Hello-

I have been poring over the site and have received some great info about 1st and 2nd gen Minis. Thank you to all who contributed.

I know that I am sold on an R56 as opposed to the R53,(I will find with lower miles, higher power output, small design changes I like etc...)

I am looking at two for the same price.

2009 MCS, hatch, manual, 62K. Still has good power output. No known replacement of the timing chain/guides. Known recent replacement of leaking oil filter housing. No service records, but valve train looks to be very healthy when viewed through the oil filler hole. Very light notes of caramel, no scorch marks or obvious sludge build up.
Starts up ticks but I do not detect any death rattle. All other obvious signs point to car has been maintained well. Base model, no extras.

2011 MCS Clubman, manual, 82K. Same power output observed on the test drive as compared to the 2009. Decent services records showed 1 owner doing oil change intervals of 10K. View from the filer hole looks decent but not as nice as on the 2009. Still no scorching, burning or large amount of sludge. All other obvious signs are to the good with exception of some corner/parking/fog lamp dash indicators. This one is equip with NAV, heated seats, power fold mirrors... And I'm more partial to the Clubman.

So the questions is: Should I be after the 2011 with more miles and less meticulously maintained for the benefit of having the N18 or should I go with the 2009 with less miles that appears to have been better maintained and do all the preventative/reactive maintenance that the N14 requires?

I will plan on keeping this car till at least 180K and be mainly using it to commute 65 miles round trip for work. My guesstimate will be 20K/year.(Yup, I drive a lot)

Also, I recently read that a user bought an 08 and had it fixed as part of a recall straightaway from the dealer. Could this be an absolute truth?

All of your input is greatly appreciated.