2008 Cooper S 151,000 Still going strong. Just replaced timing chain assembly as a preventative. Going on original clutch. No major problems. Have done all my own repairs.

 

Wow, I'm not even at half your mileage but I'm still paranoid about the chain. I'm thinking of having it done just as preventative measure as well. How was replacing it yourself?

 

Pretty easy actually. As long as you have the correct tools, Some know how and a little patience! Keeping all the fluids fresh goes a long way!!

 

2012 Non S, purchased last November with 27,000 on it. Now have 33,500 and zero issues other than a sunroof rattle. Pulled up complete history on it and only repair was recall on factory oil filter housing. Tempted to get a 15, but this little guy runs great and is the perfect color-RED.

 

I bought mine used back in February (of this year). They had put old tires on it...it rocked like a **** once I hit 65...so I put on a set of YOKOHAMA YK580s for less than $350...a great deal in my book! I changed the oil immediately after Mobil 1! Just this past week I took her in for maintenance to VIC'S BIMMER SHOP here in Lancaster. He worked on my '90 735i up until I sold it! Since then he's added MINIs to his repertiore...so he did a 140,000 mile package on it...including valve cover, front brakes and rotors, spark plugs, both cabin and air filters plus a few minor things all for far less than I expected! I commute more than 100 miles a day r/t...so I'd rather play it safe than sorry! In a nutshell...no real issues! For the record, it is fast approaching 140,000...it had about 138,000 when I took it in!

 

Bought my 07 MCS used in July with 68k on it. I put new tires/wheels on it about a month ago. Just last week (@74k) I dropped about $2100 to replace the oil cooler and oil filter stand gasket (leaking), transmission fluid replaced, new air mass meter boot (cracked/leaking), and a new valve cover (faulty PCV diagram).

 

2013 MCS bought new, coming up on 27k miles:

• HPFP went out at a little over 8,000 miles.
• Needed 4-wheel alignment & 4 new tires a few months ago at my expense, thanks to the abysmal road maintenance in this area (potholes).
• Dealership replaced the driver's side door latch under warranty, stating that it was "noisy" (I didn't notice).
• I just discovered that both front fog light lenses are cracked; I have no idea why.

I'm happy with it overall, though -- just wish there was a dealership less than an hour's drive away.

 

2008 MCS - 120K miles.
-Replaced turbo pressure valve - Fixed kazoo sound at shut-off
-Replaced Valve Cover - Fixed PCS error code.
-Replaced serpentine belt. - Fixed belt squeal.
-Replaced ignition coils 4x. - Fixed cyl-2 misfire (did others for maintenance).
-replaced spark plugs. - Why not?
-Replaced water pump. - Didn't fix coolant leak.
-Replaced water pump feed pipe. - Fixed coolant leak.
-Replaced thermostat and thermostat housing. - Fixed more of the coolant leak.
-Replaced turbo oil line. - Fixed oil leak.
-Changed to Firestone Driveguard tires. Still run-on-flat rated. WAY better ride and much cheaper Than Goodyear Run-Flats. I highly recommend it.
-Replaced brake pads on rear. Didn't fix BRAKE warning light because there is a stupid sensor that needs to be replaced as well. Waiting on part.
Now, leaking oil again pretty badly. I think that the oil filter housing gasket is toast. Car is up on jack stands again. Calling around for a gasket. Such is life.
Most work I have ever done on any of my cars but I love this little beastie. It's fun and the awesome look of a Mini is indisputable.

I think I should become a Mini mechanic. I know my way around the Mini engine (R56) pretty well now.

 

here we go... bought my 2008 MCS with 86k, on august 18th 2015, now has 89k.
week 1: timing chain, tensioner and guides replaced(dealer) worn out
week 3: oil filter housing gasket, oil feed lines, thermostat housing replaced(dealer) oil and coolant leak
week 4: all 4 coils replaced(dealer) misfires galore
week 6: coolant pipe between themo housing and waterpump replaced(by me) leak
week 7: timing chain rattle is back so it needs to go back to the dealer for that

still needs done: passenger front wheel bearing, water pump is leaking, and the intake valves are in dire need of a walnut blasting........... nothing like spending $4k in the first 2 months of ownership because i didnt buy a warrenty, with another $1K-$2K that still needs done..... id much rather have spent that money on go fast goodies! but i love this car so its turned into a credit car maxing labor of love lol

 

Can you not buy an extended warranty somewhere else?

I bought my 2011 MCS with 52k miles on Sept 5th. A little over a week after purchased I had to take it in the dealership and they replaced the thermostat and coolant (used dealer paid) and 2 days later took it in again because car wasn't accelerating. They replaced the clutch (used dealer paid). USAA, bank that I financed the car was offering a comprehensive extended warranty. I paid $2,700 for 3 years/36,000 miles. Now the car is back in the shop but this time at mini dealership to get oil filter head gasket and solenoid valve replaced and USAA (Assurant) comprehensive warranty are paying for it. It has only been a week that I purchased the extended warranty and it came in handy for sure! This would have cost me just a little over 1k and mind you used car dealership already spent 2k on repairs.

 

2009 JCW 84K miles (extended maintenance just expired)
High pressure fuel pump (replaced under warranty)
Thermostat housing replaced ( I had to pay for that one, like 5 miles over the warranty, nice)
intake between MAF and turbo inlet cracked, replaced with Forge Silicone (I paid)
Blow off valve failure (I had too pay)
clutch failure at 70K (replaced under extended warranty, no problem, but I was sweating bullets while it was in the shop)

to do list:
water pump is leaking
oil filter housing is leaking.
needs a walnut shell blast on the intake valves to restore mileage

 

2011 Mini Cooper S (2nd owner, purchased 5Sep15 bought w/ 51k, bought extended warranty 3y/36k)

3/12 Water pump
9/12 Clutch disc, flywheel
4/15 Thermostat
7/15 Battery, Fuel Injectors, Spark Plugs, Valve cover gaskets
9/15 Thermostat, coolant (Used dealer warranty)
10/15 Clutch, flywheel (Used dealer warranty) oil filter housing gasket, solenoid kit (Extended Warranty) :-)

 

40k miles, 5 years, Timing Chain set, decoke, valve cover, that's it...

 

Damn someone should make a list of the common stuff.

Thermostat Housing 18
Timing Chain 8
Water pump 6
High Pressure Fuel pump 5
Valve Cover 5
Chain Tensioner 5
Oil Filter housing 4
Turbo Oil Line 3
Turbo 2
Turbo pressure Valve 2
VANOS 2
Coolant Temp Sensor 2
Oil Pressure Sensor Unit Seal 1
Engine replacement 1

 

2010 MCS R56 Timing chain under warranty, New Motor at 53K Vacuum pump failure. 6 speed auto at 65K, had started drain and fill service at 53K with Royal Purple Full Synthetic, 3 full changes. Breakage was internal differential not fluid related. Dealer picked up all but $375 for rebuilt short block. Factory rebuilt trans is $6,800 plus Labor to install and programming to car. I am looking to an independent shop for help.

 

2007 S with 104,xxx.

New control arm bushings
New sway bar end links
New engine mount bushings
New ball joints
New Xenon level sensor (rear)
New left rear wheel hub
New coolant tank, and hoses, new radiator
New valve cover and gasket
New thermostat and water pump
Timing chain/set
New plugs and wires
New MAF sensor and housing
Oil is Mobil 1 synthetic
Replaced springs with H&R
Various new bulbs (everywhere)

 

2010 MC with 178K

 

Wife's 2008 MCSa was bought new. Has 63k on it. Only thing done to it other than recalls was a water pump replacement. Replaced the tires @ 50k. Just bought the first replacement battery 2 weeks ago. I think the brakes will be next.

I was very hesitant to get the Mini for her due to the expectation that it would be very high maintenance. Knock on wood it has been very reliable so far. I change the oil and filter every 5k. Hopefully we will get several ore years of reliable service.

 

Based o my experience and the laundry list above, please get an extended warranty.

 

2011 MCS with about 50k miles.

Apart from maintenance bulletins and recalls, I've had to replace an AC line. I would argue that this is due to a design flaw. I posted about it here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...es-beware.html

Oil pressure sensor, passenger airbag seat sensor and arm rest replaced.

Windshield cowl replaced at around 40k. It's just a piece of plastic molding... that cost 75 bucks to replace! Unless your car is garaged all year, expect this to be a wear and tear item.

Boot lid grip failed at around 40k.

A coil is going bad.

Other than that, it's been pretty reliable! No serious mechanical breakdowns!

 

2009 Cooper S. 113,000miles

Have replaced the water pump twice. 1st. time was under warranty. 2nd time was on my dime.
Serpentine belt was replaced also.

Buncha stuff done under notices and campaigns.
Cracked Thermostat/coolant leak.
Water pump wiring harness was replaced.
Tensioner bolt
HPFP
Turbo oil line heat shield
There's a few more but I don't recall all of them.
It's actually been pretty trouble free. Only the serpentine belt left me in a pinch. I was in a cool Chinese restaurant though, so it was no biggie. Wife picked me up in the 2013 JCW
I also want to replace the timing chain as a preventative.

2013 JCW- 32,000
No problems as of yet. Just basic service and warranty items.
They replaced the HPFP last year because it was slightly stuttering. It tested good, but they replaced it any way.

2007 S- It was totaled with 80,000 on it in 2011.
HPFP was replaced
Water pump was replaced
There was also an ignition module that was replaced under warranty.

I do my own oil, brakes, and "easy-ish" PM's.
I just purchased a Ranger, BL-5000XL ,Quickjack, and they make things a lot easier. Especially wheel changes and tire rotation.

 

2010 mcs Hatchback. 75,000 mi.

Thermostat housing.
Valve cover.

Everything else seems to be ok.

 

Now at 81,000 miles. Thermostat and oil pressure solenoid replaced under my (purchased) extended warranty.

 

60,000 miles. Just replaced the water pump. Front brakes a while back.

 

2009 Mini Base, 21,000 miles. Bought 2 months ago.
Only issue was the drivers door window did not index on closing/opening door ... and then returned to half-way position when raised all the way up.
The local Mini dealer re-programmed window in about 30 minutes FREE of charge (way out of warranty and did not buy the car from them). Very knowledgeable crew there and get maint. parts for me real fast.
Ron