R56 looking at 2013 R56 LCI N18 (S hatch turbo)
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3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 211
Likes: 15
From: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
looking at 2013 R56 LCI N18 (S hatch turbo)
just looking for real owner thoughts/opinions:
So, for ever and a day i have loved mini's, originals, and BMW's remake, and finally have the chance to pick up what may be a fair, not great, but fair deal, for 8900 on a 2013 (build Oct 2012) S Model, Turbo, Hatch, Hardtop, 6sp Manual.
single owner, iowa car (came in to michigan, then down to Iowa), 117k on the gauge, interior is just beautiful, exterior has no visible rust, but to me is a little rough (normal for Iowa and our weather here maybe) with marks from touch-up paint, and the nose of the car is what i can only describe as pock marked by what i can only describe as something acidic. but not, at the same time. paint looks bubbled, marked, but possibly from underneath the paint? small marks, like splash from something?
the test drive was a complete blast, the suspension was firm and solid,no odd pulling of the wheel. no vibrations, swift and responsive from what i could tell.
the turbo was nuts, breaking the tires lose during purposefully heavier than normal acceleration (i was trying to break them lose and it didnt let me down). and during normal get up and go i cant think of the last car i had that was that small, moved that quick, and was that agile.
Steering was tight, clutch felt great, shifting was good, 2nd gear starts from the stop lights was 'normal', so slippling or jerkiness, gauges, radio, electrical looked ok. (the auto lowering and raising of the window when closing the door freaked me out)
so whats my question?
what can i expect at 117k. from a 2013 S Turbo Hardtop Hatch, where i have no ability to look up vehicle history (no dealership will give me anything) - would love it if a mini tech could take the VIN and check it for me so i know what type of service history this vehicle has.
it doesnt appear at first glance and drive, that the car was NOT abused. i want to immediately love this little car.
and i am 75% getting that good vibe from it, unlike other cars i bought, and didnt regret, but just didnt get any true pleasure from driving. this car, in a 1hr test drive, made me smile the entire drive.
i cant find anyone local to walk up and ask how they like their's so i will ask here, how has the 2013 R56 N18 been mechanically? without being able to tell if anything has ever been fixed on it, is there any way of knowing outside of visually seeing newer parts compared to the other parts on the engine?
2013's just appear to be not that easy to find alot of info on, people gravitate to the older ones.
i see alot of talk of HPFP, and thermostats, but not alot on other things that cant be chalked up as "all cars have issues sooner or later" but the history of problems with mini's scares me. but we all know we see far more talk about bad, than we do about good.
So, for ever and a day i have loved mini's, originals, and BMW's remake, and finally have the chance to pick up what may be a fair, not great, but fair deal, for 8900 on a 2013 (build Oct 2012) S Model, Turbo, Hatch, Hardtop, 6sp Manual.
single owner, iowa car (came in to michigan, then down to Iowa), 117k on the gauge, interior is just beautiful, exterior has no visible rust, but to me is a little rough (normal for Iowa and our weather here maybe) with marks from touch-up paint, and the nose of the car is what i can only describe as pock marked by what i can only describe as something acidic. but not, at the same time. paint looks bubbled, marked, but possibly from underneath the paint? small marks, like splash from something?
the test drive was a complete blast, the suspension was firm and solid,no odd pulling of the wheel. no vibrations, swift and responsive from what i could tell.
the turbo was nuts, breaking the tires lose during purposefully heavier than normal acceleration (i was trying to break them lose and it didnt let me down). and during normal get up and go i cant think of the last car i had that was that small, moved that quick, and was that agile.
Steering was tight, clutch felt great, shifting was good, 2nd gear starts from the stop lights was 'normal', so slippling or jerkiness, gauges, radio, electrical looked ok. (the auto lowering and raising of the window when closing the door freaked me out)
so whats my question?
what can i expect at 117k. from a 2013 S Turbo Hardtop Hatch, where i have no ability to look up vehicle history (no dealership will give me anything) - would love it if a mini tech could take the VIN and check it for me so i know what type of service history this vehicle has.
it doesnt appear at first glance and drive, that the car was NOT abused. i want to immediately love this little car.
and i am 75% getting that good vibe from it, unlike other cars i bought, and didnt regret, but just didnt get any true pleasure from driving. this car, in a 1hr test drive, made me smile the entire drive.
i cant find anyone local to walk up and ask how they like their's so i will ask here, how has the 2013 R56 N18 been mechanically? without being able to tell if anything has ever been fixed on it, is there any way of knowing outside of visually seeing newer parts compared to the other parts on the engine?
2013's just appear to be not that easy to find alot of info on, people gravitate to the older ones.
i see alot of talk of HPFP, and thermostats, but not alot on other things that cant be chalked up as "all cars have issues sooner or later" but the history of problems with mini's scares me. but we all know we see far more talk about bad, than we do about good.
Last edited by cyberlunacy; Dec 29, 2018 at 05:57 PM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 271
Likes: 29
From: Austin, Texas
I’m the second owner of a 2013 MCS with 152K miles on the clock now. Had it for about 15 months and really enjoy using it as my daily. Issues for higher mileage LCI Mini’s (11-2013), include turbo wastegate wear after 70K miles and valve cover PCV issues. I replaced both and also did the timing chain for peace of mind. Really a strong running little car that you should get many miles out of, just keep a good maintenance log.
Enjoy
Enjoy
Congrats on the find. Check the price as it seems to be a touch high for the miles and year.
I have a 2012,Oct 2011 build, which is the same as what you are looking at only a year older. I have about half the miles but a nunber of those miles are from being on the track with the car. The N18 engine in these cars is pretty reliable and as long as it is kept full of oil and oil changes have been done at a reasonable intervals (~5000 mi) it should last a long time. The rest of the car is a solid build.
As you noticed MINIs, especially the “S”, tend to sell themselves. That is how my wife bought hers 15 years ago and I found it the same for the Gen II model. N18 S makes great power and as you found makes it a blast to drive. If it is still tight with the miles it has, then it seems like a good one.
If you buy it, expect the normal wear items will need to be addressed. Things like a new clutch may be needed in the somewhat near future, but that is something to wait on until it goes.. As was mentioned, maybe think about doing the timing chain and guides. Definitely do the serpentine belt. Then there are the other normal replacement items such as brakes and shocks, when they come due. These engines develop oil leaks, one of which is out of the oil sender unit on the back of the engine on the passenger side that, if leaking, can lead to ECU problems and the dealers have a fix for it. Any other oil leaks are either gaskets or seals, none of which would keep me from buying the car.
Hope this helps.
And Have Fun!
I have a 2012,Oct 2011 build, which is the same as what you are looking at only a year older. I have about half the miles but a nunber of those miles are from being on the track with the car. The N18 engine in these cars is pretty reliable and as long as it is kept full of oil and oil changes have been done at a reasonable intervals (~5000 mi) it should last a long time. The rest of the car is a solid build.
As you noticed MINIs, especially the “S”, tend to sell themselves. That is how my wife bought hers 15 years ago and I found it the same for the Gen II model. N18 S makes great power and as you found makes it a blast to drive. If it is still tight with the miles it has, then it seems like a good one.
If you buy it, expect the normal wear items will need to be addressed. Things like a new clutch may be needed in the somewhat near future, but that is something to wait on until it goes.. As was mentioned, maybe think about doing the timing chain and guides. Definitely do the serpentine belt. Then there are the other normal replacement items such as brakes and shocks, when they come due. These engines develop oil leaks, one of which is out of the oil sender unit on the back of the engine on the passenger side that, if leaking, can lead to ECU problems and the dealers have a fix for it. Any other oil leaks are either gaskets or seals, none of which would keep me from buying the car.
Hope this helps.
And Have Fun!
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 211
Likes: 15
From: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
thank you eddie.
much of my confusions comes from people not calling their cars on the forums by name, but by engine types, etc. n18, r56 etc etc so, since i am new to looking into mini's for actual purchase, i am stumped.
thanks for the sharing of knowledge on the n18 where common sense maintenance, and as usual, not running it into the ground will keep it going.
price wise i dont like paying that much but for all i can find, being in iowa, thats pretty normal. maybe 8500, but its not going to go below 8000 from everything i can see without being a pile of poo.
i have spent all weekend picturing myself parking the current 2000 accord ex, v6 in favor of this, and all i can do is smile... i picture myself wanting to drive it, and loving it.
and am already researching prices on CAI's, and exhaust's.
i am planning on going down to the dealer monday and driving it again... this time on the highway to get a high speed feel for it for vibration, alignment, etc...
hoping to come back as a new owner of a used mini!.
p.s.
the best vehicle history i could find showed oil change history from the original owner and some minor wear item replacement, but this was online sources, not directly from a dealer.
every dealer i have ever asked for shop history based on the VIN of a vehicle i am buying refuses to give me anything, even when explaining i dont care about names/owners, but i have to know what type of history this vehicle has that isnt a stupid carfax.
much of my confusions comes from people not calling their cars on the forums by name, but by engine types, etc. n18, r56 etc etc so, since i am new to looking into mini's for actual purchase, i am stumped.
thanks for the sharing of knowledge on the n18 where common sense maintenance, and as usual, not running it into the ground will keep it going.
price wise i dont like paying that much but for all i can find, being in iowa, thats pretty normal. maybe 8500, but its not going to go below 8000 from everything i can see without being a pile of poo.
i have spent all weekend picturing myself parking the current 2000 accord ex, v6 in favor of this, and all i can do is smile... i picture myself wanting to drive it, and loving it.
and am already researching prices on CAI's, and exhaust's.
i am planning on going down to the dealer monday and driving it again... this time on the highway to get a high speed feel for it for vibration, alignment, etc...
hoping to come back as a new owner of a used mini!.
p.s.
the best vehicle history i could find showed oil change history from the original owner and some minor wear item replacement, but this was online sources, not directly from a dealer.
every dealer i have ever asked for shop history based on the VIN of a vehicle i am buying refuses to give me anything, even when explaining i dont care about names/owners, but i have to know what type of history this vehicle has that isnt a stupid carfax.
Calling these cars by “R53, R56, N14, N18” is a BMW thing and it can be confusing. It all depends on the body of the car and the engine that is in. Also, every 7 years MINI goes through a redesign, hence the Gen I, Gen II, etc designations. So, for the Gen I, 2002 - 2006, there was the base - R50, the S - R53. The S is a different body designation because it is reinforced as compared to the R50. There are more for the Gen I’s, But on to the Gen IIs. Gen II Coopers started in 2007. The body was designated the R56 and it originally had the N14 engine. Because that engine had problems they came up with a new engine, the N18, in 2011, which is much bettter design and performs better (I had a 2007 S). But the body stayed the R56. Gen III came out in 2014, with the F56 body, and at this point I quit. But you get the idea.
Sorry about the following, but having been around these for a while and been following NAM for that time I thought I would pass along the following tidbits:
As for CAIs and exhausts, the MINI S intake is a true CAI and is pretty unrestricted. The aftermarket intakes pull in the very hot air from within the engine compartment; they don’t pull in any cold air, so they don’t do much, except make a nice sound. You are much better off spending your money on an upgraded intercooler. The MINI one is almost useless, “Helix” is good and an easy installation. As for exhausts, the Coopers tend to become boomy with a lot of the aftermarket exhausts. I had a Invidia 600 (I think). It was great around town, but I couldn’t stand it on the highway at above 65; it would just drone. Just be aware. The MINI JCW exhaust is pretty good, but expensive, the non-sport Borla, and Milteck should be reasonable. Again, suggest that shocks would be a better use of that exhaust money (MINI shocks are crap) and a set of IE fixed camber plates. These will bring a whole new level of smiles to your face.
Enough of that...
Have Fum!
Sorry about the following, but having been around these for a while and been following NAM for that time I thought I would pass along the following tidbits:
As for CAIs and exhausts, the MINI S intake is a true CAI and is pretty unrestricted. The aftermarket intakes pull in the very hot air from within the engine compartment; they don’t pull in any cold air, so they don’t do much, except make a nice sound. You are much better off spending your money on an upgraded intercooler. The MINI one is almost useless, “Helix” is good and an easy installation. As for exhausts, the Coopers tend to become boomy with a lot of the aftermarket exhausts. I had a Invidia 600 (I think). It was great around town, but I couldn’t stand it on the highway at above 65; it would just drone. Just be aware. The MINI JCW exhaust is pretty good, but expensive, the non-sport Borla, and Milteck should be reasonable. Again, suggest that shocks would be a better use of that exhaust money (MINI shocks are crap) and a set of IE fixed camber plates. These will bring a whole new level of smiles to your face.
Enough of that...
Have Fum!
Calling these cars by “R53, R56, N14, N18” is a BMW thing and it can be confusing. It all depends on the body of the car and the engine that is in. Also, every 7 years MINI goes through a redesign, hence the Gen I, Gen II, etc designations. So, for the Gen I, 2002 - 2006, there was the base - R50, the S - R53. The S is a different body designation because it is reinforced as compared to the R50. There are more for the Gen I’s, But on to the Gen IIs. Gen II Coopers started in 2007. The body was designated the R56 and it originally had the N14 engine. Because that engine had problems they came up with a new engine, the N18, in 2011, which is much bettter design and performs better (I had a 2007 S). But the body stayed the R56. Gen III came out in 2014, with the F56 body, and at this point I quit. But you get the idea.
Sorry about the following, but having been around these for a while and been following NAM for that time I thought I would pass along the following tidbits:
As for CAIs and exhausts, the MINI S intake is a true CAI and is pretty unrestricted. The aftermarket intakes pull in the very hot air from within the engine compartment; they don’t pull in any cold air, so they don’t do much, except make a nice sound. You are much better off spending your money on an upgraded intercooler. The MINI one is almost useless, “Helix” is good and an easy installation. As for exhausts, the Coopers tend to become boomy with a lot of the aftermarket exhausts. I had a Invidia 600 (I think). It was great around town, but I couldn’t stand it on the highway at above 65; it would just drone. Just be aware. The MINI JCW exhaust is pretty good, but expensive, the non-sport Borla, and Milteck should be reasonable. Again, suggest that shocks would be a better use of that exhaust money (MINI shocks are crap) and a set of IE fixed camber plates. These will bring a whole new level of smiles to your face.
Enough of that...
Have Fum!
Sorry about the following, but having been around these for a while and been following NAM for that time I thought I would pass along the following tidbits:
As for CAIs and exhausts, the MINI S intake is a true CAI and is pretty unrestricted. The aftermarket intakes pull in the very hot air from within the engine compartment; they don’t pull in any cold air, so they don’t do much, except make a nice sound. You are much better off spending your money on an upgraded intercooler. The MINI one is almost useless, “Helix” is good and an easy installation. As for exhausts, the Coopers tend to become boomy with a lot of the aftermarket exhausts. I had a Invidia 600 (I think). It was great around town, but I couldn’t stand it on the highway at above 65; it would just drone. Just be aware. The MINI JCW exhaust is pretty good, but expensive, the non-sport Borla, and Milteck should be reasonable. Again, suggest that shocks would be a better use of that exhaust money (MINI shocks are crap) and a set of IE fixed camber plates. These will bring a whole new level of smiles to your face.
Enough of that...
Have Fum!
I've read about the CAI plenty, so not bothering with that. May upgrade the intercooler at some point. As for the exhaust...the Scorpion isn't ridiculously loud. At 65-70 on the highway, it's not much different than the factory sound. Just enough rumble at the low end to be enjoyable, which is what I wanted; and if I do upgrade the intake, this gives you enough pipe diameter to handle it.
IMO, these cars handle extremely well straight from the factory, and it takes an awful lot of chutzpah to push it beyond that envelope in daily driving.
Thanks for the feedback, happy motoring!
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