I haven't heard of this; are R56 actually having head gasket troubles on the track? I had mine on the track only one day [about 5) 20 minute sessions total] and it performed perfectly. I expected it too as it was basically stock, only having my turbo-back exhaust.

I'm not sure what the dealer-installed JCW package runs in terms of boost, but I saw about 16psig in "overboost" on my standard MCS. I'd venture to guess MINI is only lowering the static compression ratio on the factory JCW model because they're claiming 19psig boost in "overboost" mode, and the static CR adjustment is just for safety headroom.

 

He may have been talking about BMW in general. I've heard about problems with the 335's on the track. News to me about any R56's.

 

The 335's were having oil cooling issues, there weren't any issues with head gaskets.

 

18.85 psi was what I read on the (factory) JCW's

 

I don't think it was stock, standard R56's that were having the head gasket issues. I know that the JCW engineers DID have issues with blown headgaskets when developing the factory JCW car. That's all I've heard of though.

 

Please give some examples of this. I haven't heard of even 1 instance of an r56 blowing a head gasket.

 

There were rumors during development that MINI/JCW was having issues with blowing head gaskets. Hence the strengthened head/gasket design in the JCW model.

 

It's kinda odd; it's not like the factory JCW makes that much power compared to the R53. I guess it only shows how bulletproof that Tritec is! [course we already know that!] Perhaps the head gasket issues were during durability tests, you know, the ones where they run the engine full-speed/full-load for DAYS at a time until it breaks.

 

I had my R56 on the track for the first time this evening for lapping sessions. I also have a water temp gage installed. It reads a dead-on 225 degrees for everyday driving city and highway. While on track it was reading a dead-on 195 degrees. A pleasant surprise. Ambient air temps were in the mid-60s. I have the do-it-yourself air intake with Spectre cone filter and 90 degree elbow silicone tubing.

Car performed flawlessly and proved it will be no less entertaining than my former E36 M3 with ground control suspension. I planned to go all summer on street tires (Dunlop Direzza Z1) but the car is much more capable than I had imagined and I may have to go slicks once I sort out the car, and myself.

 

what state of tune or boost does the Tritec need in stock form before it blows up, in comparison?

it's clear that we're seeing the limit of reliability for the R56 spans the gulf between the JCW stage 1 and the CooperWorks factory car.

 

zomg!

rumors of what happened during developement?!


That is a helluva far cry from "all the cars popping head gaskets at the race track"
**

Hey Jan, clear some confusion. Have you ever known a production r56 to blow a head gasket or were you refering to something else in general?

 

these were JCW cars being raced on the race track
there is a reason why they lowered the compression

 

The only cases I've ever heard of a Tritec blowing a head gasket have been on overheating.

 

Update: Had a full weekend at the track in temps upwards of 85 degrees. I got the same water temp readings as the other night in cooler temps. Water temp is certainly not a problem.

 

I doubt they would be. As the water is used to cool the turbo, temps are going to be higher, but the cooling system appears to be able to keep them in check.