R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Where do you buy an R53's W11 replacement engine?

Old May 17, 2012 | 12:27 PM
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Where do you buy an R53's W11 replacement engine?

Okay, it looks like fixing my W11 may be more expensive than replacing it. If I had to replace the crank, con rods, bearings that's almost half of the cost of a new engine already, and I still wouldn't find my magical oil leak.

Does anyone have any suggestions where to get a new W11?

I've come across the ones at Way Motorworks
http://www.waymotorworks.com/r53-coo...ck-engine.html but it sounds like they don't ship to Canada (I have a call into them, but haven't spoken directly yet)

If I remember correctly Mini told me the new ones from them come with a 3 year warranty. If I get one from Mini and install it myself, do you think the warranty would still be valid?
 
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Old May 17, 2012 | 12:31 PM
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You would probably have to get it installed by a certified mechanic (assuming you aren't one).
 
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Old May 18, 2012 | 04:51 AM
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Yup, not certified, but capable.
 
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Old May 18, 2012 | 08:15 AM
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may i ask where the oil leak is coming from?
 
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Old May 18, 2012 | 08:43 AM
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You might consider spending a few $$ with a mechanic before tossing a different motor in a car...
You looking for a new, rebult, or servicable used motor?! Stock or with ertras?!
 
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Old May 18, 2012 | 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by miles_miles7
may i ask where the oil leak is coming from?
Unfortunately I don't have an answer for that. There was no evidence of a leak. No smoke, no drips (and apparently no oil) that's why I say it was magical. For all I know the dealer forgot to put oil in, but seeing as I didn't check their work I can't be sure.

I've found other cases of magical leaks like this around the interwebs, but yes I'm the idiot who didn't check his oil level every week.
 
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Old May 18, 2012 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by ZippyNH
You might consider spending a few $$ with a mechanic before tossing a different motor in a car...
You looking for a new, rebult, or servicable used motor?! Stock or with ertras?!
I've spent the money with the mechanics already and everyone is recommending a replacement engine. As I mentioned the bottom end alone is approximately $2500 and the leak has not been found.

At this point I don't want to put up with a used engine's leaks or issues and would like a new one.

Stock is fine.
 
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Old May 18, 2012 | 08:52 AM
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$4,800? Might as well part the car out, and start over.

You can get an R53 for $7-8k these days...If the engine costs you more than $2.5k, it's not worth it IMO.
 
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Old May 18, 2012 | 09:05 AM
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When was your last trip to the dealership for an oil change? If they didn't put oil in it, they should be replacing your engine.
 
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Old May 18, 2012 | 09:27 AM
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Since new/dealer remanfactured motors are so $$, i would not go down that road....
A good running motor from a low mile wreck would easily save you enough to worry about any issues in the future...the fact a motor procured this way usually has all the extras...so you will have sll of yours for spares...and you are reasonibly good home mechanic could save big $$ longterm...
A compression check on any used motor would be a go/no go imo.
Waymotorworks might be an option....but international shipping can be a big issue...so have a freind in the us to ship it too? The drive home with the motor?
But i think a more local motor (even yours rebuilt) might be a much better option $$ wise if you a a second car...or rebuild the used block....
Simple fact is bmw/mini charges a mint for new internals...so used running motors are a better option for most, espically since in a real sense you have a used motor now.....
Good luck!!
 
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Old May 19, 2012 | 08:35 AM
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How about this low mileage example...

http://britishautocenter.com/?id=1501

How about the engine out of this? Only 9451 miles on it- it hadn't even had plates put on it yet! They're down the street from me. I don't know what they want for it or how much shipping would be. They might be motivated sellers- they recently put this car on the local craigslist under "auto parts" so maybe they are looking to shift some of their inventory.

Val
 
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Old Aug 22, 2012 | 05:45 AM
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Try the haynes manual as it usually has all the specs for each car......
 
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Old Aug 22, 2012 | 07:08 AM
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i know how you are feeling, and going through. i had almost the same issue with mine.. but the difference is that it had oil, but the oil pump was faulty. it was working sometime and then it wasnt, and then again it was... since i live in croatia, the only solution for me was to rebuild the engine, cause, i cant get a rebuilt engine here nor does the dealer sell one. If i wanted to buy a used engine i would have to give around 2000 EUR, or more. But then i thought, i didnt want to buy an engine for which nobody can guarantee that it will be fine and work properly, u know, high mileage and so on...
One bearing cracked. The engine was working, but you could hear the rod slamming the cylinder... anyway, to make to long story short, there were no replacement bearings for a machined crank, so i had to buy a new crank, new bearings, piston rings, rods, oil pump, gaskets.... the parts were expensive, but then again i knew what im buying.

http://www.bmwetk.com/parts-catalog/.../2002/06/48020

have a look here, and try to sum it all up. I suggest that you buy the parts, but take the car to a mechanic which will guarantee for his work, so if anything fails you will be able to fix it on his cost.
one thing that annoyed me is that if i wanted to buy a rebuilt engine, i had to send mine to UK and wait for the rebuilt one to come back. they were asking around 3000 pounds i think, but the engine is like 300kg heavy or more, and i havent had the money to pay the transport to england, and i sure didnt want to pay the transport price twice. so i repaired my car at a local mechanic, for like 23000HRK which is around 3800USD.. but at least i know that everything is new. The prices on the link above are quite acurate +/- few dollars. Hope everything goes well
 

Last edited by mini cro; Aug 22, 2012 at 07:10 AM. Reason: spelling
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Old Sep 8, 2012 | 06:07 PM
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I'm in the final week of my rebuild. I wasn't able to buy a crate from any vendor (a curse being Canadian apparently)I've upgraded here and there and changed or cleaned a bunch of other parts since I had the access (power steering pump is much easier to access when the engine isn't there).
Wednesday is the first day for the install. I'll update when it's all done.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2014 | 01:26 PM
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It's been two years. How'd the engine rebuild go? :-)

I have a question about piston ring gap - how did you orient the ring gaps? 180 or 120 degrees? I can't find any specs.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2014 | 03:29 PM
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Yes, indeed: two years. I had a builder do the engine. I don't have the specs sorry. Building an engine like this is not an easy task.
 

Last edited by jamez; Jul 15, 2014 at 03:34 PM.
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Old Jul 11, 2014 | 05:54 PM
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Wow, what an ordeal. Do you remember what the first rebuilder did wrong?
 
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Old Jul 12, 2014 | 03:34 PM
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I sure do; I have it fully documented. lawyers were involved; I'm not discussing it.
 

Last edited by jamez; Jul 15, 2014 at 03:33 PM.
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Old Jul 13, 2014 | 08:16 PM
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I have a new(?) or factory rebuilt 2006 Cooper S Engine, still wrapped and in the factory wooden crate. Sportpop
 
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Old Mar 11, 2025 | 10:45 AM
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check the supercharger. My mechanic was about to fix the crank seal and new tensioner when he decided to do a compression check and due to the supercharger oil coming through the intake manifold noticed small shavings when doing the compression failing supercharger leads to low power and misfire. First time I heard of a supercharger going bad, but guess my las mechanic didn’t completely reseal the charger and now I’m looking to replace the motor. They aren’t cheap.
Originally Posted by jamez
Unfortunately I don't have an answer for that. There was no evidence of a leak. No smoke, no drips (and apparently no oil) that's why I say it was magical. For all I know the dealer forgot to put oil in, but seeing as I didn't check their work I can't be sure.

I've found other cases of magical leaks like this around the interwebs, but yes I'm the idiot who didn't check his oil level every week.
 
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