I have read a lot of posts on the death rattle, cam chain tensioner, and carbon buildup issues and I'm scared to death! I just bought a 2010 Cabrio, normally aspirated Non-S model Mini. In none of the threads on the above mentioned problems, does it say which models are affected.
It appears that most of these problems occur on the S models, but I want to make sure.
I bought the car for weekend cruises and this car will be driven very gently, but frankly all of these problems already have me wondering if we should have bought a different car

 

Dont worry about these things until they come, the only one you can actually control is the carbon build up. Buy your self a good catch can and a dual boost port from bsh, or just make your own like i did by buying an aluminium plug. The other stuff you can not prevent, if it happens it happens.

Relax and enjoy it. Dont tippy toe on glass if you have shoes on...(warranty )


PS : babying your mini builds up more carbon, you do not have an s so it is not that prevalent in the N/a mini's.

 

Most of those problems relate to the turbo. You have a justa so they should not relate to your car.

 

Rocket, the problem with this type of forum is that it brings out every problem that has ever existed and then some. I can relate to your doubts because I too had them for awhile.

My justa is approaching 6000 miles and it has run flawlessly. In fact, I think it's better now than when I first bought it. Any car can fail at any time for any reason. That's a fact - live with it. You have a quality car with a good warranty. Enjoy it.

 

Let me add another one for ya. Stretched timing chains. Between carbon build up and stretched timing chain coupled with a #2 cylinder miss we just put a motor in the kids 07 MCS at 80K miles. And that's with regular oil changes between 5 & 7K miles. When it's time to help the daughter get her MINI I'm looking for a nice 05-06 MCS. NOT a second gen at this point.

 

Thanks guys, I realize the fact that a forum points out any known defect more than they emphasize the good points. I just wanted to know if all of those problems happened to the justa's as well. I feel much better knowing that the justa's are more dependable.
I am an old sportbiker and also realize that if you buy a performance vehicle of any kind, you had better be willing to work on it. So that's why I bought a justa. We just wanted something to cruise in and enjoy the scenery with the top down!
I really appreciate the feedback on this, and I feel much better about owning a Mini now!