As the owner of a first gen Mini, I've had a fair number of the standard mechanical problems/issues pop up.

Will the Countryman have a first gen type engine too, or is it mostly a body build difference?

Sorry - I know I'm not using the correct engineering terms here, I love my car, but I don't get the mechanics of it all.

Thanks.

 

That's a very good question. The Countryman is built in Austria, but, I don't know where the motor is built. Since the size is so different the whole chassis will be new.

 

The engine is a joint venture with BMW and Peugeot/Citroen, they are known "Prince" engines. The engines are made in France. I believe they were heavily reworked for the 2007+ S vehicles (not sure of the non turbo, as I didn't research them) as they changed from supercharged to turbo charged. The newest version has a twin-scroll turbocharger also now has doubleVANOS. Haven't heard much in the way of trouble with the 2007+ prince engines overall.. My guess is they are doing well as there is talk about using them in the new smaller Saab vehicles.

 

Thanks much. That is rather reassuring.


Well. I will test drive one, or two, tomorrow so we'll see if I can be tempted out of the MCS. The MA has her work cut out for her. I'm fond of my somewhat rattley, periodically problematic little car,

 

Now I'm sure I'm getting the extended protection. My 2007 S turbo self destructed at 54,000 miles. It is expensive to repair.

 

Yes. That does rather put that extended warranty in a new light, doesn't it? I'm generally opposed, but...

 

I've been scouring online about this, it looks like the powerplants were freshened and updated in 2010, with enhanced fuel delivery, the twin scroll turbocharger, and double vanos.. Maybe y'all can find out more.. It does have more horsepower and torque, so I assume there had to be more than engine management updates for that.

 

The new engine is BMW! It isn't produced anymore with Peugeot!! So it's totally "different" engine

 

That makes me wonder if these, too, will have the HPFP issues that plague FI BMWs. Hmm...

 

Ya'll need to read up. The two engine options in the Countryman are IDENTICAL to the R56 Coupes/Clubmans that have been offered since 2007. The S model turbo engine does have some updates for 2011, and there have been some minor tweaks along the way.
I don't think the engines are hand-grenades by any means, but there have been some issues with timing belt tensioners (i.e. cold start rattle), carbon buildup, and a handful of turbo failures. I know there's a lot of new MINI folks here at the Countryman sub-forum and welcome.
But the car itself is a only a new platform that shares many, many, common parts and components with the existing series.

 

You are incorrect..the engine is a "BMW design" joint venture with Peugeot (PSA) in France. It's still the "Prince" engine with some updates that fixed issues with the cold engine "rattle" which was a frequent problem with the '07+ engines.
The "BMW built engine" would be the 2.0L diesel which you cannot purchase here in the states.

PS We own a CM and the window sticker confirms the engine's origin as France.

Here's a write up taken from Motoringfile on the engine:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/05/...yman-cooper-s/

The upgrades to the Prince line (available outside of North America since March 2010) are substantial and all revolve around smoother operation, higher efficiency and more power.
First the Cooper. The R60 Cooper has 122 hp up two from the previous configuration of the naturally aspirated Prince engine. Yes it’s just a slight increase but there are a lot of changes under the surface. The naturally aspirated 1.6L gets a new map regulated oil pump that adjusts pressure and volume based on needs of engine (and not just engine speed as before). It results in a 3% fuel savings and allows for the whole system to heat quicker in cold weather (due to it not engaging in cold starts when it’s not needed).
The MPG ratings haven’t been released yet but expect the Cooper to reach 34 mpg on the highway – matching or exceeding every hybrid crossover on the market.
Even more impressive is what MINI have done to the Cooper S. Yes there’s more power, but lets focus on efficiency first. The R60 MCS will reach the same 34 mpg (not a typo) on the highway thanks to a more substantial upgrade. In fact CO2 levels go from only 140 gm to 143 despite the turbo and the extra 60 hp. The MCS sees all the same updates that the Cooper gets but with the major addition of fully variable valve train (Vanos as BMW calls it) along with refinements of friction point throughout the engine. The result is an increase of around 10hp for approximately 182 hp (final US figures are forthcoming).
Vanos gives the Cooper S the ability to rev quicker, deliver more power yet achieve better miles per gallon. A win win by all accounts.
When I spoke with the MINI engineer that lead the development of the revised engines, he noted that all of these additions to the range are patented and will only show up in the MINI range. I probed a bit more and he expanded on the relationship with PSA a bit. For one BMW handles all development separately and in fact PSA is only in charge of purchasing components. All Prince engines are assembled in the UK at Hamms Hall with only the block coming from France. Additionally he pegged the ratio of British to French parts at around 80/20.
And that cold start issue? It’s eliminated with the new engine. For the sake of the MotoringFile reader I continued to press him a bit and he let slip that the issue was caused by a production problem from a supplier. However problems with current engines have been rectified with a fix sent to dealers earlier this year according to the engineer.

Here is the info about the future of BMW/PSA engines:
http://www.motoringfile.com/section/r60/page/11/

 

That is exactly what I read! I found this interesting as well..


http://motorimpress.com/mini/new-min...-uk-debut.html

 

I think you might need to read up as well. According to the Mini site, the CM uses a timing chain not a timing belt. Is the engine a hand grenade? No, but then again neither is the N54 or N55 but the weak point is the HPFP. My concern is that the Mini shares that fuel pump which, because of the wretched history of that fuel pump, would absolutely be a deal breaker for me.

 

My bad, slip of the technology there....as to the HPFP, again, if you read up in the R56 sub-forums, you will find that MINI has also offered up an extended warranty policy on them a la BMW.
I think the HPFP issue is more a general technology problem than a specific one. VW's and Audi's with low-pressure turbo/direct inject engines also have similar problems. For the record, I'm on my 3rd turbo MINI and have not had HPFP issues on any of them.

 

All this discussion seems to point to the fact that in warrantee you get a loner while it is fixed and after it expires you still get the loner, but you pay for the work. We have three choices, and only three, because we WILL be getting the Mini. Get a brand new one when the warrantee is up, buy an extended warrantee from Mini or Carchecks or some other, or plan on a high repair cost and be happy if it doesn't happen. This will be my third, but, not my last Mini and I put out $4000 to fix one of the handful of turbos that went bad.

 

I know, but an extended warranty doesn't fix the problem, it just delays when I'll have to start paying to fix it. I want the problem fixed rather than Mini offering up a half-assed solution. If the HPFPs are fine then fantastic. I would just like some assurance.

The VW/Audi issue was a wiring problem, not a hardware problem. The early MkVs had a FPR cam follower that would wear fast but you never had to worry about it stranding you. I can deal with parts failing, especially German and English vehicles, but being stranded I won't stand for.

 

Be sure to check your emisson warranty coverage in your local area (should be in your Mini Owners Guide documentation). You might be surprised that superchargers/turbos can be covered under them for extended periods.