My Mini Cooper S

[Sam]

She goes in for a free health check at the weekend at Mini Teesside and they'll let me know if she needs de-coking.

 

[Alan]

Nice car but holy crap I hope you've got a fully comp BMW warranty.

Echo that, they are s**t, it will break in more ways than one.. My R53 Works pissed all over the R56 I had for a brief time this year, build quality on the R56 is laughable, and no works upgrades will really hurt the resale value.

 

[jayxx83]

This is why I opted for the R53 many moons ago. Now almost on 104k and not missed a beat and still an absolute hoot!

good luck with the R56, but apart from the fuel economy and good handling, its just a case of keeping the a hole clenched.

 

[RDH]

In all fairness I've also had an R53 and that was a bag of sh*t aswell.

 

[Sam]

Echo that, they are s**t, it will break in more ways than one.. My R53 Works pissed all over the R56 I had for a brief time this year, build quality on the R56 is laughable, and no works upgrades will really hurt the resale value.

It may do. I knew what they where like when I bought it though.

My mates had his from new in 2007 and has not had a single problem wrong with it.

 

[RDH]

Think it is just pot luck, but every single person I know who has had one has had major problem, all because of the engine (French sh*te...) My mates is in a specialist as we speak having major engine work done because of coking.

 

[koi]

Is the chrome petrol cap an option or did they change this to a standard boring flap on the newer ones?

 

[Feates172]

Is the chrome petrol cap an option or did they change this to a standard boring flap on the newer ones?

Correct. All colour coded now.

 

[Sam]

Is the chrome petrol cap an option or did they change this to a standard boring flap on the newer ones?

I thought all cooper S come with a chrome petrol cap.

 

[Feates172]

Trying to picture them at work, and am sure they have normal.

I see over 800 a day though. So don't even pay attention.

Not all though, probably part of the chrome line exterior package.

Will check at work Monday.

Edit to this: I'm certain they don't come on R57.

 

[Matthew]

The grey plastic lets down the appearance IMO.

 

[koi]

I thought all cooper S come with a chrome petrol cap.

Not sure but my bros 61 plate Cooper D with JCW kit didn't, would look good with one though.

 

[Feates172]

Not sure but my bros 61 plate Cooper D with JCW kit didn't, would look good with one though.

You can buy one for it if it's a R56/55. Mini works website. Or I will see if I can get my hands on one at work. What colour is it?

 

[Sam]

Not sure but my bros 61 plate Cooper D with JCW kit didn't, would look good with one though.

They do finish the exterior off nicely imo.

 

[koi]

You can buy one for it if it's a R56/55. Mini works website. Or I will see if I can get my hands on one at work. What colour is it?

R56 in spice orange, not the best colour but was good spec.

 

[Feates172]

Not a very popular colour either. Will PM you Monday if I get hold of one or not.

 

[Sam]

Quick Update - 09.11.2013

The car was taken for its first Mini service under the TLC XL pack. They also did a health check which found a small oil leak from around the sump so its going in to get that sorted.

They give it a wash so i decided to get some pictures on the way home.

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

and a cheeky snap with my girlfriends Cooper D!

Mini Cooper S & D by Bonxy, on Flickr

After 2 weeks of ownership i still absolute love it.

Still waiting to hear back from the DVLA so i can get my private reg on. They take there time sadly!

Sam!

 

[jayxx83]

Looks like it's got countryman all4 stance there!

very clean.

 

[Sam]

Looks like it's got countryman all4 stance there!

very clean.

Ha. I dont mind the suspension. Cant see me lowering it in fairness.

This is meant to be a bit more grown up than the clio.

 

[Snake182]

I do quite a bit of work on these BMW Mini's and they aren't all that bad, sure they have there fair share of issues as do all other cars. Its just a case of keeping on top of the maintenance and servicing of the car. If you keep on top of it and service them regular (with oil flushes) then they stand a much better chance love the supercharger whine too!

 

[Gaz_]

Though his is the turbo version?

 

[Sam]

Though his is the turbo version?

Correct.

 

[Sam]

Little Update

Last week the car clocked 53,000 mile and i still love it. I finally got my private plate on which make it look a lot better. It only took the DVLA 6 months to sort out there humongous balls up but hey, its sorted now!

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr
​

So yesterday i just got out of hospital after having my tonsils removed and was bored today.

So i thought i would go a head and attempt to remove the faded union jack vinyl off the roof. Only took me about an hour with the heat gun, took a lot longer getting the excess glue off though.

I couldnt spend ages doing it as i kept getting light headed and floaty probably from the morphine running through me (ha) but i think i did a decent job. Will go over it again tomorrow with Autoglym Tar & Glue remover.

Heres a few snaps i took.

Mini Cooper S Vinyl Removal by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S Vinyl Removal by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S Vinyl Removal by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S Vinyl Removal by Bonxy, on Flickr
​

Ill get some better pics with the SLR tomorrow.

It looks a lot cleaner than i expected being a 5 year old car. I thought there would be more yellow fading or something.

Debating whether to leave the stripes on the bonnet and keep the roof white or remove the bonnet stripes and get some black vinyl on the roof with black mirror caps!

Sam!

 

[Sam]

So i finally got around to giving the Cooper S a well deserve clean.

I then took it out for a good drive since the sun was shining and took some pictures!

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Enjoy.

 

[Sam]

Little Update

Had the car about 10 months now and love it.

Went to my first Mini meet at the weekend. It was Mini Fest at Oulton Park.

Great day watching the racing. Sun burn though is not so good.

I havnt done much to the car in the last few months. Bought some plastic spotlight covers to protect the spotlights and also removed the bonnet stripes.

Ive bought a JCW cat back exhaust for a bit if extra noise which should be going on next month when it gets mapped to. Should take it up to a peachy 210+ bhp.

So here is the few pictures i took at Oulton Park..

My Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

My Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

My Mini Cooper S by Bonxy, on Flickr

Thanks, Sam!

 

[hanby42]

Looking nice mate!!

 

[Alan]

Looking good mate, personally i'd get some non run-flats on it, and some H&R springs, it'll cure the bumpy ride from the hard compound of the run-flats and give it a more purposeful look on the lowered springs.

 

[Ben]

Looks so much better being de-stickered.

 

[Sam]

How I spent last week.

The Mini performed brilliantly on the track even though it was wet.

Can't wait to go back.

 

[Sam]

Update
Nothing much has happened to the Mini recently. Managed to do 2,196 miles around Europe without fault.

If anyone ever gets the chance, you must do a proper road trip. Ive read the Le'Mans threads and other similar road trips and always wanted to do it so me and my mates did. Camping in europe over 8 days.

Ferry > Amsterdam!
Amsterdam > Germany
Germany > Switzerland
Switzerland > France
France > Luxenbourg
Luxenbourg > Belgium
Belgium > France

Nurburgring was brilliant fun. Shame it was a bit wet but added to the excitement. The Furka Pass and Switzerland itself was probably the best. One of the most beautiful countries ive visited and the roads in the mountains are brilliant. Loved every minute of it.

Heres a few pics.

German Scenery by Bonxy, on Flickr

Nurburgring Sign by Bonxy, on Flickr

Nurburgring Sign by Bonxy, on Flickr

Switzerland by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini at Furka Pass by Bonxy, on Flickr

Mini at Furka Pass by Bonxy, on Flickr

Furka Pass by Bonxy, on Flickr

Airolo from Furka Pass by Bonxy, on Flickr

Furka Pass by Bonxy, on Flickr

Thanks, Sam!

 

[jesus]

Nice road! I wonder if the Trophy would make it to Switzerland now...

 

[Sam]

Nice road! I wonder if the Trophy would make it to Switzerland now...

You should definitely try it.
Im going back to the ring in June with the same lads. Come on over.

 

[jesus]

You should definitely try it.
Im going back to the ring in June with the same lads. Come on over. :tongueout:

Try it... if it fails I'm stuck in Switzerland

You've got me looking at road trips again now. I've been to the ring twice so fancy Spa next!

Mini's looking a lot better with the flag removed. The black ideas sound good but white looks a bit more unique!

 

[Sam]

Try it... if it fails I'm stuck in Switzerland :tongueout:

You've got me looking at road trips again now. I've been to the ring twice so fancy Spa next!

Mini's looking a lot better with the flag removed. The black ideas sound good but white looks a bit more unique!

I just put a black grill on it tonight. Im in 2 minds still.

SPA is brilliant. Had a few mates who watched the GP there. They loved it.

 

[jesus]

Pic? Are you keeping the spotlights?

 

[Rob]

Looks like a great trip. Love the mini too.

I really want to do similar with a few lads off of here. I may actually proactively organise this for next year.

 

[JackJack]

Looks much better without the flag.

 

[Sam]

Pic? Are you keeping the spotlights?

There off for now. :smile:

Looks like a great trip. Love the mini too.

I really want to do similar with a few lads off of here. I may actually proactively organise this for next year.

You need to Rob. It was so much fun.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Looks much better without the flag.

Thanks. :smile:

Please use multi-quote!

 

[_Tom]

Awesome.

I just saw one of these going some. They sound lovely on full chat.

 

[Sam]

Awesome.

I just saw one of these going some. They sound lovely on full chat.

They do. Mine has the JCW package on it so sounds awesome.