Whats most reliable MINI (bmw) engine up to 2012

[skoobysnaxxs]

Looking to buy a mini up to 2013.
But have read loads about the different problems on the different engines fitted over the years.
I am looking for one thats going to give the least problems. I know every car is different and there is no gaurantee that you will not get any issues.
I just wondered if there was a general consensus as to the best year/engine to get for reliability.
Cheers

[rosejem]

This was my thinking when I got rid of my 2007 Cooper S because the timing chain & coking up issues. Had my 2013 Cooper 1.6 petrol since new & so far it has been excellent. ( I do change the oil & filter myself every year though between the two service intervals ).
Finger crossed it will continue to be reliable!

[skoobysnaxxs]

Thanks for the replies 🖒. Is the timing chain issues limited to the turbo engines and does anyone know if high miles over 80000 miles is a problem to the 1.6 engine
Cheers

[Maracus]

The 2010> N18 184BHP has been excellent in the 5 years we've owned our Cooper S. Bought ours at 3 years old/28k, now on 73k and never burns any oil. I change it every 8k or so as well.

Avoid the N14 engine, this is the one that has all of the timing chain issues.

[Trevor555]

Sorry to be the negative one but I know two dealers who'll no longer buy minis due to engine failures.

One dealer had two complete engine failures within 12 months.

So well done on doing some research, when I see my friend I'll ask him which engines.

[Trevor555]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

Trevor555 said:

Sorry to be the negative one but I know two dealers who'll no longer buy minis due to engine failures.

One dealer had two complete engine failures within 12 months.

So well done on doing some research, when I see my friend I'll ask him which engines.

It's the Cooper S petrol engines, as mentioned.

I'm pretty sure they weren't S models

[Boogs]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

Trevor555 said:

Sorry to be the negative one but I know two dealers who'll no longer buy minis due to engine failures.

One dealer had two complete engine failures within 12 months.

So well done on doing some research, when I see my friend I'll ask him which engines.

It's the Cooper S petrol engines, as mentioned.

The N14 engine, so R56 cooper S pre 2012. Post 2012 it’s the N18 engine. Look for the higher powered 184 bhp, these are the later engine and are fine.

That said, the N14 is also fine as long as it is looked after (serviced properly and importantly oil levels maintained) AND you don’t ignore it if it does start getting noisy. An early fix is hardly a major expense (£4/500) but if you keep driving it it will get expensive.

The N14s use a bit of oil and if you drive them with low oil this is when the timing chain issues arise.

[skoobysnaxxs]

Thanks for all the advice. Me thinks I will be looking for a N16 engine as that seems to be the safest bet along with a good service history.
How can I tell a N16 from a N14, I know they changed around 2010.
Cheers
And hope everyone is having a great Christmas 🎄☃

[SlimJim16v]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

It's the Cooper S petrol engines, as mentioned.

Nope, the plain R56 Cooper also has the same oil consumption and timing chain issues. Not as bad as the S though, as there's less strain on the chain.

[skoobysnaxxs]

So would there be any benefit from getting an N16 over a N14 engine?

Edited by skoobysnaxxs on Tuesday 25th December 14:49

[Boogs]

skoobysnaxxs said:

So would there be any benefit from getting an N16 over a N14 engine?

Edited by skoobysnaxxs on Tuesday 25th December 14:49

N18. Yes there is no problem with them. They can still use a bit of oil, but don’t have the same issues. Just check the BHP on the cars and make sure it’s 184 bhp and it’ll be the new engine.

As above though, the N14 engine issues are blown out of proportion by those that don’t maintain the cars properly and have had an issue, which means you could actually buy a nice one, get the chain and tensioner replaced as a precaution, maintain it properly and have a bloody nice car for a lot less money than buying a later one.

[Henz]

The N14 has a bad press but the N18 is supposedly far more reliable.
However, be careful as although the Cooper S > 2010 has the N18 engine, the JCW didn't get it until 2012 or so.

Not sure how justified the N14 horror stories are, but I plumped for the N18 with that in mind.

[Deep Thought]

Out of curiosity - theres talk on here of the 184BHP N18 engine?

There seem to be quite a few cars listed on AT as 190BHP?

2010 Cooper S....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2013 Cooper S....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[skoobysnaxxs]

Cheers for all the input. Unfortunately as much as I would like a N18 its too much for insurance. The non turbo engines are only just affordable for me.
I think I will be looking for a low mileage 2011 onward car with good service.
Lets hope I can choose a good one 🖒

[Maracus]

Henz said:

The N14 has a bad press but the N18 is supposedly far more reliable.
However, be careful as although the Cooper S > 2010 has the N18 engine, the JCW didn't get it until 2012 or so.

Not sure how justified the N14 horror stories are, but I plumped for the N18 with that in mind.

Same here, it's been the most reliable car I've owned in 27 years! Just look for the 184BHP, not the 175BHP N14.

[R53rider]

Just as a point of interest.
The N14 Prince engine in the R56 MINI (known by some as the 'chocolate engine') has such a bad reputation and is so full of grief there is a club/goup on Facebook called "N14 Survivor Support Group (MINI)". It has 2,085 members. I jest not.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/713376242178096/

[G944S]

R53rider said:

Just as a point of interest.
The N14 Prince engine in the R56 MINI (known by some as the 'chocolate engine') has such a bad reputation and is so full of grief there is a club/goup on Facebook called "N14 Survivor Support Group (MINI)". It has 2,085 members. I jest not.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/713376242178096/

I’ve just come home from buying a 2007 Cooper S for my wife, I’ve read all about the issues before buying it but figured for the price it’s still a great little car but I’ll definitely be listening out for the rattle and will consider some preventative measures too.

Have just sent off a request to join that group too although hope it’s not too depressing!

[Vince70]

The best mini to own for reliability would be an R50 built after July 2004 till 2006 as it will have the earlier Chrysler Tritec engine but with the later Getrag gearbox rather than the earlier Midland box but it will still have a few flaws like dodgy windows and power steering pumps but on the whole I would say its the best of the bunch also if you don’t mind a slowish reliable diesel you can have an R50 with with the Toyota Yaris diesel 1.4 lump so I guess that’s quite a reliable workhorse.

But saying that I’ve got a very early 2001 example with the midland box it has been fine and I’ve 3 friends and family that also have the earlier gearboxes in their cars and all are okay but I advise anyone who has one to change the “lifetime gearbox oil”

I wouldn’t touch a post 06 R56/57 though with the Prince engine as there’s horror story’s about the engines in those cars with timing chain problems and oil starvation so wouldn’t touch one with a barge pole.

[Burgmeister]

G944S said:

I’ve just come home from buying a 2007 Cooper S for my wife, I’ve read all about the issues before buying it but figured for the price it’s still a great little car but I’ll definitely be listening out for the rattle and will consider some preventative measures too.

Have just sent off a request to join that group too although hope it’s not too depressing!

I wouldn't worry too much. I have the same car, an 07 MCS with the 'dreadfully unreliable' engine. I'm on 70k miles.

It's had its problems which are what you come to expect and for me these have been timing chain, front oil seal, thermostat housing along with the usual consumables. I'm waiting for the fuel pump to go and then that's a clean sweep of the common issues. Fixing it hasn't been cheap but also hasn't been ridiculous. I picked the car up for £3750 two years ago and have spent about £1.8k on repairs so far. I'll keep it until it is properly borked but I don't have sleepless nights over it and for me hasn't been any less reliable than anything else I've owned and it's never broken down. For the money it's a fun little thing to poodle about town in.