Hello all.

Last week i bought a 2008 Mini Cooper S for my daughter. It has 38 k miles and its an automatic

Last night which was probably the first hot restar but it started and died 3 times before it stayed on. No lights or any thing. Latter we took it out and same thing.

Anything typically for this?
Thanks. Phil

 

Any idea if battery has ever been replaced on this 8 yr old machine?

 

Do you know any other history of the car?
The early gen2 n14 motors unfortunately have a host of issues that can crop up...
Some related to carbon issues with the motor being an early direct injection implementation (typically carbon), or the HPFP (there is an extended warrenty/recall) getting weak...other item include timing chain issues, and even PCV issues.
Since the miles are so low, I might suggest you check with a local MINI dealer, see if you can get the info for you VIN# pulled, and get a service history, and check for any open recalls.
The n14 motor was loved by many due to the ability to tune the ecu for extra power through the odb2 port...this had the unfortunate result that many folks hurt motors pushing them a bit too hard, or seriously shortened their life.
Thecn18 motor, was introduced a couple years later, and largely solve many of the above issues.
For so.e people. The car you found with low miles is a real find....but for some it might be a large burden..
..do keep a eye on the oil level...many n14 motors can burn COPIOUS amounts of oil, and still be ok...sometimes 1 quart every 1000 miles...and with a 5.5 quart capicity and a 10,000 mile oil changes interval, you can see the issue....part of the timing chain issues were attributed to running low on oil...the newer versions of parts anyways...older ones just plain stretched.

 

Depending on the vehicle integration level it could be a software(dme) concern. I can't remember the exact date or SIB but there was a concern with hard start after a hot soak(more then 108C) causing a vapor lock in the fuel system. If you wait some time after shuting it off, 10-15 minutes or so, is the hard start still present?

I wouldn't lean towards a HPP or carbon build up for a hot start concern, very unlikely.