R56 Mini Cooper S - 5 ways to make it more reliable

In this video I we talk about the 5 things yo ucan do to make your R56 Mini Cooper S more reliable. Stay tuned to find out what they are!

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Track: - Holding On [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds.

[lsx_moe]

Im a mini tech and ive logged more engine rebuilds and timing chain jobs than most other techs. The single handedly worst thing i see customers do is use 87 gasoline instead of 93. Mini coopers specifically call for a high grade fuel. They are direct injection engines and they build up carbon insainly quickly. 93 will reduce that. You have no idea how many minis i get in with low compression misfire, with a corner of one of the exhaust valve burnt up. DONT USE CHEAP GAS FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IF YOU WANT YOUR R56 TO LIVE!

[mathews]

Just for a different point of view, I’ve owned my R56 07 for 6 years now, I drive it like a stole it everyday and have had no major issues.
Only regular Maintenance like clutch, breaks, oil change, struts. Only problem I’ve had was a small oil leak from a line going to the turbo that I changed out in my garage. I believe too many people buy these cars and drive them too slow... they’re direct injection, drive it like a race car and you’ll never have a valve build up. Better yet instead of walnut blasting take a crews riding near redline for a half hour that will clear your valves. People can say what they want but my R56 has had the least problems out of all the cars In my family. Through winter and summer this thing is a beast, they do shred through oil though. 6 years going on 7.

[dizzle]

As a MINI tech, I can't stress enough to check the oil level regularly ie. when you fill up with gas. Every day I see cars come in 3qts low.

[dantediss]

I hope you do not mind but can i add to things you should pay attention to ? After owning my cooper s for a few years and doing all work myself i can safely say major things to pay attention to are
#1, Thermostat housing.
# 2, water pipe ( hidden by thermostat housing and under air filter box )
# 3, water pump ( dirt cheap and easy to replace while doing water pipe and thermostat )
# 4, auxiliary oil pump ( notorious for leaks )
# 5, oil cooler ( easy to change while doing auxiliary oil pump )
# 6, turbo inlet hose (number 1 thing to be inspected and replaced, oil leaking on a hot turbo is a big no no )
# 7, check your shock towers for any deformation, if presrnt invest in high quality strut tower defenders. The strut towers are inherently weak and after enough miles will start to mushroom and deform causing tracking issues. I highly suggest the version made by madness motorworks because it actually corrects and fixes the problem by going over the shock top, but under the strut tower. Instead of being a collar that goes on top.
# 7, inspect your spark plugs religiously. Due to oiling issues you may get wet plugs every now and then.
# 8, inspect your ignition coils.
And finally # 9, if your car starts to smoke on startup or under acceleration then you have the dreaded valve stem seal replacement job in your future. But if you need to buy some time. Replace your oil with 10w 40. It will stop the smoking for a while and allow you to save up to fix the issue, since it is pricey now due to the $1000 mini tool no longer readily available at shops.
Sorry for the book, but i hope this helps some people. Btw keep up the vids you are helping alot of people out with these cars

[mizaqenyad]

Thank you for making these videos man. I found out after I bought my mini how unreliable they are. I wish I watched your videos before I bought, but I’m in love with it now, and I’m glad I can come here and learn how to properly care for it. Really puts my mind at ease.

[paull]

It's a car. NO matter what brand you buy, you need to maintain it. Check your oil, use at least 91 octane, some states that is as high as it gets. But do not be cheap. Also remember now at MINI they use 0W30 as their oil. I have mine changed other places. I love my MINI and will buy another one next year. Maintainence is the KEY.

[stevegillaspie]

Thanks for the honest heads up on Mini.

[rodrigonewton]

Your channel is a reference for Mini Cooper owners. Many thanks my friend!

[reefluvr]

Great video. Love how you took the time to inform the potential buyer. Love my mini

[hawkrider]

Well done video my friend. I'm a MINI fan and I understand that with some cars "special attention" is just part of the quaintness of owning the car. BUT there is no excuse for weak areas that go on for decades like the timing chain and fuel pump. These should be an embarrassment to the company and shows a lack of respect for their customers. And at the very least...the engineers at the company should have trouble sleeping at night.

[gordonlittle]

A catch can is really worth while, I fitted one to my Cooper S with N14 engine about 2 years ago and in that time it’s collected half a pint of brown liquid that would have gone down the intake and onto the valves.
Very

[noizyneighbour]

It took a seasoned older mechanic to sort the issues on my 2007 Cooper S Clubman.
I bought it at 3 yrs old with a year's warranty and I loved it - for a week until it broke down.
To cut a long story short by the end of my 12 months warranty the dealer had a file 1" thick with what had been repaired/replaced and for every week it was on the road it spent another in service.
Poor performance, stalling, flat spots, backfires, pinking, rattling etc etc.
Engine was dismantled 3 times..
it took a letter to Mini UK near the end of my warranty saying that there were still ongoing issues and that I wanted their assurance they would continue to sort them at no cost to me that I got it looked it by someone fresh who knew what they were doing.
It turned out there's a valve which purges the combustion chamber of gases when accelating hard - the tank vent valve.
It had a fault which no one else had picked up.
Since that day - 50, 000 trouble free miles.
Sometimes experience prevails over a plug in

[markcason]

On our 3rd mini, first turbo and first used one though. Never had any problems with the previous 2 but my wife drove them and only put a couple hundred miles per month on them and had the service covered at the dealership as part of a promotion on both. Really appreciate your videos and plan to follow your advice on the walnut blast and oil catch can. Start saving for the fuel pump as well.

[terrigargis]

Thanks for a well done video. I'm a 75 year old widow totally in love with my 2010 Mini. Love the stick shift. Already had a leaking oil issue, but all is fixed. I was browsing videos because my "bonnet" is stuck shut and the latch won't work. Anyway, I enjoyed your talk.

[joelou]

This is a great video! Thanks for sharing.

[Camelhooof]

Much appreciated, I’m looking to buy one soon so many thanks for the advice.

[mikejohnson]

much appreciated with the heads up info on Mini Maintenance. Thanks.

[rodramsey]

Great content as well as comments. Thanks for all the info. Just purchased a Mini Cooper and truly dig the ride but just as much, need the insight on how to keep it that way. Thanks again.

[vkotis]

Somebody watches Tavarish! Great video. Preventative maintenance is definitely the best mod for your car.

[DoktrDub]

Thanks for the info, it’s gonna help me out when it comes to buying my r56 in a few months!