How to buy the perfect used MINI Hatch with Vicki Butler-Henderson!

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When the original Mini arrived in 1959, nobody could have foreseen what a phenomenon it would become. More than 40 years later, BMW introduced an all-new MINI for the 21st century and pulled off a major coup, with the car proving to be a massive success. For this video, we delve into the third-generation BMW MINI from 2013 - codenamed F56 - to uncover all the do's and don'ts of buying a good used example. For her first in a series of Auto Express used car guides, Vicki Butler-Henderson covers each model from the entry-level One, to the Cooper S hot-hatch and the family-friendly MINI five-door.

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[staysikth]

Great to see vbh again! Her 458 spider review is still one of my fav automotive pieces.

[Echoes]

I’ve just bought my 2016 F55 Cooper S. I’ve done a few hundred miles and can report I’ve already been surprised how frugal the 2.0 can be when you’re being sensible. The build quality is very good. The seats supportive and the driving position suits me well. My car has only done 24, 000 miles and still feels like new. There are some convenience features on my car that have already proved useful like heated seats & screen and coming from quite an old car I love the DAB radio. I definitely feel I made the right choice.

[teggsy]

Mini told me the door seals rubbing away the paint on my 2015 Mini Cooper S was not a design issue but an external source they should recall any affected cars but they won't as they say its not a safety issue, I do not care what BMW MINI say this is a design fault its the first car I ever saw or owned that's had door seals rub paint down to bare metal in a car with 20k miles on the clock read the Mini forums, what's ironic is the F56 door pillar shape and design is still in production and cars less than 2 years old had to be repaired under warranty with a tacky thin clear plastic film material and a softer rubber door seal.

[cuplove]

Just bought mine 2015 Cooper S F56, things I missed:
The hatshelf was missing
Too much chrome, I switched out much of it
Pick the navigation and radio CarPlay etc. you want, hard and expensive to add later
Take only LED LIGHTS again upgrading will be pricy
Check engine mounts, my top one is broken and needs replacing

[shankarbalan]

I have a 9.5 year old R56…Cooper S. An absolutely super little car. It is the best modern classic.

[longtailgt]

I LOVE how at 4:52 they used the Fifth Gear Team Test music!

[hamishseaward]

Great review Vicki, excellent energy and polish and informative fun :)

[GarryMcGovern]

I've zero interest in this car, but I'm giving this video a 'like', because VBH rocks!

[DashCamSerbia]

Was that 1.6 turbo petro PSA-BMW engine ever fixed and when? The cilinder liner wear issue.

[sparko]

I have the F55 2018 cooper S with the 7 speed auto box. I think it's awful personally, always feels like it's in a gear higher then it should be. When you go to overtake or accelerate, there is a big drop off in power whilst the gear box tries to figure out what to do and respond by dropping down a few gears.

[Malcolm-ygbd]

I was thinking of buying 2017 Mini Copper automatic, why do you say it's not so good Vickie?

[LastTrump]

May be off topic but need advice. Can buy a 2011 Mini off a lady going through a divorce for $3, 000. Fax looks good from what I can tell except one minor accident 4 years ago that rear ended a car and set off air bags. Grille and bumper was replaced and repainted. See nothing that worry’s me other then it has 170, 000 mikes on it. $3, 000 a good buy? 2011 Mini automatic a good car?

[fredmarin]

I'm looking at a 2009 Mini Clubman, with 160k miles, are these good cars? Can I get many more miles out of it?

[BubbaSmurft]

I generally LOVE VBH but didn't enjoy this vid' at all.

[stephenagnew]

What a great sort you an my mini who hoo you go girl

[RobbiRocks]

hahahaha So ya mention all the good things about each one but not their going Umm, ok

[SmashGhost]

Short version, don't. Get the R53.

[JQUICK]

Since you did not share that is a HUGE mistake to even think of getting a Mini Cooper that tells me you are highly uneducated and really know nothing about the company selling those crappy cars!

[Randolini]

I have an R53 with a 1.6 liter I-4 and an Eaton supercharger and 6 speed standard. There doesn't seem to be a lot on the 05/06 second gen.

[harapaki]

Nonsense. The eye-candy doesnt know what shes talking about - the 6 Speed auto in the cooper is a great fast shifting transmission made by Aisin.