Hello all!
I bought an 09 Clubman S earlier this month. And I have loved it! But I think the honeymoon has started to wear off. Reading forums across the board having me nervous. Now to preface, I bought it at a MINI dealer. It's a one owner and has had all the known issues taken care of (timing chain, gaskets, thermostat, etc), all at the same dealer. But I'm still worried! I know it's not gonna be a Toyota, but I don't want to live the 80s Jag experience. I'm not afraid to wrench, I've done plenty of it on my previous ride.
So, did I make a mistake?
Thank you!

 

You stand just as good of a chance of being lucky and not having to experience any of the horror stories you've read on various forums. I truly enjoy my MINI. However, it's the first car I've ever owned that has caused me to make the statement: I'll never own one that doesn't have a factory warranty.

 

If its had the timing chain, thermostat, water pump, and oil turbo lines recently , I would say you have the big ones out of the way. Keep it nice and keep up with routine maintenance and you should be fine.

Post up some Clubman pics and don't be scared of the forums, we are here to help.

 

Welcome to NAM! If you're DIY capable and keep up on the maintenance you should be fine. Just fix things when they need to be fixed and perform the basic routine maintenance when it calls for it.

-Luccia

 

Don't let the forums bum you out. Congratulations and enjoy!

 

Remember the only posts on here are usually people needing help. While we are the ones that stand out, i cant believe its the majority.

 

We find keeping up on the maint., running premium fuel, oil changed every 5k, and drive it not like grandma will make it run a long time.

If you really are worried look at aftermarket warranty companies as you may pay a chunk for the warranty, but can work out if you do have a big repair.

 

Thank you all for the responses. My confidence is greatly restored. Now not to sound like a newbie, but is there anything particularly different in general maintenance with MINIs? I'm pretty decent with a wrench (came from a Grand Prix with 183000 miles), so I'm not afraid of the basics like brakes, suspension, wheel bearings and all that.
Thank you all again! Greatly appreciated.

 

Also, can't forget the pictures!
Thank you again, happy motoring!

 

Tight engine bay....

 

I did just what you are doing 7 years ago. First 100 miles I couldn't even put my full weight down in the seat knowing something was going to fall off or explode merely based on forum reading. The horror stories on the forums really had me spooked. OK, 7 years ago, right? 65K miles later, yea, a thermostat housing, a pair of steering pump hoses and few other fiddly bits that need replaced whatever the hood ornament and it is still a royal kick in the butt to drive. Sit back and enjoy motoring. Give it lots of attention like all cars should expect but don't often get these days and you'll become an enthusiast too.

 

^^THIS.

Also, being as it was a one-owner car bought from the dealer who did all the maintenance... was it MINI-Next certified (i.e., came with an extended warranty)?

The biggest problems you are going to have is:

1) Learning how the electronics control things (steep learning curve and non-intuitive... also the primary source of MINI's low JD Powers initial ownership score),

2) Not panicking when the BMW/MINI electro-nanny tells you the car either needs, or is simply due, service.

 

It sounds like you made the right call with your purchase. Buying it from the Mini Dealer ensures that they know about the car and that there aren't any major issues. The work that's already been done covers most of the major issues that I've read about here.

Just to parrot what I've heard from others and my own Mini dealer...

1. Don't baby it. These engines like to be driven. :-)

2. Buy Premium gas

3. Change your oil every 5000 miles.

 

+1 what Mashby and Way said. Good fuel and regular oil/filter changes.

 

Oil changes, baby! Oh, and Welcome!

 

N14 valve cleaning is pretty assured a necessity, I would have done by 70K for sure.

 

My MINI is both the worst and best car I've ever owned. Sure, we've had our ups and downs, but dammit, she's got character. I'd rather have a spunky little spitfire that needs to be hauled over to the garage here and there then drive another Toyota appliance.

 

I was in exactly the same boat as you. Bought my 2009 Clubman S with 26k miles, and the timing chain tensioner had been done 2k miles earlier.

It is now a little over three years later and the car now has 101k miles.

I've replaced the t-stat housing, water pump, done two brake jobs. Oil changes every 7.5k miles. Valve de-coke done as a goodwill repair by the dealer at 70k miles. (I do my own work until it requires a lift or I decide it's too much of a pain in the butt and my time is worth more at that point.)

The service manager at the dealer told me "whatever you are doing, keep doing it. We see these cars come in at 50k miles and they are hammered because the owners ignore basic maintenance and they putter around town on short trips"
...so the car dies a quiet death.

By contrast, my car gets run 99% on the freeway at 75-80mph for two hours at a time on my commute. I keep the rpms up and always make gear changes rather than "lug it" in stop and go or slowing traffic. Oil gets checked every fuel stop, no exceptions. These cars use oil and you have to pay attention. 91 octane always. The gas prices hurt some times, but the car was paid off long ago and it's still putting a smile on my face.

So... what Way and others have said. Don't baby it, stay on the basics, and just enjoy.

 

Thanks everyone! This group is great! And I think I finally got this picture thing down.

Happy motoring!

 

I have one. Lovely car.

We use the dealer and at his advice used BG products that give you an extended warranty. Oil is BG and we had the cooling system flushed with BG product that subsequently bought us a new water pump.

There were recalls for the turbo cooling system and an advised repair to the turbo oil line that makes it more heat resistant. The dealer should have done all that.

The engine intake valves get coked up with PCV gunk so I put in an oil catch can. This is especially important if you have the version of the engine with a PCV hose running from the passenger side rear of the valve cover. Later models where modified. That OCC collects some nasty stuff.

Pay attention keep it washed and happy and it will last a long time.

I also have an R53. It is less trouble and a bit more fun.

Cheers!

 

Thanks for the pics , looks like you have been surrounded by subies.