Researching buying my first mini.

looking at a 2016 or newer cooper S convertible.

prices are nuts so I’m wondering if the 3-cyl engine is okay?

between the 3&4 cylinder. Which is best? Least problematic and most reliable?

thanks so much

 

The both good engines unlike the French junk that was put in the 2nd gen MINI

 

Amen. I have owned the 3-cyl (B38) as Gollum III [Gollum I was R53 Works, Gollum II was R56 Justa] and loved it.

It's the same damn engine as the 4 cyl (B48) with one piston lopped off. The joy is that it pulls like a train, with torque from 2k onwards, not what I expected from a small motor. That little puppy had the same torque as my prized Works R53 which had another 500cc of displacement. It was fun and fast.

I run the B48 now, and at 93k miles I have a firm belief that both the B38 and B48 are easily 150k-200k motors with careful maintenance. They are well designed, well built, and remind me of my 3 cyl R75S Motorcycle which was also a precision watch and absolutely bulletproof.

So I would encourage you to consider the 3 with equal interest and appreciation as it's slightly larger sibling - I've raced both and sing their praises.

Cheers,

Charlie