MINI2

robfish1985 · May 26th, 2008, 05:43 PM

Hi,

I have a bit of a dilemma...I am looking to change my currenty R53 mini for an R56, but am torn between a cooper and cooper s. Basically, if i got a cooper i could afford an almost new one, either a 57 or 08 plate. If i opt for the S though i could probably only afford a 56 plate as i have seen some on MINI cherished for around 15 K.

I am swaying more towards the S but am slightly worried about the build quality and reliability of the early 56 plates. Also, obviously if i went for a cooper it would have the stop/start function as it would be newer but the S wouldnt...would this make a lot of difference when i come to sell it??

Anyway, any advice from 56 plate owners or indeed anyone able to help would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Rob

colink24 · May 27th, 2008, 08:38 AM

The 2007 R56S 56 plate cars do have the stop/start button, well mine does anyway. Mine was built Jan 07 and is on a 56 plate.

The build quality however is a different matter. I can that annoying tractor like noise from engine at times, some weird gearbox noise in low revs, some weird noise from the drivers door window. I could go on, luckily mine is going back to the dealer in a year or so (still under warranty) so I am not too bothered. The performance is still there!!

I would recommend doing a VERY thorough test drive before you commit to buying a 56 S

Bonj · May 27th, 2008, 05:12 PM

I think what Robfish means is the start/stop system for improved fuel efficiency.

That came in on all August 07 and after MINIS so if you hold out til August (or even sept when the plate changes) you could pick an S up that's a year old probably a bit cheaper. If you're going for an S the Stop/Start makes a huge difference - lower tax band and great fuel efficiency.

If you're not sure about going for the S, don't even take it for a test drive and just buy a Cooper. If you try out a Cooper S, everything else is going to feel like you're towing a sack of spanners.

kevkbuk · May 27th, 2008, 06:01 PM

The general problems with the R56 are not confined to the early build cars. The only thing I'm aware of is that the supplier of the dash and associated trims was changed a couple of months back. Having said that if you have problems with interior rattles then the trims can be replaced under warranty.

I don't think the auto stop/start functionality is worth having. The early S will easily do 40-42 MPG on a long run, and owners with the start/stop report similar figures on here most of the time. The cheaper road tax may be nice, but it's not a huge difference.

caesar · May 27th, 2008, 07:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kevkbuk (original)

The general problems with the R56 are not confined to the early build cars. The only thing I'm aware of is that the supplier of the dash and associated trims was changed a couple of months back. Having said that if you have problems with interior rattles then the trims can be replaced under warranty.

I don't think the auto stop/start functionality is worth having. The early S will easily do 40-42 MPG on a long run, and owners with the start/stop report similar figures on here most of the time. The cheaper road tax may be nice, but it's not a huge difference.

Agree strongly re' auto stop/start.......in my sceptical opinion it's just something else that can go wrong

Tommo · May 28th, 2008, 06:59 AM

I have start/stop on both of my Cooper S and use it at least 20 times a day on my daily commute. In 7 thousand miles it's never missed a beat. When on a long run is not when you use it, in heavy traffic it works a treat and keeps the MPG up to a figure cars without it wouldn't be able to match.

robfish1985 · May 28th, 2008, 06:24 PM

Thanks for all your opinions guys. Yes, the stop/start function i was referring to was indeed the fuel efficiency deriative, not the actual stop start button to start the car. I am definitely going to test drive an S but i will be listening very careful for any rattles etc and i i do buy i will demand that they are sorted out before i take delivery. i guess as long as its under warranty then everything should be ok, its more the hassle of having the car back at the dealers every 2 minutes!!

I take it the cooper compared to the S then is pretty slow?? I have an R53 one now with a bluefin remap. Its reasonably quick over 4000RPM but i would love a bit of mid range shove for motorway trips, which i suspect is a strong point of the new S?

Rob

iain cooper · May 28th, 2008, 07:10 PM

I've had my R56 cooper now for nearly 18 months and have done over 18,000 miles

the cooper is fun to drive, nippy and very economical. ( I regularly get 50 mpg )

but it is not a fast car, unlike the cooper s, so if performance is your priority I think you would be dissapointed with a cooper, and you should go for the s.

ps I would add however that the cooper is excellent on the motorway, returning good mpg and being very comfortable and flexible at and above the legal limit.

however I get the feeling from your post that you also need the low down punch from 2000rpm to 4000rpm ? the cooper will not give you this.

hope this helps

Jon Robson · May 28th, 2008, 08:30 PM

If you want the low down punch you need to try a Cooper D...

May 26th, 2008, 05:43 PM	#1
robfish1985 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Local Time: 07:22 PM Posts: 54 Offline	How well built were 56 plate MINI's?? Hi, I have a bit of a dilemma...I am looking to change my currenty R53 mini for an R56, but am torn between a cooper and cooper s. Basically, if i got a cooper i could afford an almost new one, either a 57 or 08 plate. If i opt for the S though i could probably only afford a 56 plate as i have seen some on MINI cherished for around 15 K. I am swaying more towards the S but am slightly worried about the build quality and reliability of the early 56 plates. Also, obviously if i went for a cooper it would have the stop/start function as it would be newer but the S wouldnt...would this make a lot of difference when i come to sell it?? Anyway, any advice from 56 plate owners or indeed anyone able to help would be much appreciated. Thanks Rob

May 27th, 2008, 08:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
colink24 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Local Time: 07:22 PM Posts: 33 Offline	Stop/Start Button The 2007 R56S 56 plate cars do have the stop/start button, well mine does anyway. Mine was built Jan 07 and is on a 56 plate. The build quality however is a different matter. I can that annoying tractor like noise from engine at times, some weird gearbox noise in low revs, some weird noise from the drivers door window. I could go on, luckily mine is going back to the dealer in a year or so (still under warranty) so I am not too bothered. The performance is still there!! I would recommend doing a VERY thorough test drive before you commit to buying a 56 S

May 28th, 2008, 07:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
iain cooper MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: near Glasgow Local Time: 07:22 PM Posts: 299 Offline	I've had my R56 cooper now for nearly 18 months and have done over 18,000 miles the cooper is fun to drive, nippy and very economical. ( I regularly get 50 mpg ) but it is not a fast car, unlike the cooper s, so if performance is your priority I think you would be dissapointed with a cooper, and you should go for the s. ps I would add however that the cooper is excellent on the motorway, returning good mpg and being very comfortable and flexible at and above the legal limit. however I get the feeling from your post that you also need the low down punch from 2000rpm to 4000rpm ? the cooper will not give you this. hope this helps Last edited by iain cooper : May 28th, 2008 at 07:16 PM. Reason: ps

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May 27th, 2008, 05:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bonj MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hereford Local Time: 07:22 PM Posts: 190 Offline	I think what Robfish means is the start/stop system for improved fuel efficiency. That came in on all August 07 and after MINIS so if you hold out til August (or even sept when the plate changes) you could pick an S up that's a year old probably a bit cheaper. If you're going for an S the Stop/Start makes a huge difference - lower tax band and great fuel efficiency. If you're not sure about going for the S, don't even take it for a test drive and just buy a Cooper. If you try out a Cooper S, everything else is going to feel like you're towing a sack of spanners.

May 27th, 2008, 06:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
kevkbuk MINI2 Senior Join Date: Sep 2006 Local Time: 07:22 PM Posts: 544 Offline	The general problems with the R56 are not confined to the early build cars. The only thing I'm aware of is that the supplier of the dash and associated trims was changed a couple of months back. Having said that if you have problems with interior rattles then the trims can be replaced under warranty. I don't think the auto stop/start functionality is worth having. The early S will easily do 40-42 MPG on a long run, and owners with the start/stop report similar figures on here most of the time. The cheaper road tax may be nice, but it's not a huge difference.

May 27th, 2008, 07:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
caesar MINI2 Master Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wales Local Time: 07:22 PM Posts: 815 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by kevkbuk (original) The general problems with the R56 are not confined to the early build cars. The only thing I'm aware of is that the supplier of the dash and associated trims was changed a couple of months back. Having said that if you have problems with interior rattles then the trims can be replaced under warranty. I don't think the auto stop/start functionality is worth having. The early S will easily do 40-42 MPG on a long run, and owners with the start/stop report similar figures on here most of the time. The cheaper road tax may be nice, but it's not a huge difference. Agree strongly re' auto stop/start.......in my sceptical opinion it's just something else that can go wrong

May 28th, 2008, 06:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tommo 24hr Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Up North Local Time: 07:22 PM Posts: 248 Offline	I have start/stop on both of my Cooper S and use it at least 20 times a day on my daily commute. In 7 thousand miles it's never missed a beat. When on a long run is not when you use it, in heavy traffic it works a treat and keeps the MPG up to a figure cars without it wouldn't be able to match.

May 28th, 2008, 06:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
robfish1985 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Local Time: 07:22 PM Posts: 54 Offline	Thanks for all your opinions guys. Yes, the stop/start function i was referring to was indeed the fuel efficiency deriative, not the actual stop start button to start the car. I am definitely going to test drive an S but i will be listening very careful for any rattles etc and i i do buy i will demand that they are sorted out before i take delivery. i guess as long as its under warranty then everything should be ok, its more the hassle of having the car back at the dealers every 2 minutes!! I take it the cooper compared to the S then is pretty slow?? I have an R53 one now with a bluefin remap. Its reasonably quick over 4000RPM but i would love a bit of mid range shove for motorway trips, which i suspect is a strong point of the new S? Rob

May 28th, 2008, 08:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jon Robson Dooper Driver! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kent/Sussex border Local Time: 07:22 PM Posts: 102 Offline	If you want the low down punch you need to try a Cooper D...

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