I have a MINI dealer working on the trade in numbers for my 3rd gen Tacoma. I'm considering making the jump back into a Cooper S. I loved driving my 1st gen Cooper S and i'd like to say the experience was great, but mine has so many nagging issues that I sold it. I bought it used from the 1st owner.

I'd like to get a manual, but for the sake of traffic i'm open to the idea of an automatic, My current Tacoma is an automatic.

How are these new ones holding up? From what I gather they're better than the 2nd gens.

I'm mostly looking at turn up the base specials. The most base Cooper S I can get with a slick roof.

 

Welcome to the forum. I can’t provide much help with the third generation reliability. Mine is a first generation.

I suspect you are correct. It appears the third generation is more reliable than the second and in every generation they get better towards the final years.

As for the Automatic, I didn’t think manual was an option any more.

Post some pictures when you get it home.

 

I believe manual transmission were on hold, but are back now.

I was originally going to get a base MINI Cooper S but ended up with a signature trim due to having to get a model in stock (due to the hold on manual transmissions). I'm happy with my 2019 MCS but I can't really talk to reliability since I've only had it for a year.

 

Hello again, I have seen some F56 clean MINIs finally come down in price. Used ones that is. Have not heard any issues other then some had the early oil filter housing leak. The auto in the gen 3 is really smooth. Seems like their are more of those on the market right now then manuals.

On the newest ones it seems the price has been adjusted a little and right now MINI dealers might be able to wheel and deal. Good luck.

 

Yes, you can order the 2021 F56 S with a slick roof. There’s one in my stable right now!