How Bad is the N14 engine?
Discussion
Mrs Benny has now decided she wants rid of her lovely MX5 and wants another convertible Mini Cooper S after her supercharged one was stolen off our drive 3 years ago. We want another Cooper s, ideally a Supercharged one with low mileage, under 30,000 miles but they are VERY rare!
So, we now are looking at turbo cars but I have read not to go anywhere near the N14 engined cars as the engines are oil dripping ticking time bombs. Ive seen this car, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274713659634
which give you an idea of what we want but after arranging a test drive I cancelled after reading that I should wait for a post 2010 N18 car. Am I right to hold out for a later car?
So, we now are looking at turbo cars but I have read not to go anywhere near the N14 engined cars as the engines are oil dripping ticking time bombs. Ive seen this car, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274713659634
which give you an idea of what we want but after arranging a test drive I cancelled after reading that I should wait for a post 2010 N18 car. Am I right to hold out for a later car?
I had an N14 engine in my R56 MCS which I bought at 70k miles & sold at 83k miles 3 yrs later. I tuned mine (intercooler, decat, stage 2 remap etc), & I made sure that the one I bought had been well maintained & had had a timing chain swap (with paperwork to confirm) & the relevant other associated bits. I drove my car pretty hard including 3-5 track days a year (including one at Spa), changing the oil a lot more regularly than I should & it also used very little oil between services (even though it had 248 bhp with no internal mods).
I understand many of the engine issues emanate from people not checking the oil & that in turn can lead to the timing chain stretching in part, as well as wear on the tensioner/guides. Many of the failures I read about are on cars that have been remapped which I wouldn’t necessarily expect on a convertible!
I think the scale of the N14 engine issues has been slightly over-exaggerated on the web.
Link to a previous thread here....
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
Minis with the N14/18 engines also have a known issue with high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replacement (the part costs about £400 plus fitting) although of the friends who’ve had R56s, mine was the only one that needed it. The characteristics of HPFP are quite easy to identify btw.
I’d also recommend it it hasn’t been done, that as/when the tyres need changing that the tyres are swapped out for normal ones to improve the ride quality,
The car you’ve highlighted looks a nice colour combo though of course check which option packs it has on it & I'd recommend the oil level is checked regularly and that you get an oil change annually for peace of mind. If it comes with copies of all the service invoices & has full Mini dealer/specialist history, all the better. It looks from a quick bit of A/T car valuation checking to be at the lower end of their price guide when buying from a dealer.
I understand many of the engine issues emanate from people not checking the oil & that in turn can lead to the timing chain stretching in part, as well as wear on the tensioner/guides. Many of the failures I read about are on cars that have been remapped which I wouldn’t necessarily expect on a convertible!
I think the scale of the N14 engine issues has been slightly over-exaggerated on the web.
Link to a previous thread here....
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
Minis with the N14/18 engines also have a known issue with high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replacement (the part costs about £400 plus fitting) although of the friends who’ve had R56s, mine was the only one that needed it. The characteristics of HPFP are quite easy to identify btw.
I’d also recommend it it hasn’t been done, that as/when the tyres need changing that the tyres are swapped out for normal ones to improve the ride quality,
The car you’ve highlighted looks a nice colour combo though of course check which option packs it has on it & I'd recommend the oil level is checked regularly and that you get an oil change annually for peace of mind. If it comes with copies of all the service invoices & has full Mini dealer/specialist history, all the better. It looks from a quick bit of A/T car valuation checking to be at the lower end of their price guide when buying from a dealer.
MrC986 said:
I had an N14 engine in my R56 MCS which I bought at 70k miles & sold at 83k miles 3 yrs later. I tuned mine (intercooler, decat, stage 2 remap etc), & I made sure that the one I bought had been well maintained & had had a timing chain swap (with paperwork to confirm) & the relevant other associated bits. I drove my car pretty hard including 3-5 track days a year (including one at Spa), changing the oil a lot more regularly than I should & it also used very little oil between services (even though it had 248 bhp with no internal mods).
I understand many of the engine issues emanate from people not checking the oil & that in turn can lead to the timing chain stretching in part, as well as wear on the tensioner/guides. Many of the failures I read about are on cars that have been remapped which I wouldn’t necessarily expect on a convertible!
I think the scale of the N14 engine issues has been slightly over-exaggerated on the web.
Link to a previous thread here....
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
Minis with the N14/18 engines also have a known issue with high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replacement (the part costs about £400 plus fitting) although of the friends who’ve had R56s, mine was the only one that needed it. The characteristics of HPFP are quite easy to identify btw.
I’d also recommend it it hasn’t been done, that as/when the tyres need changing that the tyres are swapped out for normal ones to improve the ride quality,
The car you’ve highlighted looks a nice colour combo though of course check which option packs it has on it & I'd recommend the oil level is checked regularly and that you get an oil change annually for peace of mind. If it comes with copies of all the service invoices & has full Mini dealer/specialist history, all the better. It looks from a quick bit of A/T car valuation checking to be at the lower end of their price guide when buying from a dealer.
Thanks so much for your input. I do basic oil and filter services myself fastidiously every year so the the car will be well maintained once in my ownership. I think I’ll hold out for an N18. Does the N18 have any timing chain/tensioner/any other issues I should know about?I understand many of the engine issues emanate from people not checking the oil & that in turn can lead to the timing chain stretching in part, as well as wear on the tensioner/guides. Many of the failures I read about are on cars that have been remapped which I wouldn’t necessarily expect on a convertible!
I think the scale of the N14 engine issues has been slightly over-exaggerated on the web.
Link to a previous thread here....
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
Minis with the N14/18 engines also have a known issue with high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replacement (the part costs about £400 plus fitting) although of the friends who’ve had R56s, mine was the only one that needed it. The characteristics of HPFP are quite easy to identify btw.
I’d also recommend it it hasn’t been done, that as/when the tyres need changing that the tyres are swapped out for normal ones to improve the ride quality,
The car you’ve highlighted looks a nice colour combo though of course check which option packs it has on it & I'd recommend the oil level is checked regularly and that you get an oil change annually for peace of mind. If it comes with copies of all the service invoices & has full Mini dealer/specialist history, all the better. It looks from a quick bit of A/T car valuation checking to be at the lower end of their price guide when buying from a dealer.
Lordbenny, here you go...
https://www.lohen.co.uk/blog/how-do-the-n14-n18-mi...
In brief not all of the N14 issues were apparently corrected on the N18 although reading the link cars up to 2011 are reported to have more problems than those after from Lohen’s experience - you should hopefully have a similar local expert. The question now for you is a budget one & how much you want to spend to try and avoid the known 1.6 litre turbocharged engine weaknesses (remember as well that Peugeot also used the same engine as it was a collaboration)?!
https://www.lohen.co.uk/blog/how-do-the-n14-n18-mi...
In brief not all of the N14 issues were apparently corrected on the N18 although reading the link cars up to 2011 are reported to have more problems than those after from Lohen’s experience - you should hopefully have a similar local expert. The question now for you is a budget one & how much you want to spend to try and avoid the known 1.6 litre turbocharged engine weaknesses (remember as well that Peugeot also used the same engine as it was a collaboration)?!
" I do basic oil and filter services myself fastidiously every year so the the car will be well maintained "
This is what causes a lot of the problems with the N14 engine timing chain etc. The engine needs to be checked for oil on a very regular basis if its doing a higher mileage. They tend to burn a lot more oil than expected. Hence the oil runs low, dries up the timing gear and hence the chain rattles then snaps. I have run a 2008 R56 Cooper S for 6 years now and it takes little effort to maintain correctly. It runs great, been very reliable, and cold dry days makes a old man very happy
This is what causes a lot of the problems with the N14 engine timing chain etc. The engine needs to be checked for oil on a very regular basis if its doing a higher mileage. They tend to burn a lot more oil than expected. Hence the oil runs low, dries up the timing gear and hence the chain rattles then snaps. I have run a 2008 R56 Cooper S for 6 years now and it takes little effort to maintain correctly. It runs great, been very reliable, and cold dry days makes a old man very happy
Lordbenny said:
Is this an N14 or N18?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103049...
You will need a photo of the top of the engine to tell you hopefully! - the engine tops are visually differenthttps://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103049...
https://www.minitorque.com/threads/how-can-you-tel...
Edit....I reckon it’ll most likely be an N14 engine
Edited by MrC986 on Sunday 14th March 17:23
Edited by MrC986 on Sunday 14th March 17:25
MrC986 said:
You will need a photo of the top of the engine to tell you hopefully! - the engine tops are visually different
https://www.minitorque.com/threads/how-can-you-tel...
Edit....I reckon it’ll most likely be an N14 engine
Just spoke to dealer...its an N18 so I’m interested!https://www.minitorque.com/threads/how-can-you-tel...
Edit....I reckon it’ll most likely be an N14 engine
Apparently it’s just has a new turbo and valve stem oil seals. Would that be something to be concerned with?
We've had our N18 Cooper S auto for 7+ years now.
I've changed or had the oil changed every 7500 miles. Apart from consumables such as brake discs/pads, it's had:
HPFP - £300 Mini garage
Rear drop links and ARB D rubbers - £147 garage last month
Rocker cover gasket - under warranty
2 x rear parking sensors £15 each
2 front shock absorbers - can't remember
Split Turbo intake hose - £40 last month
Auto gearbox fluid - £120 last month
It was bought as a one owner AUC car at 3 years old and 28k miles. Now on 80k and drives great and burns zero oil. Longest car I've ever owned, and probably the most reliable.
I would buy another N18 for sure as long as it's been maintained well
My Mrs would only swap it for an electric Mini.
I've changed or had the oil changed every 7500 miles. Apart from consumables such as brake discs/pads, it's had:
HPFP - £300 Mini garage
Rear drop links and ARB D rubbers - £147 garage last month
Rocker cover gasket - under warranty
2 x rear parking sensors £15 each
2 front shock absorbers - can't remember
Split Turbo intake hose - £40 last month
Auto gearbox fluid - £120 last month
It was bought as a one owner AUC car at 3 years old and 28k miles. Now on 80k and drives great and burns zero oil. Longest car I've ever owned, and probably the most reliable.
I would buy another N18 for sure as long as it's been maintained well
My Mrs would only swap it for an electric Mini.
Edited by Maracus on Monday 15th March 11:12
I've got a newly acquired 2009 1.4 MINI first, with 143,000 miles on it!! I presume this is the N14
No history at all the chain has been done, and I know for a fact it hasn't as I've known the car since 30k.
Got it very cheap (£800) runs ok tbh, but does have a very intermittent "hesitation or holding back" on full throttle, very bizzare, it sprung a EML the other day, almost flashing with the jerking, I did run it as a 02 sensor, but reading more and more this could also be a strenched chain causing this...
I've booked in in for a timing chain kit anyway, it's got this far without one so seems I should, will also fix the oil leaks aswell while it's in (oil filter housing and cam cover).
Seems to also only happen, or happen more often this power/holding back when it runs on normal unleaded, run it on VPower etc it runs alot better!! Why would I need to run a 1.4 on VPower??
No history at all the chain has been done, and I know for a fact it hasn't as I've known the car since 30k.
Got it very cheap (£800) runs ok tbh, but does have a very intermittent "hesitation or holding back" on full throttle, very bizzare, it sprung a EML the other day, almost flashing with the jerking, I did run it as a 02 sensor, but reading more and more this could also be a strenched chain causing this...
I've booked in in for a timing chain kit anyway, it's got this far without one so seems I should, will also fix the oil leaks aswell while it's in (oil filter housing and cam cover).
Seems to also only happen, or happen more often this power/holding back when it runs on normal unleaded, run it on VPower etc it runs alot better!! Why would I need to run a 1.4 on VPower??
Edited by 757 on Sunday 28th November 17:09
757 said:
I've got a newly acquired 2009 1.4 MINI first, with 143,000 miles on it!! I presume this is the N14
No history at all the chain has been done, and I know for a fact it hasn't as I've known the car since 30k.
Got it very cheap (£800) runs ok tbh, but does have a very intermittent "hesitation or holding back" on full throttle, very bizzare, it sprung a EML the other day, almost flashing with the jerking, I did run it as a 02 sensor, but reading more and more this could also be a strenched chain causing this...
I've booked in in for a timing chain kit anyway, it's got this far without one so seems I should, will also fix the oil leaks aswell while it's in (oil filter housing and cam cover).
Seems to also only happen, or happen more often this power/holding back when it runs on normal unleaded, run it on VPower etc it runs alot better!! Why would I need to run a 1.4 on VPower??
Nope N14 is turbocharged, yours is not, so its a N12No history at all the chain has been done, and I know for a fact it hasn't as I've known the car since 30k.
Got it very cheap (£800) runs ok tbh, but does have a very intermittent "hesitation or holding back" on full throttle, very bizzare, it sprung a EML the other day, almost flashing with the jerking, I did run it as a 02 sensor, but reading more and more this could also be a strenched chain causing this...
I've booked in in for a timing chain kit anyway, it's got this far without one so seems I should, will also fix the oil leaks aswell while it's in (oil filter housing and cam cover).
Seems to also only happen, or happen more often this power/holding back when it runs on normal unleaded, run it on VPower etc it runs alot better!! Why would I need to run a 1.4 on VPower??
Edited by 757 on Sunday 28th November 17:09
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