I received the following response from a local mechanic: "The code you have is 287D which is the intake camshaft actuator. There are screens in the actuator that are missing and have apparently gone up into the engine. We have had some luck with replacing the actuator and it fixes the problem. It's about 4 hours labor and the parts are a couple of hundred dollars, that's about $750 with diagnosis, parts, and labor. If this does not repair the problem and the code returns, you are looking at having to replace the timing chain, adjusters, guides, etc. This would cost about $1850 (in addition to the $750 repair).

2009 Mini Cooper Base

I would appreciate any thoughts on the mechanic's recommendations and quotes.

 

outrageous numbers!!!
did they actually did the work? if not, take the car to another mechanic for a second opinion.
check this:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...code-287d.html

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/r...mshaft/FuW0XvK

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/r...mshaft/4SA875M

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/r...ontrol/FsoLOtm