Bini cooper S
Turbo Mini Forums

Ok guys, the wife fancies a new (to her) car and on a complete spur of the moment, went and saw a 2010 cooper S this afternoon. Its seems a nice enough car but haven't done any research on these newer turbo cars.

So has anyone got any comments on them? Good bad or other? Things your car doesn't have you would like, problems blah blah

Cheers

Rob

Turbos leak oil from the inlet easy fix replace the copper washers or get a braided line.

Don't use a alta heat sheild melts the rocker cover
Check around the thermostat housing for leaks common issue

Leaky sump gaskets.

Other than them there alright cars not slow not mega fast drive nice too. I know it's a bini but it's still cracking motor id have one (y)

nice motors, we have had em in for high pressure fuel pump failures(2) turbo failure and if driven gently and not serviced to scratch, carbon buildup on the inlet valves, as there direct injection the valves dont get washed with petrol like on a normal engine. and the odd breather issue. Obv I only see cars which have issues so is a pretty dim view. i like em, and my misses fancies one too, tho i'll prob twist her arm to just get a cooper rather than an "s" to eleviate some of the expensive repairs. In terms of modern cars id say there fairly reliable, and build quality for a small car is excellent.

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

cheers guys. been reading up a fair bit and the engines appear to be a bit soft from all accounts with a little thirst for oil. While I'm going to get comfort of a 4 year old car with some manufacturers warranty, I do need to think how it is going to fair longer term (likely to keep it another 3 years or so) both from a cost and residual.

The other thing is the car we are looking at only has 10.5k miles on the clock. Obviously the dealer thinks this is great - me - I'm a little more sceptical. cars like to me used

We went from a moneypit TT to the golf which has been great in the last 3 years - just not exciting.

The wife is still up for it although a little apprehensive. He heart says yes and the head no. The thing is she can't think of anything else she likes that is 'fun' but still practical

get a good aftermarket warranty and youll be ok. both fuel pumps, turbo and a dmf were all changed under third party warrantys. saved the customers thousands.

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

~Cheers Denis. Was speaking to a couple of places, one being an mate who used to be at Arnolds who described them as boomerang cars; straight off the forecourt but always caused issued for him. He and the garage I use have recommended a good 3rd party warranty for peace of mind if we go for it

Hey.. thought id just add here rather than create new thread... i know lots of you have knowledge of binis.. own binis.. and work on binis.. now ive never really been interested so have next to no idea.. all i know is early ones had problems? And havent they gone from sc to tc? Ive heard them called r53's?? What makes them these? And what other codes/models are there??? All really being asked as a friend has a 56 cooper s that might be getting traded in for something else.. so may get it at a good price if he sells to me instead? But id just like to know a lil more about the different types and problems? Thanks in advance

I recently bought a 2008 JCW for my wife , I beleive the model changed in 2007 from older R53 ( super charged ) to R56 ( turbo charged ) . Research window issues on Google as seems there are many and ours was no exception . I think the latest one is R57 a
. I was told there are many R models 50, 52' 53' 55, 56' 57 but these also relate to the style rather than age ? Our local dealer advised its changed twice since being launched so in theory there are 3 , however the new JCW is not yet launched in the standard 2 door hatch .

Hope this helps

These r55/56/57 things have a drinking habit for sure... The wife's makes a litre of oil disappear in 2500 miles... Doesn't smoke though, I suspect it's a breather issues, but about to trade it in so not really any interest in really figuring it out. The hp pumps are really easy to change, I had to do mine a few months back; manifested itself as occasional stuttering, and needing a LOT of cranking to start it.
I'm not convinced by the overall build quality. A modern car shouldn't have squeaky door panels and dash... That said, I do enjoy driving it...

Ive heard worse drinking habits than that to be honest. Ended up with an oil burner in the end to avoid the potential issues with the petrol models

So.. from my post back in dec that said bini could possibly be coming into my posession? Its a 56 plate 2007 r53 sc older shape? If that makes sense? Am i right in thinking these are cam chain? When do these and the sc's shite themselves? And what kind of money are these pulling as a search on the old bay throws up some real cheap ones but dont seam to be selling?

This would be replacing a 172 cup so is this on the same page? I drove the bini a while back and was surprised how much it just keeps on pulling thru all 6 gears but didnt drive it in the anger that i would if it was mine so just wondering if id notice a difference in performance, i know the cooper s is about 200bhp?? But obviously must weigh more than the cup ?

06 has then 7th gen chargers in them so last alot longer than the gen 2 on the 03 models, they are cam chain.

You have to be careful bottom pulleys are an issue and.snapping belts can cause massive damage.
Thermostat housings are rubbish and wrap
Power steering pumps go

Good things

It's supercharged
It's a mini
It's a go kart
Looks cool

But I'd personally steer clear of anything sub 3k on them.

Cheers for the info!! Its ok ive known the car for quite a few years as its been my friends car

What belts snap damage wise?

Edited by D4VE on 14th Jun, 2015.

I wish we got the cooper S; ended up with the diesel and, while its a nice enough car, its gutless

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

Its exactly the same as my business partners. Just doesnt have the torque of the bigger engined cars i've been used to

What belts do u mean can cause damage wise?

And when do the cam chains need changing?