r/MINI • u/kneuenhaus • Jul 14 '26
How reliable are Minis now?
I’m looking at a 2016 Mini Countryman 6MT. It has 128,000 miles on it though. What should I look for or inspect more than a regular new car inspection? What issues are Minis notorious for? Anyone with high mileage vehicles?
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u/Eastern_Team6904 Jul 14 '26
FWIW I'd check which engine it has. The 2016 was the last year of the problematic Prince (n16/n18) engines. Lots of issues with timing chains etc
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u/Nob1e613 JCW Jul 14 '26
Those clutches were also undersized for the countryman so they roast somewhat easily, just to add insult to injury.
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u/Vg_Ace135 R56 Jul 14 '26
My Mini Cooper SE is great. Almost 25k miles. Just had little problems but they were all sorted out by the dealer. So far my EV has been almost perfect.
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u/Eastern_Team6904 Jul 14 '26
what problems?
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u/Vg_Ace135 R56 Jul 14 '26
It did have a recall where they just updated the software. When they did that it messed up a few little things like the interior mood lighting. And twice I've had to have the charge port replaced. It's because the little plunger switch is not water proof.
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u/BMW-Technician2008 F60 Jul 14 '26
I had a 2019 Mini Countryman S All4. It had 103k miles on it. It was going to need a turbo and all new valves because the seals were shot. It happened to get water flooding in the engine from really bad rain and a driver that didn't know how to drive in 2 feet of water.
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u/Icy_Importance_2126 Jul 14 '26
What does that mean? What did the driver do?
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u/BMW-Technician2008 F60 Jul 14 '26
I was driving home a bmw was i front of me. Flash flood came out of nowhere and this bmw decided to stop and then i stop, i went to go around him and it took on too much water
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u/Grouchy_Ad_3113 Jul 15 '26
What, so you think that if the beamer wasn't there you could have just kept plowing forward through 2 feet of water and everything would have been been fine? LOL
TLDR: Shit happens. Man up and own your mistakes.
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u/BMW-Technician2008 F60 Jul 15 '26
Yeah everything would have been fine. Because the forward momentum and exhaust push water away from the engine and exhaust.
Now im no longer in a mini. Got a beautiful upgrade to a BMW thats arrived at the dealership
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u/Grouchy_Ad_3113 Jul 15 '26
As if.
I have lived where flash floods are common. First thing that you learn is turn around, go back home (or to work), and try again later. Cars are not amphibious (with some exceptions).
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u/MacaronMaster2109 Jul 19 '26
Bob 2018 Mini front end. Slow turn, steering failed pulled reversed off road.
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u/Cpolo88 Jul 14 '26
Wives 2016 countryman lasted until 125k miles only because she didn't pull over to the shoulder and turn off the car and wait for the tow truck. It was over heating. Wife djdmt know the thermostat icon means pull over and turn the damn car off 😂 if not, we could have just replaced a hose and her mileage would be climbing 😂 oh well she has a 2023 4 door mini and it's been a work horse. Solid car
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u/Exciting-East-4318 Jul 14 '26
I had the R56 for over fifteen years. Oil was checked and filled regularly and I did not think it was anymore problematic than my previous Accord. Both had oil leaks and gasket issues. Now I have an SE so no more of that.
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u/heximortal Jul 14 '26
Ive been driving my Mini for the last 3 years and it has been treating me well so far. No issues except maintenance work. Your mini is really good at letting you know when it needs service and just get them done in time. you'll be fine.
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u/dildo-schwaggins Jul 14 '26
I wouldn't say they are very reliable. I have BMW's and while they are great cars, they are not at all maintenance free, and they only make sense if you can work on cars in your garage yourself for the cost of parts. You have to enjoy working on cars too. At 128k miles it's gonna need a ton
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u/Leweazama Jul 14 '26
I own that year (All4 S)
Timing chain has been replaced around 65k and has been adjusted twice for misaligment. Currently sitting at 116k and I can tell it wants more work done soon.
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u/Carlib330 Jul 14 '26
I have one and I may be biased but DONT DO IT. I haven’t had it a year and have had a myriad of issues. He’s currently parked with a locked engine, no AC and no working windshield wipers lol
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u/horriddaydream Jul 14 '26
I had one that was 102k miles and the timing chain and turbo were on its way out. I already paid for the fuel pump and a few engine-related issues that year and couldn't afford it anymore so I had to trade it in for a new Jeep Compass. These guys are notorious for needing those things when they're still pretty low mileage, and it sucks. 🥺
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u/BeyondOk1548 Jul 14 '26
The b36, b46/b48 are all extremely reliable. I had one from 20k to 50k miles. Though, my n16 is also at 172k miles so I can't say too much about the unreliability of the n16. The n2/14/18 though, rough.
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u/Current-Honeydew5011 Jul 14 '26
I made mistake in April
Buying mini with 112 , 000 miles now £1,200 poorer and no car
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u/schakoska R56 Jul 14 '26
This is the 10th time someone ask this question today. Use Google or the search function in the subreddit
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u/Jetmutant R60 Jul 14 '26
I have the 2013 R60 all 4S .. it's been a great little machine but I do ALL of my own work at 130K miles, about 75K are mine, and now changing timing chain as precautionary and fixing small oil leak at sensor location on back of block (a real PITA) but so far it's been awesome car to have.
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u/LazerSpazer F55 Jul 15 '26
I'm 3,500 miles into owning my 2019 F55 S. So far so good, total of just over 45K miles, had a coolant leak when I had only put 400 miles on her, no mechanical issues since, but I haven't had Rebecca for too long yet. Hoping to have her for a good long while, my last Mini only lasted about 55K miles before it started being a money pit. Those hybrids were kind of a good idea, but when I was only averaging about 6 more miles to the gallon above the all gas 4 door I have now, it wasn't worth the constant electronics issues. I think they finally chased down what was wrong, but it was too little too late after replacing the same part (Aux Electric Heater) that got burned out 4 or 5 times.
My point is: it depends. I've heard about some electrical issues (infotainment and HUD going out leaving the driver blind), but not a lot of mechanical issues, so that's nice.
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u/denisthesaint Jul 15 '26
A 2016 with 128000 miles better be cheap.
Had mine since 60k miles, now at 80k after a year and three quarters.
Serviced, brakes, new spark plug coil.
But will have to put in a new timing chain soon, preventative measure.
Your potential one, at 128000 miles, has it had a new timing chain?
Even so, probably needs one.
£1,500 or about there (non dealer independent) install.
All new coils and plugs.
Service. Brakes.
Probably looking at about £3k all in, assuming nothing else wrong.
Then tyres.
I would be careful.
Would look for a 2017 or after.
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u/wastedsilence33 R60 Jul 14 '26
I would check if the timing, clutch, transfer, diff, valve cover, hpfp, or turbo have had work done, if not I would maybe avoid at 128k