This might be a dumb question, and I haven't found any information to make me feel less dumb asking this, but I am curious about an engine swap in the Gen 3 Minis with the comfort access.
If the need ever arose and I was to perform an engine swap in the car would it require a reprogram process from a dealership? I haven't quite gotten a grasp on the computer interface on these cars yet and the interchangeability of core components. If this is a dumb question can it be explained to me why it is dumb.... Sorry total noob to the minis....

-FNG

 

The engine is a mechanical component of the entire drive train. If you are only swapping out the engine, it should not affect how comfort access works. If for whatever reason comfort access stopped working, it's due to the program itself. I've done a swap on the 3rd gen and comfort access is "limited", but it's been that way since before the swap anyways, after the swap, it's still "limited". I haven't been able to find the reason why, battery on remote is full, replaced it three times to have made sure.

 

That is fantastic to hear/read... Dang cars as a while or are getting more and more proprietary it's ridiculous.

-FNG

 

What's wrong with your motor that warrants a swap? Mine's flooded out and hydrolocked, definitely needed a new motor.

 

Absolutely nothing, Thank God!!! I just like to forward think when and where possible. After replacing the harmonic balancer I started wondering about major component failure and repair/replacement costs and etc...

 

I've seen several complete motors on eBay that weren't priced too bad.... Shipping may be an issue...

 

If it's not hydrolocked or seized, you're still probably better off repairing the motor if it is something you can handle. A junkyard engine easily goes up to 3000 dollars, some grade A engines are 4500 bucks easily.

 

Good information to know. I hope I never have to worry about this while I'm driving this car lol

 

You shouldn't have to unless you go heavier on the mod list. All you really need to do is to maintain good oil/coolant change, and replace that passenger motor mount every 50k miles. These are some real stout motors compared to the N14, N18 in the previous generation. Before the motor breaks, you'll likely experience more issue with computer/electronic controls than anything else.

 

Passenger motor mount every 50k?... What are some of the indicators that it needs to be replaced, and how much of a pain in the a## is that going to be to perform lol
-FNG

 

That mount tears quite easily because the effective cross-sectional area to dampen against engine torque is too small. After that it will leak its internally store hydraulic fluid. When this happens, and it surely will, you'll see symptoms as rougher shaky vibrations during idle and at engine speeds between 900-1300 rpms. Those are where the resonance occur because the engine mount's dampening frequency has changed due to tear.

As far as replacement work, it is not that hard to do if you're able to remove the upper cross beam, the passenger side headlamp, and the fender well cover. I've managed to get that done within 2 hours, but I'm very familiar with the car having done the engine swap already. On the new motor mount, I've also added reinforcement rubber by applying 3M's window weld.

 

Thank you for the details. That sounds like a six pack,two shots and a lot cussing project there. I'm definitely going to have to do some reading up on this repair.

-FNG