I'm looking to pick up a used R56 to use as my daily so I can keep my toy for track events only. A dealer close to me has a 2011 Mini S with 27,xxx miles for under $19k. Still has a little over a year and a half warranty.

My biggest concern is cost and reliability for my DD. I've heard about timing chain issues and bad water pumps? Both of which do NOT show up on this vehicles CarFax report. Are there other things I need to watch out for too? How has the reliability of the R56 been, more specifically the 2010 and up S models?

 

Buying a used R56 is a a total crap shoot. For reference, some people are running 220 whp tuned on stock motors for many miles and don't have problems, other's have seen engines fail at stock power levels. If you do buy one, you must accept the fact that your engine/clutch could fail without warning and you will be stuck with the bill.

Some of the "quirks" that mini people put up with are really shocking. Aside from the engines, these cars are really fun. Go talk to a mini mechanic about the myriad of ways an N14/N18 engine can fail. You will be surprised.


If I could do it again, I would have gotten a Fiest ST. No car is perfect, but the long list of problems with these engines is unacceptable. (water pump, timing chain, vacuum pump, thermostat failure, etc...

 

I'd say look at other options. I'm regretting how badly my R56 was poorly built, especially the stock suspension. Just do yourself a favor, go find other cars that were on your list besides a MINI.

 

He said 2011 why would you mention N14 issues....?

BaylorCamaro, the 2011 has the N18 engine which remedied a lot of the issues the mini had in the earlier turbo models. It's true MINI is not the most reliable car you could buy, it also has it's share quirks and problems but that's why ultimately you have to drive the car, do the research, and see if its for you. I have an 11' with 65k miles and never had a major problem. Around the 20k mile mark I had some issues with the high pressure fuel pump but the dealer fixed at and haven't had an issue since.

Good luck!

 

Notice how you said "never had a single major problem." In 2013 a basic 4 banger economy car (which essentially is what a mini is) should "never have a single problem" in the first 65,000 miles. My point is that typical mini owners acceptance of problems is far higher than other brand owners.

Thermostats still explode on the N18's. Also the N18's have oil pick issues. Ask your mechanic.

What we mini owners would call "reliable" many other brand owners would call unreliable. If you're not willing to accept that basic **** will probably break then you're not ready to own a mini.

 

So now FI cars are "basic 4 bangers"? Was your intention with the above post to disagree with something I said or simply reiterate your position so you sound more right? Because I already stated these are not the most reliable cars. Yes, MINI owners have a higher tolerance for un-reliability, yes the N18's are still far from perfect, and yes most of what you said about the MINI is true. That still doesn't change the fact I would recommend it to anyone because of all the good things that you didn't mention.

You made your point, now allow other to make theirs.

 

Actually yes, the four cylinder turbo is becoming common on upper trim levels of many economy cars.

Ford Fiesta
Chevy Sonic
Chevy Cruze
Kia Forte
Hyundai Veloster
Dodge Dart
Fiat 500 turbo (an Italian economy car)

 

If that 2011 is in your budget, I say go for it. The affected timing chains and water pumps are covered by a recall. Do 5k oil changes and enjoy it.

 

I agree. If you are ok with reliability being a distant second to driving fun then there is no better car than a mini.

 

for 2011 mcs, definitely check for oil leak from oil pump solenoid. i spotted my leaks early and caught the oil before it gets into the wiring.

 

We just bought a 2011 S Hatch last week and a 2013 S Vert 4 months ago. We found the following:

2011 S Hatch: (1) There was a hairline crack in the black portion of the windshield. My insurance inspector noticed it, and the dealer offered to install a new one. (2) Although I'd checked tire tread depth all around, it had mongrel tires : two Bridgestone RFs upfront and a Goodyear RF and a Conti RF in the rear. I swapped the rear two for matching Bridgestones. (3) I did not notice the sunshade mirror covers had been removed. The dealer provided new sunshades under warranty.

2013 S Vert: I did not notice the car pulled to the left, even moreso when braking. That dealer provided free alignment and all was well.

In sum, we had a few surprises but they were all handled by the dealers, except the tires which I should have caught myself.

 

If you want a R56, then you must have at least $3000-5000 available on the side in case something goes wrong. Unless you get some type of warranty of course..

Based on what i hear on this forum, only a madman would buy any new MINI (maybe 2015's are better?)

 

Okay, I'm a MadMan!

 

you gutta be a rich madman also :P

 

Or do your wrenching. That's the only way I can afford any of my cars.

 

I bought a used 2010 from a dealer that had the following completed under warranty
Before I owned it
tensioner
aux water pump

After I took ownership
MULF module
Key control

I also bought it for daily driver duties about 100miles a day and did not do enough research on reliability. I do 95% of the wrenching on my cars 2012 GT500 toy and prior DD was a 93 miata (3.5 hours to do clutch)

I have modded it a bit in the months I have owned it:
Invidia Exhaust
Evolve Tune
Evolve catless dp
Alta intake

It is a blast to drive but I am getting worried about the reliability part also. I may just buy from ECS the water pump / thermo kit to keep on hand. Along with a few other hard to get spares.

To sell it or trade it now would hurt my budget so I guess I hope for the best and maybe buy the extended warranty.

2010 MC S Camden

 

Note I have an N14 engine, lets get that out there. I purchased a 2007 MCS (45k) with 6-Year extended warranty, since last march I have had all of the timing chain components replaced ($1600 total - deductible = $200) which Mini reimbursed me several months later. Thermostat housing started leaking coolant, I caught it right when it started, lucky! Got the aux water pump recall done before I bought it.

Valve cover replacement because the PCV system is apart of the valve cover, havent had any other problems. I expect to be replacing the thermostat housing at least once more since its made of plastic. The N18 engines are better in regards to the timing chains but still use an equally weak thermostat housing which I might add people all over their world were without the Mini's for three months during the Summer because there were no more thermostat housing left.

A $120 dollar thermostat housing was selling on eBay for $1000 dollars! "Supply and demand". Get a warranty if at all possible!

 

dont get a mini i bought one 3 weeks ago 2011 mni cooper s 02 sensor changed today with break sensor that broke dono why but **** wasnt working break light came on after 2 weeks of driving and engine light after 1 week. if i could of went back and bought the lexus is250 i would have done it before the mini. But they are very very fun to drive.

 

My $.02: If you can keep that Camaro streetable as an emergency backup car (unless you have snowy winters where you live), then that can support the potential for breakdowns in the MINI.

I really enjoy the MINI, but also enjoy working on cars. If you can do the service yourself, there are several of the mechanical problems that are straightforward and not outrageously costly (thermostat housing, oil filter housing leak, valve cover, etc).

Don't expect the car to be reliable like a Corolla. It is a helluva lot more fun than a Corolla, even in daily driving. Like someone else said, do oil changes every 5k and that will help. When you are doing the oil changes, inspect for leaks.

That being said, treat the MINI like any other used car. Check repair/collision history, condition, and make sure the options/colors are to your liking. If your example looks good as a 'regular' used car, then jump in with both feet.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Wow, had a thermostat replaced within the first 100 miles but since then nothing... except all of the other stuff I've replaced. If you are so scared of your car, get rid of it and buy a Honda.

 

I love mine 07 MCS. I did however purchase a Ext Warranty...its at the dealer as I type....
BUT its amazingly fun to drive and I don't regret my purchase one bit.






BTW oil leaks seem to be a rite of passage with the MINI...

I've done my oil pan gasket, oil filter housing & heat exchange gasket & my Oil Feed & Return lines

 

Low miles helps. Does carfax show the maintenance records?

Have them throw in an extended warranty that covers whatever you are concerned about

 

You have to get that from the dealer if any work was done there, dealer wouldn't release any info until I had the Mini registered to me! If work was done at an automotive independant shop you'll never be able to find out.

 

65k miles and going strong. 1 thermostat housing and a melted valve cover. no complaints here on my '10. now getting ready for turbo upgrade and stage 4 tuning. you'll be fine.

 

I think my signature below sums up a typical MINI experience.

Best piece of advice I can give is to find a decent private mechanic, join multiple MINI forums, join a club, buy parts online. The mechanic and online parts will save you at least 50% of what the dealer will charge. The forums and club members will add tremendous value to owning a MINI.

Remember one thing. There are only two vehicle designs in the world.

1 - MINI

2 - Minivan

Everything else is a compromise !