R56/7 Mini Timing Chain Issue

[ShinyF1]

Mrs has recently bought a 2010 Mini Cooper from a Mini dealer - from what I read the death rattle/timing chain issue seems like a 'when not if' time bomb waiting to go off. The car has 50k miles and a full Mini service history and 11m of the approved used warranty.

Is it really as bad as that? Are there any stats on how many engines of the total run are affected? Is there a preventative regime I can use to minimise the risk?

I don't want to get unduly paranoid about this if there is no need.

Thoughts appreciated

[mike9009]

The timing chain issues only affect the R56 Cooper S engines. The Cooper engine is fine.

My Cooper S is 9 years old with 64k miles and has not succumbed yet....


Mike

[ShinyF1]

Thanks - that's a relief

[markirl]

Mike, are you 100% sure on that? My OH has been considering an R56 and I steered her away from the Cooper S due to the issues but more research indicated that the Cooper also suffered with same issue. Would love to find out I'm wrong!

[rigga]

Cooper s N14 engine suffered from poor cam chain tensioner issues, later N18 evolution of that engine has so far proved reliable
Cooper N12 engine did not have the same camchain issues as the N14

[duff]

What about the N16? Looking at a 2011 Cooper with 40k but not sure if timing chains are an issue with these?

[rigga]

Don't believe so, issue was specifically regarding the N14 BMW jointly developed with Peugeot/Citroen