Reacquainting myself with MINI's after selling my '05 3 years ago. I'm now looking at getting a used MINI. Now I'm trying to sort out the pluses and minuses of each. Am I right in thinking there have been six engines - original tritec in na and supercharged, n13 in na and turbo, n18 in na and turbo.

I had and really liked the supercharged tritec in my '05 convertible S. From what I've read the superchargers are beginning to go now. Are either of these motors direct injection?

The other problems I've read are in the pre-N18 turbo engines having a variety of problems. Also, it is direct injection and the non-turbo is not. All the N18's are direct injection - correct?

Do I have it all right so far? What else can you tell me?

TIA,
Tony

 

There is no N13 engine. N14 and N18 are direct injected. The rest are not. Here is a list of all engine numbers

2002-2006 R50 Cooper = W10 (w10b16) 1.6 Non Supercharged
2002-2006 R53 Cooper S = W11 (w11b16) 1.6 Supercharged

NOTE: 1st gen convertibles were made at the same time the 2nd gen Coupe was. Lots of people get confused when they have a 2007 or 2008 convertible and think its a 2nd gen.

2005-2008 R52 Cooper Convertible = W10 (w10b16) 1.6 Non Supercharged
2005-2008 R52 Cooper S Convertible = W11 (w11b16) 1.6 Supercharged

Now for the 2nd gen cars. NOTE: 2nd gen Convertible was released in 2009 in Cooper and Cooper S trim.

2007-2010 R56 and R57 Cooper = N12 (n12b16) Non Turbo
2007-2010 R56S and R57S Cooper S = N14 (n14b16) Turbo
2008-2010 R55 Clubman = N12 (n12b16) Non Turbo
2008-2010 R55S Clubman S = N14 (n14b16) Turbo

Engine change for 2011.

2011 + R56 and R57 Cooper = N16 (n16b16) Non Turbo
2011 + R56S and R57S Cooper S = N18 (n18b16) Turbo
2011 + R55 Clubman = N16 (n16b16) Non Turbo
2011 + R55S Clubman S = N18 (n18b16) Turbo
2011 + R60 Countryman = N16 (n16b16) Non Turbo
2011 + R60S Countryman S = N18 (n18b16) Turbo
2011 + R60S Countryman S ALL4 = N18 (n18b16) Turbo

 

Thanks for the breakdown Braminator. Am I right in thinking the carbon problems I've seen alluded to on here are all on the N14 and N18 engines and not the W series and the N12, N16 engines?

Also, and I hope this doesn't go down a divisive path, is what is the most reliable engine out of the bunch? Does the N12 or N18 match or exceed the W10 engine?

 

The n14/18 will conintue to have carbon build up problems do to the direct injections but the n18 is still new, so we have to wait and see how bad as compared to the N14.
The W series and the N12/16 are not direct injected so the problems don't exist and IMO are the most reliable engine so far in a MINI. Keep in mind each engine has its own issues and some worse then others. I can tell you I will never own a n14/18 MINI do to these issues.
Now with the F56 coming out and an entirely new power plant, again we will have to wait and see what is in store for it in regards to carbon build up.

 

It has been a couple of years now; has the N18 engine had the problems that plagued the N14, or any other problems?

I'm considering buying a Clubman S and will be new to Minis.

Thanks,
hoppinjohn