Mini Cooper ~2010

[wiliferus]

So, the OH wants to change her car. Long story which I won’t bore you with, she wants a MINI Cooper. She has ~£5k to spend, and wants a cream/white one.
I know enough about cars to know that generation of MINI had cam chain issues, but everything on line refers to the Cooper S.

She doesn’t want a Cooper S so that doesn’t bother me. But I can find very little info on line about the standard Cooper 1.6. Is that also a chain with the same issues?

Please don’t try and come up with better cars for the money, her decision is made. Her money so her choice. It’s just up to me to find the right car, which I think I’ve done, I just need to know what to look out for when we go and see a few.

Thanks in advance.

[Phil Dicky]

I think 2010 and newer had a mild engine update correcting the issues. Others will be along to confirm I suspect.

[mike9009]

There are a handful of reports of the Cooper also having an issue, but it is not as prevalent as the Cooper S.

I think the Cooper is pretty robust from all accounts. (I had a 2007 Clubman S which did not have an issue.....)

Mike

[Densetsu]

HPFP - High pressure fuel pumps are common failure on these. Circa 400-500 quid to replace. Lumpy idle, diesel-esq when sounding when cold is a early sign. It will still run, but will throw an EML. Intermittent acceleration which almost feels like massive turbo lag that cuts in and out when flooring it.

Timing chain tensioner is probably still the biggest issue, as mentioned.

Excessive oil consumption. About a litre of oil every 1000 miles is very common. Though hard to check this when buying.

I've also seen ones that have done lots of short trips and some mayo looking build-up on the oil cap. One would assume HGF, but zero coolant loss. Seemed after an Italian tune up (aka good thrash) it cleared right up!

Edited by Densetsu on Monday 23 September 11:01

[wiliferus]

Thanks all, good advice.

[CJ1]

As said above, on the Cooper S in mid 2010 they began using the better N18 Engine, over the N14 which has an awful reputation. You can normally tell these new engines as they are in the Facelift cars which have different front bumpers.