I'm trying to determine what the best course of action is. There is a chance that the cylinder isn't scored and I simply need a new valve, however I'm not sure what work that would entail. I also don't have much other work put into the car other than maintenance and a few part replacements.

So far I'm thinking my options are:

• Sell it as is
• Fix it myself
• Get it fixed by someone else
• Install a completely new engine and not worry/spend time and money on an engine that's not worth it.
• Some other option I haven't come up with!

Very unsure of what course of action would be best and advice would be very much appreciated!!

 

depending on the mileage and options the car has. the head need to come off either way to assess the damage.

replacing a valve or all 16 is not that bad considering the work is only on the top end. also, while there, you get to replace the timing chain, turbo oil feed line, oil filter housing gasket, water pump pipe and other gaskets giving the engine another 100k more miles to go.

 

2008 probably has over 100K. If still OEM, probably needs rings. Gonna need a head gasket and gasket kit for head parts. If chain has over 50K miles, needs a chain kit. As MiniToBe says, turbo oil feed line and water pump pipe, if not previously replaced. Think about a new vacuum pump too. If it locks up, you lose an exhaust cam. Get costs for all these parts, add valve replacement costs --- parts and labor, then compare to book value on the car.

If you have the tools and ambition, pull the head and inspect for scored cylinder walls. Make decisions based on that. You can always sell the car with a disassembled engine, just be sure to "bag-and-tag" everything. Then DIY or an indie shop for labor costs. Personally, on a 100K miles engine, I wouldn't do rings without an overbore, to true the cylinders, but that's me!

It all comes down to how much do you like this car? Is it emotionally worth spending more than book value to repair? In my case, it was. I've spent ten times the book value on mine, but hey, what's the current price of a favorite toy?

More options ---
Part it out. 'Course that means it occupies space 'til everything is gone, which could take years.
Make it a local car club project --- save a couple bucks on tools and labor, and closely inspect everything done by others.

Final choice is yours, and should be based on personal goals, family desires, etc.

 

Early 2nd gen Mini get costly really fast after 120K miles. The economics are dismal for rebuilding the engine as it is truly false economy to attempt to just repair the head.

Most viable path economically is to sell/part-out/donate.

You did not say how many miles on it - that could change things if low miles...