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Mini Cooper review & drive - should you buy a cheap Mini Cooper R56 like I did?

CarTraction

3,546 views

After a month with my 2008 R56 Mini Cooper 1.6, it seemed fit to put together a full car review and driving impressions video.

So in today's video I'll be taking a thorough look around my £1,300 Mini Cooper R56, testing it in various driving environments, and discussing how to find yourself a gem amongst unreliable, cheap Minis! Plus some oil light scares with this car, and how it's technically not my first Mini... ;)

I'd love to hear what you guys think of this Mini Cooper review video, plus your impressions on the car - would you have one?

Also don't forget to subscribe for future content, and check out the channel homepage for a myriad of car reviews and classic car content.

Thanks for watching!

#minicooper #carreview #cheapcars

20 Comments

@janewoolley3697 1 month ago

I'm thinking of buying a mini cooper 1.6. thanks for your help

@philbaldwin7190 5 months ago

Keep a close eye on the oil level.
The engine uses oil and gives no low warning.

@lucasskotiniotis1360 4 months ago

I have a 2013 one that I got in silver with black stripes and the same interior but in black. Wonderful little car, just make sure to check on the oil every few fillups, even after replacing the valve cover mine likes to burn about a liter every 4000km

@bimbajonssonn9656 5 months ago (edited)

Congrats with your new fourwheelers. You seem very happy with it and its very funny you had one almost similar as a little brat.... I mean sweet little BOY, haha. Again congrats from Denmark, friend Harley . WUUW !!

@rikmodeler6723 7 days ago

2012 R57 Cabriolet with the N16 non injection engine , love it , but have it checked by a Mini Specialist garage so you know what you need to deal with , prevention is the word for these cars …

@hazarockks3 5 months ago

Welcome to the Mini gang, I own a 1992 Italian job mini and it runs like a dream, I also have a 2009 Mini One in the same color and stripes as your 😆 and on the 15th of May im going to buy a 2011 John Cooper Works. 1 Main issue which I have had to deal with the R56 is that the timing chain tends to fail after 80k miles and its not cheap to fix

@richardjjones2581 5 months ago

Fab MINI Harley, great matching pair with your first scale model MINI, driving it at about 2 years on the floor, brilliant!!! Really enjoyed your presentation & smooth driving (& smooth gear selection + good indicator use). Great entertaining video as well - congrats mate!

@BillCarey-ej3ng 5 months ago

Lovely little car Harley, hope you enjoy it.

@danielbirgan2074 5 months ago

I've driven a few of those Minis.Great to drive., well equipped,and,yes,they have "catteract" issues with the headlights.I"M getting that prob sorted on my car,next week.I like the interior layout, Enjoy the car,

@danielbirgan2074 5 months ago

Love the colour.Full marks for that.

@GaryWood-j2b 5 months ago (edited)

Loved so much about this video Harley, but nothing more than seeing the first car you drove at 2 years old being a replica electric car of your new Mini!!

@andyjones5701 5 months ago

Great to see you enjoying your second car and driving so much! The black box would drive me up the wall lol! I wonder if the ethanol in petrol caused the Fox fuel tank leak? Another great video again!

@roberttaylor6295 5 months ago

You have come a long way from the days you made cartoon vids with toys! You are very lucky to have such indulgent and supportive parents. And how did the A levels go as it's gone quiet on that front.

Rob🤨

@StephenAllcroft 5 months ago

Less room in the back than the ADO15... 😞

@danielbirgan2074 5 months ago

With regards to the run flat tyres,I'd still get a spare rim and tyre,and a suitable wheelbrace

@ralphturner3798 5 months ago (edited)

Years ago in San Francisco a friend picked me up in a Mini Cooper, and I was surprised to see the BMW logo. I didn't know that BMW was involved with Mini Cooper.

Thanks for your interesting videos.

@Vince_uk 5 months ago

They are a nice car Harley and should do you well for a while if you look after it, I do like them. They are not without their issues but which car doesn't have issues and a decent price. Regular oil changes are the key. The Fox I hope revives and you will remember it for the rest of your life as your first car and I still remember mine, MG 1100. That is uncanny with the kids car. These sensors cause a multitude of issues at time.

@chrishunter9784 5 months ago

Try 19s with run flats. They were put on by the older gentleman that I bought it from surprisingly. Luckily our roads are generally smooth so 99% of the time it's no big deal. Will definitely change to regular tires next time they are needed though. Replaced a valve cover gasket and got my ac recharged and she's running like a champ. Love my Cooper S.