New member here and I'm personally a Saab guy myself. I'm very handy wrenching on my own cars so not too afraid to tackle most jobs. We're currently in the market for an 08-11 Cooper S 6MT for my wife as her daily driver. I did test drive a couple of Turbo S this weekend and they seem to be fun little cars. I will continue doing more searches before buying one but I have a few quick questions.

How common is this timing chain/guide failure scenario? I guess it must be common enough to have a class action suit on it? Are dealers readily accepting repairs for said timing chain issue? Are the clutch normally "stiff" on the 6MT or was it just happen to be the 2 I test drove? My wife sat in a 2008 and said the clutch was easy to modulate but the two 2009 that I did actually drive had a really stiff clutch (albeit 1 is definitely some sort of aftermarket stage 2 or 3 clutch). I don't mind the clutch but since the car is for her she didn't like how stiff the clutch was...is it a year thing with the clutch perhaps?

 

Welcome to NAM! Please feel free to ask any questions, we have over 40 years experience with the brand and received the first new BMW MINI in the USA.

The turbo models in that range of years was and is a problem. Even if the chain and tensioner have been replaced under warranty or class action suit, it remains a question mark. There are many who testify that they have had no further problems, and others who have had to replace it again. A later model turbo, a Justa from almost any year, or a 2004-2006 Supercharged model probably good choices. Hope this helps!

 

That's a pretty damning statement and such a shame as there are a lot more 08-10 MCS model to choose from. Probably for the exact reason of engine issue. The 2011 MCS is not listed in article, aren't those also the N14 engine too?

Nevermind...I just read that 2011 has the N18 engine.

 

The clutch in the older gen 2 MINIs was harder untill the updated the part number, so if you have an older Gen 2 Cooper S with a lighter clutch feel, most of the time it has been replaced with the updated unit.

 

Thank you for the insights. I think we will be getting a 2012 MCS w/Auto as a manual one is few and far between. The Auto seems to be pretty zippy with the paddle shifter.

 

Welcome.

 

Definitely not good PR for those years with the brand, but thankfully forewarned is forearmed!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

After weeks and weeks of searching...even actually bought a 2011 from a dealer at one point (it threw CEL 15 miles from dealer...returned it), we brought home this 2005 MCS 6MT It'll be my wife's daily but I'll be fixing it up. This feels like I'm cheating on my car for buying parts for her's

 

Wow, congrats! You made a great choice. Love my '04 R53 and it took me awhile to find her, too.

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Looks super clean , nice to see the Aero kit on the BRG

 

Pictures makes it look cleaner than it is...it just has a lot of rock chips on the hood and rear bumper is scraped up. Both of which will get a new coat of paint soon.

Thanks to this forum I had managed to fix the "droopy" passenger xenon (thought I had to replace it at first). Fix the driving lights (fuse) and then subsequently learned that they only work with the high beams Although I ***** to my wife about having to double spend on mods 'her car and mine', I do actually enjoy a new project.

I have new filters (air/cabin), coolant, oil (I have tons of Mobil0-40w for my car), motor mount coming this week. Also the all important Zippeshade. Engine seems solid with no leaks. Then I'll get to spark plugs and other maintenance items before getting a pulley/intake and possibly exhaust.

 

Nothing that a BRG touch up pen cant fix.

Sounds like fun. Once its all done , take the wife for a fun drive, then she will understand .