Greetigns NAM members, new to the MINI world and looking to purchase my first clubby. It’s a 2010 S with 48K miles on it, private seller and I have a few questions I’m looking for feedback on before I close the deal. Looking at the service history of the car it has had EVERY major know issue that is common to these motors and they were all repaired under warranty within the last 10K miles. This includes timing chain, carbon build up, pulse generator, and even a cracked valve cover! My question is, should I be happy these have happened and have already been repaired, reducing my risk of them happening again? When this work is done is the work then warranted for any specific amount of time? When they do perform this work are the parts that are replaced reengineered to prevent these failures from happening again or due the just use the same designed parts that failed and I am sitting on a time bomb? Hoping for positive feedback because I REALLY want this car, but am not afraid to walk away from a basket case if that seems to be the consensus. Thanks for all the help and advice up front and hope to be a contributing member of NAM very soon!

 

I'd be happy that the issues were dealt with. Was the timing chain replaced or was only the tensioner swapped? Listen to the engine on a cold start. If it rattles and changes tone after driving a block, run away.

The carbon issue will come back unless you are taking long drives on the highway. A cold engine with short trips = carbon, a hot engine in the 3-4K prolonged commute = minimal carbon.

The parts are not updated. The only updated part I know about is the water pump from plastic to metal housing.

 

Chain and tensioner were swapped and I commute an hour to work each way While I don't want to rack miles up on this car I would prob drive it at least twice a week to work which is roughly 49 miles each way 95% highway.

 

I've put 60K on my 09 clubbie in under two years. Change your oil every 5K with full synthetic and check your dipstick every week. This car can eat a quart every 1K miles.

I do a lot of the maintenance myself... my labor is free. If you are OK with a car that needs love, buy it. Otherwise go for a Toyota or Honda. LoL

Welcome to the club.

 

Ha thanks, yes I am a motor head for sure! I have an scca legal Miata that I wrnech on just for giggle and an 01 540i that I am constantly fixing something on so no stranger to being under the hood! I'm pretty religious with my oil changes and maintenance items so that doesn't scare me off. Guess a test drive will be proof in the pudding, armed with what to listen for I feel pretty good I could make that assessment myself. Thanks for the feedback!