I'm looking at a few All4 / 4WD countrymans from 2009-2011, and they're all the S model - which I believe has the N14.

The timing chain issue seems to be widespread, so I'm trying to figure out what I can do to make sure these problems don't pop up for me if I buy one used.

I've read that frequent oil changes help, but TBH, I don't really understand how a slightly deteriorating fluid viscosity can accelerate timing chain wear so dramatically. In other words, I think it's a bit of BS - but I will still follow it.

Can I just replace the timing chain tensioner to resolve this issue before it happens to me?

 

Countryman didn't come with N14, nor did they start in 2009. Are you mixing Clubman & Countryman?

 

2011 was the first year the Countryman was produced and the Cooper S and S ALL4 versions were the N18 engine.

If you can find a good deal on a 2013 or newer, that would be ideal. Less of the model year 1/2 bugs.

 

I traded old Blue. 08 clubbie when she started sounding like a truck at startup.