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SOS: wife bought a mini a week ago, now lots of codes
In our two decades of marriage I have always found our cars and done my own inspections before purchase. But my wife has been doing a side business and decided to save up and buy a car on her own. She came home with a 2012 Mini Countryman S with a 6 speed manual transmission and 146k miles. She got it from a well to do family friend and figured it had been well cared for. Within a week of registering it, it now has a bunch of codes. I've never owned a BMW or Mini, but we do have a Volvo. I know nothing about these cars other than the timing chains and related components go bad.
Here are the codes: P0300, P0301, P0303, P0171, P00BD, 9E28, 3786, 2774, 2EFE, 2EFF, 2EE2, 2EE6, 2BC0, 2F01, 2EEC, 5E31, 5E30, 9CB5, A8BD, D115
I figured I should start with making sure the battery is good. She actually changed and gapped the spark plugs herself a few days ago, hoping it would fix the problem before telling me. It didn't. Please help.
Edit: it's all wheel drive. Also, googling tells me it has the N18 engine, which isn't as prone to timing chains problems as others. It's almost 2am. I'll read more in the morning.
Last edited by trickyrabbit; Jan 13, 2025 at 12:43 AM.
A 2012 Countryman S should have an N18 engine. Even better if the VIN plate shows a build date after April 2012.
If it makes you feel any better, I have an early 2012 Clubman with the early N18, and just kicked over 200k miles and original timing chain. My suggestion would be to go through those codes and try to figure out if there are outliers that could lead to others. Once you get through the codes, do a FULL fluids change and get on top of the oil changes. The more frequent the oil changes, the better the engine will treat you.
The battery was only half charged, so it is currently charging, but I may just replace it. Also, the air intake pipe was broken, so I'm going to pick one up today. I reset all the codes last night, so after the battery is charged and the intake pipe is replaced, I'll take it for a spin to see what shows up.
I charged the battery and found a URO Parts intake pipe at an AutoZone about 30 minutes away, for only a few dollars more than FCP Euro sells it for. So I got it replaced and took it for a drive then dropped it off with my wife at jiujitsu. If that solves the issues I'll be relieved. I'll keep an eye on the charge level of the battery to see if it is slowly discharging. Otherwise, I'll get on those fluid changes and try to get it to what the Volvo people call "Stage Zero". Is there a definitive list of preventative maintenance for this vehicle?
I have no problem following the on-board maintenance computer for almost everything EXCEPT oil changes. Change the oil every 5000 miles, and you'll be MUCH better off with the car. I would get the All4 system fluids drained and filled, then on a 50k mile schedule, too.
The countryman has about the same, only it has that transfer case/all4, but it looks like yours is only FWD. So most things are the same as the N18 engine R56 with manual transmission.
On the All4s if manual they tend to go through clutches.
The countryman has about the same, only it has that transfer case/all4, but it looks like yours is only FWD. So most things are the same as the N18 engine R56 with manual transmission.
On the All4s if manual they tend to go through clutches.
Those are excellent resources. Well at least the first several that I've read. It is an All4 model, btw, so good to know to watch for clutch issues.
On my 2016 All4, I believe you are supposed to do a coding when you replace the battery which adjusts the charging voltage. I also needed new timing change at 100k due to previous owner following the MINI recommended oil change timing which is too long for these engines.
