My research tells me that my 2012 Cooper (non-S, 30k miles) has an N16 port injection engine.

I had it in for service due to a low rpm misfire which was diagnosed as a defective coil. They replaced all coils under CPO but they also recommended replacing plugs and to perform a $250 "Fuel injection and induction service".

I spoke to two techs and both told me that I have a direct injection engine and that cleaning is necessary to remove carbon from the intake. I reminded him that I have the N16 NA engine and believe it is port injection. No, it is direct injection and the cleaning is required at least once a year.

Other than this confusing info, they have been pretty good and I think a coil was the root cause of my misfire. I don't see the harm in the cleaning but wonder if it is really necessary once a year on this engine, which I believe is N16 port injected?

 

Find new techs, you have a port injected engine. I haven't read anywhere that you need the valves cleaned..

 

The fuel injection and induction service is basically a bottle of injector cleaner. Decline the service and run a half a bottle of seafoam or chevron injector cleaner in the gas tank every 15k miles.

 

Just add a bottle of the chevron fuel inj cleaner every few tank fill ups. Doing their injector cleaning could lead to premature spark plug failure as well. Since its a concentrated version of the cleaner blasted through the engine. When customers would purchase that service I would always use a set of plugs i had on the side to not damage the customers plugs.

 

Yea, the non direct inject engines don't have the carbon build up from what I have seen. The R56 Cooper ( NON S ) is non direct inject.