I used to own a '13 JCW HT. I got laid off and had to let one of my cars go, unfortunately that was the one. I loved that car and regret it to this day nearly 5 years later. So I'm looking at getting back in the saddle.

Talk me into or out of a hardtop or Clubman, turbo/supercharged or not, from any generation. A bit vague I suppose, but we can cull any model with an N14 engine. I don't want to spend more than $10K, but for the right Mini, I may push it a little bit higher.

I was limiting my looking to 2012/2013 MY, but thought why not 2014 or 2015? So now I'm stuck and need help. Say anything you like about this. I appreciate any input.

 

Depends on what you are looking for in a Mini. For me, it was that raw driver's car. If, that is your thing, go find a nice, well kept Gen 1 R53 and drive it.

Then report back with pictures as to what color you chose.

 

I know your afraid of the n14, I love my 09 clubby s.


Sunrise on top of the dragon at 620 am



Trip down the dragon then came home showered up and 1.5 hours out to Devil’s Triangle. 2 - 3.5 hours round trips of twist and turns and mountains. No issues what so ever, temp got as high 224 on water and 235 on oil which is pretty typical for my car when running above 4K.

 

I'm looking for a 2011+ MINI Cooper base. Here's my thinking, in order of importance:

1) Color - I'm getting a MINI mainly for the way it looks, so color is important me. The colors I like (volcanic orange, oxygen/kite/ice blue) are limited to certain years.
2) Not too old or high-miles, so it'll be more reliable. This favors Gen 3.
3) Overall looks. This is a close call, as I like both gens. But I give the edge to Gen 2. For example, I dislike the overhang on the Gen 3 S.
4) Size. Gen 2 is smaller, which is what I prefer.
5) Feel. Gen 3 is smoother and more comfortable, but I prefer the way Gen 2 drives. The handling is stiffer, and I can feel the road better. A rawer, purer driving experience.
6) Performance and technology. Gen 3, being newer, wins this one. I especially like the rear camera that comes standard on 2018+.
7) Spare tire. Not a biggie, but many Gen 3s come with run-flats. I prefer having a spare. So, Gen 2 gets a point here.

Based on the above criteria, I'm leaning toward Gen 2. Truth is, I can go either way. I'll probably just buy whatever is the best deal within my budget. You know, best bang for the buck.

If you make a list of what's important to you, it might be easier for people to recommend something.

 

Can’t beat the functionality of the Clubman. Personally, the R55 is the perfect Mini. Small enough to be a Mini, functional enough to haul 4 adults when needed, cargo space up the wazoo, can be made to handle as good as any Mini should, reasonably priced, and with the later N18 engine can be very reliable. The R55 can also be tuned for big power.

You should be able to easily find a reasonably priced S model to fit your needs.

 

Just get one of each gen. I just picked up a ‘19 F60S to go with my R60S, R56S and R53 .

But seriously, the ‘13 R56S is my favorite. The F-series is gorgeous and feels so refined, but I need to have my rambunctious R56. My R53 is like a total love/hate. I swear to god, I look at that car and my knuckles start to bleed. She’s a lot of work and it seems like there is always something to fix, but she is a joy to drive.
Again, if I had to pick one, it would be the R56 all day, every day.

Find a low mileage N18 R-series. You can’t go wrong.

 

Jason, awesome photos and yes I am a little scared of the N14. My buddy has an 09 MCS clubman that he's had for a few years. He's done some major engine repairs and he's a car buff. I've seen some of his detail work and he's meticulous. His clubman, that he's offered to sell me for $6500, has 132K miles on it. While not exceedingly high, that's more than I would like. But the car is gorgeous, like yours. Thanks for your input and damn you for the gorgeous photos of your Mini!

 

I’m going to be biased here, and say the Mini is supposed to be about small size, raw simplicity, and endless smiles per gallon. So in that case, you get the first gen.

That being said, there are some things about the 1st gen that for someone buying one today will have to take into account. Overall, the drivetrain is quite robust if you take care of it (the Tritec engine though does suffer from oil leak issues, so there's that, but the iron-block itself does not fail) You don't get carbon build up issues, timing chains do not fail on these, and the supercharger if you get the r53 is pretty reliable as well. Working on the 1st gen is not as trivial as working on your 69 Camaro, but given everything, it’s overall not bad. One issue I can see over time with these 1st gens though is parts will become more scarce, and they also tend to be more of premium as a result.

The first gens as they age will inevitably have things go wrong on them. Having owned mine for nearly fourteen years, I am replacing parts more often these days than not, but that also happens when you get higher in miles (+165k miles), and I’ve neglected replacing certain parts until now. I’ve already known for awhile now that I cannot get rid of my R53 because I’m far too attached to it, but Egan starts up every time I turn the key, and always is a joy to drive. That supercharger whine really does make the car so much more fun to drive.

The 1st gen compared to the 2nd and 3rd gens will definitely be slower, less refined, have worse fuel economy, and some parts are now nearly impossible to find. If you want the most raw, and simple, get the first gen, but if you want some more refinement, yet still that rawness, get the 2nd gen. The third gen I have no experience in, but I know they've further refined it, and it shares another platform so parts will be cheaper I think in the long run. Can't say much about the drivetrain though as I haven't kept up to date on that.

So, as the best compromise, get the 2nd with the N18 engine (2011 or newer if I recall), preferably a JCW, or if you can find one, a JCW GP. But if you want the most raw machine that is the most analog (in the scheme of things), 1st gen is what you want.

 

When my 2003 R50 met an untimely
demise 2 years ago, I got a low
mileage (28K then , now 41K) 2009
JCW Clubman for several reasons.
I don’t like the 3rd gen MINIs, too
big, bloated, cushy handling and
un-MINI-like.
The JCW R55 still gives me the MINI
experience with tons of power, nimble
handling (especially with KONI Sport
shocks/struts and a 25.5mm hollow
rear bar added), and a functional
compact spare well.
I was looking for a newer N18 equipped
low mileage S or JCW R55, but the N14
one I got was the best I could find when
I needed it.
I plan to keep it as long as possible.

 

Some great insight here guys, thank you. My greatest motoring mistake was selling my R56S. It was a factory JCW and that thing was pure exhilaration to drive. I knew I was an idiot for abandoning that child, but she was the victim of my personal financial doom.

The focus of my search has been anything with an N18 engine in a hardtop or clubman body, but I've also been getting distracted by the R53. I threw in the gen 3 models because I don't know enough about them to exclude them from my search. I did drive one in 2017 at the dealer, and was annoyed by the throttle blip on the downchange. The sales gal didn't know if it could be deactivated, and too lazy to even go ask someone else. I can't remember how well it drove, only how well it braked when I had to jam them on hard to avoid a lady with a pram on a crosswalk. I thought I'd heard somewhere they are less Mini and more car. I'm kind of speechless that you can't build one on the Mini USA website with a manual transmission. Not that I want a new one, was just looking. Next they'll take the steering wheel out.

 

I feel your pain. I had a cherry E36 325is that I had to let go of. I hope the right car finds you.

 

The plot thickens. I just got off the phone with my buddy. He has an '09 Clubman with N14 (which terrifies me). But it's blue.

Well okay he's done some work to it. The stuff he's replaced are:
timing chain
tensioner cassettes
oil pressure activated timing chain tensioner
water pump
turbo
HPFP had been warranty replaced prior to his ownership

I think that's the bulk of what goes bad on the N14 motors, right?

I'd have to drive from St. Louis to Albuquerque to pick it up. Any thoughts on the best way to return? Drive it s a good answer. I'm thinking of towing it though, car trailer or dolly.

 

Carbon build up is another issue these N14 engines suffer from, less so with the N18, but direct injection you will inevitably get carbon build up. I know a common solution is to install a catch can, which won't solve it, but will certainly help alleviate it.

 

I did my R56 and R60 at around 100K (both are N18s). Very little build up in the R56. The R60 had quite a bit more, but I attribute that to a tear in the PCV membrane that’s was sending excess oil into the intake manifold. In my opinion an OCC is not necessary on a healthy, well maintained N18.

 

Buy a scanguage and drive it home. Just got back from my weekend trip down to Pigeon Forge. Saturday was my “ tail of the dragon” and “Devil’s Triangle” day. All in all another 800 trouble free miles.

 

Yes I would but my wife wants to come for a road trip. She will not be happy doing the 15 hour return drive in my pickup truck...I've gotta pick my battles...

How many miles are on your chubby Clubbie?

 

A very well thought out description, thank you Snaps. I think Gen 3 is out for me. First off, I never liked the design change from Gen 2. As far as the ride goes, it seemed alright for the brief test drive I took a few years back, but I wasn't convinced. I haven't driven a Gen 1 and would really like to go for a spin. My Gen 2...now that was quite the ride. Probably because it had the JCW trimmings - strut brace, brakes and whatever else I can't think of - it really performed getting up to speed, staying on the road, and reigning itself in under 'spirited braking'.

I have been trying to maintain a budget. Not because I have to, but because I'm cheap. Or frugal I suppose. My wife calls me a 'child of the depression'. My buddy has the clubman with N14 engine, with a lot of work done; I'll probably be able to buy it for $6k. On a sidenote he also has a 1992 Cooper import from Japan, the engine's being rebuilt and he wants $6500 for it. Maybe I'll got that route I don't know.

Or maybe I'll do a nationwide search and lock on to a 2012 or 13 JCW. I have seen a couple listed in my musings. I think by early June I will have an answer on this massive question. I really appreciate you, and everyone else, taking the time to throw out some great info!

 

We rolled over 146,000 this weekend.

 

I wouldnt trade my 2013 R55 JCW for any other mini for many of the same reasons other Clubman owners already mentioned.

If R53 is on the table however, you better jump on this before its gone: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-jcw-aero.html

My jaw dropped when I saw this post moments ago

 

Having owned and R56, R55 and F56, I have to say that the F56 is the best of the three in my opinion. No quibbles on the styling as the earlier versions were better looking; however, the build quality, reliability and overall livability are a significant improvement. Despite the fact that some think the F56 is too big, it's still a very small car. It's quick, handles well and the motor is superb. It is also very responsive to modding and simple chassis tweaks can transform the car. My recommendation is not to rule out the F56 ... it's a quality vehicle that is both entertaining and reliable (much more so than earlier generations).

 

That's a great looking car! I sent the owner a PM. I owe you a beer. Or some other adult beverage.

 

That's some great information, thank you! Do you know what year they dropped the manual gearbox? This is the most offensive thing I could imagine a car maker could do. Other than return to the N14.

 

Well I just saw a 2021 model with manual gearbox. Amazing what you find when you look, eh?

 

happy to help! I wish i had space for another. Ive drooled over those pics a couple of times since yesterday lol

 

you aren’t the only one, and I might have drooled over your clubby once or twice 😉