2010 mini cooper S?

2nsane

2nsane

Retired Coastie
School me on this car, we are going to look at a 2010 with 45K on the ticker. ALL STOCK accept on 2nd set of tires.

What do I need to look for besides the timing chain death rattle?
this is going to be a commuter car, eventually be my daughters car in 4 years.


What say you MINI FOLKS?
 
My900ss

My900ss

Puts the work in
My sister has a Mini Cooper S. Car has been reasonably reliable for her, yet parts and labor are very expensive. I am not so sure a 9 year old BMW with >90K on the "ticker" is really a good first car? Anyhow, the times I have ridden in it or driven it, it was a fun sporty car.

Here is what people with a gripe about the car had to say: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/mini.html
 
Reli

Reli

Well-known member
I wouldn't give a European car out of warranty to my daughter. Just my 2 cents.
 
Mr. White

Mr. White

Well-known member
Some common problems:

Water pump & thermostat and related cooling components. Typical "BMW".
Carbon build-up on the intake ports & valves.
Turbocharger oil feed line. It can leak and also clog up, starving the turbo.
Various oil leaks: valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gaskets, etc. Again, typical BMW.
High pressure fuel pump failure. However, it has a 7 year 70K mile warranty because it's considered an emissions parts.
Vanos solenoid failure

Check the oil level often! The N14 engine uses oil and does not do well if run with low oil. Only use an oil that is BMW LL01 approved and change it regularly, 5-7K miles.

It's a fun car to drive, but I wouldn't buy one unless you're used to owning and maintaining a German car.
 
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TheRobSJ

TheRobSJ

Großer Mechaniker
Would avoid. For the reasons already started.

That said...there's a 2014 Cooper S convertible in our garage. She wanted a small fun convertible last year and she'd already had a Miata. So it was a short list to choose from. Hopefully I can talk her into getting rid of it before it gets much older than 5 years.
 
Mr Pepsi

Mr Pepsi

Mr Pepsi (Brent)
I have the same car. 2010 S and all. Mine burns oil, about a quart a month, and I've noticed it drips a drop or two of oil on the floor about every couple days.

Fucking awesome car. Granted its no 2007 Mustang GT, but it is sooooo easy to find parking. Every time we go downtown, we use the mini. It is bumpy, especially if you drive around the city often. It can get very annoying. But if most of your roads are smooth, you will love the fact that handles very well for such a low cost car.

On the bumpy side, we actually changed out our run flats, for normal tires and that helped with bumpiness, and noise level on the freeway. However we run the risk of getting a flat at the wrong time.

Buy it!
 
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Mr Pepsi

Mr Pepsi

Mr Pepsi (Brent)
It was used when we bought it. Not sure if it was abused, or if this is something fairly normal. I intend to ask the dealer when we take it back in.
 
stan23

stan23

Well-known member
Mr Pepsi said:
It was used when we bought it. Not sure if it was abused, or if this is something fairly normal. I intend to ask the dealer when we take it back in.
Click to expand...

ok, that may be normal for that motor. A quick google search for mini cooper s burning oil has about 5 million links. haha
 
EjGlows

EjGlows

Well-known member
Our 2011 mini S had some major services done not too long ago (it has 27k on the odo and is barely driven). The head gasket started leaking and the main wiring harness goes into the engine somewhere around there (not a mechanic) requiring the entire wiring harness to be replaced. :facepalm

We diligently bring this thing in for service, it's nearly tip-top, but I'd say at the 5 yr mark we may just be unloading for something slightly less repair-intensive.
 
Sharky

Sharky

Well-known member
It seems like these days some car companies including BMW have very high oil consumption rates that they deem as normal.
I know 2006 350z's had oil consumption issues and was pretty darn glad mine did/does not suffer from them. Course Nissan did step up in most cases I hear (as opposed to some nightmare stories I have heard about BMWs).
 
2nsane

2nsane

Retired Coastie
B you want that M any more? its the silver one that was next to the passat right:cool I could use that as a commuter instead:thumbup


oh wait I want better MPG's but still it would be way better.
 
m_asim

m_asim

Coitus Infinitum
Sharky said:
It seems like these days some car companies including BMW have very high oil consumption rates that they deem as normal.
I know 2006 350z's had oil consumption issues and was pretty darn glad mine did/does not suffer from them. Course Nissan did step up in most cases I hear (as opposed to some nightmare stories I have heard about BMWs).
Click to expand...

Not so with the newer Jap cars. I am actually changing oil half as much as I used to before.

BTW, what would be a nice two seater car? I was looking at 2010 Z4s but am hesitant to pull the trigger. Too bad Honda stopped making S2000 and Toyota won't be bringing MR2s back :(
 
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