2017 Mini COUNTRYMA...
 

2017 Mini COUNTRYMAN COOPER S ALL4 Petrol...the wife wants one..should i run away?

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The Mrs wants a mini, and we've seen one locally. Its a 1 owner mini cooper s all4 petrol 1.5 184ps model, 43.5k on the clock. Its a really good price 6500 and was a trade in at a caravan centre. 

Should I be steering her well clear of this model?

Thanks in advance!....


 
Posted : 20/01/2026 5:47 pm
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Did they trade it in for a bigger living space?


 
Posted : 20/01/2026 6:11 pm
tall_martin reacted
 Yak
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Probably the 2L then if a Cooper S? I drove one (not all4 and a smaller hatch bodystyle) and it was quite quick. Also made loads of cracks, bangs and pops when you lifted. Ideal for early morning starts..... Anyway, no reason why not if it fits your brief. 

The 1.5 is the cooper with c134ps. More than adequate for a little car, but no cracks, bangs and pops.

So yeah, er, get the 2L Cooper S in a 3dr hatch... not the big lump countryman.


 
Posted : 20/01/2026 6:29 pm
 jimw
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It’s not a looker (and that’s an understatement) if that is important to you.


 
Posted : 20/01/2026 6:33 pm
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has it been used for towing a caravan?


 
Posted : 20/01/2026 6:40 pm
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It sounds way too good to be true...£6500...when others of a similar type and vintage appear to be between £12k and £15k...but if genuine...buy it, now.


 
Posted : 20/01/2026 7:15 pm
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Are post-2010 petrol Minis generally reliable...?


 
Posted : 20/01/2026 7:27 pm
hopefiendboy reacted
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There's an excess 'O' and an excess 'R' in its name. 😅


 
Posted : 20/01/2026 7:35 pm
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it appears to be the 1.6l turbo n18 engine in this particular one, not the 2.0l one?...

 


 
Posted : 20/01/2026 7:58 pm
 Yak
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Ummm. Sounds like a pre 2014/15 then I think...? . Less reliable but better than an earlier n18 or other early variants of the prince engine. Either way something isn't right with the engine spec or year. 


 
Posted : 20/01/2026 8:06 pm
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Holy moly. Well, at this stage im out. Too much talk of gremlins, timing chains rattling or needing replaced, which due to some bright spark seems to be an engine out job. Nuts.

 

Hate looking at cars 💩🤣🙈🙈


 
Posted : 20/01/2026 9:21 pm
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2017 for 6.5k? That’s a good price. Easy to check if all kosher and a good buy.

My wife has one for the last 4 years, petrol 2014 all 4 cooper s countryman with the JCW factory kit. Very nippy, well equipped, not without the odd issue, but generally been really good. 


 
Posted : 20/01/2026 9:37 pm
 JAG
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I know this engine! (the earlier version at least)

Mrs JAG has a 2012 Citroen DS3 fitted with the earlier "Prince" BMW 1.6L turbocharged engine.

The good bits;

It goes well and handles well. Steering is fast and precise. Brakes are good.

The bad bits;

I replaced the original timing chain at approx' 40,000 miles, it's NOT an engine-out-job. I've since had to reset the valve timing again. It's had a new Water Pump drive pulley, new spark plugs and new coils, new Camshaft Position Sensor and a new Crankshaft position sensor.

Other bits and pieces have failed but they were Citroen bits: road springs (x4) fan speed control device, Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch.

When it works it's a good car but it has had it's share, and then some, of problems. Mrs JAG loves it 🤣 


 
Posted : 21/01/2026 9:55 am
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We have 2 at work - they get ragged mercilessly, but serviced regularly; only thing that has gone wrong is they’ve both had new springs due to them breaking. That said, the drivers have very little mechanical sympathy & we have more than our fair share of speed humps & pot holes around here.

I enjoy driving them; nippy, reasonable handling & comfy place to sit for hours on end. I’d buy it at that price - you’ll get your money back if you don’t like it.


 
Posted : 21/01/2026 1:04 pm