2011 Mini Cooper S with 60,000 miles

I bought it just shy of a year ago.

I've already done quite a few repairs and addressed multiple maintenance items including the oil pan gasket and front crank seal. Now, I'm being told it needs replacement of valve stem seal, transmission oil pan gasket, oil filter housing gasket and rear main seal replacement.

Should I keep throwing money at this or just sell it as-is and move on?

 

I think it all depends on how much you like the vehicle. Are you doing the repairs yourself? It doesn't sound like it, but i know you could save a ton of money by doing it yourself. Also, what they are telling you needs to be replaced, is it leaking? Actively? What's the diagnosis for why it needs all this? The oil filter housing is common to leak so I understand. What's also going to be on the horizon at 60k is the timing chain if that hasn't been done.

 

Coz3z3 - I appreciate the feedback! The car is smoking a lot from hood and exhaust which is the reason I've had all of this looked at. I first had it inspected by our local BMW/Mini dealer and the prices quoted for these repairs was insane. The one value I got from them was a "video walkthrough" of the car's underside and the rationale behind each of the suggested repairs. I'd also previously replaced high pressure fuel pump and sensors.

With relatively low miles for its age and the uniqueness of the car, I really want to hang on to it. With the oil leaks it seems I have one issue fixed and it just starts spewing from somewhere else!

Here's a Pic of the car

 

Nice! That's a good looking car! Yeah it's going to be a process. I've gone through almost the same. About 75k I lost compression due to timing chain. About 72k I had to replace the clutch. Only thing I did, was while I had it all apart I went and did the things like oil filter housing gaskets and so on for preventative maintenance. But I feel you on the one thing after another. When I first got this at 60k, my water pump went out, then a week after the water crossover went out. Then about a month later my thermostat housing cracked lol. Then a few months later the hpfp started to go. This is a car that I love and don't see myself getting rid of anytime. So I do the repairs.

 

Strongly recommend finding a reliable independent shop. Other MINI people in your area can help. Those 'stealerships' can find all sorts of things to "fix'.

 

I have first hand experience that the stealership is no better than small indi shops. Just a lot pricier. Be it Mercedes, Porsche, Tesla or Rivian.

That said, the problems you mentioned are almost one-time fixes and should be good for the next 5 years. Plan ahead and see what else you could include with the mentioned needed services. Sometimes you get a better deal with Indi shops if the other parts are inconsequential.

And of course at the end of the day, it depends on how much you like the car. e.g. If this was a camry, I wouldnt even explore the repair route.