. Then it also had the GP rear seat delete, aero bits, seats and basically full interior. It was a phenomenal build done with all Mini parts. I decided to add a Quaife LSD to the car and it became the best performing, completely perfect handling car I've ever had the pleasure to drive. Have fun with yours. I sold mine as soon as the warranty ended as taking it 75 miles to Cleveland would have gotten old if I had to pay for it. I replaced it with an e36 M3 and don't regret the decision one bit. The M3 has proven to be more reliable even though it's 14 years older and has a 100k more miles.
I've just bought a 2004 mini cooper. It's October 2022 now and only has 78000 on the clock. It's super fun. Really enjoy driving it. And apart from a slipping fan belt had no issues. I'll come back in 6 months with an update.
I have an '08 R55s which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! So far in 25000 miles of ownership (I'm the 5th owner) I've HAD to spend about $7k getting a forged rebuilt engine, new turbo, 200cpi sport cat, new intercooler, replaced suspension parts, nearly every accessory on the engine including two thermostats (belts, oil lines, coolant and vacuum pump, regulator, lines, starter, intake hoses, etc...) a competition clutch, lots of replaced broken interior parts, paint, new tires.... I just treat it like a poor man's Jaguar or Ferrari. It wants to be a track car that you drive on the street. So, you the owner get to be it's sponsor and pit crew. Have fun with your new MCS-JCW!
I just acquired an 05 R53 with the huge intercooler and functional hood scoop and that awesome supercharger whine. I am prepared to spend to keep it running. I'm 77, and I wanted a stick shift. I don't drive a lot, but I always have fun when I drive it.
I have a 2009 Clubman S with the same engine and I have never had it break down. I have sorted out the potential issues before they fail. I found a great MINI specialist that replaced the timing chain, tensioner and guides, and sorted out the oil seepage but replacing the front main seal, oil pan gasket and vacuum pump. It was a very reasonable $1400. Before I found the independent specialist I had my local MINI dealership replace the oil filter assembly gaskets and turbo oil feed line and that was more expensive since it was at the dealership. It was about $1700 at dealer rates. Now I have no worries about driving for thousands of miles. The n14s engine is the best secret for those who understand that you need to check and maintain the oil level and regular service every 5k miles. Enjoy your MINI!
My 2003 R53 has a shrick cam, 550cc injectors, Megan racing long tube headers and Ireland engineering cat back, Ksport coil overs, an M7 intake , 15% super charger pulley, detroit tuned bypass valve and Revolution Mini Works ECU remap .. next on the list is better axles and a limited-slip diff. it's all go and no slow, right now. needs more grip and better brakes. We get 200hp at the wheels on the dyno. It's really fast Thanks for your videos.
Its a beautiful car. All future owners must know they are pricey to maintain. You are right though, theres nothing out there like it. The driving experience is quite unique!
I have a low mileage manual 06 S Convertible. I bought it 3 years ago and put about 5,000 miles a year since. After the first repairs to get it up to the standard I wanted it, I have spent almost nothing on repairs. The first generation with a manual transmission , if properly maintained, can bee bullet proof. There are huge issues with some years, some engines and transmissions but if you buy the right one, they are great cars worth twice the price.
I just got a 2011 countryman S with a blown engine for 1K, it has 90k miles, the inside is immaculate but apparently the previous owners didn’t care about maintanence that’s why the engine got shut, the engine was 2500, put it on my self and is running like a champ, I’m surprise at how it feels and handles, everyone I know even myself we always made fun of this cars and now I’m a proud owner of one, PSA if it’s this brand or any other do your cars maintenance it will save you a lot of money
Just purchaced a 2009 JCW totally modded and looks better than the day it came off the floor, that and it only has 38k. Looking forward to ripping it around later today wooooo hoooo.
Just got one! Love it. Fun fast ride. Lots of really cool features. Good call. Let them drive those boring cars that all look the same. We got lives to live!
Hey ro.... I am 100 percent with you, I LOVE my 06 supercharged mini and I have the steptronic automatic that can also be manually shifted on the steering wheel , which is great sometimes. an 06 with on ly 80000 miles and its completely the most driving enjoyment in a car ive ever had (doesnt beat a motorcycle but what does?) So I have also spliced off some savings for planned repairs and am actually going to TRY to take care of some of the biggies before failure. ANDS also do lots of pampering preventative maintenance. SO I got your back dude for sure, any nay sayers are looking up our tail pipes anyways as we blow by them in a blur. ENJOY
@TFLclassics thank you Tommy for that rant at the end. I have become a huge car enthusiast because of your channels and believe that each brand/cars should be appreciated for what they offer. Great work.
Owner for a mini cooper r56 d 112hp 2007. Right it's not a jhon works, but with 140000milles in the clock, still working in perfect conditions and still the funniest car I drive.
If you ever need parts, give Chad a call over at Detroit Tuned. They ship anywhere and make some of the best aftermarket parts for that generation. Glad to see Mini's on this channel more!
bought a 2010 R55 Clubman S, Love it, just like you planned for all the maintenance, did the maintenance, OUCH! but still Love it! (side note, my mechanic confirmed it was a "build to order" Mini)
Hi. I just purchased a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman S yesterday from a seller. How do I know if mine is turbocharged and the JCW model? Thanks in advance!!
Joker I got a 2012 cooper convertible. Almost 90k miles now and no expensive repairs needed. Unfortunately in the car world under 100k isn’t really a lot of distance so problems may come later
@@milesb1763 Wow 3 people with no serious problems. Unfortunately, that balances out with 1000's of people who have had endless problems with this crappy car.
I have a R56 cooper s, just take the hangout and replace all gaskets and seals, also replace the water pump and thermostat and connection pipe between the 2. Do this and you will have no problems. We have just done this and no problems
Most fun car I've ever owned! I had to get rid of it because I couldn't stop myself from modding it. He's right though- if you know the issues save for them and fix them before you're stranded. Drive one and then you'll understand the love for them.
You'll get nothing negative from me Tommy,..I too think these are super motoring fun, cars. I bought a 2010 Mini Cooper,..non turbo, just a convertible. I've had mine since 2012, and I do store it away in late October and it comes out when the good weather comes back to make fun sun driving again. The way the weather's going this year,...I might get 3 months out in the sun with it,, but I do enjoy my Mini too. You're going to have good fun with this,...just be sure to give it all the recommended service it demands,.and you'll be fine ( so will the Mini )
The car is fun I have a 2011 S 6 speed it's so much fun to drive, driving in the mountains shifting gears, it take corners so fast its a blast, yes you do have to plan for the big things but doing the breaks, wheel bearings stuff like that isn't that bad, but when it comes to big things unless your good with engines you need to take it to the dealer but for the most part it's a good car I love mine
Yeah I have a 2008 Mini Cooper S and it s a lot of fun to drive. Mines haven’t given me any problems yet either but if you are a car enthusiast then who cares! Enjoy the car and have fun. And for the haters, thx but no thx 🙏🏿
I own 2004 JCW and drive it since new. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. I think the supercharger on mine was much better idea than turbo setup. The inside design and solutions on firs generation were much better than second. Radio is where it supposed to be. :) As I was getting ready to upgrade I thought I liked the "Pacemen" but they stopped making them. Mini going off-road would be great.
I feel you. I had an '04 Cooper S from new for 10 years. Last 5 years cost me $12k in repairs. But, when it ran, it was a blast to drive. It also never stranded me. I replaced it with a '14 GTI...I never learn. Lol
Tommy,excellent choice,I personally had a 2014 mini Cooper Paceman John Cooper Works 🚘 (Hand built engine in it’s own JCW factory 🏭)...It is by far one of the coolest and most fun cars I’ve ever owned..Had all the bells and whistle’s...Enjoy it!😃😃the only thing that sucked🤮 were those cont run flat tires..What a go-kart ride
I bought my wife the countryman s and literally i change the oil every 3,000 miles to makes sure no issues. With a $500 tune i get 220hp per tune. Dont have actual numbers but its worth any failure. The car is fun and my wife knows im jealous.
Good for you. I just got an 83 Mini for 7K and now i gotta spend 12k more to fix everything lol. I fell in love with my mini and I will spend just to be able to drive it and smile while doing it.
I don't hate your video Tommy... Not at all buddy...I like all your shows...your an excellent automotive journalist Tommy...keep up the good work buddy.
If your car has the run flat tires on it......get rid of them for standard ones so you can drive it on anything other then perfect roads. Many options that will improve handling as well.
I owned an '03 S, modded. When it started breaking too much, traded for an '06 JCW similar to this but with the sunroof, which ended up jammed open, cost over $300 to get tracks cleaned and fixed. Just be prepared to pay for gold-plated BMW parts. Both required getting the heads decarboned on a regular basis, bad design. Blast to drive, but sad reliability is why they're cheap.
Hey… how has the car been? It’s been two years since you posted this video.. inquiring minds want to know! I have this exact goal and the same expectations… would love to have a Mini Cooper as a fun second car one day..!
Good choice Tommy I’ve had 2 x Cooper S cabrios and yes reliability not great but fun cars to drive all the same and so easy to place on the road but all lack the dynamic depth of better hot hatches hence now drive a Megane RS265 which sadly weren’t sold in USA
Awesome comments I got an 07 convertible does it have issues they all do guys like you make own one easier they are a hoot to own and drive I am a do it yourself owner and love you videos
@ 6:15 - The Car have timer that it shutdown after about 30 seconds. Basically, the Car still on and still have the "by-pass" of the code to restart again.
If you like the R56 / 2nd Gen MINI Cooper S, you will simply LOVE the R53 / 1st Gen MINI Cooper S. Especially the last years from 2005-2006. Better handling, better engine. And the supercharger is way more fun than a turbo.
Awesome car, awesome video, screw the haters! I used to be a hater until I drove a friends F53, now I own an F60. Absolutely the most fun I have ever had driving a car, I am now looking to buy a F53 for a project track car. Thanks for sharing your love of this car!
Also there must be something wrong with your key fob. I do NOT need to put mine into the holder to start my car. I leave mine in my pocket mostly. Press the break, push start. I have a 2008 Cooper S
Fun fact: if you use just one of your two factory keys, the other one will die because the rechargeable battery inside gets charged inductively while driving. You need to rotate between the two keys to keep this from happening.
6:25 that is a feature of any BMW or Mini that is *capable* of comfort access - that is, keeping your key in your pocket the whole time -but doesn't have that feature. It's such a weird (sigh) quirk. It makes me feel like BMW didn't want to create new code for cars that didn't have comfort access so they just kind of left it lol
Really like your good taste in Mini Coopers! I drive a 2015 Mini Cooper S, I added the JWC booster kit. It is a fast nimble BLAST! Great exhaust note, very baritone, on the plus side you gain the 20% power boost, but you loose the iconic "pop pop" Mini noise
The timing chains, oil leaks/burns and the plastic water pump are a nightmare. I prefer the R53 engine. If you have 1, change oil every 5k, check oil regularly, service parts quickly if issues arise and go for the revised engine, exposed coil packs mean its the first engine, the revised engine is better, but still delicate. Good car but its NOT cheap in terms of running costs.
Here's my take on Mini's bad rap and I'm pretty certain I'm right after seeing my 2007's service notes after being serviced at the dealer 2007-2016 when the engine blew and I bought it. These cars are annoying to work on if you've let issues go for too long or if you have an unlucky early failure with a normally reliable component. Since most of the service the first 5-10yrs sets up everything for any owner afterwards, if dealer mechanics do things like simply replacing a top timing guide that is "missing" after they were investigating a chain noise complaint, well then it's easy to see how many of these cars end up being a crap shoot for subsequent owners. When I rebuilt my N14 a year after those service notes, I found fine aluminum powder and plastic bits made up most of the gunk completely covering the oil pump screen.....missing timing guide found I guess? The other problem is BMW kept some badly designed parts as their replacement parts, so for things like turbo oil lines and built in valve cover EGR valves, there's going to constantly be issues when those parts keep failing every few years. Using aftermarket parts and designs to resolve the things BMW never improved and actually doing the maintenance properly without some of the laughable shortcuts dealer mechanics got away with much of the time means that it should at least be as reliable as any other modern 4cyl turbo on the road these days. The dealer even ignored their own 10yr rust warranty on the undercarriage of my R56 pretty much because the owner just never thought to ask them to replace and cover the parts. I couldn't safely use the front or rear subframes on my 2007 despite every other part under the car being rust free or only having minor surface rust. I'll be keeping these rust-free southern subframes waxed or greased up for winters now and will never have to replace bushings or trailing links now since I have the luxury of doing it once with urethane or adjustable aftermarket parts, but dealers can only use factory parts that would only last 1/4 as long.
I love my mini copper I hope 🤞 it last 2013 i must say I worry about it ! But I love it It not the most Expensive car I’ve ever had or the nicest that there’s something about it I love it I don’t know why just do please please please ignore a lot of the comments but I sure cannot stop watching videos about these cars
I've driven a Mini twice, just for fun, and they are fun to drive, especially the manual gearshift. But I need a reliable vehicle, so no Mini for me. Have fun though.
I just bought my 2009 mini cooper s early this year. Sucks how everone talks crap about the car. Honestly has me thinking about it making 300whp and destroying everyone on the street(on a closed course)
I'm with you on that one... Yes a civic and corolla are better. But minis, beetles, jags, BMW's etc are the way to go. Life is too short to drive boring car
I've owned a Cooper S for the past years and it's kind of a mixed bag. It's definitely a joy to drive, sounds good, manual gearbox, tiny car, you can hear the turbo spool, steering is great, enough headroom and rather practical and the thing looks cool too ! But boy... this thing is so unreliable. It's a lot of fun, but I genuinely can't tell people to get one without mentioning it. I've probably paid around 8'000$ in repair costs in the last 2-3 years. Turbo blew up, had several overheating problems, had to change the clutch, got issues with the roof (it's cabrio)...etc and the list goes on. It's a lot of fun, but I just can't recommend this car for a young buyer (unless financial questions aren't a problem for you). Anyway, have fun but don't wait for the car to fall apart...
Tommy, One fun little car have enjoyed a 07 Cooper S/JCW for the last 9 years, great handling, lots of zip w/ ok mpg, hard ride on road trips. Oh there is a factory heat shield for the hood scoop (?). Good luck
Buy whatever makes you happy. I think it's funny that you and Roman bought a mini shortly after Nathan's wife bought hers, did she let you drive it and you guys got hooked? Nice car but everything about that interior is terrible, especially the colour and wood selections.
My friend needs money and wants me to buy 2005 Mini convertible. She said one of the cylinders is blown, so I'm assuming it needs a new engine. She's giving it to my for $300. Body and Interior are still in mint condition. Any advice would be appreciated.
Love the BMW based Mini. Then you think of a mid-sized car company like BMW making something unique, why cant the major manufacturers VW (now having taken fun out of Beetle), Toyota, GM, Honda, Ford. Even Nissan produced the Figaro
I think it's cool. If bulletproof reliability were the be-all and end-all of the enthusiast motoring experience, I wouldn't drive old cars. But that "showing an old girl some love" aspect of automotive enthusiasm is part of the charm for me. I daily drive an immaculate 2002 Mustang that I paid less than 3K for back in November. It replaced a '99 I'd be driving instead if the '99 hadn't been destroyed by an uninsured idiot t-boning it at 60 mph. Last month, the transmission took a giant dump. My circle of association thought it wiser to scrap the otherwise immaculate car over a fixable issue, citing "repair exceeds value of car" as their rationale. They don't get it. Ford doesn't make "New Edge" Mustangs, anymore, hasn't made them since 2004, and ain't ever going to make them again. They're what I like to drive every day, road trip in, and autocross on the weekends. If it breaks, or I break it, it is worth it to me to fix it and go on with my life. The earth still spins. While it does, I still have the car I think is cool. I don't give a crap if anybody else thinks its cool, or not. Having the interest in autocross that I do, I can totally see the attraction to the older Mini. They're a hoot on autocross courses. Let the haters hate as they content themselves with CamCordNotahs or whatever the transportation appliance flavor of the month happens to be. They want a car they don't have to worry about or do a hell of a lot to in order to maintain. They want boring and dull. They're welcome to it. I want a car that stirs my soul. The person who buys a 13 year old Mini obviously does, too.
just bought a 2013 Cooper s and am so excited, this is the only video that seems to have the same reasoning as I do. I just can't drive a boring civic everyday. Ik it may not be the most reliable but no ones gonna tell a story about the awesome time their car was reliable.
Tommy calling out Scotty Kilmer lol hey I'm on board with you Tommy if that's your weekend toy and not your daily and you know you're going to throw money into it then more power to you👍
I’ve had my 2010 Mini for 3 years and it’s the most fun car I’ve ever owned. They get a lot of hate, but only by people that have never driven one. If you do your own wrenching and keep up maintenance religiously, they aren’t expensive cars. Still daily mine at 170,000 miles with little to no issues.
2013 S and all I've done to it is suspension. I could've got away with just struts and strut mounts, but I replaced everything. Upgraded to polyurethane bushings and bigger sway bars. My car handles like an dream! I just had the PCV diaphragm fail. Disappointed that BMW discontinued the diaphragm, but I found a company selling aftermarket for 30 bucks.
Ditto. I've had four BMW minis and if serviced as they should be have been reliable well over a 100,000 miles. Dashboard rattles is the worst thing I've had. Tyre and brake wear can be heavy if you chuck them around (as you will 😂).
Yes. I've had five over all since they first came out. All apart from my current one had done over 100,000 miles. The worst was the one with a Renault engine as it had lag from the gas pedal when moving away. The first suffered excessive tyre wear but each new one has been progressively better. Interiors wear well. I would say letting one go past any servicing date / mileage is a mistake.Servicing costs in the UK are similar to my wife's Ford Fiesta. @@shakirawright6350
I love when people follow their heart. As an Abarth owner I know the joy of a truly fun car, and the extra cost of a full bumper to bumper warranty. :) Well done.
A former coworker liked small cars and bought a Mini. Eventually she could not take the repair expenses, unreliability and down time so she traded it in for a Fiat 500. Ouch. That is now gone, too.
Velo DJK ...wow! Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire ;) I know what Tommy‘s saying though with the mini. Likes the car and aware of the weak points and accepting of the costs. Heck, I’m driving a Subaru with its infamous EJ25 weak points. Love the car though.
The Toyota crowd are the ruthless miserable trolls of the internet for some reason. Just a need to point out how they think their cars are superior and resort to name calling everyone else basically to no end. Enjoy the new car Tommy looks like it will be a lot of fun. I had a 2008 Civic Si from new, miss the light weight fun to drive cars. Currently own a vehicle with double the curb weight but I like that as well. Good luck.
I just purchased a 2011 Mini Cooper S, just driving it for the very first time it’s impossible not to fall for this little guy, you can tell how much engineering goes in this little marvels, and I totally agree with you, after driving her for a phew blocks, I felt in love with this little machine
Hey I have a first gen 6 speed converted Non supercharged R50 British Racing green mini Cooper with 168000 miles with racing suspension and a pretty huge stereo upgrade which takes the whole trunk...lol. the car is fully lowered but it never scratches. It's Not fast but it's the most fun I have ever had in any car under 100.000$. Bought the car for 3700$. In little over 7 years ago. It's Not my daily though. I have spended almost 10000$ on the car including the latest one which was a transmission swapp...Yes it is 6 speed converted. The first gen regular mini coopers come with the unreliable 5 speed British transmision which I rightly learned have a tendency to explode and grenade by their own. So last year I was driving the car on a street doing like 25 mph and suddenly I heard a gunshot under the hood. Yap the transmission decided to explode. So I found a cool mechanic in Sunland,CA. And he swapped it with a 6 speed from a later generation. The car drives okey but the first gear take off is slower that the original 5 speed. Still love the car the check engine always finds a way to turn on... Lol. Love the car but I literally do Not drive it anymore don't have time. My recommendation only buy minis when they are brand new. Never buy them used. Unless u wanne spend 2,3,4 or 5 times the worth of the car to fix it.
This engine is very common still here in Argentina for PSA cars (Citroen/Peugeot). You HAVE to replace the timming chain every 50k miles as regular maintenance and it is expensive, but other than that, the engine is awesome. Please never cheap on engine parts, use OEM only, and if you buy them under Citroen/Peugeot brand they are way cheaper than Mini/BMW
Forge the engine and have it professionally rebuilt as well as the turbo 😂😂 my 2008 cooper s died at 104K miles so good luck!! Oil catch can is a must!!
Cool car and a lot of car for your money. In terms of real world performance, it’s hard to beat for the price. 😃
It is, I got one with the n18 for my first car about 2 years ago and I love it minus the maintenance.
@@calebhopkins7354 i own an n14 the maibtenance is real :p
Good luck. Mini’s suck.
Wait until it needs work and they will. Thermostat housing is plastic and will crack and melt. The motor mounts are bolted to the head which causes the head bolts to stretch and blow head gaskets. The factory battery costs $450.
I have base 2004 r50 mini cooper, I'm 20 and it's my first car. I absolutely love it, it's such a fun little car, and everything wanted in my first car. It's fast (but not too fast) and handles great. Mine's not supercharged like the r53 cooper s, so I haven't had any unreliable engine issues. I'm also restoring a lot of the car, right now I'm insulating the interior and building a rear seat delete with audio upgrades, and when the weather warms up I have some rust to repair. It's a great little car that I'm going to have for a long time.
I had a ‘09 Clubman S, with the N14 engine. Just replace the timing chain, guides & tensioner now before you have problems. Always check your oil level and change it early and often. Also check the engine ground straps. They my look good but they really decay with age and exposure to winter salt. Best of luck!
FYI, I still own 2 first gen MINIs an R50 & R53...always a blast to drive. Happy motoring Tommy!
True to all of that. After the head gasket goes, install arp racing studs, copper head gasket and I used the copper sealant on the gasket. Worked great for me
tensioner fail is what killed my supercharged mini
I thought you meant an N14 Cummins... But that would weigh more than the car.
The timing chain is easier to replace than you might think. I had to replace the turbo oil feed line, which is on the front of the engine behind everything... So while I was in there is was simple enough to change the chain and tensioner as well.
Got an R53 1 year and a half ago, absolutely love it ! And just like you, I know they're not the most reliable cars out there, but I've budgeted for that, and the car's simply worth it. Can't wait to see more from this car !
I have a Mini Cooper since 2009 and I'm so happy with it. I don't care about people saying bad things about them, my experience after 11 years driving this car almost every day is great and I'm very satisfied.
Agreed, if you a diligent with the oil changes its a good car. If not...it can get expensive quickly.
I totally agree with you guys hey. I'm obsessed with Mini's. Got one recently, got a couple problems. I'm just gonna fix it, simple. But this car has been the most fun to drive. I'm not interested in driving any other car and I'm going to buy another Mini😎🤭😁😋
Dude and you have a tj in your profile pic! A tj and a mini are the vehicles I want!
Wow 11yrs?!
Damn. Okay. I only have 3 with mines but alright. I’ll appreciate my car more.
The key is to keep up on the maintenance or even staying ahead of it (Like many newer cars actually). The head gasket is not forgiving as so many cars that have 0 clearance aluminum head. Defiantly fun to drive though!
I had a 2013 Mini S with the John Cooper Works engine tune, exhaust, suspension and brakes. Then it also had the GP rear seat delete, aero bits, seats and basically full interior. It was a phenomenal build done with all Mini parts. I decided to add a Quaife LSD to the car and it became the best performing, completely perfect handling car I've ever had the pleasure to drive.
Have fun with yours. I sold mine as soon as the warranty ended as taking it 75 miles to Cleveland would have gotten old if I had to pay for it. I replaced it with an e36 M3 and don't regret the decision one bit. The M3 has proven to be more reliable even though it's 14 years older and has a 100k more miles.
I've just bought a 2004 mini cooper. It's October 2022 now and only has 78000 on the clock. It's super fun. Really enjoy driving it. And apart from a slipping fan belt had no issues. I'll come back in 6 months with an update.
Fantastic boy.
Stick to what you love.
Ignore the haters.
Live your life for you and the ones that love you
I have an '08 R55s which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! So far in 25000 miles of ownership (I'm the 5th owner) I've HAD to spend about $7k getting a forged rebuilt engine, new turbo, 200cpi sport cat, new intercooler, replaced suspension parts, nearly every accessory on the engine including two thermostats (belts, oil lines, coolant and vacuum pump, regulator, lines, starter, intake hoses, etc...) a competition clutch, lots of replaced broken interior parts, paint, new tires.... I just treat it like a poor man's Jaguar or Ferrari. It wants to be a track car that you drive on the street. So, you the owner get to be it's sponsor and pit crew.
Have fun with your new MCS-JCW!
I just acquired an 05 R53 with the huge intercooler and functional hood scoop and that awesome supercharger whine. I am prepared to spend to keep it running. I'm 77, and I wanted a stick shift. I don't drive a lot, but I always have fun when I drive it.
I have a 2009 Clubman S with the same engine and I have never had it break down. I have sorted out the potential issues before they fail. I found a great MINI specialist that replaced the timing chain, tensioner and guides, and sorted out the oil seepage but replacing the front main seal, oil pan gasket and vacuum pump. It was a very reasonable $1400. Before I found the independent specialist I had my local MINI dealership replace the oil filter assembly gaskets and turbo oil feed line and that was more expensive since it was at the dealership. It was about $1700 at dealer rates. Now I have no worries about driving for thousands of miles. The n14s engine is the best secret for those who understand that you need to check and maintain the oil level and regular service every 5k miles. Enjoy your MINI!
My 2003 R53 has a shrick cam, 550cc injectors, Megan racing long tube headers and Ireland engineering cat back, Ksport coil overs, an M7 intake , 15% super charger pulley, detroit tuned bypass valve and Revolution Mini Works ECU remap .. next on the list is better axles and a limited-slip diff. it's all go and no slow, right now. needs more grip and better brakes. We get 200hp at the wheels on the dyno. It's really fast Thanks for your videos.
Its a beautiful car. All future owners must know they are pricey to maintain. You are right though, theres nothing out there like it. The driving experience is quite unique!
I have a low mileage manual 06 S Convertible. I bought it 3 years ago and put about 5,000 miles a year since. After the first repairs to get it up to the standard I wanted it, I have spent almost nothing on repairs. The first generation with a manual transmission , if properly maintained, can bee bullet proof.
There are huge issues with some years, some engines and transmissions but if you buy the right one, they are great cars worth twice the price.
I just got a 2011 countryman S with a blown engine for 1K, it has 90k miles, the inside is immaculate but apparently the previous owners didn’t care about maintanence that’s why the engine got shut, the engine was 2500, put it on my self and is running like a champ, I’m surprise at how it feels and handles, everyone I know even myself we always made fun of this cars and now I’m a proud owner of one, PSA if it’s this brand or any other do your cars maintenance it will save you a lot of money
Just purchaced a 2009 JCW totally modded and looks better than the day it came off the floor, that and it only has 38k. Looking forward to ripping it around later today wooooo hoooo.
Amen, you want something cool, get what you love, and drive with a smile.
Just got one! Love it. Fun fast ride. Lots of really cool features. Good call. Let them drive those boring cars that all look the same. We got lives to live!
Hey ro.... I am 100 percent with you, I LOVE my 06 supercharged mini and I have the steptronic automatic that can also be manually shifted on the steering wheel , which is great sometimes. an 06 with on ly 80000 miles and its completely the most driving enjoyment in a car ive ever had (doesnt beat a motorcycle but what does?) So I have also spliced off some savings for planned repairs and am actually going to TRY to take care of some of the biggies before failure. ANDS also do lots of pampering preventative maintenance. SO I got your back dude for sure, any nay sayers are looking up our tail pipes anyways as we blow by them in a blur. ENJOY
@TFLclassics thank you Tommy for that rant at the end. I have become a huge car enthusiast because of your channels and believe that each brand/cars should be appreciated for what they offer. Great work.
Owner for a mini cooper r56 d 112hp 2007. Right it's not a jhon works, but with 140000milles in the clock, still working in perfect conditions and still the funniest car I drive.
If you ever need parts, give Chad a call over at Detroit Tuned. They ship anywhere and make some of the best aftermarket parts for that generation. Glad to see Mini's on this channel more!
Just got John cooper works 2009 clubman!am totally in love!
Also love your channel!
bought a 2010 R55 Clubman S, Love it, just like you planned for all the maintenance, did the maintenance, OUCH! but still Love it! (side note, my mechanic confirmed it was a "build to order" Mini)
Hi. I just purchased a 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman S yesterday from a seller. How do I know if mine is turbocharged and the JCW model? Thanks in advance!!
Endless money pit. There's no arguing that.
CamberwellCarrot I’ve had an 06’ JCW since new, it’s now at 87k and I haven’t replaced anything.
Joker I got a 2012 cooper convertible. Almost 90k miles now and no expensive repairs needed. Unfortunately in the car world under 100k isn’t really a lot of distance so problems may come later
2013 Countryman S ALL4 no problems thus far.
@@milesb1763 Wow 3 people with no serious problems.
Unfortunately, that balances out with 1000's of people who have had endless problems with this crappy car.
I have a R56 cooper s, just take the hangout and replace all gaskets and seals, also replace the water pump and thermostat and connection pipe between the 2.
Do this and you will have no problems. We have just done this and no problems
That hood scoop helps cool the turbo after shut down. The 2000 Celica has the same type of system vent the heat from the catalytic converter.
I had an 09 s convertible that was fun and dutiful but it’s timing chain ate two engines at 52k mikes. Two engine replacements in 8 months. Crap.
If you rag it like a knob all the time. and dont change the oil. You will break it .
Most fun car I've ever owned! I had to get rid of it because I couldn't stop myself from modding it. He's right though- if you know the issues save for them and fix them before you're stranded. Drive one and then you'll understand the love for them.
You'll get nothing negative from me Tommy,..I too think these are super motoring fun, cars.
I bought a 2010 Mini Cooper,..non turbo, just a convertible. I've had mine since 2012, and I do store it away in late October and it comes out when the good weather comes back to make fun sun driving again.
The way the weather's going this year,...I might get 3 months out in the sun with it,, but I do enjoy my Mini too.
You're going to have good fun with this,...just be sure to give it all the recommended service it demands,.and you'll be fine ( so will the Mini )
The car is fun I have a 2011 S 6 speed it's so much fun to drive, driving in the mountains shifting gears, it take corners so fast its a blast, yes you do have to plan for the big things but doing the breaks, wheel bearings stuff like that isn't that bad, but when it comes to big things unless your good with engines you need to take it to the dealer but for the most part it's a good car I love mine
Yeah I have a 2008 Mini Cooper S and it s a lot of fun to drive. Mines haven’t given me any problems yet either but if you are a car enthusiast then who cares! Enjoy the car and have fun. And for the haters, thx but no thx 🙏🏿
I own 2004 JCW and drive it since new. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. I think the supercharger on mine was much better idea than turbo setup. The inside design and solutions on firs generation were much better than second. Radio is where it supposed to be. :) As I was getting ready to upgrade I thought I liked the "Pacemen" but they stopped making them. Mini going off-road would be great.
I feel you. I had an '04 Cooper S from new for 10 years. Last 5 years cost me $12k in repairs. But, when it ran, it was a blast to drive. It also never stranded me. I replaced it with a '14 GTI...I never learn. Lol
Pretty much everything under the hood broke but the engine block. Even the supercharger needed replacing.
Tommy,excellent choice,I personally had a 2014 mini Cooper Paceman John Cooper Works 🚘 (Hand built engine in it’s own JCW factory 🏭)...It is by far one of the coolest and most fun cars I’ve ever owned..Had all the bells and whistle’s...Enjoy it!😃😃the only thing that sucked🤮 were those cont run flat tires..What a go-kart ride
The no key start is so you can warm your car up in winter, lock it and go in house
I bought my wife the countryman s and literally i change the oil every 3,000 miles to makes sure no issues. With a $500 tune i get 220hp per tune. Dont have actual numbers but its worth any failure. The car is fun and my wife knows im jealous.
Good for you. I just got an 83 Mini for 7K and now i gotta spend 12k more to fix everything lol. I fell in love with my mini and I will spend just to be able to drive it and smile while doing it.
I don't hate your video Tommy... Not at all buddy...I like all your shows...your an excellent automotive journalist Tommy...keep up the good work buddy.
If your car has the run flat tires on it......get rid of them for standard ones so you can drive it on anything other then perfect roads. Many options that will improve handling as well.
One important tip, Tommy. Being a hard-driven turbocharged Mini, make sure the clutch is changed if you want to get the most out of that car.
Sweet car Tommy! Those things gave a Miata a good run for its money in autox. Can’t wait for more videos!
I owned an '03 S, modded. When it started breaking too much, traded for an '06 JCW similar to this but with the sunroof, which ended up jammed open, cost over $300 to get tracks cleaned and fixed. Just be prepared to pay for gold-plated BMW parts. Both required getting the heads decarboned on a regular basis, bad design. Blast to drive, but sad reliability is why they're cheap.
Hey… how has the car been? It’s been two years since you posted this video.. inquiring minds want to know! I have this exact goal and the same expectations… would love to have a Mini Cooper as a fun second car one day..!
Good choice Tommy I’ve had 2 x Cooper S cabrios and yes reliability not great but fun cars to drive all the same and so easy to place on the road but all lack the dynamic depth of better hot hatches hence now drive a Megane RS265 which sadly weren’t sold in USA
Awesome comments I got an 07 convertible does it have issues they all do guys like you make own one easier they are a hoot to own and drive I am a do it yourself owner and love you videos
@ 6:15 - The Car have timer that it shutdown after about 30 seconds. Basically, the Car still on and still have the "by-pass" of the code to restart again.
If you like the R56 / 2nd Gen MINI Cooper S, you will simply LOVE the R53 / 1st Gen MINI Cooper S. Especially the last years from 2005-2006. Better handling, better engine. And the supercharger is way more fun than a turbo.
Awesome car, awesome video, screw the haters! I used to be a hater until I drove a friends F53, now I own an F60. Absolutely the most fun I have ever had driving a car, I am now looking to buy a F53 for a project track car. Thanks for sharing your love of this car!
Also there must be something wrong with your key fob. I do NOT need to put mine into the holder to start my car. I leave mine in my pocket mostly. Press the break, push start. I have a 2008 Cooper S
Brian Payne depends on the spec. This one doesn’t have push button start
Fun fact: if you use just one of your two factory keys, the other one will die because the rechargeable battery inside gets charged inductively while driving. You need to rotate between the two keys to keep this from happening.
6:25 that is a feature of any BMW or Mini that is *capable* of comfort access - that is, keeping your key in your pocket the whole time -but doesn't have that feature.
It's such a weird (sigh) quirk. It makes me feel like BMW didn't want to create new code for cars that didn't have comfort access so they just kind of left it lol
Really like your good taste in Mini Coopers! I drive a 2015 Mini Cooper S, I added the JWC booster kit. It is a fast nimble BLAST! Great exhaust note, very baritone, on the plus side you gain the 20% power boost, but you loose the iconic "pop pop" Mini noise
The timing chains, oil leaks/burns and the plastic water pump are a nightmare. I prefer the R53 engine. If you have 1, change oil every 5k, check oil regularly, service parts quickly if issues arise and go for the revised engine, exposed coil packs mean its the first engine, the revised engine is better, but still delicate. Good car but its NOT cheap in terms of running costs.
I have a 2004 mini Cooper s and love it
Congrats Tommi!
You don’t have to wait turn 50 to buy one.
Here's my take on Mini's bad rap and I'm pretty certain I'm right after seeing my 2007's service notes after being serviced at the dealer 2007-2016 when the engine blew and I bought it.
These cars are annoying to work on if you've let issues go for too long or if you have an unlucky early failure with a normally reliable component. Since most of the service the first 5-10yrs sets up everything for any owner afterwards, if dealer mechanics do things like simply replacing a top timing guide that is "missing" after they were investigating a chain noise complaint, well then it's easy to see how many of these cars end up being a crap shoot for subsequent owners. When I rebuilt my N14 a year after those service notes, I found fine aluminum powder and plastic bits made up most of the gunk completely covering the oil pump screen.....missing timing guide found I guess?
The other problem is BMW kept some badly designed parts as their replacement parts, so for things like turbo oil lines and built in valve cover EGR valves, there's going to constantly be issues when those parts keep failing every few years. Using aftermarket parts and designs to resolve the things BMW never improved and actually doing the maintenance properly without some of the laughable shortcuts dealer mechanics got away with much of the time means that it should at least be as reliable as any other modern 4cyl turbo on the road these days.
The dealer even ignored their own 10yr rust warranty on the undercarriage of my R56 pretty much because the owner just never thought to ask them to replace and cover the parts. I couldn't safely use the front or rear subframes on my 2007 despite every other part under the car being rust free or only having minor surface rust. I'll be keeping these rust-free southern subframes waxed or greased up for winters now and will never have to replace bushings or trailing links now since I have the luxury of doing it once with urethane or adjustable aftermarket parts, but dealers can only use factory parts that would only last 1/4 as long.
I love my mini copper I hope 🤞 it last 2013 i must say I worry about it ! But I love it It not the most Expensive car I’ve ever had or the nicest that there’s something about it I love it I don’t know why just do please please please ignore a lot of the comments but I sure cannot stop watching videos about these cars
Feel in love with a mini this year at my dealership... Can't wait to buy one.
Why will they hate it Mini Coopers are good little cars as long as you take care of them great on gas good on the pocketbook
I've driven a Mini twice, just for fun, and they are fun to drive, especially the manual gearshift. But I need a reliable vehicle, so no Mini for me. Have fun though.
Love minis I got R53 Cooper S 2003. Very nice .
I just bought my 2009 mini cooper s early this year. Sucks how everone talks crap about the car. Honestly has me thinking about it making 300whp and destroying everyone on the street(on a closed course)
I'm with you on that one... Yes a civic and corolla are better. But minis, beetles, jags, BMW's etc are the way to go. Life is too short to drive boring car
I have a 04 r53 mc40. Bought it 10 months ago.
I've owned a Cooper S for the past years and it's kind of a mixed bag. It's definitely a joy to drive, sounds good, manual gearbox, tiny car, you can hear the turbo spool, steering is great, enough headroom and rather practical and the thing looks cool too ! But boy... this thing is so unreliable. It's a lot of fun, but I genuinely can't tell people to get one without mentioning it. I've probably paid around 8'000$ in repair costs in the last 2-3 years. Turbo blew up, had several overheating problems, had to change the clutch, got issues with the roof (it's cabrio)...etc and the list goes on. It's a lot of fun, but I just can't recommend this car for a young buyer (unless financial questions aren't a problem for you). Anyway, have fun but don't wait for the car to fall apart...
I had one. Plan on about $1000 a month.
Rubbish statement
@@Harrys_Sim_Gaming this guy has no idea.
I had my mini countryman 40k miles and a crankshaft rod went threw the block, MOTOR BLOWN AT 40K MILES
Causally cruising at on the highway at 2.5k rpm WTF this wouldn't happened with a big motor v8
It's nice that you show the criminals where they can find a stash
I’m about to buy one 2010 with 32 k miles ! Should I do it ?
I own a 2009 cooper s, I love it such a joy to drive.
Tommy, One fun little car have enjoyed a 07 Cooper S/JCW for the last 9 years, great handling, lots of zip w/ ok mpg, hard ride on road trips. Oh there is a factory heat shield for the hood scoop (?). Good luck
I got two of them love them both! 09 R56 and 06 r53
Also have my r56 5 years now. Costs me less than $700 a year to maintain.
Great choice! I had one of those and it is a very good car to drive. The handling is great and it is very fast! Enjoy it :)
Buy whatever makes you happy. I think it's funny that you and Roman bought a mini shortly after Nathan's wife bought hers, did she let you drive it and you guys got hooked? Nice car but everything about that interior is terrible, especially the colour and wood selections.
My friend needs money and wants me to buy 2005 Mini convertible. She said one of the cylinders is blown, so I'm assuming it needs a new engine. She's giving it to my for $300. Body and Interior are still in mint condition. Any advice would be appreciated.
Why did you put this car on the classics channel? Is this what you think a classic is?
Plan on used Mini repairs to cost more than house maintenance or health care.
I love these cars, but I like Harley’s too lol.
Love the BMW based Mini. Then you think of a mid-sized car company like BMW making something unique, why cant the major manufacturers VW (now having taken fun out of Beetle), Toyota, GM, Honda, Ford. Even Nissan produced the Figaro
Cool car buy what you like
no one says "oh how cool" when they see a speeding Mini... we say "oh my goodness, that old lady must have the gas peddle stuck to the floor"
Ya I don't like the look of them there girl's cars
No John Cooper didn't invent them only for women, they're rally cars. Never trust someone with terrible grammar. lol
I think it's cool.
If bulletproof reliability were the be-all and end-all of the enthusiast motoring experience, I wouldn't drive old cars.
But that "showing an old girl some love" aspect of automotive enthusiasm is part of the charm for me.
I daily drive an immaculate 2002 Mustang that I paid less than 3K for back in November. It replaced a '99 I'd be driving instead if the '99 hadn't been destroyed by an uninsured idiot t-boning it at 60 mph. Last month, the transmission took a giant dump. My circle of association thought it wiser to scrap the otherwise immaculate car over a fixable issue, citing "repair exceeds value of car" as their rationale.
They don't get it. Ford doesn't make "New Edge" Mustangs, anymore, hasn't made them since 2004, and ain't ever going to make them again. They're what I like to drive every day, road trip in, and autocross on the weekends. If it breaks, or I break it, it is worth it to me to fix it and go on with my life. The earth still spins. While it does, I still have the car I think is cool. I don't give a crap if anybody else thinks its cool, or not.
Having the interest in autocross that I do, I can totally see the attraction to the older Mini. They're a hoot on autocross courses.
Let the haters hate as they content themselves with CamCordNotahs or whatever the transportation appliance flavor of the month happens to be. They want a car they don't have to worry about or do a hell of a lot to in order to maintain. They want boring and dull. They're welcome to it.
I want a car that stirs my soul.
The person who buys a 13 year old Mini obviously does, too.
When it breaks replace with performance up grades, then there just mods to improve it not repairs . ;O)
Hey, thanks for that tip! I am going to buy one before Christmas.
Just bought one, youre saying if ihave to rebuild the emgime, youre saying build wirh high-performance parts?? I dont think its a supercharged cooper
Trust me, everyone who has an r56, we all know about the “secret” glove box
I’ve had my 09 Cabriolet for over a year and did not know about the upper dash compartment until I watched this video
Perfect for my Glock.
@@kurtwomack6473 amen
I guess the folk I bought mine from didn’t know about it. There was a bag of coins in mine!
This must be a US spec thing; I've just checked on my wife's 2011 Mini Clubman and it definitely doesn't have one.
Now you and Roman can use your Mini Coopers to pull off The Italian Job
They will break down meanwhile...
just bought a 2013 Cooper s and am so excited, this is the only video that seems to have the same reasoning as I do. I just can't drive a boring civic everyday. Ik it may not be the most reliable but no ones gonna tell a story about the awesome time their car was reliable.
you made some goon from indiana laugh 4 years in the future, thanks man
I never thought I would want a mini but I’m starting to get a tad bit obsessed
Tommy calling out Scotty Kilmer lol hey I'm on board with you Tommy if that's your weekend toy and not your daily and you know you're going to throw money into it then more power to you👍
Or your going to a independent shop and not a dealership there grand
I’ve had my 2010 Mini for 3 years and it’s the most fun car I’ve ever owned. They get a lot of hate, but only by people that have never driven one. If you do your own wrenching and keep up maintenance religiously, they aren’t expensive cars. Still daily mine at 170,000 miles with little to no issues.
Thank you my is 2010 clubman non sport it fun little car
2013 S and all I've done to it is suspension. I could've got away with just struts and strut mounts, but I replaced everything. Upgraded to polyurethane bushings and bigger sway bars. My car handles like an dream! I just had the PCV diaphragm fail. Disappointed that BMW discontinued the diaphragm, but I found a company selling aftermarket for 30 bucks.
Ditto. I've had four BMW minis and if serviced as they should be have been reliable well over a 100,000 miles. Dashboard rattles is the worst thing I've had. Tyre and brake wear can be heavy if you chuck them around (as you will 😂).
Do you still have it?
Yes. I've had five over all since they first came out. All apart from my current one had done over 100,000 miles. The worst was the one with a Renault engine as it had lag from the gas pedal when moving away. The first suffered excessive tyre wear but each new one has been progressively better. Interiors wear well. I would say letting one go past any servicing date / mileage is a mistake.Servicing costs in the UK are similar to my wife's Ford Fiesta. @@shakirawright6350
I love when people follow their heart. As an Abarth owner I know the joy of a truly fun car, and the extra cost of a full bumper to bumper warranty. :)
Well done.
A former coworker liked small cars and bought a Mini. Eventually she could not take the repair expenses, unreliability and down time so she traded it in for a Fiat 500. Ouch. That is now gone, too.
Velo DJK ...wow! Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire ;) I know what Tommy‘s saying though with the mini. Likes the car and aware of the weak points and accepting of the costs. Heck, I’m driving a Subaru with its infamous EJ25 weak points. Love the car though.
most unreliable car of all time in my personal opinion and yes i owned one lol
Didn't Nathan buy a Mini too? You are an adult, who cares what key board warriors think! It should make for more good content 👍🇬🇧
I believe he got the countryman
The Toyota crowd are the ruthless miserable trolls of the internet for some reason. Just a need to point out how they think their cars are superior and resort to name calling everyone else basically to no end. Enjoy the new car Tommy looks like it will be a lot of fun. I had a 2008 Civic Si from new, miss the light weight fun to drive cars. Currently own a vehicle with double the curb weight but I like that as well. Good luck.
I have a 2014 and its VERY reliable! Mini's are awesome! I plan on adding the JCW pro tuning kit to mine soon.
I just purchased a 2011 Mini Cooper S, just driving it for the very first time it’s impossible not to fall for this little guy, you can tell how much engineering goes in this little marvels, and I totally agree with you, after driving her for a phew blocks, I felt in love with this little machine
When are you off-roading them?
Hey I have a first gen 6 speed converted Non supercharged R50 British Racing green mini Cooper with 168000 miles with racing suspension and a pretty huge stereo upgrade which takes the whole trunk...lol. the car is fully lowered but it never scratches. It's Not fast but it's the most fun I have ever had in any car under 100.000$. Bought the car for 3700$. In little over 7 years ago. It's Not my daily though. I have spended almost 10000$ on the car including the latest one which was a transmission swapp...Yes it is 6 speed converted. The first gen regular mini coopers come with the unreliable 5 speed British transmision which I rightly learned have a tendency to explode and grenade by their own. So last year I was driving the car on a street doing like 25 mph and suddenly I heard a gunshot under the hood. Yap the transmission decided to explode. So I found a cool mechanic in Sunland,CA. And he swapped it with a 6 speed from a later generation. The car drives okey but the first gear take off is slower that the original 5 speed. Still love the car the check engine always finds a way to turn on... Lol. Love the car but I literally do Not drive it anymore don't have time. My recommendation only buy minis when they are brand new. Never buy them used. Unless u wanne spend 2,3,4 or 5 times the worth of the car to fix it.
This engine is very common still here in Argentina for PSA cars (Citroen/Peugeot). You HAVE to replace the timming chain every 50k miles as regular maintenance and it is expensive, but other than that, the engine is awesome. Please never cheap on engine parts, use OEM only, and if you buy them under Citroen/Peugeot brand they are way cheaper than Mini/BMW
Forge the engine and have it professionally rebuilt as well as the turbo 😂😂 my 2008 cooper s died at 104K miles so good luck!! Oil catch can is a must!!
I have a 2010 S...Oil catch can is a must! I second that motion.