I'm shopping for a used Second Gen R56.

In doing some reading on the internet, it seems as if the '07 is more prone to engine issues (chain tensioner failures, cold start issues, etc.)
Have there been design changes/fixes to the 2nd gen R56 power plant (1.6L Prince turbocharged I4) from '07 to Present?

In short, are there certain model years I should stay clear of?

 

As far as I know, the MCS engine was unchanged from 2007 to 2010. I just recently purchased my 2008 MCS, so I do not have a lot of history with the MINI, but as far as I know there is no one year that was worse/better than the others. Basically just cross your fingers that the previous owner took good care of her and that she was not a "Friday car"

 

Yeah, 07, 08, 09, and 10. BMW tweaked the engine's mechanicals to include full Valvetronic for the '11 motors, so the jury is still out. And given all my engine issues with my 09, too numerous to list here, I cannot recc these cars to anyone.

however, If U still want a used one, try to get a low mileage 09 or 10 with the balance of the factory warranty; at least y'll still have some protection. good luck.

 

2010... 15k and no issue... modded aswell

 

... or buy a used 07 - 10 justaCooper... none of the timing chain/fuel pump/cold start/carbon buildup etc. issues, as those seem to afflict only the "S" models.

My '08 Justa has had (fingers crossed....) no mechanical issues at all in around 35000 miles. It's had a couple of very minor things, put right by my dealer. Excellent ownership experience so far.

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Thanks all and the best of luck...

Looks like I'm going to wait for BMW/PSA Peugeot to get thier engine JV right before I buy a MCS. Here's to the 3rd Gen MCS.

 

the 3 cylinder engine that will be used in the 3rd gen car will be BMW's own design and manufacture, with no other involvements or partnerships.

 

wise choice

 

I love my MINI, but I find it hard to recommend one to anybody. One of my friends who had her heart set on one quickly decided against it due to the many problems I had and the problems her brother in law had. Yeah when Ferny works correctly and I don't have to pay to have something fixed it's a great car, but if I had to do it all over again I would have kept my STi.

 

Best advice is to pick another car. Even if you have warranty you should count on having a lot of free time to go to the dealers to fix engine problems. I have 44K miles and thinking of selling it before the warranty runs out or get the Mini powertrain warranty only.

 

I'm at 27k with no problems that I didn't cause My car gets driven hard. My car rattles on chilly mornings though :(

For what its worth, Consumer Reports gave the 09 cooper S all green checks whereas two years earlier the 07 received numerous negative marks. 2008 models did show an improvement too but not as good as the 09s.

My advise, do some research. Cars break, not all of them are perfect. Decide for yourself if your prepared to take that risk and ask the seller for the maintenance history. Mini has it all on file surely.

I've never seen so many ppl bash Mini's on this site before!

 

Not recc an R56 is not bashing it. It's just the cold hard reality of a car that's a blast to drive, but has serious engine and other powertrain issues.

oh and y'd better get that rattle checked before yr. engine implodes on you. sounds like a tensioner, and if not addressed could lead to other major problems.

 

My girlfriend wants to buy a MINI, even after I have had several small annoying issues with mine. I keep steering her towards a Justa so hopefully that's what she will end up with if she wants to buy a MINI.

 

I had a pretty frank discussion with the shop manager at a MINI dealer when having some work done on mine and he flat out said "do not buy the turbo engine, lot's of problems".

Also he said they still have not fixed window motor issues, same thing on gen 2.

 

Im thankful all is good knock on wood. A person who works in my building has had a loaner for ever though and at an intermittent frequency so his car is never right. Out of nervousness i might pull the cover and make sure things are tight.

 

Ok, not bashing, I didn't realize how many ppl were experiencing issues. Mine has been pretty flawless besides that tensioner. It was really loud the other day too

 

Im on my 3rd tensioner--first experienced problems at 3500 miles--and this repiar seems to have FINALLY done the trick. So when U do take it in, make sure and have them check chain slack and install the latest and greatest redesigned tensioner from June 2010.

 

2009 MCS w/ 20k miles, - zero issues. In fact, it drives better and better. 100% satisfied MCS customer here.

 

2008 MCS with 36000 miles 6-spd. I have had several annoying clutch issues with mine (currently I have one but MINI tech could not duplicate .... ) I would like to sell it before the warranty ran out.... but hmm well I still love my MINI.

Wife's 2010 MCS has no problem so far except some rattles

 

2009 MCS w/ 20k miles, - zero issues. In fact, it drives better and better. 100% satisfied MCS customer here.

Wow....really andrew? I envy you! I have a 2009 MCS with nearly 19K miles and have had issues with intake manifold, warped chrome hood scoop, timing chain tensioner/belt replaced and now it's got to go in for a mystery CEL and loss of power along with a rhythmic thump from under the hood.

I am very, very nervous about the long term prospects of my baby ever being anything near trouble-free.

 

[quote ]2009 MCS w/ 20k miles, - zero issues. In fact, it drives better and better. 100% satisfied MCS customer here. [/quote]
Wow....really andrew? I envy you! I have a 2009 MCS with nearly 19K miles and have had issues with intake manifold, warped chrome hood scoop, timing chain tensioner/belt replaced and now it's got to go in for a mystery CEL and loss of power along with a rhythmic thump from under the hood.

I am very, very nervous about the long term prospects of my baby ever being anything near trouble-free.

 

Wow....really andrew? I envy you! I have a 2009 MCS with nearly 19K miles and have had issues with intake manifold, warped chrome hood scoop, timing chain tensioner/belt replaced and now it's got to go in for a mystery CEL and loss of power along with a rhythmic thump from under the hood.

I am very, very nervous about the long term prospects of my baby ever being anything near trouble-free.

 

IMO the number of people here with 'problems' remains a very small number of MINI owners. For every registered owner on this site, of which few are active, how many MINIs are out there?

Three kinds of people frequent sites like this one, enthusiasts who often drive the car hard, mod it and are very critical of any perceived malfunction; those who do work themselves so are looking for technical advice; and people with genuine problems looking for a shoulder to cry on. For every one of these I suspect there are 50 or more owners that never considered looking for a car web site.... are they ALL just living with major problems?

My 07 has seen the dealer for pre-paid maintenance and nothing else. If my 02 had been a POS I wouldn't have bought another . . .

But everyone is entitled to their opinion . . .

 

^ that's really encouraging to hear. I guess I am in need of a sort of "cheering up" , as lately my MCS has had several issues back to back. I admit these issues have led me to question my choice, although I do love the lil' thing.

 

I think that though we have a several reported problems (cold-start, HPFP, clutch, sunroof, carbon build up, etc) I really have no idea how representative forums like this are of the general populace. My gut feel tells me that we're in a minority and that the vast majority of MINI owners are happy campers. As MINI enthusiasts vs simply MINI owners, we're probably much more proactive in researching potential problems and fixes. And probably much more vocal too. We may have even been drawn to the the online MINI community due to some inital problem that we experienced.

Anyways as a cold-start survivor (1 year in remission), I can only hope my HPFP and clutch fair better.

+1 to what the Capt_bj said.