If someone asks me what I’ve done to the car, I think I’m a windshield wiper away from saying “everything!” Ha! Cracked my windshield last month. A legit hockey stick shaped crack down the middle. The repair company is so backed up but that will be on the list.
I own a 2008 R56 base MINI. Many serious problems with this model are because of improper maintenance. Thankfully, I ignored the company's recommended interval of 15,000 mile oil changes. Since new, I changed the oil every 3000 miles. Because of that, my car has been a gem, only needing routine service. If you looking to buy, try to find one with a good service record.
2nd gen mini coopers are a great first car. not because they are reliable but because you are FORCED to learn new things if you plan on being a dyi mechanic. so far I have changed my valve cover, replaced my timing chain, changed my spark plugs/coil packs and done my own brakes. the high mechanic price forces you to work on this car yourself. I own a civic 2003 and a 1991 corolla and I never realized how needy mini coopers are. It def gives you an appreciation for reliable cars like Hondas and Toyotas. I would go so far as to say that anyone that has a mini as their main driver and does their own maintenance. kudos to you. if you can survive this mechanical nightmare, its a very rewarding and fun car and it shows you can survive working on a normal car.
This is the only part of the new Mini that copies the original LBC's (Little British Cars). I bought my 1962 MG Midget in 1968. Withing a year, I learned more than I ever thought I would ever know about automobile mechanics. If you had an LBC and you weren't working on it, it meant you weren't driving it. Being a poor college kid, I couldn't afford to take it to the garage. On the positive side, I know a lot about mechanical issues with cars and I still love working on them.
Timing Chains and Chain Guides are a notorious issue for the N14 turbo engine from 2007-2011. 2012 and newer N16 turbo engines did not have this problem anymore. The naturally aspirated version from all years also seems to be unaffected by that as well. Coil Packs are also very common, but pretty minor. Cooling systems too, like every other Euro car out there. They're a pretty solid, and insanely fun vehicle otherwise. Use 5w30 or 5w40 oil as opposed to the recommended 0w30 and 0w40, the seem to run a little better and not consume oil running the thicker weight. And keep up with the maintenance, and it can last a long time. Knew a few people who got over 200k miles out of their R56/R57 Minis with very few repairs.
You missed THE #1 issue for 2007-2010: massive oil consumption (like a quart/1,000 miles) which leads to oil starvation and the timing chain guide and chain self-destruct taking the engine with them. Oh yeah, the check engjne light will come on then too! Invest in a Cravenspeed dipstick and monitor weekly. And buy 2011-2013 models which are slightly better (still monitor oil level weekly).
Actually no mention of this (a plague on the N14 block he's reviewing...) OR the premature timing chain failures that engine struggles with,.. kind of surprising. People are told to look for the faint sounds of a death rattle when inspecting these for purchase because of how frequently the chain goes.
I buy it 2 months ago, and notice on last moment the oil consumtion, luckly i think ther is no damge on chain, also got the sam old oil regarding to first problem, so i it's normal for 1.6 gasolin with 122hp to consump a oil, is ther some solution to reduce oil consumtion, or fix it so there is no oil consuption at all?
I've had my 2007 Mini cooper r56 base for 5 months and I bought it at 119k miles and I've put 5k miles on it. So far I've replaced the spark plugs, one of the ignition coils, and other small things like the windshield washer hose and blinker bulb. I took it to a mechanic to have it inspected and he recharged the a/c because it wasn't working. I didn't even know because it was during the winter lol. I already bought a valve cover gasket but I haven't gotten around to changing it and I'm also going to replace the rear shocks when I get the chance. My mechanic will replace the timing chain when I get the money but it's not too bad right now. My car is also an absolute oil guzzler lmao. Besides that, it's been an amazing car and I got a great deal on it. I wouldn't trade it for anything
I have a 1.6s 2008 70k on the clock. This is the worst car I've ever had. Constant breakdowns and bills, more bills and more breakdowns. I absolutely loved driving this car. Shame they put a Peugeot engine in it. It's outside my house rotting away now, yellow engine light on yet again for something new. I can't be bothered to even take to a garage again. Only buy this version if you are a mechanic. I'll take the loss on the whole dam car.
High Pressure Fuel Pump another major issue. Yes...this was covered by warranty thanks to a class action lawsuit in the USA however in Canada it was not covered by warranty. This largely affects Minis with N14 engine (2007-2010).
Yes mine went on my 2012 JCW R58 at just 30k kms. For anyone planning on doing the work yourself buy your replacement from FCP EURO they're in America and ship worldwide. They offer lifetime replacement warranty on all their parts and their prices are amazing. I'm from Australia and it was half the price they asked for including the price to ship it! I bought my pump from them and the Mini is loving it. RU-vid videos available to help guide you.
‘12 S Countryman All4 80k got the fuel pump on order. I had a boat, once. It was a hole in the water I threw money in. This POS Mini I’ve had for 6 months is the same way.
2nd generation Mini owner here. The answer is simple: **Get a 3rd gen. Do not buy this car.** Seriously. Do not buy one of these disasters. They're cheap for a reason! You have been warned! I've spent over 3 grand on fixes in just the first year of ownership, and that's excluding tires and routine maintenance!
Ok so ? .. I have np replacing a water pump, gaskets, entire valve cover including helicoils from a bad mechanic replacing the covers. the biggest thing is how often are you seeing valve replacement as that is an Expensive repair not a cheap one and is that based mainly on the piss poor placement of those vvt ? or correct me if i am wrong were you speaking of the vvt valve itself and not the actual engine valves.. Love the look of these cars and always wanted one but heard so many bad things i steered away. The door latch issues i actually had with a 78 and 79 honda civic. Curious also does the S have the same issues as that is what i am actually looking at atm.
I kinda feel like these cars get a bad rap. If you are dealing with a car this old you are likely over 100K miles and most cars in this window are likely to have issues crop up. Mini sold so many cars in America at least that parts aren't that difficult to buy at affordable prices. The market is rich and Mini owners tend to want to keep their cars running. So, it isn't bad at all. Also, if all hope is lost on your current Mini there are enough of them sold that there is a ready supply of used Minis to purchase instead if you decide to go that route. Last, and these days it goes for all cars not just Minis, learn to drive a stick. Dealers have all kinda of problems selling cars with manual transmissions bc no one learns how to drive them anymore. You can easily find cars with stick shifts that have been on the lot for 4+ months and they will practically give them away.
Last year I bought a 2009 Mini Cooper R56 and it did give problems 😂 but, mainly because the previous owners NEVER gave proper maintenance. Last problem I’ve been dealing with is are idling issues. I was warned about them beforehand, but I really like my car and I want to give it the best care within my possibilities.
I’m a mini specialist and there are a few more things that are definitely common that you missed. Also, the door latch is not some thing that I think I’ve ever seen anyone have a problem with. I’m not sure what you’re referring to there. It needs to be mentioned to, that there are some parts that aftermarket parts don’t work. The thermostat being one of them, and coil packs being the other.
Top problem: Peugeot N14 motor, not that the N18 is all that wonderful, but a bit better. Really, 2nd Gens are not the best MINIs. I’ve owned quite a few MINIs and currently have a GP1, GP3, F57, and F60. Always skipped the 2nd gen due to all the problems they give. They’re money pits.
You are correct. Get a really good manual and many RU-vid videos and almost all projects can be done yourself. It's fun and much cheaper. I've never changed my oil before and bought a R56 with zero knowledge about this car and the timing chain went within 800 miles. I bought the tools and watched videos and did it myself. Saved about $2200 on that alone. Water pump was around $135 for Mini Gen. Saved about $800 for that.
Anybody can help with my Mini Cooper r57 2015 when put my fob in to start everything lights up radio and all that but I seems to take me either 2nd time to start or 7or 8 times to start it and I’m putting my foot right down to floor with clutch anybody can help be brilliant thanks
Bought a 2011 clubman S this past December. Dealer said there was no oil leak. End of January oil and coolant leak. Funny I’ve experienced the door lock problem roughly 3x’s unlocking& the handle won’t depress to open. Sounds like the cars going to fall apart hitting bumps. Not sure bushings, bearings or stabilizer bar however will be handled soon. I still Love this car so much. She’s a different specie.
2012 clubman S...worst piece of junk i've ever owned and has ever been made. almost bankrupted me. i needed therapy after i dumped that garbage can and i still have nightmares. folks...don't do it, just don't do it.
N18 mini....I have replaced vanos, diverter valve, spark plugs, thermostat housing, cross over pipe, t-coolant hose, chain tensioner, high pressure fuel pump. What I'm doing in the next month....passenger axle, left brake caliper(seized a little) and oil cooler for leaking. I change oil every 3500 miles and all this in 2 yrs. Don't buy if you cant fix, don't wanna fix because they need attention.
This advice is not engine specific. Everybody knows that the Cooper S of this generation is an endless money pit. What about the Mini One 1.4 95 hp? Despite the low power its still fun to drive. Any experience with long time ownership?
Thank you for this Mini Cooper video. I just bought a Used Mini Clubman off original owner. She is lovely. Well cared for. I am glad to learn about her. Thank you, Laura from NH😊
I have a mini cooper with 100k miles on the clock. So far I've had to change the valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, lower ball joints, inner ball joints, thermostat and housing, drop links, drive shaft and now the headgasket is blown 😳. All this in 10k miles. Most unreliable car I have ever owned. If you aren't good at fixing cars. STAY AWAY!
@@gidgettrophy ouch and main dealer prices will drain your wallet. This car suffers from over complex engineering. Littery the worst car I have ever worked on!!!!
Hi there, After 100k miles it is quite normal on any make of european car to actually replace such parts as balljoints or brakesystems, oil and all filter changes (at oroper intervals), and the mentioned gaskets apart of the actual valve gasket. Sadly as with other makes the mini also has some issues which are real manifactural or design issues! However, to go so far as to state,'keep your hands off if not a mechanic', is really over the top. These second generation minis are fantastic drives and very solidly built, I would even go as far as saying, 'german/anglo - high quality' manufacture. One big issue on all european manufactured cars is that they are built for europes, shorter, tighter and more compacted geography. U.S. vehicles were and still are made for long distance and more open terraine thus the huge engine capacities and the solid builds of the past. The two concepts, european or north-american are two completely different approaches to designing not only a beautiful style but also a reliable mechanical machine. Please just bare my comments in mind when shooting down ANY make, or type of automobile manufacturer. Adding to the above information is also the issue of sparepart manufacturing and the huge global business regarding sales of these parts.
Sorry and ine more issue to bare in mind is that you bought the mini 2nd hand and so depending on who the previous owner was and how that owner took care of the car. The mechanic who cared for the car must akso be considered. Was he a consiencious and good mechanic, did he always carry out the proper services at the right time and interval? If this wasnt the case well then this all could have lead to the major issues that you sadly have had to experience. Here in Europe it is known that the German people in general always take care of any vehicle they may have but especially their family car! Yes this is also the case in most other countries, however, with one difference, after the warranty and guarantees of a newly purchased car have expired the German will carry on really taking care of not only the cosmetics but also the mechanics of the car! How do I know this you may ask yourself, well thats quite a sumple question for me to answer. You see the german owned cars thus secondhand vehicles in general are very sought after by other european neighbours and so these vehicles after running here on german roads for so many years, three to six years approximately are then bought up 'privately'', or by huge resellers who travel i to Germany from; Poland or Czech, Holland and Belgium, Estonia, Latvia and Ukraine (many other country), the 2ndhand cars are transported via car transporters back to their new homeland and then sold on to a potential new owner. Ok so mich information for a maybe better understanding of theeuropean used vehicle trade. I hope you don't find my explanation too boring and not of interest. I guess you folk in the U.S. also have some similar issues regarding the mexican border and trafficking of vehicles also????
So my 2013 convertible S drivers side door is hard to open from the outside. The handle is hard to squeeze, is this the handle or he latch? Or both? And would lubricant help? Also there is a crackle in my large speaker in the passenger side door. The plastic mesh that covers it is cracked. Could the cracked cover be causing the crackling or is it a blown speaker? I have the Harmon Karden sound system.
Hi i have 2013 mini cooper r56. I have one question. recently i changed thermostat housing in car and i noticed there is white cream things in engine oil cap but that thing was stick there for like ages dont know when it appear. One of the mechanic told me that it might be head gasket issues .. how can I confirmed that my car has head gasket problem. Thanks in advance
I think you're confused, that's an N16 engine, with the LCI iteration of R56 the janky issues found in the N12 & N14 are only present in LCI with lack of maintenance. - R56 LCI @ 160K Miles
I have a 2014 twin-turbo Mini. I'm experiencing flooding - the floorboards are awash. The door and sunroof seals appear OK, thinking rainwater going down the windshield onto the floorboards....also the center console has died.... longing for an oil dipstick. Just laid out $ 4.5 K at BMW for service, hate to go back....
I have an r56 2007 Mini Cooper and I love it, it’s had a few minor problems like rocker box gasket needing replacing and eventually the clutch as had done 120k miles but it’s well maintained and runs sweet, use it as my daily driver and love how well it drives, tbh if people just learned how to keep oil topped up and do basic checks and maintenance then these are great little cars whether first time or as a cheap work horse like mine 👍
Hello A1 I HAVE A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH MY 2004 MINI COOPER AUTOMATIC BASE. WHEN I AM HITTING LITTLE BUMPS ON THE ROAD THE WHOLE CARE SWERVES REALLY BAD WHAT COULD BE THE ISSUE?
I gotta change the back solenoid. I'm dreading it because of the tight space. Although I dunno why it's failed. I've been changing the oil on time, but my oil has also been burning and maybe I didn't fill it in time.
I always wanted the "new" MINI to be a success but BMW fought me all the way. It's always been about perception and profit. Any "new" MINI would be a great car to rent but not to buy or lease. The "classic" aka "real" Austin Mini (Cooper) never pretended to be anything it wasn't. As a previous owner of one, I can tell you that anyone who bought a "Little British Car" aka LBC loved small fun cars and he/she knew that working on them was part of the fun of ownership. It eventually became part of you. The "new" BMW/MINI has always been about prestige and image. It never appealed to me and still doesn't.
After watching your video, have you any guides to fixing a faulty door sensor? I am constantly getting a ‘door open’ warning on my dash and the window isn’t fully up.
Please Answer Me On This... The First Time It Happened I Went To An Appointment.. I Pulled Into The Parking Lot And When I Turned Off My Car Steam Was Coming Out From The Hood... The Antifreeze Tank Was Empty.. Since Then Now And Then I Can Smell Antifreeze And It Smells Hot ?? What Do You Believe That It Can Be ? Thank You 😊
+@lorisapiel3232 We wouldn't be able to diagnose an issue like that here, you may want to have a local mechanic take a look at it. Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
R56 LCI now10 years old and I decided to replace the front suspension top mounts, bump stops and springs. Also while the suspension was off, changed the backing plate for the brakes. Feels like a whole new car now. the bump stops were shot to the point they were flaking away in my hands and the backing plates were rusty as. Well worth the money.
ALOHA from a small Hawaiian island. Sadly no mini mechanic here .. Mini cooper S 2013 needs an oil change. I will attempt. Oil should be 5w-30 yes??? Synthetic... there are several brand names, what would you recommend 🤔 thank you 😊
My mechanic likes 5/40 for summer. Just go with Castrol full synthetic. Not sure what auto parts stores you have out there but O’Reilly has a very solid house brand of oil. Rated the same as big oil manufacturers.
A couple of years ago I was shopping for a 2nd Gen Mini and most had over 80,000 miles. They were all sadly in various states of disrepair...some I couldn't believe were for sale on used lots they were so bad. It's a shame as they're a joy to drive. I purchased a relatively clean Mazda2 instead.
Very joyful to drive around on those minis , I have a 2008 Mini Cooper 1.6 , the grip on those things is Extreme , also I can easily drive on the highway with 100mph and fill safe , kinda fast two , gear shifter is excellent , but they are unreliable , , the trunk latches fail on those minis , the oil consumption was high so I changed some rubber things on the valves (cost of repair at a bmw specialist 700€ , the alternator failed , 360€ for a new one , timing chain tensioner had a problem , 1300€ to fix , the sunroof failed , that costed 1600€ , so basically be ready to spend around 1000€ per year on repairs
Let's not forget about the fact, that these awful engines are actually Peugeot engines, made out of cast aluminum and the second they experience heat they blow their head gasket and you're in for a 3000$ repair. Bought mine, found out that it once encountered a front damage, so the fans failed, engine went hot, gasket was damaged. Spoke to someone working at Peugeot and he told me about how many problems these cast aluminum engines make. I'm never buying a Mini again. A company that focuses on an "Always Open Timer" instead of a coolant water temperature gauge is just a bad joke. And their newer models dont even got an Oil measurement stick anymore, you have to let the car "calculate" the oil level, while driving, like...? Nah thx.
Not a helpful video. People need to hear about gritty problems with this generation. The only one that hits home was the water pump, but it's cuz of its plastic impeller that it will not hold up. Don't get me started on the coolant tube. I wouldn't use plastic like that of the coolant tube on a Huffy bicycle even. It's cheap, weak plastic, a fatal design. The real problem with the valve cover is the integrated pcv diaphragm that fails. Maybe the door latches, but it's a bigger deal when the hood latch cable stretches. In no particular order these are more notorious problems to a 100k miles, with things being slightly better for the 2011-13 owners. HPFP Vacuum pump Timing chain Fuel pump relay failure at the JBE Fried FRM due to voltage fluctuations (alternator/jump starting) or water intrusion Thermostat Oil filter housing seal Sun roof leaks due to clogged or detached lines.
Had a 2007 Turbo great to drive , only had 75,000 miles well maintained, but there was always some issue , finally the transmission went out , luckily I had a Warranty with a Company . If you purchase an older one you need to be mechanical or have a friend or place that is
My driver's side door froze shut once, and it must have been quite a sight watching this 65 yr old man coming out through the window. But my 2004 Mini has had zero problems. It's been regularly serviced at Mini dealers who know the car. I suspect that most complainers aren't willing to pony up a few extra dollars for professional service and then come on here and trash the car.
1A is my go-to for anything I need to do on my Cooper. Clear, simple. That said, the list was interesting, but I would add to that timing chains/guides for N14s, carbon build-up for pre-2011s. And the outrageous design of the fobs that require you to cut open the housing, unsolder the old battery, solder in the new one and put it all back together with CrazyGlue or buy a blank housing.
I had a 2009..Nice to drive ,no luggage space,vvt went wrong ,water leaks.The big problem was it had very high emissions and failed the MOT,garage fitted a new cat but the next year it failed again on emissions so I got rid.It only had 70000 miles on it. It also had run flat tyres and I hated the harsh ride so changed them non run flats,but it had no spare so I carried a can of tyre seal.I would never buy another.
14 cooper Broke down at 48k with bad coils plugs and high pressure fuel pump. Even my kia managed three times the mileage before the same parts failed.
i have a 2009 i bought to save gas, after 700 klms the alternator went, so it a 4 hour fix and and $300 to $600 for part. not very reliable but fun to drive and killer gas mileage.
I seem to have an intermittent problem with my offside sidelight turning on and off. I’m finding trying to change the bulb is currently mission impossible. Feels as if the bulb holder has fused with the unit and it won’t budge at all!
Hello there, I love all of your videos, I have a code P053A, I am sure I can fix it on my own, but I can not find any videos on the subject. Can you give some solid advise please. All help and is advice is welcome.
Im in the UK and have a Mini Cooper 2010 2nd gen r56 60k miles - I think the belt and idler pully needs replacing as the belt recently started making a loud screaching noise when engaging 1st gear or reverse, also my headlights are pretty dim and the blower hardly works - wondering if these are classic signs that the belt/idler pully need replacing, maybe even the water pump? 😟$$$
Thank You For Clarifying About The Doors... My 2013 Mini Locks Will Go Up And Down But Sometimes Won't Allow Me To Open The Door... I Also Have A Tapping Noise In The Top Where You Took Off The Cover ?? What Do You Think It May Be ?
Thermostat and most housings are all plastic impossible to repair, they crack and warp. Check engine codes with nonsense like the canister or evap system. Rear brakes must replace sensor when changing brake pads. Vaccum pump. Dashboard all kind of issues. overall do not buy one unless is for less than a 1000 or free.
(p) Po's Playtime • 7s ago Please help! I was working on my minis water pump, disconnected the battery and ecu while replacing it. I put everything back together but forgot to connect the ecu and tried starting the car then realized the ecu was not connected. Now my car won't
My 2011 base just sprayed antifreeze all over my cams because a head core plug popped out between number 2 & 3 spark plugs. I cannot find the plug anywhere under the valve cover area!
