I know they are not really that reliable, but was wondering are they that bad or they are kinda ok specially the new model which redesigned engine after the 2007? From what I read they have problems with EVERYTHING, engine,gearbox,clutch,cooling but surely some of that stuff must be fixed in the later model?
Looking at one 2007model now, fsh, 95k miles, really nice spec on it comes fully loaded , seems kinda ok car.
but just wondering if I'm just getting myself in trouble with it?


Looking at the non s model, went to see one today it was fully loaded, sunroof, nice leather, seemed really fresh car , almost no rust on it.
It's manual/petrol so at least no diesel or automatic gearbox problems.

The owner showed me a HUUUGE envelope of service bills, had a fresh oil in it as well.( Could be that it like others likes to drink oil or it was freshly changed? ) Either the car was actually really taken care of ( the condition really looked so) or it genuinely just needed being serviced A LOT! Not really sure..


Also is there some stuff I must look at before buying one?

 

Oh boy, you'l get some responses on this one. Do some more poking around on NAM, seems the 2007 MCS with the n14 engine was the worse of the lot..

 

From what ive read, stay away from 2001-2003 minis, and 2007-2009 minis.

 

I think it's a mixed bag. I've got a second hand 08 with 87k miles (84k when I got it). It definitely burns some oil, about a quarter of a quart each 1k miles, but runs well otherwise. The automatic transmission (definitely not my first choice, as my first/only auto car) shifts a bit rough. The suspension and steering are tight as a drum though, it'll carve curves with the best of them. I've had to replace a cracked intake pipe, but it has been good to go otherwise mechanically.

The interior parts you touch frequently are a not so hot point. I hear a creak every time I touch the bar in the doors and armrest. Sounds cheap to me. The sunroof also doesn't open if the temperature is in the 90s, even after cleaning and lubricating the rails. I also get a seatbelt warning and airbag warning every so often when I have a passenger in the car.

These cars are not without their reliability and quality quirks, but the character makes up for it for me. This is my second one, with my third on the way, and my wife owns one too. They just exude a character and attitude I've not found in other brands, which keeps me coming back to the brand. Whether or not you're a willing/able to keep up with the drawbacks is the real point of consideration in my opinion. They can definitely be a labor of love, even when new. Gotta take the good with the possible bad.

--Matt

 

he's looking at a "justa" most of the early r56 problems are with the "S" N14

 

Engine problems yeah, that's certainly not the extent of the possible "challenges" though.

--Matt

 

didn't took that car, went to check it out today AGAIN and it had stiff gearchange and a bit louder engine than other models I checked.
Of course the owner said everything is ok, but when I said I'm not taking it he got Mad as ***, well seems like dodged a bullet :D
the car overall was pretty good, but it raised more and more flags the more time I spent with it and realised that the owner is a serious bullshitter hence just didn't risked it although it was kinda ok.

went to see another mini today as well, a convertible one with an Automatic gearbox, and oh boy.. the gearbox was toasted although the rest of the car was MINT and had only 50k miles on it.

I have now done good background checks on like 7mini's , the car is nice but... All of them had some kind of serious potential super expensive problems.
will keep looking for some time more but I feel like I won't get really far with this task..

 

Too many problems with the 2007 - 2010 "S" model with the N14 engine. I owned one...the biggest hassle I had was the oil consumption. It burned a lot of oil...

 

Keep oil in my trunk and I check levels almost every time I gas up. Usually adding some every other time or so. Keeps them much happier being full of oil.

 

Ironically enough, my Clubman had an N18 and had 3 water pumps and required two oil leaks to be repaired in the 20k or so odd miles I had it. I guess my point is that the engine isn't necessarily going to be the only concern. There are plenty of higher mileage N14 cars out there running well. I drove several before I picked up mine. Just the same, there are plenty of N18 cars with less miles with obvious issues. The N18 I had didn't burn as much oil as the N14 in my current car (did still burn oil), but that's not a big deal to me.

Based on my shopping experience a few months ago, I'd take a N14 that had documented 5k oil changes and runs smoothly over an N18 with changes at the default interval (or no documentation on changes). I saw a mixed bag of manual and auto cars too, enough so that neither seems any better than the other with higher miles. I have to think that beyond the book care goes a long way on those.

--Matt

 

Everything has crap electric water pumps now, but hey my aux 540i pump lasted 220,000 miles

 

As with any car, you take your chances on a Fri. car. Mini's are high maintenance but if you take care of it, it will take care of you. Now, if you believe the surveys....

 

What you think about the mini cooper 2007 n/a automatic?

 

As with most first year models, just avoid them.

 

the Non "S" is ok, it's the n14 in the "S" that's the real turd in the r56

 

My neighbor just had her 07 Justa take a 'S' on her. Timing chain, with a side of catastrophic failure. I didn't think that was possible on a Justa, but it just happened. I rarely talk to her, but last weekend I was outside washing Bitsy Mae and she comes over to ask me about about my MINI. She starts out with, "you like it?". Yes I do, I love it, where's yours? She started asking me if I knew about a class action lawsuit regarding whatever years, I said yes. It's for the pre N18 motors. I asked her what year hers was and I informed her that's the arguably the worst year MINI to own. She's currently trying to get MINI to cover repairs, She still owes 10g's on that dam thing, I told her she got robbed. She's now in an SUV.

 

quite a bit more rare on the justa could happen on any modern car now, the timing systems are overly complicated with all the variable crap

on my x5 diesel they put the chains between the motor and transmission, thanks bmw! at least they are more reliable than the earlier versions

 

Wow. I'm not surprised, but still. Wow. The thing that sucks is that if you want reliable power you need either a V-8 gas pig or a Toyota Camry, no thank you. Thank goodness for extend warranties and credit cards

 

So now the question is, is this automatic transmision better than the r50 automatic???

 

yes, it's a real automatic not a "CVT" still not as fun as a manual though

 

why does this thread continue?

Avoid:
2007 – 2010 R56 S model (N14 engine)
2009 – 2010 R57 S model convertible (N14 engine)
2008 – 2010 R55S Clubman S (N14 engine)
Also - the JCW used the N14 thru 2012; however, most problems are with the early models.