Hey guys, I went and test drove 3-4 other makes and other cars. All had their pros/cons. I keep pulling up the website with the JCW I test drove.. However one major problem..


The more research I do on the n14 engine, and all second gens I DONT want to buy one.. I'm on a tight budget, and I really don't think I could afford 300-500 repairs often. Sooo from you mini owners for years... What's the story are these engines so bad, or just a few bad ones get a lot of press??
Carbon buildup, timing belts, having to change oil every 5K, fluids leak.. I'm afraid this forum is scaring the hell outa me..

 

Then look at the "just a cooper", aka, non s....
Better mpg....better reliability....lower insurance costs....
It is lower in hp.....noturbo...but IMO a plus for a USED car...less likely abused than a hotrod....
But same great handling.......
Remember, mini's are more about handling than pure HP...even if the JCW cars ARE a blast to drive...

 

The n14 motor is an early direct injected design...mostly corrected in the n18, that had huge timing chain issues....it was co design with BMW/PSA....BMW is using a different motor in the redesign 2015+ cars if that tells you anything....
Many of the issues you see here are often from folks who used handheld tuning devises....possible with the n14, not possible on the newer n18....

 

^^^ this. While many S owners report no (or only a few) problems, they are expensive to repair. Remember, this is a BMW, the same kind of repair costs like an Audi, Mercedes, etc..

 

Yup, I agree the same.

Avoid the N14 (2007-2010) Turbo setup. ("S" model/(JCW up to 2013.))

Remember a Stickshift Justa might not be as quick in a straight line, but it can corner almost as well.. and still gets all the "Style points" and fun of owning a Mini.

Saves money in cost of maintenance, insurance, etc..

 

I have had zero problems with my N14 engine. You are going to see many more people complaining on a car forum, because owners come to car forums to research problems they are having with their cars.

Dave

 

Dave, this is quite refreshing.

Are you the original owner? How long have you had your car?

 

I am the original owner, I've had it for 4 years this May.

Dave

 

Very refreshing to hear. I'm sure lots of n14 engines are trouble free, they cannot all have major issues.. After driving the JCW I don't think I could get the NA mini.. Bah, a lot of cars similarly priced but less problems to worry about.. If I do get a mini, i'll be forced to get the turbo version!!

 

I am in the same boat as Dave. Second owner but original owner had all maint. records and the car was worry free from 0-50k. I have had it almost a year and the only issue is the recall on the timing chain which was done for free. Starts, runs, stops and shifts flawlessly at 63k. The "S" is a blast to drive and gets about 32 mpg in mixed driving.

 

2008 Cooper S here, second owner since last March. The timing chain tensioner was replaced at 23k miles with the new tensioner, and so I wasn't eligible for the timing chain recall recently. Other than that, no major problems at 50k (owned since 40k) save for one of the sunroof drain tubes popping off and filling the passenger side with water. Mechanically, I'm aiming for oil changes no more than 7.5k miles apart and so far the engine has been solid.

 

Definitely pass.
MINIs are a LOT of fun, but when (not if) something goes wrong, they are not cheap to repair or maintain. Especially the N14 engine.

Some last forever with an occasional oil change, others leak oil from multiple places, and self-destruct the engines. If you can't afford to self-insure the gamble of ownership, pass in favor of a Honda or a Toyota product until you can.

HTH,
a

 

I love my 07 Mini Cooper S...if you aren't comfortable with the potential for repairs then get an ext wtty like I did. It helps.

These cars are too much fun to drive to be deterred by the specter of "cost of ownership"

IMHO

 

thanks for the replies. I'm gonna sit on it for a week or or two. Perhaps it will sell and save me the trouble of worrying.

 

These cars do require an owner to spend more money on maintenance than most. I am the original owner of an 08s 86k and I too have had few problems with mine. I get so much enjoyment out of driving my car that things like 5k oil changes and staying on top of my maintenance schedule is just part of being a Mini owner. Around 30,000 miles I had the timing belt replaced and the walnut blasting done. I recently had to have my thermostat replaced. For me, the driving factor exceeds any problems that I have experienced thus far. I am sure in the near future the walnut blast, water pump and my oil feed lines will all need to be addressed. What most longtime Mini owners get is how much fun these cars are to drive and own.

 

Just get a 2012-2013 S (with N18) and JB+ from BMS and you'll almost have JCW power and money left over for the OCD fluid changes.

 

I've had my 2010 Cooper S since new. It has about 46k miles now. No trouble to speak of, just have to keep up with the maintenance. Just changed my turbo oil lines and oil filter housing seals this past weekend.

Super fun to drive and parking is great

You should look for an n18 if you decide to go with a mini, it's newer so less maintenance needed for a while.

 

If you are on a budget and are looking for a commuter car that is cheap go get a Civic. If you are looking for something cheap and fun to drive go get a Miata. A MINI is not for you. They are expensive to maintain and have a few issues but, are still reliable just not as much as other cars out there.

 

I am looking for a commuter car, but I want to drive it on the weekends and actually enjoy my commute. I can handle some maintaince costs, just don't really want to have to. I'll wait to see if I can get one for a bargin, or wait for a N18 engine :-(

 

My 07 Mini Cooper S at 53,000 miles and only issues were the timing chain assembly and thermostat housing, every car I have ever owned I had to replace thermostats. My Datsun 200SX I4 2.0L had its thermostat replaced, my Toyota Corolla GTS I4 1.6L also had its thermostat replaced. I would be surprised if anyone didn't have to replace a thermostat at least once it your cars life.

It's nice to know that parts are pretty cheap and readily available from ESC Tuning!

 

Get a good 05-06 R50/53 if you tinker. A lot easier to work on & maintain.

 

while many don't have problems i wouldn't pick out the two responses in this thread and consider that "refreshing." I'm on a ton of other car forums and I've never seen a car have as many problems as I've seen the N14 MCS have (okok, save for the 3rd gen RX7). you're asking people so you can basically have a little comfort, but the fact of the matter is it's not gonna mean squat once you get the car and start having to deal with things yourself.

if you're on that tight of a budget i'm assuming you're going to be looking at some early year, higher mileage iterations of the car. just doesn't seem like a wise call IMO.

 

the thing you have to remember is, people only complain when they have a problem........no one is going on to the internet to say "hey, ive had 0 problems in the 100,000miles ive owned my car!"......

its the same no matter what car you buy....hell, go onto a honda forum and youll see thousands of posts where people are having issues.

if you go by the forums alone, every car is going to look like garbage.


for every 1 post you see where someone is complaining something is broken, there are 100 other people who are never going to have that issue.


if you are looking for an iron clad and cheap to repair car, honestly a mini might not be for you......it is a sports car built by the british using BMW parts......

however, if you are able to do a lot of maintenence yourself (fluid/ filter/ brake/sparkplug changes, ect).....owning a mini is really not all that expensive compaired to any other car.

 

What about this one 2006 mcs, 65k miles for sale! Year: 2006
Make: MINI
Model: Hardtop
Price: $11995
Mileage: 65331
Color: PEPPER WHITE
Private or Dealer Listing: Private Listing
Location (Region): SouthEast

FS: 2006 R53 MINI COOPER S WITH 65K MILES. THIS CAR IS A GREAT CAR, 6 SPD MANUAL, M7 SUPERCHARGER PULLEY, ALTA COLD AIR INTAKE, ALTA COOLER BOOTS, AUXILLARY INPUT, DRIVING LIGHTS, NEW CLUTCH JUST INSTALLED, OIL SERVICE PERFORMED, NEW BATTERY, ETC...


I HAVE TO UNFORTUNATELY DEPART FROM THIS VEHICLE DUE TO EXPANDING IN THE FAMILY


SEND A REQUEST OR EMAIL ME AT chris.gerber8@gmail.com for interests and more pics. All offers welcome!

is one

 

If you want a MINI, go with a Cooper, just not the automatic 02-05(first gens). Make sure it's a manual. As for the second gens, I'd go with any Cooper from 09-present. You'll be fine with repairs and other maintenance. I just wouldn't go with a supercharger or turbocharger because it is a lot more to deal with in terms of repairs and maintenance. Good luck on your search.