Mini Cooper 2008 engine problems?
Discussion
Hi again
I currently have an 02 (R50) Mini Cooper but looking for something a little newer.
I am interested in an 08 (R56 I think) mini cooler.
Someone mentioned that there might be issues with the engine of the 08 model and that it’s not as reliable as the engine in my current car.
Does anyone know of this is the case please?
R
I currently have an 02 (R50) Mini Cooper but looking for something a little newer.
I am interested in an 08 (R56 I think) mini cooler.
Someone mentioned that there might be issues with the engine of the 08 model and that it’s not as reliable as the engine in my current car.
Does anyone know of this is the case please?
R
Which engine are you looking at ? I believe all of them suffer from cam chain issues but some are worse than others.They also like to drink oil. I have a basic 2009 1.6 cooper on 105k miles. I suspect its still on the original chain and tensioner as there's nothing in the service history to suggest its had a change. I do 250 mile per week to work and back and its fairly reliable apart from the usual wear and tear that comes with an old car. Having said all of this the came car into my hands as a hand me down and if it was my money I probably wouldn't have bought one.
Truckosaurus said:
Budget for a camchain replacement if one's not been done.
What he said.The R56 Mini had the BMW/PSA joint venture engine known as the N14, although that might be only a BMW name. They are known for lunching timing chains, so if there is no proof of it being replaced, budget it for it, because it will need doing.
The N14 was replaced by the N18 in 2011/12 and largely fixed the issue.
Megaflow said:
What he said.
The R56 Mini had the BMW/PSA joint venture engine known as the N14, although that might be only a BMW name. They are known for lunching timing chains, so if there is no proof of it being replaced, budget it for it, because it will need doing.
The N14 was replaced by the N18 in 2011/12 and largely fixed the issue.
Thats the Cooper S. OP asked about the Cooper. Realise the standard Cooper engines aren't much to write home about but once I'd sorted the valve stem seals on my old Clubman it was absolutely perfect for a little run around. Miss that car...The R56 Mini had the BMW/PSA joint venture engine known as the N14, although that might be only a BMW name. They are known for lunching timing chains, so if there is no proof of it being replaced, budget it for it, because it will need doing.
The N14 was replaced by the N18 in 2011/12 and largely fixed the issue.
I appreciate every car has faults, however, the Mini will develop every single common fault.
The N14 is a pile of s
te and you will have the following faults -
- Inlet and valves will fill with carbon, they will need to be cleaned
- It will burn oil at an alarming rate. My 18-month Cooper S, would burn 1L for every 600 miles
- The dipstick is fking useless. You cannot read the oil level at all. There's an aftermarket one for £70 that improves things
- High-pressure fuel pump will die on you
- The timing chain will rattle and need to be replaced
I had all of these issues just outside of warranty (apart from the heavy oil usage).
It's not all doom and gloom, as they do sound nice.
I've had 28 cars and the Mini was the only car I gave a middle finger to after I sold it. I truly hated that car and would have gladly seen it on fire. The replacement car was a 1991 Defender 90 and it was far more reliable
The N14 is a pile of s
te and you will have the following faults - - Inlet and valves will fill with carbon, they will need to be cleaned
- It will burn oil at an alarming rate. My 18-month Cooper S, would burn 1L for every 600 miles
- The dipstick is f
king useless. You cannot read the oil level at all. There's an aftermarket one for £70 that improves things- High-pressure fuel pump will die on you
- The timing chain will rattle and need to be replaced
I had all of these issues just outside of warranty (apart from the heavy oil usage).
It's not all doom and gloom, as they do sound nice.
I've had 28 cars and the Mini was the only car I gave a middle finger to after I sold it. I truly hated that car and would have gladly seen it on fire. The replacement car was a 1991 Defender 90 and it was far more reliable
The N14 Cooper has many of the same problems as the Cooper S model.
In addition to what has been said above, the seals leak galore. Sump and gearbox gaskets leak, tensioner seals leak, fix one leak and the next one will develop. I've never had so much oil on my drive! Oil and coolant seals leak. At the plastic valve covers are available aftermarket.
In addition to what has been said above, the seals leak galore. Sump and gearbox gaskets leak, tensioner seals leak, fix one leak and the next one will develop. I've never had so much oil on my drive! Oil and coolant seals leak. At the plastic valve covers are available aftermarket.
Avoid, like the plague. The missus had one.
33,000 miles timing chain and tensioners rattling. £1000 to replace
50,000 miles clutch and flywheel needed replacing £1100
65,000 miles front engine oil seal went £450
80,000 miles timing chain again needed changing £1000
85,000 miles turbo went £1000
88,000 miles engine issue with knock sensor. Issue was piston slap. Car was sold via we buy any thingy at this point.
The missus drives like an old lady so it wasn't as if it was thrashed......
33,000 miles timing chain and tensioners rattling. £1000 to replace
50,000 miles clutch and flywheel needed replacing £1100
65,000 miles front engine oil seal went £450
80,000 miles timing chain again needed changing £1000
85,000 miles turbo went £1000
88,000 miles engine issue with knock sensor. Issue was piston slap. Car was sold via we buy any thingy at this point.
The missus drives like an old lady so it wasn't as if it was thrashed......
Networkgeek said:
I appreciate every car has faults, however, the Mini will develop every single common fault.
The N14 is a pile of ste and you will have the following faults -
- Inlet and valves will fill with carbon, they will need to be cleaned
- It will burn oil at an alarming rate. My 18-month Cooper S, would burn 1L for every 600 miles
- The dipstick is fking useless. You cannot read the oil level at all. There's an aftermarket one for £70 that improves things
- High-pressure fuel pump will die on you
- The timing chain will rattle and need to be replaced
I had all of these issues just outside of warranty (apart from the heavy oil usage).
It's not all doom and gloom, as they do sound nice.
I've had 28 cars and the Mini was the only car I gave a middle finger to after I sold it. I truly hated that car and would have gladly seen it on fire. The replacement car was a 1991 Defender 90 and it was far more reliable
The N14 is a pile of s
te and you will have the following faults - - Inlet and valves will fill with carbon, they will need to be cleaned
- It will burn oil at an alarming rate. My 18-month Cooper S, would burn 1L for every 600 miles
- The dipstick is f
king useless. You cannot read the oil level at all. There's an aftermarket one for £70 that improves things- High-pressure fuel pump will die on you
- The timing chain will rattle and need to be replaced
I had all of these issues just outside of warranty (apart from the heavy oil usage).
It's not all doom and gloom, as they do sound nice.
I've had 28 cars and the Mini was the only car I gave a middle finger to after I sold it. I truly hated that car and would have gladly seen it on fire. The replacement car was a 1991 Defender 90 and it was far more reliable
vikingaero said:
The N14 Cooper has many of the same problems as the Cooper S model.
In addition to what has been said above, the seals leak galore. Sump and gearbox gaskets leak, tensioner seals leak, fix one leak and the next one will develop. I've never had so much oil on my drive! Oil and coolant seals leak. At the plastic valve covers are available aftermarket.
RR1965 is asking about a Cooper, which does NOT use the N14 engine.In addition to what has been said above, the seals leak galore. Sump and gearbox gaskets leak, tensioner seals leak, fix one leak and the next one will develop. I've never had so much oil on my drive! Oil and coolant seals leak. At the plastic valve covers are available aftermarket.
Thanks as that’s all helpful
I’ve loved my 02 model and had very little issues (other than expected wear and tear) and it’s now done 140 000 miles in its 22 years of life so I may just stick with that.
But … if I was looking for a slightly younger cooper with less miles is here a model that anyone would recommend?
Ta
R
I’ve loved my 02 model and had very little issues (other than expected wear and tear) and it’s now done 140 000 miles in its 22 years of life so I may just stick with that.
But … if I was looking for a slightly younger cooper with less miles is here a model that anyone would recommend?
Ta
R
RR1965 said:
Thanks as that’s all helpful
I’ve loved my 02 model and had very little issues (other than expected wear and tear) and it’s now done 140 000 miles in its 22 years of life so I may just stick with that.
But … if I was looking for a slightly younger cooper with less miles is here a model that anyone would recommend?
Ta
R
Since the age of car you are thinking of is only slightly younger than your own car, I would recommend you stick with what you know, rather than potentially buy a money pit. Save up some more money and go for an even younger car when you can afford it.I’ve loved my 02 model and had very little issues (other than expected wear and tear) and it’s now done 140 000 miles in its 22 years of life so I may just stick with that.
But … if I was looking for a slightly younger cooper with less miles is here a model that anyone would recommend?
Ta
R
stevemcs said:
I’m guessing it will be the N16 engine, generally they are pretty good, yes they can suffer from chain issues but don’t seem to be as bad as the N14.
Water pumps and pipes seem to be common, ac condensers fail, just make sure everything works and it has a very good service history.
Thank you Water pumps and pipes seem to be common, ac condensers fail, just make sure everything works and it has a very good service history.
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