Hello Gen 2 folks,
My buddy's looking at a 2009 Cooper S manual, what are the main items he should be looking for i.e. timing chain, leaks from where etc.?
Thank you

 

What mileage?
Any service history?
There are a litany of things that go wrong on these cars, but for an N14 equipped '09 S I'd be looking at timing chain as a main "feature" that can grenade an engine.
There are some videos around of the sound it makes when starting to fail.

Leaks from anywhere are a cause for concern. How many time have you seen a car for sale where they say "just needs an xxx sensor - cheap fix, but too busy to get it done"

How's the clutch? That's a fairly expensive repair too. How are your buddy's wrenching skills?

cheers
MacMini34

 

Thanks Mac, My buddy ended up getting a GTI instead.