The Mini Cooper S R56 was produced from 2006 to 2013. This is a hatchback and one of the most popular generations of Mini. The car is believed to be still worth your money, but you should know about high-mileage issues and general problems that may spoil your mood when having this car.
The R56 generation is a very cool-looking vehicle that can still be considered up-to-date and fresh. That's basically why those 3-door hatchbacks are still selling well and don't lose much in price from year to year. Today, we'll discuss what mileage should be considered high for these vehicles and what you should look at when buying the Mini Cooper S R56.
What is the high mileage for R56?
Actually, the Cooper S was sold with the only engine - a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder motor which is not worse than the previous engine in the R53 model. The mileage of this engine is quite good and it tends to be somewhere near 250 000 miles. Though, until you see these figures on your dashboard, you will have to invest in literally all other parts.
We would consider that 200 000 miles are quite a lot for Mini Cooper S R56. This is the top mileage we could buy this car with hoping it can go another 20 or 30 thousand miles with no major problems. And of course, the price for a car with such mileage should be very attractive.
Buying the R56 Mini Cooper S with 250 000 miles on the dashboard or even more is an insane idea. The only excuse for you could be the experience in auto repair.
What are the main issues with the R56?
In this generation, Mini stopped using CVT transmissions which is very good news for the buyers of used cars. Automatic and manual transmissions are both pretty good and reliable in the R56 Mini, so you can buy any of them and be happy with the mileage you get.
The power steering pump continued showing problems. This is a very expensive unit, but you aren't likely to repair it at a low cost, so replacing will be needed once it breaks. Also, timing problems can kill your engine. You should service your vehicle strictly according to the recommendations.
Here are some other issues:
- The turbocharger may fail when the mileage is between 150 000 and 250 000 miles. Well, it may fail much earlier unless the owner uses original oil.
- Water pump leaks are there. This is one of the big problems of literally all Mini Coopers, so just put up with this and be ready to investigate new reasons for coolant leaks in your car every other month.
- Expensive suspension breakdowns. If you buy a high-mileage car, you are likely to invest some money into its suspension. And the R56 suspension is not cheap at all.
- Minor electric issues. Wiring problems are likely to occur on early models of the R56 Cooper S. But as mileage gets closer to 200 000 miles, more problems are found.
Basically, we can say that the Mini Cooper S R56 is a reliable car and it doesn't show too many problems for owners. But if you have a high-mileage Mini Cooper, it will always check your patience with minor troubles that are hard to solve.
Final words
Yes, the Mini Coopers are cars that are not for everyone. But if you like this type of vehicles, you aren't likely to find anything better on the market. In the US, you will be able to buy both used and new Mini cars, but if we are talking about the R56 generation, only used options are available.
You shouldn't consider buying a car with 200 000 miles or more on the clock. Otherwise, the vehicle will tear your budget and will become a huge disaster. So buy the R56 in that case only if you want such a vehicle and you are ready to pay for owning it.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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