Hello I'm new here. Forgive me if this has been discussed before. I've been researching the 2nd gen Mini and thinking about buying one. I read here and other forums that the 2nd gen R56 is powered by a 1.6 turbo. I've looked at a few 2007-2008 and the vin shows 1.6 supercharged. I test drove a 2009 and the vin shows 1.6 turbo. I see the speedometers on the 2007-2008 say 150mph while the 2009 says 160. Why are so many 2007-2008 listed as supercharged with 150 speedometers? I'm not referring to the convertible as it was still on the old platform. Also is maintenance and repair more expensive than the 07 9-3 2.0T I have? The Minis don't seem that reliable from the reviews I've read.

 

The Cooper S engine from 2007 to 2012 is turbocharged, not supercharged. I don't know that the speedometer means much. I don't know what car you have. The 2007 - 2010 Cooper S models have had some engine problems. The 2011 - 2012 models have a revised engine, the N18, which seems to have fixes for the N14 engine problems.

 

What kind of problems does the N14 have? I'm looking at 2 years newer than my current car.

 

Hardtop yes

ragtop no

don't forget the ragtop didn't change to GEN2 at the same time . . . rags changed to the turbo in 09

 

The speedometer was changed in 2009 to read 160. No different of a car than a 2008. Just because it shows it can read faster does not make it any faster.

 

Thanks guys for the input. My first post states I know the convertible didn't change until later and I'm talking about the hatch only. I didn't say the speedometer difference made it any faster. After reading I guess Mini felt it was cheaper to use 1 speedometer for all markets. What I don't get is the vin. All of the 2007-08 show up as supercharged while all the 09-up show turbo, but I believe you guys. How is maintenance? I've had my fair share of headaches with Saab. I paid $98 for an oil change. What are you guys paying for repairs and how often? I'm hearing recalls about engine fires due to oil leaks?

 

Sounds like an issue with most VIN databases... nothing new.

Read up on this for buying a used MINI:
* https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...07-2009-a.html

Wow; you'll spend just under half that for a do-it-yourself oil change on a MINI.
Just need 5-quarts (uses 4.3 in crankcase) and an OEM oil filter cartridge.

All depends on the preventative maintenance. Some have a zero running balance; other have spent over thousands of dollars.

That would be the recall for the auxiliary water pump for the turbocharged S-model and JCW models.
The oil filter housing sits above the auxiliary water pump; the key is to have the pump replaced (better circuitry) and make sure you remove / reduce oil spilling during a standard oil change.

- Erik

 

Thanks Erik. The oil change video looks easy but my schedule and neighborhood won't allow for diy maintenance. Typically how much does BMW or Mini charge for oil changes after the no charge maintenance. Can the car be taken to an independent shop like Goodyear or Tirestar for wheel alignments brakes etc. I paid 180 for a 4 wheel alignment at Saab. When I take it to others, they know nothing about the car and the service is wrong or half done. I really want a MCS but if not, my other choice would be a MKVI GTI Autobahn 6MT.

 

The timing chain tensioner is the main one, denied by BMW until engines started self-destructing. Later, it became a routine repair under warranty.

My own 2007 Cooper S air intake had severe icing problems when the weather dipped to 0 F. BMW tried a couple of solutions, but never actually fixed it.

I've read that the intake manifold gets a heavy carbon build-up.

Not a problem with the engine itself, is MINI's insistence that oil be changed only when the computer says to do it. For some vehicles, this meant 18,000 miles, or more, before the oil was changed.

There are probably other issues, but these are all that come to mind now.

Oil and filter changes should be done only by a shop that is familiar with MINIs, using Castrol or MINI full-synthetic oil and a MINI branded filter.

 

Call up a local dealer; each location can be different.

Sure, it can. Remember, the Magnason-Moss Act allows for vehicles to be serviced anywhere and it won't void the manufacturers warranty.

Coming from several VW's, you can't go wrong with a GTI.

- Erik

 

If you're worried about reliability and maintenance, not sure the GTI would be a car I'd be looking very hard at.

There's actually an entire subsection of this forum dedicated to the known issues with the second gen MINIs. Take a look through and you'll quickly see what the common issues are.

 

Moreno Chulo, I also have a 2007 9-3 2.0T. I bought it new in 2007 and have had no problems yet. Just curious what problems you've had? It's been paid for since last year and it's still nice so I want to keep it for another 2-3 years if it continues running well. Also just bought a 2012 MCS and am awaiting delivery. Can't wait! Thanks.

 

Thanks guys for all your input. I know any car taken in for service wont be denied because they want the business. How well they perform the job or have the know-how to do it is the question. Personally, I would never take the Saab to anywhere but Saab to have oil changed because the car only runs on Mobil 1 full synthetic and uses a genuine Saab oil filter. Goodyear or an instant oil change place won't know this leading to potential problems. I have taken my car to other places for tires and wheel alignments but they were done poorly. I don't know how true this is but I think VW is cheaper to repair and maintain as opposed to BMW/ MINI. My aunt has sludge the hell out her 2.5 08 Jetta and it still runs without issues. VW never seen a car with low mileage sludge this bad. I feel a little uncomfortable with the air intake icing, the heavy carbon build up, the timing chain tensioner, and the positional oil leaks I keep reading about. I didn't like all the rattles in the 09 MCS I drove so guess I'm leaning more toward a GTI.

 

Hi Gfiad2, Some days I love it others, not so much. Wasn't lucky enough to buy mine new but haven't had a lot of issues. Got it back in Oct 2010 with 69K. Left rear door was t-boned by a deer and never repaired properly but title is clear. It needed 60K mile service which is sparks, oil/ transmission flush, serpentine belt, and new filters. It would start and stall all the time, so idle was lowered and SW updated. Heat shield around catalytic converter got a nasty rattle. I had a scare with the steering wheel lock malfun/ key not accepted due to first owner spilling coffee in the ISM. I tried to clean it but had to order a new one. Keyfob material doesn't old up so I have to buy 2 more. Struts started popping so those were replaced in February. My amp in the boot went out Sunday but returned the same night. Car has never left me stranded so I can't complain, just worried about the cost and availability of future parts since Saab is dead. Are you a member over at saabcentral?

 

Yeah, I'm a member of Saabcentral, but I don't really visit that often. Haven't had the need to because I haven't had any problems, other than the driver's side window motor going out a few months ago, for the five years I've owned it. I just hit 70,000 miles the other day. I do all the oil changes myself but I had all the 60,000 mile stuff done at the dealer for what I thought was a fair price. The window motor was cheap because I bought a rebuilt one and the labor was cheap too. So far it's been a great car. I actually like it more now than the day I bought it. It's really grown on me. All I've done is put some nice 18" wheels on it, everything else is stock and is in excellent condition. Hope I didn't just jinx myself...

 

'06 9-3 SportCombi here. Love the car at 91k. Had block replaced and coils, plugs, springs done under CPO before dealer went belly up. Knock on wood every day. Vtuner stage zero makes this our fast car. Our Cooper is the slow car we drive fast.

 

I think that's kinda like saying an elephant weighs less than a baby whale. Perhaps that's true, but they're both very heavy. Not sure if VW is cheaper on repair/maintenance than BMW dollar for dollar, but neither have good track records.

As for going to the dealer once your warranty expires, you might want to look into finding a good private mechanic. Going to the dealer is like taking the money out of your wallet and setting it on fire.

 

Lol I'll say the elephant weighs more. Taking in the Jetta for service, it was definitely cheaper than service at Saab. So one can only imagine that BMW is higher than the two judging from previous owners I've chatted with at Saab. Parts alone are expensive and we all know this doubles when the stealerships repair or service a vehicle.

Yes I agree 100%. A good mechanic or an extended warranty are always good to have. I don't see that being an issue as I've never kept a car longer than 2 or 3 years. I'll be better off leasing.

 

I haven't had any issues with my windows (knock on wood). The car is a blast to drive and I'm addicted to that spool psssh sound. It really is a great car and a lot of ppl underestimate Saab. I love my turbo gauge even if it doesnt show psi. I would probably keep it if it were a 6MT but it's time to get something new. I don't see how ppl keep cars that long. I've had mine a year and 1/2, Im already tired of it. I would have like a 9-3 Griffin or the new one they were working on. Too bad they went under before that happened. LOL Im 23 and I've put 44K since I've had it. I'm amazed you only average 14k a year??? Is it your weekend car?

 

Nice to see another loyal fan. I assume you have that potent Aero V6? Yes I know the feeling, I never know whats going to happen with it.