I bought my daughter a Mini base in 2010. The build date on the door plate is 04/10. It's an automatic transmission model. My first question is what type (designation) is the engine? It doesn't seem to be covered by the timing chain recall, and when ordering parts, most sites make you choose between pre 04/2010 and post, as if an engine change occurred mid year. It's also not covered by the terms of the timing chain recall/TSB. My main concern is whether I need to worry about this or whether the defect was corrected in this model.

My next question is what is the designation of the auto trans. It seems to be a 6 speed, not a cvt, and has a switch for "sport" mode, which is never used. It will also manual shift. I assume it's an Asisin model of some sort.

Thanks for any insight you guys can provide.

 

wrt the engine:

from: http://new.minimania.com/MINI_model_designations

Pre-Facelift Models - (2007 - thru Jul 2010 production ):
MINI Cooper (non-Turbo N12B16A engine)
MINI Cooper S (Turbo N14B16A engine)

Post-Facelift Models - (from Aug 2010 to 2014 production):
MINI Cooper (non-Turbo N16B16A engine)
MINI Cooper S (Turbo N18B16A engine)


The timing chain issue is associated with the N14 which you see is NOT your engine. If I'm wrong on this I'm SURE I will be corrected within 10 minutes!!

the SPORT button is BLING IMO. For others it adds 100 hp. What it really does is "re-map the throttle response". With 10 years of MINI ownership with SPORT button, I've yet to see a difference or reason for its being. And I KNOW this will raise the blood pressure of MANY .....

I'll leave the tranny issue to someone else 'cept to say you do NOT have a CVT. Have no idea if the manual shift (well, not really) ability was an option or a standard part of the auto tranny as I've not bought a car with an auto tranny EVER ... save the mini-van when the kids required one.

 

Thanks, also found a vin decoder that indicates n12, but of course there is a 2010 mini press release that indicates the base model engine changed in April 2010, with a minor torque increase, etc. You would think the specific engine model would be stamped/stickered on the car somewhere, but apparently not. Oh well, 68k miles and no problems, knock on wood.

 

I'm with the capn on this one. The only thing I've noticed with the sport button on our 2012 MCS auto is the shifting is a bit quicker and sooner...

 

if in doubt post a picture of the valve cover, someone will know.

 

Posted new thread above

 

I used to think SPORT more just changed the throttle calibration. But it does more according to at tech including:

It has to do partly with the Valvetronic positioning and partly engine timing. Basically the engine becomes geared more towards performance and less toward economy.
Throttle response is increased by opening the valves more through the Valvetronic system and increasing valve overlap and using more aggressive (and slightly wasteful) timing per the VANOS system.