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 Posted: Feb 20, 2019 05:11AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aericzen
Thanks for the replies. I agree that the original minis are by far the coolest!
I for example picked the 1996 B/W Viper coupe over a newer, and arguable much better, model.

This time however, I am interested in a newer car so looking for something around 2014-2018 and am interested in the a year that has the highest quality combination of tranny, engine, suspension, etc.  E.g., I'll buy an older one if the engine was known to be better.. I buy the non-S if the engine has proven to be more robust..

Thank you, any info one what to look for and what to stay away from much appreciated.
A

It sounds like you are considering the newer 3rd generation F-series MINIs with the BMW 3 and 4 cylinder engines. Since the 2014 was the first year of this series, the later models might be a better choice.

I always recommend that you choose the newest model that your budget allows.  Always have a pre-purchase inspection done on the car by a qualified and experienced MINI shop.

Since BMW uses both of the MINI engines in other BMW models, they are not really 'brand new' designs but more of a proven design.  Both the 3 and 4 cylinder engines are turbocharged so I can't say that one is more reliable than the other.

If you are interested in 'performance' - I would recommend you consider the S model up front since you won't get the same performance from a non-S for the difference in price.

I hope this helps.

 Posted: Feb 17, 2019 01:22PM
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whee..  avoid the BMW MINI at all costs.. like you said .. nothing like a  1967 cooper s..  later bc

 Posted: Feb 17, 2019 08:34AM
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US
Avoid the N14 engine at all costs.

 Posted: Feb 16, 2019 02:52PM
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US
Lol Check the site/forum the previous poster posted.This site is pretty much ALL classic mini people.

 Posted: Feb 16, 2019 02:48PM
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US
A good BMW mini website is North American Mini, https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/

You would have a good chance to find some info there also.

"How can anything bigger be mini?"

 Posted: Feb 16, 2019 08:28AM
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Thanks for the replies. I agree that the original minis are by far the coolest!
I for example picked the 1996 B/W Viper coupe over a newer, and arguable much better, model.

This time however, I am interested in a newer car so looking for something around 2014-2018 and am interested in the a year that has the highest quality combination of tranny, engine, suspension, etc.  E.g., I'll buy an older one if the engine was known to be better.. I buy the non-S if the engine has proven to be more robust..

Thank you, any info one what to look for and what to stay away from much appreciated.
A

 Posted: Feb 16, 2019 05:04AM
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US
I like the mark II with the hydro. A real time machine.

 Posted: Feb 15, 2019 10:10PM
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US
I like 1968 myself.

 Posted: Feb 15, 2019 09:39PM
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best year to buy.?/ 1959..  get a real mini.. NOT a bmw one..

 Posted: Feb 15, 2019 08:37PM
 Edited:  Feb 15, 2019 09:36PM
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Hello everyone,

So.. I have started my research on Mini Cooper to understand the difference between the models and years.

I am interested in a newer, 2-door model. I.e., 2014-2018 hatch or maybe convertible.

What engines and transmissions are better than others within these years?

One would of course like the S over a base model from the perspective of power alone.
But, I would much rather get the standard would that engine be more reliable than the S-model..

Also heard that once the engine got some Valtronic system, it was improved because they also fixed a lot of issues that previous engines had.

I'm unsure if this engine was at this point a BMW engine.. If not, is the subsequent engine model the BMW and if so is that of better quality?
Thanks in advance for any info and guidance!
- Andreas -