It seems like there are some large scale problems with the timing chain on the MCS with the turbo. Does the regular N12 also suffer from similar or other large scale engine issues?

 

potentially, but uncommon. key is with regular oil changes and maintaining proper oil level. all of the engines are using the same parts for the most part.

what is your specific quest/scenario?

 

My wife's 2007 non-S needed a timing chain at about 120,000 miles when the death rattle got loud. We bought it new and it had regular oil changes at about 5,000 miles. It used a little oil.....maybe a quarter of a quart every 3 weeks. The only other problems were a new radiator and a new alternator. It had 140,000 miles on it and was running strong when we sold it.

 

Yeah, I'm just having an internal debate on selling the R56 and picking up a newer model. But I guess there's no guarantee the newer models do not suffer from some malady that nobody knows about just yet.

Here's how she sounds after a fresh oil change:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/0TWcZiVVGPm3gRMB2

Mostly just hear lifter tick.

 

Because in the Cooper Base LCI you have not Turbo (no HPFP, etc) nor timing chain (only timing belt that must be changed every 60k as a normal service) the engine problems opportunities, under the same conditions, are quite low relative to Cooper S

 

I thought the N12 in the Cooper base has a timing chain?

 

It could be, but I don't know with pre-LCI models.
My experience is only with R56 LCI (N16 engine)

PS: I added this information in my original comment.

 

You can find out if it has a belt or chain on RealOEM.com.

 

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=11_3951

Definitely chain.

 

N12 engines are not immune to timing chain problems. As other have mentioned if you starve the engine with oil you will have a death rattle. One of the things I find on the any R56, no matter what variant, you need to check the oil every second gas fill-up to make sure you have proper oil levels. Some N12s don't burn oil some like mine does 1 quart every 1000-1500 kilometers depending on how I drive the S@#$ out of the car. One thing for sure if my cooper becomes a road kill in the future I am still getting a R56 and maybe a 2012 copper S but not the newer minis that look way too big for what it is.