Hi,
I have a 2010 clubman s with 96k, Unfortunately, I was "taken" by the Mini Dealer in Cleveland (Airport Mini) they steam cleaned the engine, it showed no rust and had a clean carfax. Three months later... I go to the dealer which now has changed owners. No familiar faces, I went to have the wipers changed, almost 2 hours later they call me back and say the car is a "death trap" not safe to drive. Head gasket is leaking, turbo feed line leaking, timing chain is going, etc... I will not bore anyone with the rest.. short version, I went for wipers, left with a 4k estimate, and they let me drive it off the lot. I have had it looked at, no "death rattle" but the water pump needs replaced, turbo feed lines need replaced, oil pan is leaking... I am told by a reliable and respectable mechanic that the N14 engine is not reliable, and I will continue to put money into it... I still owe on it, and have already put 2k in it in two years. (struts, tires, brakes and oil changes) I understand nothing is perfect, and I do scheduled maintenance. I realize that I can continue to "top off" oil and anti-freeze, but will it be worth it to have everything replaced if the engine can still go at any time?
Thanks in advance
Paddy

 

The main problem with the N14 is build up on the intake valves due to the PVC system and it being a direct injection engine. So every around 40 or 50k you will need to have it walnut blasted to clean the valves. I hear more frequent oil changes will help. I am not sure maybe some one els here can say. I would check and see if there are any recalls that need to be done. I think they had a vacuum pump and timing chain problem. I am mainly a Gen 1 guy, even though I own 2 Gen2 cars, one with a N14 engine. Detroit Tuned has a oil line replacement that is much better than stock I would use theirs.
http://www.detroittuned.com/detroit-...-oil-line-kit/

 

water pump, timing chain, turbo oil lines, and need for carbon blasting are all well known problems on the N14. (See the Gen2 FAQ) Also easily solved. Look at it this way - you have an 8 year old car, it needs maintenance. Granted, it's more than it should be and more than a lot of other cars from the same year or earlier. The N14 engine has a well deserved reputation for poor reliability, but with the necessary maintenance it can last a long time.

 

My Clubman, with the N14 engine, has been trouble free. I bought it new and it has only seen the dealer for its free maintenance period, The N14 engine is not a disaster waiting to happen.

Find a good independent MINI specialist and stay clear of the dealer. Here is a list of independent MINI specialists, find one near you and have them go over your car.

https://www.minirepairshops.com/

I suspect that the dealer you took it to was fishing for work and made up most of the problems they told you about. Your "reliable and respectable mechanic" is misinformed and you should stay clear of him too.

 

PaddyWagon:
Momentum Mini in Houston, TX told me my 2010 Clubman S needed over $8,000 of work done. They said there were oil leaks where there were none. Suspension parts that did not need replacement; etc. etc. In reality, only about $500. of this was needed; I certainly did not give them the opportunity to do even that work. That was 20,000 miles ago, and none of the issues they recommended have caused any problems or drive-ability problems.

I suppose they are fishing for a stupid, highly affluent person who will panic and trade the car in on a new Mini, thinking that they have avoided death and destruction. I have not, and will not go back to that dealership, nor recommend anybody else to do likewise.

 

If you are able to perform the "routine for this car" maintenance, the cost to own comes down significantly... you absolutely cannot let things slide or you will have a basket case. I am the original owner of a 2007 S (supposedly the worst year) with 105K... I have changed the oil at least bi-yearly regardless of the mileage or 5K whichever comes first... mine runs as smooth and strong as new and gets great mileage. Check oil often and top off. My current fleet of Honda, Toyota's, and even Chevy and Fords almost never need any oil between changes... NOT the Mini!!! A well oiled Mini is a happy Mini. Buy your parts smart... look for OEM parts from OEM suppliers or quality aftermarket where it makes sense... a part in a Mini/BMW box cost twice as much!! Good luck.

 

Not unusual for a dealer to provide a courtesy safety inspection yielding thousand of dollars worth of work. As stated, many times only a fraction of the work is truly needed and it just turns into a scare tactic. The dealer has nothing to lose, as the outcome of the inspection is one of three scenarios:
- You walk out not spending a dime. It's the worst case for the dealer and best one for you, but they have lost nothing.
- You get scared and get the work done. The service writer gets a bonus for an up-sell at exorbitant dealer labor prices.
- You get scared and trade in. They win because the trade in is low since the car needs so much work, and they have you bent over a barrel on the new car negotiations. I think the service guy still gets a kickback of some sort.
20 plus years of BMW and MINI experience says find a MINI independent you can trust, stay away from the dealer once out of warranty.