Since alot of us are now starting to rake in the miles on the R60's, the timing chain seems to be a known issue (along with all sorts of others) that will need replacing before 100k miles. Thought I would put a data point on the web for today's pricing since alot of the posts were pre-COVID and way off from the current market. After alot of reading I am starting to get consensus that you have to do oil changes much more frequently than than recommended to extend the life of the chain. My 2016 S All4 is right at about 90k miles and started throwing a 2DA0 code (Intake cam issue). When I reset it, the car drove fine usually for the rest of the trip but the frequency of the code started increasing until it would only reset for maybe 10-15 minutes. I finally bit the bullet and looked into it. Was thinking of doing it myself but honestly I am just running out of time before the cold weather sets in. 1st Quote from the dealer to get a baseline, just about $4000. 2nd Quote was for $3404.77 and included a new Valve Cover for $450?.... 3rd Quote said they would get it to me multiple times, gave up. 4th Quote, we specifically won't work on Mini's 5th Quote, we specifically won't work on Mini's (Both of these 2 said they would work on BMW's and other imports just not Mini's), finally Auto Sports and Imports in Kenosha WI was very responsive and responded back with ~$2100 for the timing chain service and another $1000 for the Vanos Sprockets if you want it done while everything is apart. Apparently they see some of them bad. Just got the car back and it is really running nice. They said when the pinned the engine to start the timing chain process the cams were actually pretty far out of whack so its good that I got it done before anything catastrophic happened. Just got the Mario Cart tune added and and M7 catch can going in this weekend to help with the oil separation. I don't think I would keep a Mini long term again, this thing seems to be just nickle and diming me after about 80k miles. You would have to declare bankruptcy to do any maintenance at the dealer also.

 

Every time I see anything R60 & timing chain I feel my stomach sink. I hit 79k miles a few weeks ago and am dreading this, as it's definitely not an at-home job in my current situation. Thank you for sharing your pricing.

 

I hear you on the nickel-and-dime thing, except it's more like dollars-and-hundreds-of-dollars.
I replaced the AC compressor, starter, thermostat housing & harness, turbo & lines, and oil filter housing gasket, all just in this year, and now it looks like the headlight switch/clockspring is bad. I hadn't driven it a week yet after the turbo when suddenly the turn signals and high beams wouldn't work. The part alone is US$650 plus 3 hours labour (thank heavens I do my own work!) I don't mind actual wear items like brakes and suspension, but I'm getting tired of replacing stuff that shouldn't be failing. My 2013 R60 JCW has 225 000kms, so about 140 000 miles.

I haven't done the timing chain yet but have been doing more-frequent-than-recommended oil changes and -so far- haven't had any related codes come up. Fingers crossed...

 

Most of the charges are labor. Just like house repairs. Most parts you can get aftermarket and then find a place that does euro cars to install them.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2011-...Engine/Timing/

You can get the prices for the kits and parts off our site, buy them, then take them to a known good shop.

 

Probably the only disadvantage is that some of the places that I contacted, essentially put a big hourly adder if you bring your own parts, as well as they said there is no warranty on the repair as they can't "validate the quality of the parts" or something like that. One place was $120/Hr or $185/Hr if you bring your own parts and just want them to do the labor..... The timing chain is a substantial amount of labor. If I was doing it myself, I would definitely be buying the parts from somewhere like ECSTuning, I just couldn't find enough time for this particular job.

 

Yep they want to make the money on the parts also which are inflated as most of the time they don't sell enough to be direct. Yep time vs money. Understand.

MINIs labor rate for most dealers is around $175.00 an hour now, used to be 125 average before covid. San Francisco MINI had the highest labor rate when they opened back in the date at $175 and hour in 2002.
Thats also the same rate for BMW and For Rolls Royce Dealerships BTW. Most people don't know the Rolls charges the same as MINI. Parts are even the same cost sometimes for similar parts Genuine, I know as they are sometimes shared. So the only barrier to entry is the new cost of the car, otherwise they are the same.