Still up in the air between 2013 and 2014 Cooper hardtop, although leaning way more to 2013 as I don't care for the new changes.

Anyway, one of my concerns is now the Cooper is also turbocharged, will the issues the S has had in the past start occurring? I have had zero issues with my 2011 Cooper and have heard that is the case with most justas.

I know the engines are completely new this year too, so maybe a moot point? Input?

 

Well to be fair most of the R56S issues are not caused by the turbo directly. Timing chain has nothing to do with it, and while the oil feed lines do leak I feel that is a design issue rather than a turbo issue. There don't seem to be any problems directly caused by the added boost, so I wouldn't fear it. However first years can be so hit and miss that it may be worth waiting to see what happens.

 

This is something only time will tell. One would hope with the new motor it will be a bit more reliable. But when I did finally see the F56 I ordered a 2013 R56. Not at all bashing the F56 mind you. But my preference was with the R56 just in the appearance stand point. I love all the qorky things the older models had. IMO the things that made the MINI so different are starting to vanish..there going more main stream. If you like the R56 I would get it.. If you rather have the F56 then get that one. What ever you get enjoy it!

 

R56= Style, soul


F56= Warranty, tech, refinement, turbo and torque


Test drives solved the puzzle for me and I'm willing to take the chance on a turbo again after a string of brilliant VW/Audi turbos.

 

They've redesigned the whole system. It's now a BMW. If you want to be safe, just wait for 2015 model.

 

Or pay for the extended maintenance and warranty. ;-)

 

Same for me. I keep trying to convince myself I like the F56 lol, but so far it's not really working. I've been having a tough time finding an new 2013 R56 with features I want, but luckily found one in Colorado. It will have the added pain driving it back to Seattle, but I have friends in Denver so it would be fun fly/drive trip. So far I'm leaning that way as it's fully loaded but getting $2250 off (so far) which brings it to the same price I would have spec'd a lesser-equipped F56. I just need to do some more research first though!

 

Smaller engine + more power = trouble

MINI doesn't exactly have the best reliability record. I would wait for year two.

 

Honestly it sounds like you want a R56. I would go that route. And if you do get it. That road trip will be a blast to drive it back in! Not to mention it will be filled with excitement so it wont feel like a long trip! Like others have said here when you sit in the F56 it is a BMW now. And soon there will be nothing MINI about it in years to come. Just the other day I over heard a guy at the dealership say he thought the F56 road like a caddy.. I cringed when I heard this.. I love the more go-kart feel. But if you do end up getting a F56 it still will be a fine car..just headed in a different direction.. Keep us posted on what you buy! Good luck!

 

I feel like since the 3 cylinder is basically the same motor as the 4 in the MCS, but just with a barrel lopped off, it should be a very good motor. Plus BMW is betting a lot on the engine family with Minis AND BMW products both.

Of course it is the first year of production so who knows. But for better or for worse, this car is very BMW and much of the driveline is in BMW's near future.

 

Many of the R56 Cooper S issues, aside from the carbon buildup were due to the extended oil change intervals, honestly.

Additionally, the engines in the R56 (and R50/53) vehicles were never actually BMW engines, anyway. British car owned by a German company with a French engine.

 

Sorry, I haven't seen an issue yet that could be traced to the oil change intervals.

 

The numbers don't work. The current engine is 1600 cc, each of the 4 cylinders is 400cc. The new 3 cylinder is 1500cc for 500cc each. My guess is the new and old engines share very few internal parts.

 

Current (F56) MCS engine is a 2000cc 4 cylinder. Justa has a 1500cc 3 cylinder. 500cc per cylinder for each engine.

 

Actually the 2014 have a 1.5 3-cylinder and the MCS is a 2.0 4-cylinder. Those are the motors I was referring to in my statement above. Sorry I wasn't very clear in my description.

 

Actually not the entire story IMO, N18 has been used in all Cooper S model MINI's since 2011 and has not been a problem engine.

Who knows if the F56 engines will have issues, BMW has made some of the top 10 best and worst car engines.

 

Sludge buildup or oil consumption causing timing chain tensioner failure and vacuum pump failure? I've seen those examples happen.

And yes, I know many timing chains/tensioners were faulty to begin with.

I love how quick people are to jump on my statement... bottom line is 10-16k on a turbocharged 4-cylinder that is not known to be kind to oil, is not a good idea. I don't care what BMW says the recommended OCI is. They've only done that so they don't have to pay for oil changes when they're actually needed.

 

So basically nothing to support your claim.

Even your reasoning for why they selected the interval they did makes no sense.

 

Don't be dense.

It makes perfect sense. Have you already failed to remember that Minis have included maintenance for the first 36k?

Fewer complimentary oil changes = more money in BMW's coffers.

 

Yeah - BMW is not paying for the oil changes. When you figure that out you may figure out why the claim that they are somehow saving money by lengthening the interval makes no sense.

 

I think they were short-sighted.

If you haven't noticed, they reduced the recommended OCI to 10k on newer vehicles.

 

Very nice. Sounds like you've hit up most of the major mods. Next up I'd finish de-chroming the car. The beltline sticks out at bit. And personally, the non-functioning hood scoop peeves me like no other. So I'd be saving up for the Eventuri intake. Is it a manual or auto? If manual, the Cravenspeed short shifter is a no-brainer.