Mini Cooper S Buyers guide R56 (including JCW) Avoid common faults

Mini Cooper S 2006-2013 R56 Buyers guide. Should you buy a used Mini Cooper S, we tell you what to avoid so you can find a sought-after Cooper S turbo without common problems and reliability issues. You may be worried about the top 5 most common faults with the Mini Cooper S R56 or want to know the best year to buy. Our video attempts to help you find a reliable choice of car if you buy the best years and avoid the worst production years. The R56 generation also has the R57 convertible, R58 Coupe, and R59 coupe convertible to choose from. Due to its biggest problems of timing chain failure, turbo failure, and carbon deposits, we suggest being aware of what to look for with our review. The Mini R56 review covers model years from 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 model years for the Mini Cooper S.

If you are deciding between the earlier R53 supercharged Mini Cooper S vs the R56 turbocharged Mini Cooper S you can check our earlier buyer's guide on the R53 Mini Cooper S. The faults discussed in our buyer's guide are whether the Mini Cooper S is prone to issues and include cam chain faults, Cooper S turbo and common problems.

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Miles Goodson

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🚚 == Mini Cooper S R56 parts ⬇

[paulchilvers]

Great summary. I have owned a 2007 r56 s for 15 years and experienced a few of the common problems. Its undeniable that the n14 engine has its issues but there are many factors that contibute to its reputation. BMW's original Long Life oil change intervals got many engines off to a bad start with some suffering up to 20, 000km between oil changes under Mini service plans. Add to this the tendacy to burn some oil, the difficulty in reading the standard dip stick, the weak original timing chain tensioner, and the way in which these fun cars are typically driven and you have a recipe for long term disaster.

[imnotusingmyrealname]

This is one of the most fun cars you can buy and it doesn't have 500 hp.

[sonson]

I have a R56 2007 mini cooper N12 engine with 135.000 miles and the chain has been done once.
In it's entire life it had 1K5 in engine replacement parts.
The N12 engine does have the turbo or the direct injection and seems to not suffer the isseus of the N14.
The only thing we do is check the oil once every week or 2 weeks cuz they eat oil.
And replace the chain every 50.000 miles (as preventive maitenance)

[upandatom...]

a rattle on start up can be misdiagonosed as the timing chain when it is actually the oil pump chain and is nothing to worry about

[blakegallo]

If you’re looking at a r56 over 50, 000 miles definitely want the timing chain done, make sure you check your oil at least once a week, the eat oil like crazy.

[shankarbalan]

mine is a 2012 R56 S with the little 1.6 litre turbo petrol Peugeot BMW N18 engine. Lovely little car. I love it to bits. They are a bit hard to look after properly in India but we manage thanks to nice US websites like Pelican Parts and ECS Tuning and Mini Mania who provide first class parts.

[tikkibob]

I have a 2010 automatic and I'm soooo sorry I bought this car. I don't know where the oil goes. Its NOT on the dip stick bc you can't read it.. I have 2 that I bought. Oh the AC doesn't get cold. I've had it ad AAA 3 times. They said it's a BMW computer thing. I love cars ( I'm down to 5) 1988 560 SL, 1080 MGB, 1997 Wrangler TJ, 2000 Wrangler TJ, vespa, HD, G650, etc I bought it for my granddaughter I thought it was safe ?!?!

[evemariedumais]

I actually owned both R53 and R56 versions. I must say that the R56 is way more fun to drive and actually feels much faster. I still own the R56 witch feels more refined but defiantly not as fun....

[samuell]

Plan on used Mini repairs to cost more than house maintenance or health care.

[MiMicheIIe]

I'll give you all a very brief buyer's guide for this car... Don't! Get something else!
My R56 has the supposedly "more reliable" N18 engine, and I've had over 4 grand in engine work alone over the first 2 years of ownership. Excluding other items. Save your pennies for a little longer and get a 3rd gen Cooper S, or an MK7 Fiesta.

[willb]

Ill go for a swift sport instead, no turbocharged nonsense

[samuell]

Plan on used Mini repairs to cost more than house maintenance or health care.