After weeks, days and hours of looking, I finally found a great deal 110 miles away that I just could not turn down. two minis, one price

2009 MCS Manual with 85k Miles
2009 MCS Automatic with 78k Miles

Both have engine issues which should be straight forward to deal with. I'll post some pix as I go.

Super excited

 

Congrats and good luck

 

Thank you my friend...

I got few hours today to play with second one...The story I got from the dealer is that the vacuum pump seized causing the bolt to snap, sprocket to drop, chain to jump, and you know what...Well, it was true and I was expecting the worst, BUT.....only two valves bent...Sure I still have to take the head off, but at least I'm not dealing with lower short block replacement.

The second will be looked at tomorrow quickly to finalize my parts list and go shopping

 

Today was exciting...I started working on the first one. Got the valve cover removed and checked the timing. the dealer stated the engine was shot and needed a makeover or something deep....well...it needed nothing! the timing checked out fine, the battery was dead though, replaced the valve cover and gave it a jump, and started right away...I ordered a timing chain kit to get it serviced. Otherwise this thing was a real steal.

 

 

 

Thank you my friend...These deals don't always come by. I know two more people selling theirs for the same price as these two...I think once I flip one, I will jump on that one (it is in Maryland though)

 

Dealer obviously doesn't have the tech capable of dealing with this or it isn't a big enough payday to bother. Congratulations on another find!

btw - what is your background that you know how to fix these little beasts.

 

You could be right. They were at an exotic cars dealership. Maybe took them as a trade in for peanuts!

My background is non automotive. I went for electrical engineering in Philly. I found these babies easy to work on and less intimidating than my 95 legend or 06 A8 (awaiting engine rebuilds). I invested in the software needed and this forum to pretty much do anything. Lots of trail and error and investigation.

 

Wow double MINI deals!

 

Yesterday I started tearing the white one to service the cyl head. well...not till I got the last bolt, stripped and maybe seized! whoever did the work on it (not this dealer) must've over torqued the bolts and didnt even use engine assembly lube!!! i gotta wait for some extraction tools. hopefully they get it out.

 

It was a good feeling to get this bad boy out.

 

So the bolt is out, head is back in along with other parts. I thought the car would start just like the dozen ones before it. It didn't want to start and I'm getting a stubborn MAF sensor error. Replaced it with no luck. I even tried starting my countryman without the MAF and it started. That's when i know i have a bigger issue.
I narrowed it down to the engine harness. I have one laying around to try.

Fingers crossed!

 

Well....it went from fingers crossed to two thumbs up. As I thought, bad engine harness.