The N18 engine replaced the N14 engine beginning with the 2011 model year, except for JCW models which didn't cut over until March 2013. Check your VIN through one of the VIN decoders and realoem.com to be sure which engine you have.

The N18 has a much better reliability record than the N14. But there are a couple of common problems:

1) Thermostat leaks and sensor: Mostly on 2011 - 2012 model years, common to see thermostat and temperature sensor failures. Most of these were covered by warranty.

2) High Pressure Fuel Pump: N18 engines built up to March 2012 have the same problematic HPFP as the N14. Check your VIN and realoem.com to be sure which one you have.

3) Oil pressure solenoid leak: There is a control for the oil pump in the oil pan, leaks in the wiring harness are common. If not addressed, the oil can migrate up the wiring harness to cause trouble with the ECU. Most of these were covered by warranty. (TBD - add TSB informaion.)

4) Turbo Oil Line: The N18 engine has the same design as the N14 for the oil line to the turbo, the rubber seal shows the same failure with age as the N14. The pressure side line starts to leak oil onto the hot turbo, resulting in smoke from under the hood. NAM forum vendors have upgraded oil line kits with improved hoses, connectors, and washers. Plenty of threads on how to DIY this.

N14 problems the N18 doesn't have:

Carbon build-up on the intake valves: The N18 is much, much better than the N14. Mostly this is due to the improved oil separation in the valve cover PCV system. You'll eventually need to have the intake valves walnut blasted, but no where near as often.

HPFP: As noted above, engines built after March 2012 have a different design for the HPFP which so far seems to be much more reliable.

Timing chain and tensioner: seems to be solved on the N18.

Too Early to Tell?

Vacuum pump: The failures seen on the N14 don't seem to be a big problem on the N18 engine. Most of the N18s don't have the time and mileage on then that the N14s do, so this one is still too early to call.

Keep Up With Maintenance! Of course, even with the improved engine, keeping up with maintenance, especially oil changes, is important. The N18 has dual VANOs sytems, clean and sufficient oil levels are important for these to function properly. Don't neglect coolant levels either.

 

Shouldn't this be a sticky?

 

Agree with sticky.
This could help New gen 2 buyers before and after they buy. As I got my education after the purchase. ( Not judging )
Good info arranged well.
Thanks,
PM

 

OK - it's now stuck.

Let me know if there's anything to add.

 

Mine failed and I have seen a few post about it.
Just thought of this one. Maybe add worthy up to you.
Thanks for all the work you guys do

 

As I get more involved in the care and feeding of my wife's 2013 MCS are there any updates, issues, or preventative maintenance I should plan for with the N18 engine now that it's generated some data?

 

My 2013 r58 S is currently in the shop for the same thing at 52K .and a water pump pulley leak .

 

The best preventive maintenance seems to be 5K oil changes. Keep checking this thread and the Stock Problems & Issues forum section. I'm coming up on 7 years and 85K miles, I had the thermostat, oil solenoid, and oil filter housing gasket done under warranty but no other issues.

The big N14 issues - carbon build up, timing chain, and vacuum pump haven't been common N18 problems. I need to research the vacuum pump to see if it is the same design as on the N14 and if not, what might be different.

 

Really great information -- appreciate it.

I just recently purchased a 2015 MCS Paceman R61 and i previously had a 2009 MCS Clubman R55 and had many issues with it, mainly the Timing chain/guide replacement as well as the Thermostat. When I got to almost 100K I traded it in on another car because I was too afraid of it breaking down and it was my daily driver and the parts cost was ridiculous. I had remorse afterwards for YEARS and am very happy to own a mini again.

Obviously I now have some idea what to expect with them and i want to be proactive and take care of my paceman better than i did with my clubman.

From what i'm reading, and the information i've gathered online, my engine, is the N18? perviously it looks like i had the N14 Engine and it was wrought with issues, all common. But the N18 looks like it has gotten alot of the problems resolved so i may have stumbled onto a much more reliable mini? With that being said i definitely want to do the proper maintenance and service intervals myself so i am trying to educate myself as much as possible.

Glad to be back part of this community again.

 

Welcome to NAM!

Yes your 2009 had the N14 engine. Paceman should be N18, check the information sources in the FAQ thread to be sure.

 

Can someone please point me to the maintenance schedule or symptoms associated with needing "engine carbon cleaning, injection service, throttle body cleaning" on a 2013 MCS? My neighborhood service station just recommended I have this done after changing my oil. Thank you for your help!

 

I have a '13 R56S and a 12 'R60S. I did both at around 100K. The R56 did not really need it as the intake was pretty clean. The R60 had a PCV issue that led to higher than normal oil consumption. This excess oil found it's way into the intake manifold so the R60 was much more noticeably dirty. Both vehicles responded well to it and it was a noticeable improvement. In my opinion, if you are over 100K, or you have excess oil consumption you would benefit from it. Removing the intake manifold and taking a look for yourself is probably the best course of action. If you are even just a little bit mechanically inclined, this is a rather simple task. Good luck.

 

Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it!

 

Just putting in a good word, my 2013 MCS has been rock solid at almost 100k with really no issues. Burns a little oil as they all do, but runs smooth and strong. Had one tiny coolant leak (I ring on temp sensor or something). My 2011 Clubman had lots of coolant leaks!

 

Timing chain is still an issue on the N18. 37k miles on 2014....2,600 bucks

 

This is some good information for my N18 engines to look into.

 

wow! How often were you changing oil?

 

What was the PCV issue?

 

The PCV membrane in the valve cover was torn.

 

thanks, Ill have to look into that, my r55 has a good amount of blue smoke