I'm thinking of picking up a 2009 mcs with 9k miles but from what I heard there are some major changes in the 2011 that i wont benefit from.

can someone give me a brief list

toodles!

 

Well I had an 08 and it is definitely different compared to my 11'. I love my new MCS by far! The interior has a little bit redefined. I didn't have the whole glove box refrigerator when the A/C is on, in my 08'. Also the stereo is a bit different with the black look standard and some of the stereo toggles a little bit different. I also have many different colors for the interior lighting compared to my 08'. The gray trim parts are eliminated throughout the car in the new 11+ with the black trim replacing it(looks GREAT, all my friends compliment it, wish they had it on their R56). The exterior front bottom lip looks more aggressive in my opinion with the vents standard in black(can get the chrome trim vents). The back tail lights are LED lighting...looks sweet with the chrome look compared to my old tail lights with the yellow and red. Also the rear bumper has a little redefined fog light/reverse parking light assembly. Also the 1.6 liter N18 engine receives a new 184 horsepower compared to the N14 engine(07-10) has 172 horsepower. I think I touched on the main stuff but others might chime in too. Good luck on your decision.

 

I am in the same boat. Only thing holding me back from purchasing a 11+ is the lack of ECU tuning. You are stuck with the factory HP. With a 07-10 sounds like a RMW tune or a Alta AP will dust a stock 11+ MCS

 

Technically, there is a tune if you go to the N18 engine thread...they're about five different people who tune the 11+ but the only issue is you have to send out your ECU. Which I will be doing as soon as I get my FMIC sometime within September. I will be going with Bren.

 

Other than some silly cosmetic changes (many different colored interior lights, seriously? ) which I don't happen to think are improvements, you're not missing anything. Go with the low mileage '09 and you won't be sorry. Use the savings for a real tune (one you won't have to send your ECU away for) and other truly meaningful mods and you won't miss having an '11, except for maybe the higher car payments.

 

I will try to find that thread.

The beauty of an AP is you can return the ECU to factory setting for warranty repair. Correct me if I am wrong, but sending out your ECU will void your warranty? If you need to set it back to stock settings, you would have to send it out again, get the repair....then send it back?

If they had an AP I would be all over a 11+ model. Looks like I might just end up with a used 09-10 and deal with the carbon build-up/death rattle issues.

 

Buy the '09 and pocket the balance to spend it later on mods. A no-brainer.

 

here's a good review of 2011 changes

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/08/...omment-page-1/

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/05/...ines-in-depth/

 

I have owned an '08 and currently own a '12. Your comments just don't seem very true. The n18 engine is an obvious improvement over the n14. Not only does my new car have more power, but the fuel economy is much improved.
If you are a mod nut, whatever, but please don't underestimate the improvements on the new n18. You are not doing the OP any favors by ignoring the improvements in the '11 models.

 

+1 carbon build up happens a lot with the n14 engine unless you seafoam to prevent it. If not. off to the dealership for walnut blasting. Sports button is also a cool feature. With more burble in the exhaust. And stiffer steering and better throIttle response when pressed. I don't recall if 09 has them.

 

The other improvement that I forgot to mention is the steering correction for torque steer. In 1st and 2nd gear this is a tremendous improvement. After owning an '08 and now owning a '12 I can testify to the benefit of this technology.

 

The torque steer correction can be programmed into the earlier series two cars by the dealer, it costs about $125.

Dave

 

Sport button was available in 09, so no difference there. Another change is a better clutch in the '11.

Agree with dpcompt, the changes from 09 to 11 are significant, not just cosmetic changes as suggested. Do yourself a favor and read the Motoringfile articles cccplus provided.

 

I would like to see a quote from Mini Dealers in Northern Cal. Our oil and filter changes at the dealers are $120 and up.

 

Oh and by the way, at 6100 miles, I have had nothing wrong with my car and the oil dipstick ( that I am not supposed to be able to read ) has showed at 1/2 since 1000 miles. After break in, oil consumption is NIL. These new N18 Minis are super cars, just like the '05 and '06 models.

 

On the N18 models, the sport button on has the "pop and burble" feature.

 

Anyone know what to tell the dealer what to program? Can you do this with NCSExpert?

Thanks!

 

Pop and burble... Sigh...

 

What exactly is the pop and burgle sound?

 

burble*

when the sports button is pressed, example:
add a down pipe back exhaust= orgasm :P

Or delete the resonator and 2nd Cat and you will get this sound. i believe the guy is a member here.

 

You would ask the dealer to update the car's software to the latest version. The torque steer fix cannot be applied separately and would be part of a full update. However, some dealers may refuse to do an update except to fix a "real" problem (torque steer doesn't count), because they sometimes have trouble updating software (can take hours and several tries).

 

If I recall the 11 N18 engine finally had the death rattle issue nailed. I would not buy a N14 unless the dealer could produce the paper showing the timing chain tensioner had the full fix applied to it and was willing to back that up with additional warranty.

Myself, I'd go N18.

 

My 08 S ate oil likes its job. My 2012 has about 13k on it now so far oil consumption is none or very little at all. I made my own oil catch can and it is basically empty after about 7k miles with it on.

The n18 is a much better engine overall in my opinion. Better mileage, more power and slight cosmetic improvements.

 

Like any used car, it depends on the cars themselves being compared. I have an 08, and like it a bunch. I drove a 12 coupe, and missed the additional power from my AP. My computer was updated recently and has the torque steer correction. The AP makes the torque steer come back. I really like the checked gray trim in the 08, but I can see where the 10 and up looks classier with the piano black trim.
To me an 09 with 9k miles on it deserves a closer look. The car is still under warranty, so the timing chain, HPFP, and other issues can potentially be taken care of under warranty. I would think that adding an OCC would help keep the carbon in check.
I would agree that the N18 is an upgrade, in technology and (hopefully) durability over the N14. I would not be suprised if this results in greater fuel efficiency with the later models.
If the OP is looking at used cars, I would reccomend looking at all cars within the price range. If a high mileage 2011 and a low mileage 2009 were available, I would think that either car's condition would be more important than the engine only.
JMHO.

Have fun,
Mike

 

FYI...my timing chain was fixed as part of a TSB 6 months ago without ever showing a problem. Check the service records on the '09 but the car should be fine.