We've been looking for a MINI for my daughter for many weeks now. She was looking for a Horizon Blue, which was only made for 3 years from '09 - '11 making the hunt pretty difficult. Recently, she saw the Deep Blue in the third gen and really liked that.

I have a gen 2 and am very familiar with their issues, but haven't kept up with the third gens. I've browsed through the forums and saw the crankshaft bearing issue and a few others of less concern. What I've not been able to figure out is how prevalent is this issue.

Would I be better to stick with the models where I know what to expect or take a chance with the new series? Has MINI been able to address their reliability in the latest series?

Thanks.

 

Yes. 3rd gen is MUCH more reliable, it seems.

 

And the Gen 3 Justa is turbocharged too. I've heard it goes pretty good even with AT.

 

It seems a bit early to declare that. The F56 hasn't even turned four yet, has it? Not much time for long term issues to appear.

You have to work it but the 3-cylinder can be good fun. Especially in stick shift. The automatic is a real performance handicap; I learned to work with it in loaners but never warmed to it. I'm a grumpy old guy, I guess.

To the original poster: sounds like you know about the R-series foibles. I would be reluctant to purchase a 2007-2010 unless it were a particularly sweet deal with full service records.

 

I think the earliest ones would just be hitting their 3 y/o mark now and I'd imagine there will be lease turn-ins starting to hit the lots now. The issues with the R-series seemed to show themselves early in the cars life, I've read many a post on someone's timing chain crapping out on them at very low mileages.

I may be subjecting myself to a bit of forum paranoia here, but I do think it is good practice to make yourself aware of what you're getting into. After buying my used 2010 Clubbie, I found this forum and spent a lot of time pouring through thread after thread. Fortunately, I had a few months left on the factory warranty and I probably caused a few eye-rolls at the service department having them check things that a less paranoid person may have overlooked. Better safe than sorry, right?

Since this will be for my daughter that will be heading off to college soon, I'd rather put her in something that doesn't have a long list of possible issues to keep an eye on like with the R-series. If we are to find a pre-2011 R-series, it would have to be pristine with lots of service records to vet it.

 

The f56 is a much better decision then. And with the crankshaft bearing recall, the engines see a slow death, and it has been confirmed by BMW to be an issue. So if there is an issue, you will get a new engine. the issue is not a design flaw, but the specs for the bearing were not high enough. I don't have specifics, but I believe a miscommunication between MINI and a supplier caused the problem. Finally, they have increased the recall to cover some cars as a precaution even though there was really no reason to do.

The thing everyone forgets is this, BMW now cares how these engines hold up, because they are going into their cars too...

 

F56 if you want newer design and more options and advancements. If you go R56 get the N18 engine or maybe a 2013+ R56 JCW. The JCW will make up for the F56 loss.

 

The F56 and R56 feel very differently. You should drive both, and then decide.

 

The F56 has a softer ride in general and feels more refined for comfort. My R52 feels really raw compared to it.

 

Our search is over. We ended up finding a '15 Hardtop S CPO at a Toyota dealer that had only 15K and lots of life on the bumper-to-bumper, maintenance and CPO warranty.

My daughter had driven both the R56 and F56 and she preferred the later model. I guess she got sucked in by the comfort aspect of it. She really likes the extendable seat bolster since she is 6'3" with long legs. Everyone questions her assuming MINI's are for mini people, but it actually fits her better than most cars.

So now we have 3 MINI's in our driveway. Can't wait for the Dragon in the spring!

 

Congrats, And yes the F56 has a more refined feel and the sport seats hug you good.

Thanks for the update. Post up some pics of the MINI.