Hi - picked up a 2010 R56 non running for my daughter and I to repair and be her first car. It had 3 burnt valves which we've replaced. I have a few questions I'll post in the forums and see if we can get it running right.

Thanks

Craig

 

Hello and welcome, tons of info under the R56 section. I would caution on giving that type of MINI as a first car. These cars if are not maintained and serviced will have a ton of problems down the road. Gen 1 and Gen 3 MINIs not so much.


Think of MINIs as a classic car when they are used and not maintained year after year. Yes it can be fixed and I have done them but its will cost more then most domestic cars and euro cars. Just wanted to give you a heads up.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Mr ECS brings up some good points on the Gen 2 - but it is not all doom in gloom. For a leave home college car, the frustration of being stranded will go up given you are not present. If she is living at home, I would not worry as much about it.

The potential flag I see from your post: Having 3 burnt could be a symptom of not changing the oil ( since it was 3 ) and other things that were not maintained .... or just a bad water pump. Fuel pressure and oil pressure are the weak parts of these engines ( I have replaced both pumps - as my mechanic did a version of shimming - he is an experienced vet guy ).

As for first gens, there is a bit of a survival bias here - a lot of the bad running ones have been weeded out.

However, the gen 2 will be fun to drive. BTW - if you have a base vs an S ( JCW ), then much of what I said you can ignore !

 

Welcome