2011 Cooper S, owned since November 9, 2012. When I bought it it had just a tick under 17,000. 21000 or so now. Just replaced the rear brakes and sensor yesterday.

I like the car a lot, but a little disappointed, because I already have a problem. Thankfully its still under warranty.

While under the car on the lift and examining things before I started in on the brakes, I noticed some dark fluid around the oil pan. Oil, surely. Its a slow leak, thankfully, and seems to be coming from the oil pan gasket or somewhere else above. I'm monitoring it until I can call Mini service here in Nashville. It seems to only be leaking while the car is running, because the cardboard under the car in my driveway says that it drips only once or twice after its been parked. The oil is finding its way to the front right wheel, thanks to the frame. I see oil drops on the exterior of the wheel (I knew it was on the interior as well as I was feeling around where the oil was going). I think I also see some staining or something on the rotor, so I'm sure the brake pads will need changing.

Not what I wanted as a new Mini owner, but we'll deal with it. I'm coming to this brand after owning a 1999 Saturn SC1 w/ ~280,000 miles. My goal to get to 300,000 and a new Nissan 370Z was ruined by some guy who plowed into my backside. Thankfully everyone was OK.

Guess I'll hit the searches and see what the usual problems are with this car!

 

Welcome aboard. Im sorry you are going thru this. Just be thankfull it is under warranty. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Yes, welcome aboard.

Sorry to hear about your oil leak. Glad it is under warranty. If you do a search you will find this was an issue with the early N18 engine (2011 and on). Mine had it (early 2012 model). There is another possible issue early N18 engine, that is a thermostat. You can have the dealer check whether that has been fixed on your car.

Overall, my 2012 MINI has treated me well and has been a great car to drive everywhere. Hopefully you fined yours to be the same.

 

Hi from Perth! My MC has the oil leak but so slow I can't be bothered to fit it, yet, Enjoy your drives as much as I do.

 

Welcome aboard. Sorry about your problem and I hope it is sorted out really soon.

Matt

 

Thanks everyone. It's in the shop now. Hope its a fix they can get done today and make permanent!

 

Got the car back last night. Flipped my cardboard sheet over to the clean side. This morning, no oil drops. I'll leave it there about a week. Question though: since I got an oil change as a side-benefit and the shop didn't reset the oil change interval (it had about 2,000 miles to go), I reset it myself. It reset to 13,000. ??? Huh? That seems like a long time before an oil change, or does the oil light in the Service menu mean something else?