Hi everyone,
Before I pose my question to the group I would like to admit that I've been bitten by the Mini Bug, and the only antidote seems to be to try and pick one up. My GF just purchased a 2013 CMall4S and she's very happy with it, however, I now find myself aimlessly looking in the classifieds section and online for MCS for sale. I am not looking to get a new MCS, but I have come across a 2009 MCS ( std. transmission) with 30,000 miles and dual-pane sunroof that I'm contemplating on getting. I do have some reservations regarding the vehicle as it will be out of the 4/50,000 warranty as the in-service date was 3/2009.

The vin is : VIN:
WMWMF73579TT98106

I've been researching about known issues with the 2009 MCS and have come across :
- timing chain issues
- timing chain tensioner issues
- clicking engine on startup - (as if it were a Diesel engine)

( all due to low oil levels )

I do not know of the service history but I would assume the oil was changed at least 2X as I did get a glimpse of the warranty history when I stopped by the dealer this evening.

One of the things I did notice while test driving it today was that there was moisture under the plastic floor liner on the passangers side that the dealership puts in so the floor/floor mats do not get damaged. It's was unusual as the drivers side didn't show the same. I lifted the plastic liner, and it didn't feel too damp, but it was unusual to see moisture to begin with. At first I thought that it happened when they shampooed/ prepped the car for sale, but that doesn't explain the inconsistency between the drivers side and passengers side.

As I see it, I have 2 weeks (if I purchase it) before the warranty expires.

Can you guys chime in and mention any other known issues that the 2009 MCS experience as well as if seems like a good buy? They quoted me an extended warranty for another 60,000 miles from a third party for $2550.

What can I point out to the dealership so that can take care of it before I take ownership??

What should I be in the lookout for?

Are there any known recalls for the 2009 that may need to be done or followed up on?

Last thing I want to do is put my money into this vehicle and have to spend another 3k to make sure it's running reliably.

Thanks you for your input/comments.

 

Timing chain tensioner.- Actually a design problem that can occur sooner if oil level is low.

Turbo water pump controller -fire hazard -Recall for this one.

Oil feed line to turbo will fail in time - Uses rubber-like seal at each end for flexibility. - Turbo end fails due to heat. Wiggle the line at turbo end...look for signs of oil weeping.

Spend a couple of hours reading the "Stock Problems and Issues" threads!

 

Hmm I think if you spend time looking at any stock failure board you're going to get worried about any car and not just MINI. How can you expect any good news from somewhere like that?

As the previous poster said the biggest issue is the timing chain assembly. Make sure they've done the latest update to the system. If they haven't done it you're really rolling the dice on this one. Timing chain systems can go from just being a bit noisy to total failure leading to an engine replacement. If it were me I wouldn't take a second look.

Check the oil change service records. If they only changed the oil at 15,000 miles forget it. Move on. Guaranteed you have sludge in the engine and you may have lots of oil coking on the bearing of the turbo's shaft and even worse, clogging of the oil line. There have been many turbo failures because of this thanks to the terrible guidance for oil changes when the R56 MCS was first sold. If someone notes the oil was changed every 5000-7500 miles with full synthetic oil I'd say you're OK.

You should request they clean the carbon build-up in the intake ports as part of closing the deal. At 30,000 miles you're guaranteed to have quite a bit if it's never been cleaned. You can read plenty on that topic here at NAM and why it's a nuisance.

The engine water pump and thermostats have issues here and there, but it's nothing outlandish and expensive like the other things I have mentioned.

Since you're looking at sunroofs make sure you have plenty of time to test drive so you can check for leaks, whistles, and rattles. This is a very famous point of irritation for both 1st generation and 2nd generation MINIs. Chasing an issue in these categories gets expensive FAST!


Having been a MINI owner since 2009 I can confidently say the 2nd generation turbocharged MINI is a very temperamental car and judging from local club members who have had both 1st gen and 2nd gen, much more so than the 1st gen cars. The owners that haven't fixed any timing chain issues and think the dealer's word on oil change intervals is the word if God have payed dearly. I don't think it's a hunk of garbage through. I certainly like mine a lot and it has treated me very well mostly because I really baby it. I've certainly toyed with the idea of buying a R53 but the lack of torque from that platform's engine compared to the R56 is something that continually turns me back to the R56.

Choose wisely my friend!

 

1. get a copy of the service records/maintenance history
2. have a PrePurchase Inspection (PPI) done by a shop experienced with Minis

 

Get a carfax, that should show all services and repairs done at a dealer. This way you can be sure the timing chain issues were fixed, if they were not done... Run away!

Check for leaks under the car. Dirty is good in this case so you can see where any leaks are and they haven't been covered up by wiping them away. By dirty I mean dirt dirt, not a ton of oil.

An issue I'm just finding on mine is the passenger seat sensor, make sure someone sits in the passenger seat and it doesn't give any airbag warnings. I hear its about $1500 for a dealer to fix the sensor. If mine keeps acting up ill have to just bypass it.

Check kbb.com for the value, don't let the dealer rip you off. Also be weary of extended warranties some don't really cover much so read everything they give you before you agree. Paying for an extra warranty that doesn't cover known issues isn't really a warranty at all.

 

Thanks for the posts comments. I acquired the service history for the vehicle.
Information coming shortly.

 

History information is below. I was able to look at the description notes for some of them and (didnt get a printout of them) so here it goes.

1. Footwell Module occasional malfunction @ 396 miles. (didnt look at the notes for this). Defct Code: 6138061400
**Does anyone know what this means/entails to fix?

2. Footwell Module FRM Software error / internal device fault @ 2084 miles. (didnt look at the notes for this). Defct Code: 6138060200
** Does anyone know what this means/entails to fix?

3. Chain tensioner, Camshaft - unpleseant noise @ 6318 miles. Notes state and show that the chain tensioner was replaced. Did not take note of the part # to see if it was the old or new.
** Any thoughts on this being an issue down the road in the next 60k?

4. Hydraulic tappet clearance compensation - unpleasant noises @ 13,119 miles. Notes state that the timing chain assembly was replaced in accordance to the service bulletin.
(FIRST OIL CHANGE @ 13,119 miles)
** Any potential issues down the road considering it was changed at about half of the mileage that the car currently has ?

5. Front brake pads/rotors and yearly low mileage oil change done @ 22,901 miles.

6. Aux Water Pump M17 02 12 @ 22,901 miles. Notes state that the Aux Water pump was replaced due to recall.
** I'm assuming that this is the Turbo water pump. Am I correct?

7. Clutch Pedal / unpleasant noises @ 27,731 miles. Defct Code 3531013900. Notes state that they could not recreate the issue consistently. Customer complained about clutch pop as it was being depressed. Notes also state that the resolution was to shave the clutch stopper.
** Dont know what the resolution means. Has anyone had this done to their car? With the clutch pop... am Interpret it as normally a smooth transition would take place. In this case, the clutch pedal was pressed in and as it was smothly releasing, there was more force coming from the pedal to the foot that it popped the foot back faster than normal. Any ideas as to what this means?

8. O2 sensor permanent malfunction @ 27,884 miles. Defct Code 1178031500. Notes state that it was replaced.

********
Issues that I coming in the next 6 months.....
- Front / Rear brake pads + rotors change (definitely rear)
- Will need new tires.
- More than normal moisture build up inside cabin, hard to remove even with the A/C on.
- Check A/C to make sure its functioning and not leaking
- New Tires.
- Carbon buildup

*****
*****
Other main concern, Oil sludge build up due to 2 oil changes on record in 30k.
*****
*****

The car is state inspected, but I will ask for the current measurements on the brakes, rotors, tires.
I will be looking to ask the dealer to make some sort of concession for the tires (17") on the price, or outfit the car with new ones. It looks like they passed inspection by the skin of their teeth. I did a search and it looks like OEM runflats for the 2009 are around $800-$900 at tire rack.

Regarding the brakes, I would like to defer to you guys and see what an average rear brake job or front/rear brake job costs parts + labor.

From the notes, it looks like the brake fluid was changed (explicitly noted on the service history), but no mention of the transmission fluid, antifreeze, of power steering. Any idea as to the cost that I will be looking at for those three? Any other fluids that i'm missing ?
I will see if they can change the fluids as a courtesy since the GF just bought the MCAll4S from there or at least make a consession for it.

Regarding the carbon build up, is there anything to use as leverage to have them check or clean before buying? Cost of service if done outside?? (I plan on using seafoam to clean, but I'd rather have the dealership do it before purchase if I can have them help. The car still has

Once again thanks for looking and providing your opinion. I really appreciate it. They have giving me starting points to gather more information and get a better idea as the current state of the vehicle I'm looking to purchase, as well as insite to what i can potentiall expect.

If you can, please chime in as to your thoughts on the reliability of the car in general considering the previous service information and the risk possibility of the 2 noted oil changes and potential long term issues for that.

If you have any barganing tips, those are welcome as well. .... I'm going to need them ...

Thanks once again everyone.

 

I assume that you are getting this car at a MINI dealership? See if they can certify it for the MINInext program, which would provide a warranty for the car for a couple of years (but you pay a premium for it).

Get them to quote you on carbon cleaning, people have said they paid from $400 to $900 depending on the dealer.

There is a service menu on the car, accessed by pushing the end of the turn signal stalk in. This will tell you the next time that an oil change is required, brakes (f + r), brake fluid change.

Also verify that the car does or does not have the extended maintenance or extended warranty (that was a pleasant suprise for me), and the dealer can also print out a sheet stating every option that the car was ordered with. If you have 17" wheels you may have sport suspension (or just optional wheels).

IMO, the timing chain and water pump recall are the big issues, followed by the carbon cleaning. Since you already have a relationship with the dealer, see how much they can help you. Depending on the severity of your winter (and the need for traction) I would push harder to have them throw in a carbon cleaning than replace the tires. You can read here that there are a lot of fans for getting away from the runflats.

Good luck,
Mike

 

You're correct. I'm looking to pick this one up at the MINI dealership. Depending of the cost of the MINInext (if available) I might do it, but if its more than 1500, it might be a bit difficult.

The car doesnt have a spare, correct? Its kind of hard to take that risk, isnt it? No run flats, no spare??

How have other users mitigated that?

The cost is $17000 +tags, title.
KBB look sto be around that as well...

Thanks for the advice everyone. I appreciate it.

 

I have non-runflats in my car, and a tire inflation kit. Tirerack sells an inflator kit for about $80, others carry a bottle of slime and a small compressor. You still have TPMS to warn if a tire is getting low.

17k is probably not bad from a MINI dealer. The tough part is that you need to look at this purchase like it is a normal used car. If the colors, options, and condition is what you are happy with, then start looking at it like a MINI. I would not hesitate to buy a MINI because of the potential for out of warranty costs. They should at least give you a 90 day warranty with the purchase, that should be enough to get you past the 'buyers remorse' phase.

What is the color combination? Which wheels?

Have fun,
Mike

 

Color combination is black with white top. The weeks are 17". I don't know the spoke pattern name.
*****Crown Spoke Pattern*****

 

Thank you very much for your comments. After doing research and working with the service department, I am now a proud new owner of a 2009 MCS with 30k on the clock.

 

Congrats, enjoy your new ride. I'm glad that this worked out for you.

Mike

 

Congrats. Sounds like a good vehicle.

Don't worry about the long oil change intervals - vehicle is fine.