Hello all, Happy New Year,

I purchased a slightly issue laden R57S with an N-18 and am looking for some advice, primarily as to 100,000 mile maintenance.

I have experience with a previous N-14 R55S where I rebuilt the top end (timing chain, valve guides, cleaned the gumdrops masquerading as valves, etc). The car had 170,000+ miles and fifth owner so I changed out all sorts of stuff to get to a stable ZERO point for ownership.

After a bit I sold the car but picked up a project in waiting, R57. All seemed mechanically fine with the car. Previous owner "thought" the engine was toast so he sold it cheap. I figured I would drive it till it gave up the ghost but it hasn't. So as it just passed 100,000 miles (2012 vintage) I am thinking about serious items for replacement / maintenance on the car.

So here is a "so far" list :

1) Timing chain. Is the N-18 as problematic as the N-14? Should I replace it as a PM for the long term?

2) Automatic Trans fluid change:: I plan on a complete change fluid and filter but should I drain twice and try for complete as possible change?

3) FRM: I am on the "List" with MINI USA to "inspect" but dealer wanted nothing to do with it when I scheduled an appointment. I am getting some FRM issues but they poo-pood them. I get some taillight issues ( bulb errors with working bulbs, third stop light does not work after replacement, etc) Window work fine as well as all lights. I do have an problem with the paddle shifters not functioning but that is not an issue yet. I want to remove the FRM and check for water damage. I got a guy off Facebook that can repair/reflash the FRM but MINI wont cover the cost if it is bad (as I think) because I tried to get them to do it first so "they have to do the work".

4) Oil filter housing gaskets: It appears my N-18 leaks like my N-14. Is this normal? I plan on getting this done but wonder how much attention to pay to it in the future.


Error codes I have gotten are:

Taillight: A8BA, A8B3 A8BC, A8B7 and 9CBB
Center Light: A8B7

Thanks for any recommendations,

Dan in NJ

 

If I am understanding correctly, all your lights work except the center brake light. If you clear all of the FRM fault codes, do all of them return? Did you try replacing the center brake light?

 

Thanks for the reply.
All lights work but OBD reader says there is a light fault.
Center light did not work before replacement. Does not work after new light.
I do clear the faults and they do return. Multiple attempts, same result.

 

Is the R57 on the official FRM recall? If so, I would push hard on Mini to perform the “work” for the recall. My local dealer didn’t want to do anything on my R55 either, but I was selling the car so I didn’t push too hard. It is a recall, so they have to do it. If the dealer pushes back, I would give a call to Mini USA. Escalate.

As for the timing chain… Is the engine showing any signs of timing rattle? If taken care of, the N18 can be reliable, but not knowing all the maintenance history, you are right to be skeptical. What were the symptoms that made the previous owner want to get rid of the car? My R55 with early N18 engine went for over 200k miles on the original timing chain parts.

might be a good idea to get the filter housing gasket taken care of. The N14/N18 engines don’t like running low on oil…

This site is a good resource for service planning stored DTC codes:
https://bmwfault.codes

 

Thank you for clarifying.

Your FRM appears to be in short circuit protection mode due to a short in the center brake light circuit. Your replacement of the center brake light may or may not have fixed the short. If you have a scan tool capable of (1) reading live FRM data for the center brake light and (2) performing the "Special Function > Line Short Circuit Of FRM Reset", then you likely can fix the FRM problem yourself. This likely explains the dealership's reluctance to honor the FRM recall.

 

Thanks for the reply.
As for the dealer, they stated with emphasis "this is not a recall it is advisory for inspection". Inside MINI of Edison was a total reversal of the discussion on the phone setting up the appointment. A call to MINI USA was initialed to complain and the result was worthless as they also stated it is NOT a recall, They are well aware of the requirements of a "recall" so they back away from any phrasing. I will try again and push a little more.

Timing chain does not give any indication or signs of the death rattle. My R55 with the N-14 had 170k+ miles and did sound a bit off but the change was made due to the requirement of the valve cleaning / head rebuild. It was a start of my voyage into "Shipwrights Disease" with the R55.

As for reasoning to sell, the other guy stated the engine was toast and he could not do the rebuild. I said I can. He stated the compression was bad. Valve cover had Zero and 30 listed for two cylinders. During an inspection Car did run terrible but it could move on its own, forward and back, so I felt good about pulling the trigger. At a negotiated price of $ 1,000 I had money for any fix. First change was coils and plugs and as if by magic, nice steady idle and sounded great and had great power. So I just figured I would keep it until "it died" and I'm still waiting.

So far I think I am ahead but I am interested in long term ownership.

 

I had the letter in my hand that said "Recall" right at the top of the page, and the dealer still shrugged it off. I could have pressed harder, but I knew the car was going away. If you have the "Recall" letter in hand, I would press harder.

If the car runs fine otherwise, I would just keep moving forward with 5000 mile oil changes, and keep it on the road. If you're really feeling ambitious, maybe get a new valve cover and see what's underneath? (I would do new valve cover to refresh the PCV system)

 

Good luck with MINI/BMW and the dealership.
If by chance you get nowhere with them, having a scan tool would likely lead to a quick fix. You will need a scan tool anyway for the desired long term ownership.

 

You can enter your VIN here, and check for open "Recalls":
https://www.miniusa.com/owners/tools...bd8jnbiBxmYEOC

For example, here is the report for a previous car that was totaled:
https://www.miniusa.com/owners/tools...zg3c5xcty31971

And yes, even that site lists it as a "Recall". Regardless what the useless dealer calls it, it is a "Recall". If your VIN comes up as "affected", raise hell. If you get nowhere with Mini USA, give a call to the NHTSA and let them know of the unresponsiveness, If you download the sample letter, the contact information for the NHTSA is listed.