looking for a new DD and autox car

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Nov 08, 2011 10:24 pm

OK, help me out here..... Nelson has offered his 09 mini to me at a very reasonable price. Car is configured the way I need it for autox, no sunroof, LSD and sports package. This is obviously the r56, 2nd gen of the mini.

I've been reading whatever I can come across in regard to this car and SOOOO many complaints about the timing chain, tensioner and guide rails along w/ some other issues. Nelson's car still has 2 years left on the warranty and only has 7800 miles on it, so I'm tempted to buy, but this timing chain issue has me at a crossroads.

So from you mini folks out there, thoughts? I'm still looking for a 06 w/ the SC'd motor, reviews are very positive on this car and motor, not so much on the 07+. I could buy the car and sell in 2 years (which is about normal for me), but I really like the way these cars drive and autox.

Looking for a little feedback on the r56's please and if you would buy one knowing the history of these cars.

BTW, I sat in some nice cars this past weekend; an rx8, s2000 and subie and none had the head room I needed. This really is starting to suck....

JamesShort · **Posted:** Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:08 pm

The GRM article said Feinberg was in an 04....I assume that was a misprint since he was in an 09

.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:10 pm

that is interesting. i have a rather large amount of head room in my wrx sedan. maybe the newer ones have less.. i say bmw again.

Gwen Habenicht · **Posted:** Wed Nov 09, 2011 12:00 am

JamesShort wrote:

The GRM article said Feinberg was in an 04....I assume that was a misprint since he was in an 09

.

Misprint. It comes up once in awhile, but you're correct. It's an '09.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

RodneyWright wrote:

BTW, I sat in some nice cars this past weekend; an rx8, s2000 and subie and none had the head room I needed. This really is starting to suck....

Give up cars and start racing motorcycles? Oh wait, that's not what you were asking for advice about, nvm...

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:34 am

MikeWhitney wrote:

RodneyWright wrote:

BTW, I sat in some nice cars this past weekend; an rx8, s2000 and subie and none had the head room I needed. This really is starting to suck....

Give up cars and start racing motorcycles? Oh wait, that's not what you were asking for advice about, nvm...

Don't think I haven't thought about this route.....no headroom issues there.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:37 am

RodneyWright wrote:

MikeWhitney wrote:

RodneyWright wrote:

BTW, I sat in some nice cars this past weekend; an rx8, s2000 and subie and none had the head room I needed. This really is starting to suck....

Give up cars and start racing motorcycles? Oh wait, that's not what you were asking for advice about, nvm...

Don't think I haven't thought about this route.....no headroom issues there.

Ditto for most Mod cars and F125's. You might have to extend the roll hoop height on some cars. :lol:

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:38 am

Do custom seat rails fall into the comfort and convenience rule? Seems like you could get some seat rails built that would solve your problem.

clinehall · **Posted:** Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:16 am

I hadn't known about the chain tensioner issue, is that something that fixed in 2010? Since I just bought a 2011 I am now interested.

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Motoringfile seems to have some good articles I could find on it. Here are a couple:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/07/07/ ... ix-coming/

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/01/15/ ... lem-again/

http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/05/18/ ... start-fix/

Personally, I wouldn't fret over it, with a car that has two years left under warranty, but then again, I never really liked the turbo cars (for no real logical reason other than I think supercharger whine is cool and that the SC cars look better).

Of course, NAM has good info as well:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/fo ... ssues.html

Sounds like the lesson is, listen for a cold start rattle. If you hear it, get it fixed, quickly, don't let it persist, as a broken timing chain might be close behind.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Wed Nov 09, 2011 1:42 pm

clinehall wrote:

I hadn't known about the chain tensioner issue, is that something that fixed in 2010? Since I just bought a 2011 I am now interested.

From what I've read on NAM's website forums, the N18 motor was introduced in '11. The N14 that likes to eat timing chains, was from 07-10. But please do the research on this. I'm just now getting into the middle of all this. Let me know what you find out Cline....

clinehall · **Posted:** Wed Nov 09, 2011 3:47 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

clinehall wrote:

I hadn't known about the chain tensioner issue, is that something that fixed in 2010? Since I just bought a 2011 I am now interested.

From what I've read on NAM's website forums, the N18 motor was introduced in '11. The N14 that likes to eat timing chains, was from 07-10. But please do the research on this. I'm just now getting into the middle of all this. Let me know what you find out Cline....

I will say one thing on the subject, Mini owners are a buch of whiners so that might be part of the problem. The only ones worse are Beemer (as in motorcycle) people. If you read all the stuff on the forums you wouldn't buy a bike but everyone you see has a million miles on it.

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

clinehall wrote:

I will say one thing on the subject, Mini owners are a buch of whiners so that might be part of the problem.

I will agree, this is one of the key reasons that mini scores so lowly in initial quality surveys as well (since those surveys do not gage whether or not a complaint is a VALID complaint, they just log the # of complaints).

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

RodneyWright wrote:

Nelson's car still has 2 years left on the warranty and only has 7800 miles on it

And there you have it - Nelson's secret to automotive happiness: Buy new, Trade before anything bad can happen. You should look into this.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Found what you need in The Durham Herald classified ads:

"2012 Bentley Continental GT, excellent condition. Buyer must make down payment of $1000. 385-205-0444"

THSCC Forums

looking for a new DD and autox car

Who is online