What to do with this mini cooper s?

[AngryChimp241]

So long story short; my mrs bought a mini cooper S around 2 years ago. Over that time we've had intermittent problems with the engine warning light coming on and off with garages never really having an answer for us. They changed a few sensors around and it seemed to be running ok for the last 6 to 8 months or so. Finally the other week the engine blew and she got towed away. The error code was along the lines of cylinder failure and the garage said "Basically there is a hole in the cylinder, you need an engine rebuild or a new engine" (it's not the same garage as the sensor replacements)

The mini itself is a 2008 reg with around 50k miles on the clock so in my opinion it's not that old. The engine rebuild quote is £3000 and I've had a look on ebay for mini engines that are around £1,500 with a fitting price of £800 so that's cheaper, however I am told not to go for ebay engines as they can be hit and miss. Our other option is to sell as a none starter and maybe get around £800. My question is; what do you think is the best option? Will replacing the engine still give us other headaches later on with other parts of the car? Is there a legit place I can get a recon or used engine from? What would I really get for a none starter and how long am I likely going to have to hold onto it, or is there another option entirely here I am missing? Mrs really loves the car so ideally want to do what I can to save it, however We can't really afford £3,000. If she got another car it would probably be a PCP job anyway.

Thanks in advance

[designforlife]

i wouldn't touch a bmw mini of that age personally...seems you've been gifted a chance to get rid and get something that won't keep going wrong.

My friend had a 2006 supercharged mini cooper S, and something broke on it literally every other week...by the time he got shot of it, it was like trigger's broom, and i think he spent around £8k fixing stuff in the 5 years he had it.

[Burgmeister]

Is it possible to fit a reportedly better N18 engine in an N14 hole? If so that might be a more sustainable option.

I have been wondering what to do when my car of the same vintage lunches itself, I've never trusted a car less than my R56 MCS. In some ways I'll be pleased when it does go as it'll give me the impetus to get something that isn't a Mini of this vintage.

[CrippsCorner]

designforlife said:

i wouldn't touch a bmw mini of that age personally...seems you've been gifted a chance to get rid and get something that won't keep going wrong.

My friend had a 2006 supercharged mini cooper S, and something broke on it literally every other week...by the time he got shot of it, it was like trigger's broom, and i think he spent around £8k fixing stuff in the 5 years he had it.

Yet... my 2005 Cooper S has been the most reliable car I've ever owned! Had it for 2 1/2 years now and the only issue I had was a sticky throttle body - £40 later and sorted. Other than that all it's needed a battery replacement.

Every car is individual I don't think you can just claim one type of car is really good or really bad. This time, I got lucky.

Anyway, to the OP - Is this something that could be claimed on insurance!?

[AngryChimp241]

CrippsCorner said:

Yet... my 2005 Cooper S has been the most reliable car I've ever owned! Had it for 2 1/2 years now and the only issue I had was a sticky throttle body - £40 later and sorted. Other than that all it's needed a battery replacement.

Every car is individual I don't think you can just claim one type of car is really good or really bad. This time, I got lucky.

Anyway, to the OP - Is this something that could be claimed on insurance!?

It's a question I posed however Insurance isn’t designed to repair damage due to the normal wear and tear of a car. Some insurers offer Mechanical Breakdown Insurance which would cover things like this, alternatively you can get extended warrantys from somewhere like RAC etc that cover major parts like the engines, however it's not something she has bought. Didn't see the need for it for an engine with only 50k miles on! Still thanks for the suggestion, appreciate all the help I can get

[steve-5snwi]

Try someone like minitech or bms minis they can supply and fit, although don't expect much change out of 2k

[Wilmslowboy]

Many years ago I had an Audi 2.8 Avant, that the cambelt snapped on.

The car in great condtion would have been worth about £4,500. The quote to fix the engine was £2,500++ and the scrap value about £1,200 (nice seats, body work, gearbox etc).

There were ebay engines available , but having had a bad experience with one in my Golf many years earlier (Basically they offered a year warraty, but didn't do any checks, so it was a throw of the dice, when things went wrong, it was a real PITA to sort out).



I popped it on ebay, 1p start price, no reserve, with a really well detailed ad, lot sof photos etc, including in bright bold details about the engine fault.

It sold for £2,800 and the guy sent a trailer to collect the next day - turned out to be a mechanic , that wanted a home project, as far as he was concerned, his labour was free to him and once fixed, he believed the car would be much better than buying one private.


Consulsion sell it on ebay as is dont put any more money into it.

[AngryChimp241]

Thanks for all the replies. We've found a company in Lancashire that offer a replacement reconditioned engine fitted for £1700. And offers a 56 month warranty (or an extended 12 month warranty for £400 more) Does this sound too good to be true?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-MINI-COOPER-S-N14B1...

Edited by AngryChimp241 on Saturday 7th July 10:26

[Elliot2000]

I would do your best to find the company name and do some research in to previous reviews. Plenty of dodgy places fitting poorly refurbed engines or just refurbing your one and refitting it.

They might be a good garage but it’s worth making sure before handing over your car

[CrippsCorner]

As Burgmeister said above, is it possible to swap out for an N18? Far more reliable engine than the N14.