2018 F56 Cooper S

[Bonez0124]

hey Folks,

Looking for advise on if I should pull the trigger on a 2018 Cooper S (F56) British racing green pre LCI, with about 38k on the clock. I have been looking for a fun small car to use daily, with hot hatches becoming a rare breed I've narrowed it down to a Cooper S or a newer Swift Sport (open to other options?)

Never owned one but enjoyed the drive. It does have the BMW B48 which to my knowledge has been fairly reliable. Is there anything major I should look out for? I'd like to keep the service history with Mini, is this wise or are there independent mechanics who do a better job?

Any other info, suggestions or comments are welcome!

TIA

 

[FILV]

I recently bought a 2017 Countryman S, and am absolutely loving it!
They have so much Character.

From my research before buying one i noted as long as the service history was done all will be well.
Check that the engine mount was done. i looked at bout 5 Mini's before buying mine, and i noted all at around year 3 had theirs replaced at mini while under Motorplan. This ensures a smooth ride, where as if they are work it creates vibrations and a jerky pull off.

I also read its common to have to replace the fuel breather valve. an easy fix you can do yourself.

2016 F57 Fuel Breather Valve - P0440 and P0171 Codes - North American Motoring

F55/F56/F57 Stock Problems/Issues - 2016 F57 Fuel Breather Valve - P0440 and P0171 Codes - Greetings! Our 2016 Mini F57 MC just tripped a P0440 (Evap Emissioins System) and P0171 (Bank 1 System Too Lean) code. Symptoms at the time of the codes were increased idle to 1500-2000 rpms at idle back...

www.northamericanmotoring.com

Otherwise they are such great cars. I never took note of them until now. They all come very well spec'ed and the B48 is a lovely engine.Its very smooth, sounds great too.
Im averaging 8.8L/100km and thats short distance robot to robot driving while lugging around the 1.6 ton mass of the Countryman.
So on an F56 it must even lighter on fuel.

 

[tamgoem]

Be very very careful.

Mini's are purchased by two kinds of crowds those who buy them because they are "cute" or "stylish" and have zero understanding of maintenance or insurance and when it comes to selling their cars they have no clue and most dealers can't clued up about the differences. And those who can afford to look after their car. It is a minefield in the used market for them.

Also the statement that they are all very well kitted is hoghwash. Xenons, sportseats are standard form there its all options. Heated seats nope , Nav nope, Decent sound system Nein, reverse cam lol, full leather interior nhaaa. So look around some are kitted to hell and back some are as base as a 320i.

2018 was the first facelift year so pricing is all over the show for them. a LCI model will have the digital fuel gauge. There was also then the gearbox change away form the Toyota 6 speed to either the ZF DCT for 8 speed auto. The gearboxes do need maintenance so ensure you get it done.

WBC is particularly bad at pricing Mini's. You can get some astounding bargains from them just because the owner when trading it said it was a Mini Cooper , but actually it is a Cooper JWC and their system is kinda fucked so that is what they list it as and price it as.

Personal suggestion decide on what model you want. IE 3 door, 5 door, cabrio or Clubman (personally Clubman or Cabrio is what i suggest) and then go look at as many examples as you can.

 

[fujisan]

Have you considered looking at a golf gti as well? I was torn between that and the cooper s, ended up with the mini cause I loved the style. Both are fun to drive though!

 

[FILV]

Be very very careful.

Mini's are purchased by two kinds of crowds those who buy them because they are "cute" or "stylish" and have zero understanding of maintenance or insurance and when it comes to selling their cars they have no clue and most dealers can't clued up about the differences. And those who can afford to look after their car. It is a minefield in the used market for them.

Also the statement that they are all very well kitted is hoghwash. Xenons, sportseats are standard form there its all options. Heated seats nope , Nav nope, Decent sound system Nein, reverse cam lol, full leather interior nhaaa. So look around some are kitted to hell and back some are as base as a 320i.

2018 was the first facelift year so pricing is all over the show for them. a LCI model will have the digital fuel gauge. There was also then the gearbox change away form the Toyota 6 speed to either the ZF DCT for 8 speed auto. The gearboxes do need maintenance so ensure you get it done.

WBC is particularly bad at pricing Mini's. You can get some astounding bargains from them just because the owner when trading it said it was a Mini Cooper , but actually it is a Cooper JWC and their system is kinda fucked so that is what they list it as and price it as.

Personal suggestion decide on what model you want. IE 3 door, 5 door, cabrio or Clubman (personally Clubman or Cabrio is what i suggest) and then go look at as many examples as you can.

Actually the fact they are well specced is not Hogwash (at least second hand) They were normally owned by wealthy housewives or daughters so they loaded with extras which benefits the second hand buyer. The Op specifically asked about an S which i have never seen with cloth seats.

I stopped looking at an X1 because of the fact for around 30k less you get a Countryman S that came standard with Led headlights, electric tailgate all the ones that i saw had the ICE PACKAGE that includes:
Excitement Package- Hi-Fi loudspeaker system harman/kardon (12 speakers; 8-channel digital amplifier with a total of 410 W)
Bluetooth mobile preparation with USB audio interface
MINI Navigation System

Spot on about WBC and their pricing/. You can big up an awesome deal, especially on an LCI1.

Looking forward to seeing waht the OP finds.

 

[Riaad]

There was also then the gearbox change away form the Toyota 6 speed to either the ZF DCT for 8 speed auto.

False.

1. The ZF 8 speed is not a DCT transmission.
2. Mini uses the Aisin 8 speed.

 

[tamgoem]

False.

1. The ZF 8 speed is not a DCT transmission.
2. Mini uses the Aisin 8 speed.

Oh my what a nitwit

The original box was a aisin 6 speed, then came the LCI and Mini migrated to a DCT OR 8 speed auto depending on the model.

 

[Riaad]

Oh my what a nitwit

The original box was a aisin 6 speed, then came the LCI and Mini migrated to a DCT OR 8 speed auto depending on the model.

Accurate.

All LCI JCWs have the Aisin 8 speed.

things are more complicated with the DCT variants, if I'm not mistaken, the non S models have the 7 speed DCT, and the S models without sports auto/paddles also have the 7 speed DCT...this varied between LCI1 and LCI2 and Hatch/Countryman/Clubman

Basically - if its not JCW, its a bit of a lucky packet regarding the transmission...if someone takes the time to investigate this thoroughly...do share.

 

[tamgoem]

Actually the fact they are well specced is not Hogwash (at least second hand) They were normally owned by wealthy housewives or daughters so they loaded with extras which benefits the second hand buyer. The Op specifically asked about an S which i have never seen with cloth seats.

I stopped looking at an X1 because of the fact for around 30k less you get a Countryman S that came standard with Led headlights, electric tailgate all the ones that i saw had the ICE PACKAGE that includes:
Excitement Package- Hi-Fi loudspeaker system harman/kardon (12 speakers; 8-channel digital amplifier with a total of 410 W)
Bluetooth mobile preparation with USB audio interface
MINI Navigation System

Spot on about WBC and their pricing/. You can big up an awesome deal, especially on an LCI1.

Looking forward to seeing waht the OP finds.

Driven a few with the cloth seats- Rather lovely.
Just because it is a S does not make it in any form or way automatically well kitted.

Here is a JCW with cloth Clubman JCW or JCW Alcantara or Poverty S with cloth or poverty Clubman S

 

[tamgoem]

Accurate.

All JCWs have the Aisin 8 speed.

things are more complicated with the DCT variants, if I'm not mistaken, the non S models have the 7 speed DCT, and the S models without sports auto/paddles also have the 7 speed DCT...this varied between LCI1 and LCI2 and Hatch/Countryman/Clubman

Basically - if its not JCW, its a bit of a lucky packet regarding the transmission...if someone takes the time to investigate this thoroughly...do share.

Not at all.

All models had a 6 speed auto as the only option till 2018, then came the LCI. If you have a digital fuel gauge you have a LCI model so it's DCT or 8 speed if you have a JCW.

 

[Eust]

MINI FTW!

 

[Riaad]

corrected my previous post...

 

[Kyle]

I recently bought a 2017 Countryman S, and am absolutely loving it!
They have so much Character.

From my research before buying one i noted as long as the service history was done all will be well.
Check that the engine mount was done. i looked at bout 5 Mini's before buying mine, and i noted all at around year 3 had theirs replaced at mini while under Motorplan. This ensures a smooth ride, where as if they are work it creates vibrations and a jerky pull off.

I also read its common to have to replace the fuel breather valve. an easy fix you can do yourself.

2016 F57 Fuel Breather Valve - P0440 and P0171 Codes - North American Motoring

F55/F56/F57 Stock Problems/Issues - 2016 F57 Fuel Breather Valve - P0440 and P0171 Codes - Greetings! Our 2016 Mini F57 MC just tripped a P0440 (Evap Emissioins System) and P0171 (Bank 1 System Too Lean) code. Symptoms at the time of the codes were increased idle to 1500-2000 rpms at idle back...

www.northamericanmotoring.com

Otherwise they are such great cars. I never took note of them until now. They all come very well spec'ed and the B48 is a lovely engine.Its very smooth, sounds great too.
Im averaging 8.8L/100km and thats short distance robot to robot driving while lugging around the 1.6 ton mass of the Countryman.
So on an F56 it must even lighter on fuel.

You're lucky to get this consumption 😂 average a solid 12 with mostly short trips on ours. Got it into the 8s on a longer trip driving reasonably, not sure if it will improve with mileage though. Currently on 4k kms.

 

[FILV]

You're lucky to get this consumption 😂 average a solid 12 with mostly short trips on ours. Got it into the 8s on a longer trip driving reasonably, not sure if it will improve with mileage though. Currently on 4k kms.

Thats interesting. My daily drive around 7 to 9km to the office, the same back.
I was expecting mid 10's to be honest but the average has no moved from 8.8L/100km since we got it 3 months ago. I am so so suprised (and happy lol) with this. If i have to add a downpipe might even get a tad better.

How many km's are you getting out a tank?

 

[Kyle]

Thats interesting. My daily drive around 7 to 9km to the office, the same back.
I was expecting mid 10's to be honest but the average has no moved from 8.8L/100km since we got it 3 months ago. I am so so suprised (and happy lol) with this. If i have to add a downpipe might even get a tad better.

How many km's are you getting out a tank?

No idea man, too depressing to check the mileage... Also I set up the display on the cluster to show engine temp instead of trip mileage so I always forget to toggle when filling up. Driving it with some anger returns infinite l/100km though 😂.

 

[modocrat]

You're lucky to get this consumption 😂 average a solid 12 with mostly short trips on ours. Got it into the 8s on a longer trip driving reasonably, not sure if it will improve with mileage though. Currently on 4k kms.

(Were you on Musgrave road on Friday evening around 17:30?)

 

[Kyle]

(Were you on Musgrave road on Friday evening around 17:30?)

Probably, I live there...

 

[rodga]

I recently bought a 2017 Countryman S, and am absolutely loving it!
They have so much Character.

From my research before buying one i noted as long as the service history was done all will be well.
Check that the engine mount was done. i looked at bout 5 Mini's before buying mine, and i noted all at around year 3 had theirs replaced at mini while under Motorplan. This ensures a smooth ride, where as if they are work it creates vibrations and a jerky pull off.

I also read its common to have to replace the fuel breather valve. an easy fix you can do yourself.

2016 F57 Fuel Breather Valve - P0440 and P0171 Codes - North American Motoring

F55/F56/F57 Stock Problems/Issues - 2016 F57 Fuel Breather Valve - P0440 and P0171 Codes - Greetings! Our 2016 Mini F57 MC just tripped a P0440 (Evap Emissioins System) and P0171 (Bank 1 System Too Lean) code. Symptoms at the time of the codes were increased idle to 1500-2000 rpms at idle back...

www.northamericanmotoring.com

Otherwise they are such great cars. I never took note of them until now. They all come very well spec'ed and the B48 is a lovely engine.Its very smooth, sounds great too.
Im averaging 8.8L/100km and thats short distance robot to robot driving while lugging around the 1.6 ton mass of the Countryman.
So on an F56 it must even lighter on fuel.

I started looking at them after seeing your posts lol

WeBuyCars | Sell Cars For Cash | Free Online Vehicle Valuations

www.webuycars.co.za

2020 Mini Clubman Cooper S Clubman Auto
R 298 900
60k km


Is this an example of a good buy? They have 5 year mplans? So should still be under mplan?

 

[FILV]

This was was an excellent buy.
Great price, and as always specced very well.

WBC also have bargains on JCW's as sometimes they dont classify them as JCW models.

 

[tamgoem]

I started looking at them after seeing your posts lol

WeBuyCars | Sell Cars For Cash | Free Online Vehicle Valuations

www.webuycars.co.za

2020 Mini Clubman Cooper S Clubman Auto
R 298 900
60k km


Is this an example of a good buy? They have 5 year mplans? So should still be under mplan?

It should be under plan yes, and you can slap on a time extension for a reasonably stiff fee (20k) but that means you can extract that 40k worth of Mplan if you think it is worth the premuim.

That one seems to be decently equipped.

- HK sound
- HUD
- Navigation
- Heated seats

I would certainly buy it if i was in the market for one. Think of it as a better F30 320i touring. It's a nicer interior, frankly far more fun to toss about than the overcooked noodle that is the F30, it certainly is better equiped and the ride is about as rubbish as a sportpack F30. And it's cheaper. Miles cheaper. One thing that one looks like it has 18's that means Tyres are EINA. Mine is 205/40/18 , this might be a wee bit better with the 225 but it's still a oddball and expensive size.

Go for it. It's the only cheap fun BMW one can buy. the rest are just overweight over nannied burdons.