I review my 2021 MINI Cooper S Iconic! Please leave any questions in the comments! Thank you for watching and please consider SUBSCRIBING for more content!!!
People always think I'm crazy when I say it but I swear the F series Mini is one of the best all around daily drivers you can buy. It's too bad the previous gens have given Mini a bad reputation. The F series is super solid and reliable!
Thanks for making a real owners review. I'm interested in the F56 platform and it was informative that you mentioned the problems with the base coopers. Do you also see any other common problems with these S's and even the SE's?
You’re welcome! Cooper SE the only thing I have seen is a corroded charging port that was causing issues with unlocking and locking the vehicle for some reason. But one time thing. Haven’t seen any other SE’s at all. As for Cooper S there’s not too many issues. Fuel tank vent valves go bad, they go through tires quick, upper motor mounts sometimes tear/leak, the lower motor mount sometimes tear…but that’s really it. The LCI, 2020+, they’ve pretty much solved all these issues, but nonetheless they’re not big issues. Great cars, reliable, easy to maintain. Can’t beat ‘em.
@@GavinBlaesner Thank you for the detailed post, really helps coming from someone that see/works on these cars often. Mainly the motor mounts I'll have to give more emphasis on if I get an S b4 2020. Considering an S or an SE but want to wait till they make their full charge close to 230km cuz of range anxiety lol That way I can drive it like I stole it more often :P
@@CY26 I mean I wouldn’t worry about too much on the cars, but yeah just one of the very few things that to “go out”. But again I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
Great content, mate! Can you elaborate further on why you believe Mini Cooper manuals aren't enjoyable? I respect your perspective and would appreciate hearing your thoughts on the matter. Thank you.
@@mumbachabwe8881 Hi! Yes! I don’t dislike them, I just think they feel much too assisted for what a little sports car should feel like. Switching between driving my R56 and then manual F56’s every day as well I notice the R56 feels much more mechanical. Like I’m more in control of what the car is doing and how the clutch is working. The F56 to me feels like it’s helping you out, that is all. The other note and side to the opinion is that the Cooper S DCT is absolutely amazing. I was worried I would get bored of an automatic, thought about buying a manual, but it was just a commuting daily so I wanted something easy…Cooper S with DCT. And to note I’ve only owned maybe one other automatic car many many years ago. And WOW, I fell in love with it. The super fast shifts, the paddle feel, the burble on up and down shifts. I wish the JCW’s came with the DCTs as I think they would be a much better car, but unfortunately they don’t. The DCT I think is a better weapon to get the most out of the car. Much, much quicker with that trans.
@@GavinBlaesner, thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it and it's helping me make a more informed decision about purchasing a manual transmission Cooper S 2019. I was wondering, how is the vehicle holding up in 2024? Also, regarding tyre sizes, which ones do you think are better for this vehicle - 16" or 17"? Additionally, which of these sizes comes standard on the Coopers? Any insights would be helpful for my learning purposes.
I heard you work at Mini, @GavinBlaesner. How has your experience been, witnessing the development and production of these innovative machines come to life?
@@mumbachabwe8881 Standard option for F cars are 16" on the coopers. I definitely prefer the 17" factory tentacle wheels that come on my car than any others. A Cooper S Iconic is what mine is. Also, its amazing. No issues. Regular maintenance and upkeep and they will last you 200k+ no problem. Only the 4 cyl though. 3 cylinders are a little more temperamental .
I was looking all over the place for an F-chassis review by someone with mechanic experience, and yours was perfect in that regard. Are the control arm bushings really more fragile in the Cooper versus the Cooper S? They appear to be the same part number online. If it's entirely anecdotal just on what you've seen in the shop, that's still valid too. and do you personally see any further issues with Mini Clubmans that are unique from the F55/F56? Was thinking about the FWD model, but I wasn't sure if the +300lb of weight would make things wear out significantly faster, or if the slightly larger engine bay made things a little easier to work on. Thanks again for this!
Appreciate the response and questions! To answer your first, I would personally say there is no specific model more or less prone to the lower control arm bushings failing. It really is pick of the lot whether your car will or will not experience it. Your second, are Clubman’s prone to any unique concerns? No. All the 3 cylinder cars share the same few - Front timing cover leak, fuel tank vent valve failure, lower control arm bushings, and likely some sort of I level programming for rough running. In terms of the 4cyl cars. Only issues are fuel tank vent valves and upper motor mounts. Incredibly reliable and stout engines. I recommend everyone opt for the S models. Will run over 200k miles with simple routine maintenance. Also, the larger body of both the clubman and countryman make a few things a little better to work on like the engine mounts and other side engine work. 3cyl are super easy to do any work on. 4cl are very difficult because of how close the frame rails are are to the motor. Most work requires the engine mount to be taken out and the motor has to hang so you can get to components. Happy to answer any other questions.
Thanks for the great video. Do you believe in following Mini’s CBS Maintenance plan or are the intervals too long? My dealer won’t do any work unless the computer says so.
If the work is under a maintenance warranty then they can only do the work based on the CBS reports. If the work is all customer paid/non warranty, it should never be an issue when or how early you’d like maintenance done. Oil change intervals for my Mini’s 3-4k miles. Everything else stick to oem intervals.
Shame the door frame paint gets rubbed away by the crap rough rubber door seals still on these 3 door f56 cars and BMW have not addressed the issue even in 2021,avoid the 3 door unless you rent and return the thing BMW need to redesign the door issue.i want to renew my 2015 Cooper S F56 with a newer car but i wont till they recall some of the older cars and fit the crap plastic film over the prone area.
@@GavinBlaesner just google the issue on any Mini forum,there is pics ect,my local dealer told me it was caused by an external source although i'm 63 years old and driven trucks buses vans many different vehichles in my life ive never seen a car with under 30k miles have its doors rub the paint down to the metal by the elements of an external source:)
I did own one 2024 F60 Countryman more reliable than my 21 Nissan Rogue months later car was in accident it had minor issues with structural problems and engine failure on early 2021 Nissan Rogue which I had multiple engine replacement at dealership under warranty No longer needed the 21 Nissan Rouge it been sitting in my workshop certificate of destruction title on that car no choice to dismantle entire car including engine and transmission and wire and electronics some other interior parts I towed the car to vehicle grave yard using my daily Driver 24 Mini Countryman
People always think I'm crazy when I say it but I swear the F series Mini is one of the best all around daily drivers you can buy. It's too bad the previous gens have given Mini a bad reputation. The F series is super solid and reliable!
Now rated as a top car nationally for reliability! They are literally better than Hondas. Enjoy your MINI for many years to come!
Thanks for making a real owners review. I'm interested in the F56 platform and it was informative that you mentioned the problems with the base coopers. Do you also see any other common problems with these S's and even the SE's?
You’re welcome! Cooper SE the only thing I have seen is a corroded charging port that was causing issues with unlocking and locking the vehicle for some reason. But one time thing. Haven’t seen any other SE’s at all. As for Cooper S there’s not too many issues. Fuel tank vent valves go bad, they go through tires quick, upper motor mounts sometimes tear/leak, the lower motor mount sometimes tear…but that’s really it. The LCI, 2020+, they’ve pretty much solved all these issues, but nonetheless they’re not big issues. Great cars, reliable, easy to maintain. Can’t beat ‘em.
@@GavinBlaesner Thank you for the detailed post, really helps coming from someone that see/works on these cars often. Mainly the motor mounts I'll have to give more emphasis on if I get an S b4 2020. Considering an S or an SE but want to wait till they make their full charge close to 230km cuz of range anxiety lol That way I can drive it like I stole it more often :P
@@CY26 I mean I wouldn’t worry about too much on the cars, but yeah just one of the very few things that to “go out”. But again I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
Thanks for mentioning the issues that could be faced by the non-S model. It’s good to know !
You’re welcome! The 22’ models they may have addressed the issues, but we haven’t confirmed it yet as we haven’t seen many in shop yet.
Nice video and very informative! And nice Mini 😍
Haha thank you!!!!! :D
Great content, mate! Can you elaborate further on why you believe Mini Cooper manuals aren't enjoyable? I respect your perspective and would appreciate hearing your thoughts on the matter. Thank you.
@@mumbachabwe8881 Hi! Yes! I don’t dislike them, I just think they feel much too assisted for what a little sports car should feel like. Switching between driving my R56 and then manual F56’s every day as well I notice the R56 feels much more mechanical. Like I’m more in control of what the car is doing and how the clutch is working. The F56 to me feels like it’s helping you out, that is all. The other note and side to the opinion is that the Cooper S DCT is absolutely amazing. I was worried I would get bored of an automatic, thought about buying a manual, but it was just a commuting daily so I wanted something easy…Cooper S with DCT. And to note I’ve only owned maybe one other automatic car many many years ago. And WOW, I fell in love with it. The super fast shifts, the paddle feel, the burble on up and down shifts. I wish the JCW’s came with the DCTs as I think they would be a much better car, but unfortunately they don’t. The DCT I think is a better weapon to get the most out of the car. Much, much quicker with that trans.
@@GavinBlaesner, thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it and it's helping me make a more informed decision about purchasing a manual transmission Cooper S 2019. I was wondering, how is the vehicle holding up in 2024? Also, regarding tyre sizes, which ones do you think are better for this vehicle - 16" or 17"? Additionally, which of these sizes comes standard on the Coopers? Any insights would be helpful for my learning purposes.
I heard you work at Mini, @GavinBlaesner. How has your experience been, witnessing the development and production of these innovative machines come to life?
@@mumbachabwe8881 Standard option for F cars are 16" on the coopers. I definitely prefer the 17" factory tentacle wheels that come on my car than any others. A Cooper S Iconic is what mine is. Also, its amazing. No issues. Regular maintenance and upkeep and they will last you 200k+ no problem. Only the 4 cyl though. 3 cylinders are a little more temperamental
.
@@mumbachabwe8881 Working there has turned me into an enthusiast. I love what I do.
Nice straight up review. (Never to late to be) learning about MINI/history... even culture of.
I need a car and a MINI may be it. Ride safe.
Thank you for the comment! If you have any other questions or concerns please let me know and I can make a video or comment on them!
I was looking all over the place for an F-chassis review by someone with mechanic experience, and yours was perfect in that regard.
Are the control arm bushings really more fragile in the Cooper versus the Cooper S? They appear to be the same part number online. If it's entirely anecdotal just on what you've seen in the shop, that's still valid too.
and do you personally see any further issues with Mini Clubmans that are unique from the F55/F56? Was thinking about the FWD model, but I wasn't sure if the +300lb of weight would make things wear out significantly faster, or if the slightly larger engine bay made things a little easier to work on.
Thanks again for this!
Appreciate the response and questions!
To answer your first, I would personally say there is no specific model more or less prone to the lower control arm bushings failing. It really is pick of the lot whether your car will or will not experience it.
Your second, are Clubman’s prone to any unique concerns? No. All the 3 cylinder cars share the same few - Front timing cover leak, fuel tank vent valve failure, lower control arm bushings, and likely some sort of I level programming for rough running. In terms of the 4cyl cars. Only issues are fuel tank vent valves and upper motor mounts. Incredibly reliable and stout engines. I recommend everyone opt for the S models. Will run over 200k miles with simple routine maintenance. Also, the larger body of both the clubman and countryman make a few things a little better to work on like the engine mounts and other side engine work. 3cyl are super easy to do any work on. 4cl are very difficult because of how close the frame rails are are to the motor. Most work requires the engine mount to be taken out and the motor has to hang so you can get to components.
Happy to answer any other questions.
@@GavinBlaesner Really appreciate it ♥️ I'll leave more comments if I think of more questions!
@@RossomeSauce1 Anytime, thank you
Thanks for the great video. Do you believe in following Mini’s CBS Maintenance plan or are the intervals too long? My dealer won’t do any work unless the computer says so.
If the work is under a maintenance warranty then they can only do the work based on the CBS reports. If the work is all customer paid/non warranty, it should never be an issue when or how early you’d like maintenance done. Oil change intervals for my Mini’s 3-4k miles. Everything else stick to oem intervals.
Shame the door frame paint gets rubbed away by the crap rough rubber door seals still on these 3 door f56 cars and BMW have not addressed the issue even in 2021,avoid the 3 door unless you rent and return the thing BMW need to redesign the door issue.i want to renew my 2015 Cooper S F56 with a newer car but i wont till they recall some of the older cars and fit the crap plastic film over the prone area.
Interesting, have never heard that complaint or concern but good to know I’ll keep an eye out for that.
@@GavinBlaesner just google the issue on any Mini forum,there is pics ect,my local dealer told me it was caused by an external source although i'm 63 years old and driven trucks buses vans many different vehichles in my life ive never seen a car with under 30k miles have its doors rub the paint down to the metal by the elements of an external source:)
@@teggsy2165 I’ll definitely look into it so I can help people out if I see it! Thank you!
the back seat is where you put your purse, kid.
I bought one of these for my girlfriend but it definitely needs a better rear spoiler.
I did own one 2024 F60 Countryman more reliable than my 21 Nissan Rogue
months later car was in accident it had minor issues with structural problems and engine failure on early 2021 Nissan Rogue which I had multiple engine replacement at dealership under warranty
No longer needed the 21 Nissan Rouge it been sitting in my workshop
certificate of destruction title on that car no choice to dismantle entire car including engine and transmission and wire and electronics some other interior parts
I towed the car to vehicle grave yard using my daily Driver 24 Mini Countryman
Is the mini cooper jwc 2016/2017 reliable? I want to get one
very reliable
Why is your gas mileage so bad bro…. I always get around 30 average. 25 in city 35-40 on highway
No highway driving, short trips. Lots of cold starts.