Some of R56 MINI's recommended maintenance might be causing the poor reliability rating of R56 MINI's. Running the same radiator coolant and transmission oil for the life of the car are examples. Having a service based mileage for the oil of over 14,000 miles is another example. Most of the posts for high mileage R56 MINI's I have read mention doing additional maintenance. I am curious if anyone has obtained a mileage over 50,000 miles without a major problem and followed the recommended service.


'Morris' 2011 MC, PW/B, 28,000 trouble free miles.

 

I have a non-S and I have felt exactly what you just mentioned as the cause for issues. I have 101000 on my 08 and change the oil every 3000-4000. I have changed all the other fluids as well as regular Seafoaming. I have had zero issues. When looking at the failures of that hit the S models, most are oil related components that fail. Exposed to 15000 mile intervals, it is not surprising to see things fail with mileages as low at 20000 miles.

 

I'm pushing 150,000 miles. On oil changes, I've generally followed an interval of anywhere from 12k - 20k depending on the oil. Radiator fluid got flushed at around 127k miles as part of water pump and thermostat replacement. I replaced the MT fluid on my own at around 70k and getting ready to do it again.

I did have the heat exchanger go bad right at 50,000 miles. Also had just the tensioner replaced at that point. That was the only engine related repair under the normal warranty.

The next batch of problems didn't occur until around 108k miles. At that point I had to get the timing chain cartridge replaced because the guides broke and the throttle body was replaced. They also fixed an oil pan gasket leak, replaced the valve cover and did a carbon cleaning as they could not get a CEL to clear.

At around 120k I replaced the turbo oil line and return line. At 127k, along with the aforementioned water pump and thermostat fix, also had the oil filter housing gaskets replaced.

At 145k, I just had the oil pan gasket replaced again, new chain tensioner installed as the old one was leaking, and had a carbon cleaning done.

I don't think any of the recommended service intervals had anything to do with any of the issues I've had.