Mini Cooper Mechanical Review
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- čas přidán 16. 07. 2024
- Here's a look under the hood and underneath the Mini Cooper!
The Mini Cooper is BMW's small car division that uses a front wheel drive platform and a B38 1.5L Inline 3 cylinder turbo engine with an 8 speed automatic transmission. Under the hood, things are very compact, even for a small car, with regular maintenance items being a chore to access and work on. Throughout the vehicle, there's the extensive use of aluminum (for a small car) a general complexity and funky layout of some components.
For the buyer considering one, the fun to drive nature and styling may be lucrative but buyer beware that in the longer term, wear and tear items aren't in the typical easy to service locations, such as the timing belt being on the backside of the engines and require engine removal to service!
Skip to location in the video:
0:00 Introduction
0:18 Engine
7:25 Transmission
8:53 Suspension
12:26 Brakes
13:39 Exhaust
14:53 Cooling System
16:30 Steering
16:43 Fuel System
16:56 Final Thoughts
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ENDLESS MONEY PIT
I call Mercedes and BMW "suckermobiles".
%10000000000000000000
Ahh, a fan of Scotty Kilmer.
The waterpump job on this car is omegalul material haha
NickoLps No, I agree 💯
The best thing about a Mini is that it can fit in a dumpster.
Haha good one.
🤣😭🤣😭😭🤣😭
After it gets compacted it becomes a Nissan Cube.
Or if it breaks down pick it up and set it in the back of a pickup
@@scottrussell6717 You must be really optmistic for that "if".
Speedkar - would be nice if you included the model year in the description of these vids. Otherwise, great as usual 👍
Yes. This seems to be an F56 Mini--the most recent chassis.
This is a perfect example of an opposite to a simple, reliable old school design - Cute, sexy and high maintenance. Best lease it, short term lease no maintenance required! :-D
Agreed
No Oil Dip Stick on a turbocharged engine? wow, germans have gone too far.
German car companies are the Apple of the auto industry.
You can check oil through the screen. What’s the problem?
They have been that way for a long time. So when your oil sensor quits it will say you need to add oil but you can’t manually check the level 🤦
@Social Outcast we should never have stopped firebombing their factories.
@@harbl2479 It speaks to the common problem of German cars: Over engineered. As car gets old, so does electronics. My friend who owns a BMW recently was quoted 250 pounds for an oil change and an Oil Sensor. Yes! The sensor that checks the amount of oil in that dip stick tube.
Man keep these reviews coming. We need to get you to million subscribers. Your reviews are great!.
Soon! Please share on your network
This engine was not designed for serviceability in mind!
Sorry to hear eh
This bmw engine is actually pretty solid, very little problems. No oil consumption or crazy oil leaks. Cel is mostly programming and simple items. The only issues that i hate from it, is that it sounds like a diesel.
I think it sounds like a lawnmower
And this is why I started to love my 04 corolla all over again. It kinda scares me of why it never ever breaks down 16 years old and i can't even hear the engine on idle.
Do a mechanical comparison review of a Mercedes E class vs BMW 5 series if you can. It'd be really intriguing to find out which is better.
Would be a unique comparison. I agree I appreciate my 04 Toyota as well
This is a good review. Yes, the engine bay is tight. But you work on the mini in two ways: front end service mode (remove the bumper :30 minute) you can do a lot. The other way is lower the subframe. (30 minutes). It is not a bad a car, if you know how to work on it. I own a 2004 standard mini 5, speed, 106K miles, still going well, but needs bushing replacements. Again, mini is designed as a fun in town car not a regular commuter car. That why I still have it
It's definitely the car for an ex-girlfriend that you want to get back at or who's current partner pays for maintenance. 🤣🤣
Yep, as I said at the end of the video
Mini Cooper: definitely a chick's car. No real guy would ever want one of these (knowing what is underneath).
@@chicobear the styling and appearance of these cars is sh##@y, and they are definitely targeted to women. The 1st gen (r50/r53) was fun to drive though.
@@pancakewsx True. These are short-term cars i.e. good for lease only.
Yeah, these care and unique..but always straight trash when it comes to reliability
Always wanted a mini cooper bc of how neat they look. After seeing how tight everything is to work on.. I’m good 😅
I like it when it's tight.
Looks like they put the engine on the assembly line first, and build the car around it.
That's how most cars are built
@@speedkar99 well they usually already got the body built then they just put the engine in
I test-drove the original Mini back in '59 at Ensign Motors in Toronto, and then it was called the 'Austin 850'. If memory serves me correctly, it was the first time I had seen a transverse engine under the hood, had 12" wheels, and hollow front doors----that one had to close by pulling a wire, had a long manual gear leaver just ahead of a large dash-pod. Considered a merely novelty at the time, and for students---issues with 'electrics' by 'Lucas', coined the phrase "Prince of Darkness", and which became associated with British cars for an enduring time.
60 years later everything out of Britain still has electrical problems. Triumph motorcycles, even lab equipment. They refuse to learn from other people.
I own a 2009 Mini Cooper clubman 5 years now with it, is a fun car to drive I can easily park anywhere around the city 32 miles per gallon hard to beat in 2022 I switched jobs and drove it 48 miles per day in 5 years of ownership I had only replaced the thermostat. Thankfully we have enough wealth to enjoy what we drive. 😅
Awesome. I have a mini engine teardown coming soon
I worked on a 2006 Mini which was leaking oil. The shop the customer took it to cross threaded the oil drain bolt. It was a POS to work on and BMW likes to use mixed nuts as fasteners.
Yeah I don't appreciate that
8:45 That's because most BMW's use Runflat tires so in theory you don't need a spare, but we all know that in reality having a spare is nice.
Replacing runflat tires are expensive too
Pretty stupid design! Make everything difficult to do maintenance.🤷🏻♀️🤦
That's BMW for ya.
Bmw, audi and Mercedes all to prevent diy maintenance
@@pirihern9329 Volkswagen has the same approach (I know, it's the same sh@# as Audi).
You should try a BMW motorcycle.
Alll that complexity and cost vanishes when you make it an electric vehicle. And the benefit is that you have more luggage space.
These are great videos for understanding engines and really explain why servicing takes so long and costs so much.
If guys can understand this why can’t they understand why it takes us so long in the restroom. There’s a lot to undo before you get to the reason you went to the restroom in the first place.
The toothbrush thing is an interesting touch.
Interesting analogy and yes this sure does show how much goes into repairing and even engineering a car. Alot is taken for granted
extensive useful review as always, hard to find such details on the whole care mechanics any where, really good job. many People have strong reasons to dump this beauty :D
And to think my wife wanted one of these. Good thing she came to her senses!
Thanks for a wonderful review.
Absolutely love the look of the minis but I keep my cars for a long time. Thank you. My shortlist for a new car has been cut to the Honda or Toyota!
Another great review. One recommendation is that since vehicles change year to year, maybe mention what model year is the car you are reviewing.
2020
Nice review thanks. Need mechanical review of the seats regarding travel ,reclining movement, free movement, height adjusters( mainly mechanisms used in interiors as well)
Good idea but I don't think that pertains to too many
This car is designed for professional women who drive the car for 50,000 miles, then trade it in for the next Mini Cooper
BMW is well aware of the category of people who have interest in mini cooper. BMW knows these people mostly think about the color of the car and how cute it looks than other aspects of it. So sadly BMW decided to ignore the maintenance and durability of this car.
it drives better than most other fwd small cars
Love it, great car
My father has been an automotive technician for 40 years and when I told him one of my buddies was looking to buy a Mini he laughed. From his experiences, they're JUNK. There's a reason that I was raised only owning Toyota's and why I continue to only own Toyota's. Toyota and Honda are the only vehicles worth buying if you plan on them lasting a long time without dumping endless amounts of money into them.
ur Dad must be scotty kilmer
The first gen ones were the worst. The 4 banger was NOT a BMW engine but a motor from Tritec in Brazil. Also known as the..(drum roll) Dodge Neon engine. My co worker bought a John Cooper Works version and the cylinder head ate itself (super common) and BMW wanted 15k to rebuild the engine... it took him a year to sell it after the repair.
I was about to say that myself
40 years?!😵. Pretty cool!!
@@mistermaster1945 He even has a video on his channel where he filmed a Celica meeting😂
Makes my Volkswagen look like a Toyota.
Hey we need a mechanical review of that awesome 87-91 Supra you have back there!!!😁😁
I already reviewed that Supra check it out
I was already planning to buy mini cooper as secondary vehicle because I have issues with the 2021 Nissan Rogue some mechanical issues sat in garage waiting for parts to arrive
5/24/23
I still waiting for the part to fix my 2021 Nissan rogue still fixing rear main seal it was second replacement it still leaking oil
For mini cooper they are fun to drive
Ouch!
Car been sitting in garage for least 2 years and for part still hadn’t arrived I ordered parts 1/1/21
Till 2 years ago night time driving fuel pump failure very common problem for Nissan and rear main seal
Thank you for this speedkar99 it was very interesting. Having read through many of the comments I'm surprised at how many "experts" there are, as well as those with a prejudgments. The base model MINI with 3-cyl engines appeal to girls. While the Cooper S and JCW versions usually appeal to the guys. Guy's tend to get the 6-spd manual too. The first generation Cooper's were troublesome, and the second gen cars were better. Now we're in the third generation and BMW has done a good job of working things out. As with any car always buy the newest and lowest mileage one that you can afford. Understand that MINI Coopers are actually a small BMW. They are reminiscent of the original only. They are not like the Fiats from a few years back that failed in the USA market. The Fiats were awful cars and by and large were a rich woman's fashion accessory. Even the Abarth version was lame compared to a MINI Cooper S. MINI Coopers are first all about handling, then moving up through the models the S and JCW have a lot of go power. They're actually Little Screamer's. Pocket Rockets would be another description. And the JCW GP is basically a track car.
The thing people need to understand about MINI Cooper's is that they're a premium car. You have to pay to play. And if you can't afford the costs involved than it's better to be in a Toyota or Honda. But hater's be quiet about the MINI's instead of trying to ruin other people's fun with insulting comments and unknown guesses being presented like fact.
The MINI Cooper is an engineering marvel in that so much was able to be packed into a small package, along with a lot of technology. Anybody considering a MINI needs to understand that maintenance and repair labor costs will be higher than common bread and butter cars because at times disassembly of other parts is necessary to gain access to the part being replaced. I hoped this helps, and also quiets down the hater's .
Just curious, what makes a Mini JCW "premium" or a better "track car" in your opinion compared to something like a Honda Civic Type R or Subaru STI? The JCW MSRP $33,400. For 228 HP 2932 LBS. Pretty much worst p/w in this class.
@@AnonAnon-qi4ts You're looking at my comment from a perspective outside of what I said. I had touched on going up through the model line-up to fill in people unfamiliar with the brand. My mention was only about the JCW GP version being a track car. It was just information not a comparison.
@@discerningmind I still don't understand what makes these premium. A golf GTI is not a Bugatti. A mini is not a BMW.
@@AnonAnon-qi4ts Admittedly my use of the term "premium make" requires a discrepancy outside of what I perceived as being common understanding. As follows: Hyundai, Kia, Chevrolet, Ford are some examples of NOT being premium makes. Volkswagen, Toyota, Audi, Lexus, Volvo are some examples of being premium makes. A Bugatti and the like are in another category one might call being some kind of "ultimate".
MINI is another premium make. The modern MINI 2002- present, are BMW's. They are engineered by BMW, and every part on them is stamped BMW. Outside of that, they're appearance is reminiscent of the original Mini, and they are built in the same factory as the original Mini in Oxford England.
Just for clarity, when people in the loop are referencing the original Mini, they type or print it--Mini. When they are referencing the modern MINI, they type or print it--MINI.
When someone buys a MINI they are buying a premium make that is a BMW. And a shopper wanting a BMW but finding them too big can get a small BMW in a MINI.
Thanks for your input
hardly any rust on the steel parts, they did something right
You missed the semi exposed plastic fan that is there to cool the steering assist electric motor.
Oh that's interesting
If they made them rear wheel drive it’d be awesome but they made it cheap following the marine mentality of accuracy through volume profit for being cheap and just good enough to last the warranty. BMW can make a good car as my 2002 BMW Z3 M roadster been awesome beside a minor leak on the convertible top when it rains heavy but it done that since I got it almost 18 years ago. But mine is not an economy car like this but a Corvette and hellcat eating monster.
Fun for a short term lease, I guess.
Or a rental
Mini’s with the B48 engine are quite reliable compared to the older ones. B48 and B58 engines are very strong.
I heard that one of the engine mounts is connected to the cylinder head instead of the engine block.
nice video, can you also do older (r56 and r53) coopers?
Nah
nice job. any plans for a Mini Countryman review?
Nope
Must've recorded a while ago, eh? Grass is so green while I'm shivering under snow here.
It was shot last month, where is it snowing for you?
@@speedkar99 Edmonton :)
Aside from the tight engine space, it's so back breaking low to work on that thing...
I would consider one of these but it would have to be much cheaper than what they are priced at now
These cars are meant for lease and return (before the warranty expires).
Yep, I agree. I always wanted one but have known about their reliability for many years. Maybe down the road, I will lease one to get it out of my system.
Plz FJ cruiser review.
Please do a review for 18-20 Honda Accord
Compared to the REAL Mini, the thing is nowhere close what this is in terms of simplicity of it mechanics.
Not to mention the size and weight.
do a video with volvo v90 t5 fwd
Good idea
What engineering reason would the airbox need to have to be secured with Torx fasteners?
To prevent the regular Joe from doing it himself
Like torx is some kind of black magic that can’t be bought at any HW store. Lol
@@harbl2479 The torx for the airbox I can forgive, the security bits for the undertray I cannot!
torx and the 16 size socket which the only one i dont have , timing chain inside the engine while they put a fancy leather cover on the main belt 🤣 they know the only thing you need is tow hook to get towed to nearest bmw service center cuz car is not repairable without their tools
Yep. Too much special tools. Including security bits to remove the panel to change oil!
I believe that accessory belt cover is a piece of noise insulation for improved NVH. :)
Oh crap I finally guessed it right!!! 😁😁😄🏆🏆
Yep
I have a 2006 Mini Cooper S R53, which I’ve maintained myself for about 6 years. It is so much more easy to work on than this! How is this newer version both bigger and tighter to work on? I’m going Mazda next time.
Good choice
Still better than the old supercharged Cooper S, where you had to drain the coolant to do anything!
Really? Was there a big coolant hose in the way or something?
@@speedkar99 Coolant gets routed through the supercharger heat exchanger which sits right on top of the engine and blocks access to pretty much everything. Quite a hassle!
Great video; as for the car, it looks like it was designed to be a money machine for the stealership.
Fun for the first few years at least
Nice seeing you in the business of reviewing horror stories.
This video is tight!!! 🤣🤣
Sure it is
I don't understand why manufacturers are getting rid of spare tires... just to save some $$. They should be mandatory.
In the U.S. alone, approximately 7 tire punctures occur every second, resulting in over 200 million flat tires per year. It's not a matter if you will have a flat or not, but when.
Saves weight and cost. Gives business to roadside assistance program
I thought VW's were bad maintenance-wise....this takes the cake
I wonder how the First Gen BMW MINI hold up compare to the modern ones. There is a huge a MINI online culture willing to watch including me
Nice. I'd like to tear down a mini engine one day.
I'm sorry, I might have misheard you at 13:32. Can you confirm that the car WILL NOT LET YOU DRIVE if your brake pads are completely worn out?
I know someone who owns a Mini, the dash looks like a christmas tree. It's in the shop a couple times a year and there is only 1 shop around here that will even work on it.
And I thought my ptcruiser was worse to work on🤔 now am happy
Nah the PT is a simple neon
What year is this mini? They look interesting but that tight engine bays sucks. And are all minis 3 cylinders?
I believe this is the base model Gen 3 (current generation F56)
Highlander v6 review next please
Can you make some video about bmw and audi?
With unreliable cars such as these, you gotta change the oil at HALF the recommended interval to compensate the unreliableness and it might be somewhat reliable if you never floor the gas while cold and use everything softly
Agreed, that's preventative maintenance
It has a denso (a toyota company?) starter, that would last more than the whole car.
Now you have to take the engine to get your toothbrush out 😆
I'll just leave it for the next poor soul who has to work on it
Awesome and honest review, pathetic car and disposable as well
Like many things in life, fun time happy while topless, hahahaha!! Thanks for the laugh
You caught that hahaha
I absolutely hate aluminium oil pan. Because it is so easy to over-tighten the drain plug and destroy the threads on the alu pan. On my BMW, which I bought second handed, it was already cross-threaded when I bought it. So I eventually end up buying an eco-plug to fix it.
How about plastic oil pans?
@@speedkar99 I don’t own any car with plastic pan. But the coolant hose connector on the BMW is made of plastic. It just fell apart all by itself. I had to replace it with a aluminum version of the connector. I got it from eBay for a small fraction of the OEM cheap plastic part. Like $13 vs $60 (some crazy expensive price, isn’t it?!?).
Torque security screws okay fine but on the air box really why it’s a filter seriously
Sister has an 09 Mini Cooper S. Though cramped It's a lot less whacky than this. Also yes she is in the mini age demographic.
How has it held up
@@speedkar99 60k ish with nothing too major. Then again it's actually maintained properly as my dad does it himself. Most major thing that needed replacement though is the left front strut. So about a hundred dollars ish. Lets just hope we don't have to do anything with the timing chain. Also in contrast to this car it actually has the turbo mounted directly in the front of the engine bay right behind the radiator. Dipstick is also in front.
"Mr. Bean has left the chat"
Mr. Bean drives a Land Rover in real life .
It's ironic that, with an engine that short and compact, everything is so cramped, crazy! Not to mention the timing on the wrong end of the block, that is what, 12-13 inches long? (ok, that sounds weird, but you get my point haha). These cars are fun to drive, handle nicely and are pretty nimble (at least 1st gen BMW mini was, current one is much bigger), but the juice is not worth the squeeze.
Yep things are quite, Mini, under the hood 😉
@@speedkar99 haha, everything's mini, but the price :D
Great review of a car to admire as it drives by with someone else driving it. I'd never buy one. Thanks
Same here lol
Why didnt you review the convertible top?
Too many error messages
The car based on serviceability of the starter only
Well I'ma sure other things are more difficult than a traditional small car
This Mini POOPER is really thoroughly hexed inside and out with all those fasteners.
Yeah I don't like how everything is mixed
Please review the original Mini!
Whoa
People always hate on the engineers but they have to work with the space that the styling department gives them
yes and they are ones that should have to wrench on them
It is a known fact that engineers will walk past 5 supermodels just to f* a mechanic.
Hah had a feeling it was a German vehicle after you posted that pic with Torx fasteners. Why are they so prevalent in German vehicles? Are they better in some distinguishable way?
They are on German equipment too. I am a small engine mechanic, Stihls use lots of Torx. But they are quite more reliable than German cars.
They say it doesn't strip out
It's not just German vehicles. Volvo likes to use them a lot as well and not just in the interior. They even used T-40's on the transmission pan. Think of what what 15 years of driving will do to those fasteners and you can imagine the fun of having to remove the pan to replace some sticky solenoids...
Also: odd sizes of fasteners all over the place. I had to fabricate my own 7mm Allen key to replace brake pads since all I had on hand was size 6 and 8. 18mm hex nuts on tie rod ends. T-50 needed to undo the aux belt tensioner. It's absolutely necessary to figure out which tools you need before starting work on these vehicles since odds are you're going to need something that's not in your toolbox...
TBH, if it has to be inside drive then Torx is probably better than the JIS (not quite Phillips head) screws used on Japanese cars. Those can be a real pain for things like brake disc locating screws. But outside drive is the winner! :)
they aid in manufacturing
There is a dipstick on a mini - its located in the driver's seat.
Right to repair.
Right to dispose
Welcome to the disposable car. Lease 3-5 yrs then throw away. Now that's environmentally sustainable.
Well said. But nobody says that in the ad. It's always about Amazon jungle and low CO2. Hipocrisy at its best.
I had a room mate who was a smart, hot chick who broke my stuff, killed my plants, and didn't pay her bills when I moved out. I think she should drive this car.
I think so too.
Straight into the junkyard as soon as any major component fails.
After warranty
@Social Outcast Kia??
@Social Outcast - I have a Kia and it has been wonderful. More reliable than our 2016 Ford Escape. I used to hate on Kia's till I needed a car asap after the Escape was totaled. We still have it 2 years later and plan to look for another in the next year. It is well beyond the warranty without any issues.
I like the fact that Minis are stylish and enjoyable to drive but OMFG the mechanicals are a nightmare. I opened the hood of one at an auto show a few years back and was appalled at how cramped the engine compartment was. I keep cars long-term and like to work on them myself when I can so no way would I ever buy one of these.
Yep this car isn't for people like us.
cramped space = need extra tools + more chance to miss with other things so you need someone who know whare everything located in this type of the car and guess who this is the dealership 😁
My next door neighbour drove a Mini, then it broke down. Got it replaced, then that one broke down. Got that one replaced. it broke down. Now she drives a Camry.
Wow
The old BL mini's used to be lovable little cars that were fun to drive. This car is designed by angry German pencil pushers.
Haha
As usual excellent video. Is it always like that turbo charger circuit requires an "auxiliary cooling water pump"? Is it not possible with normal engine cooling water pump? Thanks.
Throw away cars
Save your money and buy a car that comes with a full size spare tire, if they make them anymore. You'll thank me with you get stuck at night on a NY state parkway with a shredded tire because you can't pull over for hundreds of feet.
17:20 "... or is this a real cute car that you'd recommend to your ex?"
I would recommend it to my ex
speedkar99's next video: "Taking an entire car apart, piece by piece, and putting it back together in the living room."
I already have an engine as a coffee table in my living room
@@speedkar99 Cool. That's what I call "recycling"; 😎 the environment thanks you. hehe.
I like it excpt I like the og ones better
OG mini?
@@speedkar99 yes indeed
I can imagine that if taken care of that it could be pretty reliable, but look at how close components are......even if i were to save money and do certain repairs myself i just would not want to deal with the headache. Yeah its "due able" but when there are other compact cars that have more space to work on it...why would you get this unless your just a fan of mini. Bmw is not making it simple to do maintenance. But if you can look past that then..... 🤷🏾♂️
So looks like they've taken a B58 engine and chopped it in half :D