Hey guys it's been a while but I'm looking to get back in the saddle of an R56 or or possibly clubman. This one has 95K miles. I haven't looked at it. What are your thoughts on price, condition and miles? My concern is as it approaches 100K miles, am I going to have to do major mechanical overhauls? And if the turbo blows, what kind of price am I looking to replace it? https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ctd/d...117422215.html

My buddy has a 2009 Clubman S for sale for $6500. He said he's just replaced the turbo and brake rotors, but it has 132K miles on it. He also said he's overhauled the head. He's a car guy and I have faith in his work...

Any thoughts? I appreciate your time.

 

Both cars have the N14 engine. So in either case I would try to find service records showing that the timing chain, high pressure fuel pump, and/or thermostat were replaced recently. Those are the high dollar issues that tends to come up in the higher mileage range of those engines. Also be prepared for either to drink a bit more oil than your current/previous Minis.

I assume that if your friend did work on the head of his Clubman that would include doing the timing chain, so that's one down and it's the most expensive of the 3 parts I mentioned. The thermostat isn't a huge deal if it starts leaking, just make sure you check it every so often. The HPFP dies more or less randomly and is expensive as a part but isn't hard to replace as far as labor, an hour at the most.

 

My thoughts ?
Genuine friends hard to come by, most folks can count them with three fingers.
It's not an LCI engine like your 2013.
Personally, I wouldn't touch it with my friend's 10 foot pole.....esp if you value your friendship....
Let it die a peaceful death.....

 

I’m a third owner of an 09 clubby s, has 144,000 on it and it has no issues. My n14 purrs, runs strong, but it does burn oil. I check it every time I get gas along with emptying my OCC.

 

I have known more people become non-MINI people because they decided to buy a used R56 S with the N14. It is not a good design. Most have issues, expensive ones, research on NAM. Also see a well respected MINI mechanic’s summery:
https://www.crookedrivergarage.com/s...-MINI-Market-1

 

The market is so flooded with 07-12 mini’s, with a lot of them being priced 4000 to 8000. This price point does tempt buyers who are looking not to be just another Honda owner. My test drive is what sold me on mine. Then the hours spent reading on this forum has led me to be as **** as I am about the oil, and just in general checking things under the hood. I must be a lucky one, the car fax on my was pretty ridiculous and the first owner did everything at dealership, 2nd owner used dealership for big ticket things and the oil changes, which were done right around 5k, and were all documented by what appeared to be a Euro shop. With this being said, yes I would buy another, but if you are looking for a car that is low maintenance then a mini isn’t the car for you.

 

I'd like to add, just because a 'euro shop' or the dealership has done the work doesn't mean you're in the clear. The second Mini I've bought was advertised as having all this, with a stack of receipts you would not believe. I tow the car home, it's a basket case. If your buddy the car guy is good at what he does, that's the Mini to have.

 

That was a great read, thanks Colin. I didn't realise the N18 was only on the R56 for 3 years from 2012 to 2014. I remember ordering my 2013 and getting in just before the gen 3 came out and thinking thank god because I didn't want a gen 3.

I wish I still had my '13. I sold it as I lost my job and decided to keep my other vehicle, a pickup truck as I was planning on using it for work. What a mistake.

 

Thanks guys for your replies. I think I'm going to take the general consensus and pass on the N14 engine. I don't have the expertise (and more importantly, time and patience) to be jacking with a broken car in my driveway.

"Let it die a peaceful death". That has a ring to it.