Going to view a Mini Countryman, anyone own one?

[a311]

Morning all,

I'm in need of a second run around car ASAP so I've been looking locally what available.

Criteria was pretty broad, 5K a mile per year, 4 doors, cheapish to run.

A Mini Countryman has popped up for sale locally so I'm going to go and give it a look over. it's a 2012 1.6 Petrol, it's a 'one' which I assume is entry level trim, but for what it will be needed for I'm not bothered. It's done 78K miles but has a private plate so can't do any pre-checks but will ask the seller for it.

Anything in particular to look out for on these? It looks clean in the pictures. They're asking 5.2K for it which seems reasonable and I'll assume it's ono so make an offer.

[anonymous-user]

Do these have the Prince engine? If so I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.

[a311]

Joey Deacon said:

Do these have the Prince engine? If so I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.

I've no idea. From what I can see online there are no common issues with this particular unit.

[georgeyboy12345]

Yep, I’d avoid that car. The Prince engines they use are junk. Very unreliable.

[ItsBouquet]

Timing chain issues, piston ring failure which then starts allowing oil to burn, filling the catalyst, destroying it.

Avoid. Also avoid ALL4 AWD cars with a manual gearbox. A clutch won't last beyond 40,000 miles.

[Ranger 6]

We're on our second Countryman - the first was a 2.0sd and this is a 2.0 Cooper S.

No, issues from either - both are/were autos so can't comment about the clutch.

We like them and would happily have another.

[DodgyGeezer]

you may find this interesting...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[a311]

DodgyGeezer said:

you may find this interesting...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm tempted to knock going to look at it on the head but it's literally 5 mins away so will go and check it out and see what the history is like and what it has/hasn't had done.

[Bannock]

My sister had a 1.6 petrol Mini convertible of the same age - it died of oil starvation at 58k miles. Crap engine, utter scrap.