R56 How is the N18 motor holding up? Looking to get a gen2.
#1
How is the N18 motor holding up? Looking to get a gen2.
Looking at getting a mini for a daily driver. Checked the gen3's but honestly the front is kinda ugly with the duck bill looking bumper. Plus the colors are mostly meh. I did some searches on the N18, but there wasn't a lot of real current info out there. Just wondering how they are holding up compared to the N14 horror stories. I currently have a R52 S JCW, but that's a toy for the weekend twisties. So I am familiar with the pros and cons of ownership. Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks, Jim
Thanks, Jim
#2
You should get more than a few responses on that question. I am in no way looking for either a Gen2 or 3, but on the Gen2 would only look at something with a N18.
Yes the F series has a front that some say looks like a fish, but if somebody wants to give me their JCW for free, I will not turn it down. My address is . . . . . .
Yes the F series has a front that some say looks like a fish, but if somebody wants to give me their JCW for free, I will not turn it down. My address is . . . . . .
#3
#5
#6
6th Gear
iTrader: (4)
85K miles on my 2/2011 production MCS. So far, no big issues that were not covered by either the remainder of the factory warranty or my Hendricks aftermarket warranty. Just regular maintenance, mods and tires. Lots of tires.....
Just had the clutch and dual mass flywheel replace at 84k by a local independent BMW/MINI shop. (I run my MINI pretty hard.) Had them do everything in there, to include rear main engine seal, front trans seal, clutch fork, ball, and sleeve. About $2,000.00 parts and labor, using all MINI parts and a Sach's dual mass flywheel.
Just had the clutch and dual mass flywheel replace at 84k by a local independent BMW/MINI shop. (I run my MINI pretty hard.) Had them do everything in there, to include rear main engine seal, front trans seal, clutch fork, ball, and sleeve. About $2,000.00 parts and labor, using all MINI parts and a Sach's dual mass flywheel.
#7
Trending Topics
#9
2 -2012 MCS's one with build date pre 03/2012(61,000k) one with after (79,000k). Both had thermostat housing and associated wiring changed under warranty early on. 03/2012 is now waiting for a new high pressure fuel pump. It has a Continental the post 03/12 has a Bosch. All else perfect. Looked at the intake valves at 60,000 and just a hint of carbon, really almost one so definitely not the issues as the N14.
#10
'14 Countryman ALL4 101k. 85k thermostat, 89k both front door actuators and turbo/oil line. 98k Exhaust VANOS and timing chain. Warranty is done so nothing else will break dammit!
'11 Clubman S N18 35k. 10k oil solenoid wire fix, 32k oil solenoid and pressure sensor (oil light cam on no idea why so replaced both). Blast to drive!
'11 Clubman S N18 35k. 10k oil solenoid wire fix, 32k oil solenoid and pressure sensor (oil light cam on no idea why so replaced both). Blast to drive!
#11
Find it for the right price I would go for the n18.
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#14
#15
#17
#20
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
N18 > N14 / N14 still fun for the right person
The N18 addresses many of the problems the N14 had, but not all of them...and not completely. All things being equal, an N18 is better. However, I'm willing to put up with the N14 foibles, and am planning on keeping my '09 Clubby indefinitely. There are many, MANY horror stories about N14's....seems as if a significant proportion of them involve owners who were not attentive to their cars....understandable because N14's do require more attention than typical cars. N14's can be a good fit for someone who enjoys their car, and esp for someone who can do some of their own work. The latter path is deeply supported by the owner network on this forum and other sources... This makes the N14 a viable option for someone who wants a fun car with an outrageous social network, heritage, and with some mechanical skills and interest, but not a lot of capital for the initial purchase ("sweat equity"). I agree the N14 isn't for everyone, and that the N18 is a better choice for most people.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...14-vs-n18.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...14-vs-n18.html
https://new.minimania.com/MINI_Coope...son_N14_vs_N18
Tigger2011:
To the OP. Yes the N18 still suffers from carbon buildup but to a lesser extent than the N14. My second Cooper S was an N18 and I walnut blasted the intake valves at 49,000 miles...and they did need it. Most of the coking on direct injected engines is caused by exhaust valve overlap. This is when the intake valve is opening but the exhaust valve has not completely closed yet. The heavy backpressure cause by the turbo causes exhaust to actually be pushed back into the intake tract for a moment before the intake charges momentum forces it back. With a vanos unit on the exhaust cam in the N18 the ECU can make some changes to reduce coking but not eliminate it.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...14-vs-n18.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...14-vs-n18.html
https://new.minimania.com/MINI_Coope...son_N14_vs_N18
Tigger2011:
To the OP. Yes the N18 still suffers from carbon buildup but to a lesser extent than the N14. My second Cooper S was an N18 and I walnut blasted the intake valves at 49,000 miles...and they did need it. Most of the coking on direct injected engines is caused by exhaust valve overlap. This is when the intake valve is opening but the exhaust valve has not completely closed yet. The heavy backpressure cause by the turbo causes exhaust to actually be pushed back into the intake tract for a moment before the intake charges momentum forces it back. With a vanos unit on the exhaust cam in the N18 the ECU can make some changes to reduce coking but not eliminate it.
#21
OVERDRIVE
iTrader: (1)
+1 to what bugeye said.
Taking care of any car is a must to keep from having problems with it.
My 2007 S was relatively problem free after several issues were resolved early on and this car was run on the track.
IMHO the number ONE thing to do to keep any Gen II engine (N14 or N18) running is to keep the oil topped off, full, right up to the top line on the dipstick; don’t let it get to the low line. That turbo cooks the oil; the more in the oil pan the better. The second is to change the oil at 6k; don’t go by the MINI/BMW wizard who will tell you that your oil is good for 10, 15, 20k miles (as was the case on our ‘04). Third, don’t ignore changes in the way the engine sounds or runs. If there is a change, like the radiator fan is now running all the time and it wasn’t before, get it fixed (my radiator fan running all the time was caused by the aux water pump that cools the turbo having failed).
Lastly, enjoy the car. Have fun with it. They like that.
Taking care of any car is a must to keep from having problems with it.
My 2007 S was relatively problem free after several issues were resolved early on and this car was run on the track.
IMHO the number ONE thing to do to keep any Gen II engine (N14 or N18) running is to keep the oil topped off, full, right up to the top line on the dipstick; don’t let it get to the low line. That turbo cooks the oil; the more in the oil pan the better. The second is to change the oil at 6k; don’t go by the MINI/BMW wizard who will tell you that your oil is good for 10, 15, 20k miles (as was the case on our ‘04). Third, don’t ignore changes in the way the engine sounds or runs. If there is a change, like the radiator fan is now running all the time and it wasn’t before, get it fixed (my radiator fan running all the time was caused by the aux water pump that cools the turbo having failed).
Lastly, enjoy the car. Have fun with it. They like that.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mini Mania
Drivetrain Products
0
12-16-2015 03:02 PM
Carlyle
1st Gen Countryman (R60) Talk (2010-2015)
0
04-12-2015 02:56 PM