Problems/cures r56

[Ss82]

Quick search through the forums as my phones ****e brought up some common problems ie

Timing chain/tensioner
Turbo fail
Coke build up
Major oil usage
Electrics

Are these mainly the n14?? Also is there any full time fixes for there faults?
Is the new timing kit a full tike fix? Would a decoke and fittin a catch can help wi coke build up?

Any solution for turbo fail?is standard one just toffee?

[badwolf340]

Well people have had problems (as do all vehicles) never had any problems with any of ours apart from the Coilovers on the GP's oh and a brake module on a R55 JCW

[Ss82]

Im tryin to weigh the 14&18 up against each other aye the 18 has more power to start with but if the problems on the 14 are addressed is it a safe wee motor to modify?

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Money wise aswell can get a n14 for 4/4500 but the n18 lookin up to 6k

[N16SHP]

Having owned 2 N14's for four years and 2 years each, this is my summary. It's a great engine and pulls well. Yes coking can be an issue and there are a couple of remedies such as blasting etc that can keep on top of it and costs for doing so now are much lower. But by driving it the way it should be driven (i.e. making plenty noise with your right foot) it won't be much of an issue. The RS4 of the same age had the same problem and the biggest cause was from people not driving the car hard enough (keeping the revs down and tootling along). My wife has a heavy right foot and she didn't see any issues with coking so read into that as little or as much as you want. I never personally had any turbo issues but I also never modded the engine.

Someone like Euan (Elfman) has done a lot to his engine in terms of modding and he'll be far better placed than I am to tell you about that side of things. I drove an N18 when I had a courtesy car for a day and to be completely honest, I noticed very little difference in performance. Marginally quicker but nothing to warrant an extra £1500.

Both our N14's had the timing chain replaced and never had any issues following that. They can be a little heavy on oil but good car maintenance will see that problem OK and shouldn't cause any issues. Also I believe the N18 cars had a minor face-lift so that's also something to consider.

The biggest problem I had with mine was an electric steering pump that failed, twice. However the second time it failed it was still under warranty so replacement wasn't a problem. Don't get this confused with the steering pump recall on the R50/53's as it's a totally different pump used.

Hope that helps and as I said, just an overview of my ownership.

[Ss82]

Well iv got a lead foot so many carbon build up wont be such a problem haha what about the fuel pumps read that thete fairly common probpem too?
How much is the steering pump to fix?is it a big job or not too bad?

See theres only 10ish hp difference between the 14&18 keep hearing stories on both sides ppl never havin problems and ppl killing engines etc

Oil shouldnt be a problem as I service cars every 6months so wud jus need to keep a eye on levels thats it really

Its jus loads n14s are available too but not so many n18s for decent cash

[N16SHP]

Steering pump cost me about £550 from a local specialist using BMW-Mini parts and BMW-Mini training technicians. Mini themselves wanted about £800. So it was a fairly expensive job but only took down one of our cars and didn't come across many people having the same issue so put it down to bad luck (eventually, I'm sure if you looked hard enough you'd find my rants on here somewhere haha! Glad to say I'm older and wiser now)

Again, no issues with fuel pumps on my two but cannot comment for all I'm afraid.

As is always the case, when buying second hand it's always going to be a gamble regardless of how much planning you do. Go with your gut, if the car feels right then go for it, if it doesn't then wait for another one to come along. Best thing about Mini's, there's heaps of them out there!

[Ss82]

Yeh gonna clear my feet get rid my leon then start huntin :)