Hi, what is the best year Mini for an "s" Turbo model.
I heard that the best Turbo Mini is the 2011 and up.
Just want to hear some opinion on this as I will be looking to get one and would like to see if this statement is true. Thanks

 

My fist is turbo. Has been for a long time.

 

That seems to be the general consensus: 2011+ for a turbo MINI. Check out the 2nd Gen section and I'm sure you'll find a slew of helpful info there and some other opinions too.

 

Yes, 2011 and up!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

FYI The John Cooper Works cars didn't change to the N18 motor until 2013.

 

Yes the N14 JCW engine went till 2012. The later JCW N14's seem to have held up more than the early 2009 N14 on issues. I have one and not had the issues that the 2009 N14 have. On the Cooper S N18 it started in 2011 as well as the updated interior options and black trim.

 

So the engine change on 2011? and is call N18?

 

Correct, except for the JCW as noted above..

 

Just to be clear, on the JCW the N18 was introduce in 2013 but on the Cooper S the N18 was introduce in 2011, correct?

 

Look what I found, this explains evething....
The difference between the JCW kit vs JCW from factory and the difference in years.

Cooper S R52 and R53

The first JCW Tuning Kit to be made available for the Cooper S was an upgrade for the Cooper S, producing a total of 200 bhp (150 kW). Released in 2002, the kit consisted of the following components:[3]

Uprated cylinder head, gas-flowed and ported
11% Reduction of the supercharger pulley size, making the same supercharger spin faster for a particular engine speed

1-step colder, Colder Temperature Range spark plugs
Uprated exhaust system (maintaining the same header and catalytic converter)
Remapped ECU

Decorative badges, individually numbered engine plate and certificate signed by Mike Cooper
At the time, the kit could not be factory-ordered, but had to be retrofitted at a Mini dealer, but from late 2005 the Cooper S could be ordered with the upgrade straight from factory.

In 2005, an additional upgrade was launched that increased power further to 210 bhp (160 kW), with the following components:[4]

Uprated injectors (380cc/min instead of 350 cc/min)
Remapped ECU for the injectors
Uprated air intake system and air filter
A "JCW Sound Kit" was made available at the same time, consisting of the cat-back exhaust and the air filter, giving a sportier exhaust note and a 3 bhp (2.2 kW) power increase for around €1100.

Cooper S R55, R56 and R57

In 2007, Mini released the JCW tuning kit for the new "R56" version of the car. This new version now being turbocharged as opposed to supercharged, the kit itself is very different from that of the previous Cooper S.

Consisting of an uprated induction system, exhaust and ECU remap, this kit raises power 17 bhp (13 kW) to 192 bhp (143 kW). The torque figure climbs 10 Nm to 250 Nm (270 Nm with overboost). Acceleration from 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) is now 6.8 seconds, and a top speed of 232 km/h (144 mph) is now possible. This kit is commonly referred to as the "Stage 1 Kit", although this nomenclature has never been officially employed by JCW or by BMW.

According to Mike Cooper, this kit would create "the fastest Mini ever produced"[5] above all due to the extra torque and in-gear acceleration, which in certain driving situations will be even faster than the 218 bhp (163 kW) Mini JCW GP.

In 2011, the JCW tuning kit was updated for the Cooper S LCI (135 kW). The kit consists of an uprated exhaust (cat-back), intake system, exhaust manifold and an ECU remap. The tuning kit includes a small plaque with a unique serial number mounted on the engine, as well as front and rear JCW emblems. The power is increased 12 kW from the standard 135 kW to 147 kW.

Factory John Cooper Works R56

In mid-2008, Mini brought out a new addition to the JCW family - the Mini John Cooper Works. This is in fact not another power kit, but a whole new version of the R56 Mini Hatch, model code MF91 (MM91 in the Clubman version). This new version comes with major differences from the factory, compared to the 192 bhp (143 kW) power kit that can be supplied through the dealer network:

Maximum power of 155 kW (211 bhp) at 6000 rpm, and 260 Nm of torque (280 with overboost. This is achieved by means of a new, uprated turbocharger, larger-bore exhaust and a sportier ECU map. 0–100 km/h time is down to 6.3 seconds (6.6 in the case of the Clubman). Fuel consumption and emissions are also up, however, compared to the 192 bhp (143 kW) kit which has no change compared to the standard 175 bhp (130 kW) Cooper S.

Electronic limited slip differential (EDLC - Electronic Differential Lock Control). This is infinitely variable between 0% and 50%, as opposed to the permanent 30% of the optional LSD fitted to the R56 MINI Cooper S.

DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) as fitted as standard on all current BMW models. The John Cooper Works is the first variant of the Mini to come with DTC which, to date, is not available even as an option on other variants. The main difference between DTC and the extant DSC is the ability to "remap" the parameters for the traction and stability control systems, to allow a sportier drive while still employing these systems at the last minute, without fully deactivating them.

Brembo 4 pot caliper JCW brakes, consisting of: four-piston aluminium fixed front brake calipers finished in red with John Cooper Works logo, red painted single piston rear calipers, perforated and grooved ventilated front brake discs (316x22mm), rear brake discs (280x10mm)

2013 Factory John Cooper Works GP

A limited manufacture run of 2000 is all the Mini John Cooper Works GP saw. This model boasts a 218-hp turbo-charged 1.6 L direct-injected four cylinder engine, giving it a 0–60 mph time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph. The GP also features exclusive 17” MINI Challenge wheels, high-performance tires designed in a special partnership with Kumho, adjustable coil over suspension and 6-piston Brembo® front calipers for extra stopping power, a full valance tray, red mirror caps, brake ducts, signature badging, a pair of special-edition RECARO sport seats (complete with side-impact airbags), and a rear strut reinforcement brace to minimize weight and body sway.

 

N18 motor is way better. But with proper care and maintenance an n14 can be a good motor as well. The later n14 probably 11 and 12 have been much better then the previous ones. Since they came with all the updated parts from the factory.