I may be joining a bit prematurely, but I'm really nervous about this next step. I've got a 2012 MCS sitting at a dealership waiting for a test drive tomorrow. The only problem I have is all the threads about blown engines, self destructing timing chain tensioners, and new transmissions. I know these cars have issues, but help a guy out - is this a huge mistake? The car has less than 16k miles and is totally stock. I just want to breathe a bit easier. Are the 2012's better than earlier models for reliability? Thanks for any advice you guys have!

 

Greetings!

I know the 2012 Justas are pretty solid (my neighbor Miss Susan has one and she really likes it, she also has a 2007 MCS R52 Convertible).

I'm not sold on the Turbo... but I really like my older Supercharged cars...

Best of luck with it.

Motor on!

 

2011+ has the updated N18 motor. That's the year I'd go for.

So did you get the 2012 MCS?

 

I did get the 2012 S, and I've been having so much fun driving it that I haven't gotten around to taking pictures and updating profiles! You guys never mentioned how driving one of these has the side effect of putting a permanent grin on one's face. I've been walking around looking like a happy idiot for a week now.

No mods yet, and I'll be busy with work for the next three months, but come late spring I'll be looking to personalize my mini.

 

 

I picked up a 2010 Mayfair S, 23,000 miles a year ago...4 months ago Mini dealer installed a JCW Tuning Kit and it added ~ 20 HP. Smoother, quicker now. Better gas mileage. ( 704 mile round trip to Arizona/ California got me 37MPG)...a few times I may have hit 100+MPH...still have full factory warranty too. Enjoy your Mini. Motor On.