I am thinking about getting my wife a Mini Cooper manual shift, probably the justa model and not the S. Mainly looking at 2008 to present models and really do not want the sunroof.

I am trying to find out the reliability of them when used for daily transportation. Probably would put on 18k miles per year guessing.

From what I have found so far is as follows:

1. The cam chain tensioner is prone to issues on the S model, is this true as well on the justa model as well?

2. Read some information that I am suspect to. There is a vacuum pump that can fail without warning, and when this happens it is new engine time. Is this true and if so please explain.

3. Some sort of issue with the 2008 model in regards to the window motor needing a software upgarde. Is this a one time fix or does it need it more often?

Just trying to be informed enough to make a decision as to if I should buy one. When looking at used Mini's is there anything that should be looked at to determine its overall care?

Thanks
Matt

 

Matt,

1. Chain tensioner problems are just on the S models.

2. There have been reported cases of the vacuum pump failing, which in turn results in a catastrophic engine failure. jmo, but it does not seem to be a widespread problem.

3. Don't know. I've had no problems with my window motors.

fwiw, I have an MCS as a daily driver and do about 25k per year. I've had two "major" warranty repairs and a couple minor ones. Otherwise, the only money I've had to spend thus far has been on routine maintenance and wear items.

 

Matt

My wife drove an '07 MCS as her daily driver until it was totaled last month. ( not her fault) She probably averages about 25-30K miles a year.
Only once was the car towed. An engine temperature sensor failed and the car wouldn't start, and it was towed from our driveway.
The only "major" warranty issue we had done was the HPFP.
I change oil much more often them prescribed, but after owning, and driving, turbocharged motorcycles and cars as daily drivers since the 70's, I'll never be convinced that oil shouldn't be changed more frequently in a turbocharged engine.
To determine the overall care, look at the maintenance history. Cars you're looking at would still be under warranty with the dealer doing the maintenance if the seller lived close enough.
Have the seller provide you with the vehicle maintenance history as read off of the key fob.
Other than that look at it as any used car with a clutch:
Shift the clutch up and down through the gears and listen and feel it.
Take it to a parking lot and do hard left and right hand turns from a dead stop with the steering wheel at the mechanical stop. Any clicking, ticking, clunking from anywhere is a bad sign. Repeat the same with the car in reverse.

I just bought my wife a used 09 MCS with 25K on it. It's the first used car I've bought since 1981.
Yep, I'm that guy. I buy them new, but I also keep them for 10-12 years.

 

In regards to the window issue, it is just a software upgrade. Had it done on my 08 and now no problems. Common problem.

 

1. Only an issue on the S.
2. Not very common at all.
3. No problems with the motors for the windows, just buggy software. Typically a reflash with the latest software will take care of this problem. I had problems with this too for about 2 years till I got a software update.

 

I'm an unusual poster on a board like this. I've no complaints


My 07 bought new off the lot has never seen the dealer for anything other than scheduled service. I changed the brake pads to something that produces less dust and di the last (15,000) oil change myself as I'm now out of pre-pay service.

My GEN1 had a couple of issues, but it WAS an early first year car.

GEN1 cars did have an issue with poor window motors but I've not heard anything like that on a GEN2

On the other hand if looking for a low maintenance trouble free car for the wife the Honda Fit gets very high marks.

 

So what exactly does this vacuum pump do, and why does it result in engine failure? Does it give any advance warning before failure? I come from the world of small block Chevy's that the engine develops the vacuum.

 

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