Have a 12/09 JCW with about 21,000 miles. Last Friday the car started suddenly misfiring as if running on 3 cylinders. Went immediately to my local Mini center and was told after investigation that the engine had major problems and to cut a long story short I needed a new engine.
Has anybody else suffered anything similar or am I the exception?

 

Details would help. "Major problems" can be caused by any number of issues, depending what the major problems are.

 

also, wrong section

 

When they checked the misfire, part of the metal bit of spark plug in cylinder n:2 was missing, then they discovered there was no pressure. When they dismantled the engine was told there were markings in cylinder 1 & 2, cylinder head also defective... They also thought there might be some problems with the piston rod. To cut a long story short a new engine had to be ordered. Was mainly interested if others had any major problem with the engine. The car was always fully serviced by main dealer and not abused...