Mini Countryman

[maw_76]

So, a buddy of mine was asking me for suggestions on a commuter vehicle because come this summer he'll be losing his company vehicle due to a job change. He wants something that's economical (will be putting on close to 100 miles roundtrip/day), good in snow (MN weather), relatively low miles (under or right around 100k) and doesn't want to spend a ton (around 7k or so). I told him my wife and I used to own a '12 Mini Countryman and we loved the car. We traded it in on a Honda HRV when my wife found out she was pregnant with our daughter and the size was a tad small for our needs at the time.

So, he did some research and really liked what the Mini is about and found a '15 with 104k on it with the features he wants and a price he can live with. I told him we didn't have any issues with ours, but we traded it in with only 36k on it. After doing some reading, it appears some had oil burning issues and timing chains wearing out right around that 100k mark.

Now, for all of the experts around here, what oil would you suggest for this vehicle? His son likes to wrench and does all of his maintenance on his vehicles. Would this vehicle be a candidate for Valvoline Restore and Protect, or would you stick with a Euro Spec of some sort? I hope I didn't suggest a poor vehicle for him. I honestly didn't know about those known issues when I suggested the vehicle because to me it checked all of the boxes.

 

[IndyIan]

I think they got better and better over the years, but I wouldn't lose sleep over your recommendation, as there's no idiot proof car at that age and mileage, and they should know to evaluate the condition and maintenance records of the car in front of them, and not buy a car off its general reputation.

 

[Andyd95]

We make a killing on those cars
Would not recommend for his use

 

[SC Maintenance]

Never owned a mini but I did some digging on them a while back. I think there cool cars.

From what I read, the pre 2017 with the 1.6l Prince Engines were oil burners after 100K and also had timing chain issues and high pressure fuel pump issues. The general suggestions in the mini forums was to avoid these years after 100K miles.

2017 plus used BMW B38 and B48 engines which are supposedly quite reliable.

There are some good mini forums out there, plenty of enthusiasts. I would suggest checking them out.

 

[maw_76]

Funny thing is, wasn't that 1.6 Prince engine 4cyl of the year for a few years, beating out the BMW engine? I think part of the problem was Mini suggested 10k oci's and I think that's too much for that engine. A lower oci of 5k with a Euro spec, or Valvoline Restore and Protect like I mentioned in the first post might prevent this engine from burning oil and perhaps premature wear on the timing chain?

 

[Oliveoil2]

Fun cars to drive……not to own.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Funny thing is, wasn't that 1.6 Prince engine 4cyl of the year for a few years, beating out the BMW engine? I think part of the problem was Mini suggested 10k oci's and I think that's too much for that engine. A lower oci of 5k with a Euro spec, or Valvoline Restore and Protect like I mentioned in the first post might prevent this engine from burning oil and perhaps premature wear on the timing chain?

Everything I read seemed to indicate the timing chain issues were design problems -lousy plastic guides, weak tensioners, chain stretch. I am sure higher OCI might help but probably not cure. Many engines of that era had timing chain issues.

Restore and Protect might help with oil burn - someone would need to try. Depends on if its primarily rings or valve guides.

High pressure pump is what it is - known to fail.

Just sharing what I read - like I said never owned one.

 

[edyvw]

So, a buddy of mine was asking me for suggestions on a commuter vehicle because come this summer he'll be losing his company vehicle due to a job change. He wants something that's economical (will be putting on close to 100 miles roundtrip/day), good in snow (MN weather), relatively low miles (under or right around 100k) and doesn't want to spend a ton (around 7k or so). I told him my wife and I used to own a '12 Mini Countryman and we loved the car. We traded it in on a Honda HRV when my wife found out she was pregnant with our daughter and the size was a tad small for our needs at the time.

So, he did some research and really liked what the Mini is about and found a '15 with 104k on it with the features he wants and a price he can live with. I told him we didn't have any issues with ours, but we traded it in with only 36k on it. After doing some reading, it appears some had oil burning issues and timing chains wearing out right around that 100k mark.

Now, for all of the experts around here, what oil would you suggest for this vehicle? His son likes to wrench and does all of his maintenance on his vehicles. Would this vehicle be a candidate for Valvoline Restore and Protect, or would you stick with a Euro Spec of some sort? I hope I didn't suggest a poor vehicle for him. I honestly didn't know about those known issues when I suggested the vehicle because to me it checked all of the boxes.

Only BMW approved oils, LL01 or LL04.

 

[Andyd95]

Never owned a mini but I did some digging on them a while back. I think there cool cars.

From what I read, the pre 2017 with the 1.6l Prince Engines were oil burners after 100K and also had timing chain issues and high pressure fuel pump issues. The general suggestions in the mini forums was to avoid these years after 100K miles.

2017 plus used BMW B38 and B48 engines which are supposedly quite reliable.

There are some good mini forums out there, plenty of enthusiasts. I would suggest checking them out.

2nd gen (R56/N engines) oil leaks (every seal), coolant leaks, timing chains, frms, shocks/struts, evaporators
3rd gen (F56/B engine) engine mounts, filter housings, water pumps, shocks, software updates, occasional crank pulleys, and we do lots of engine harness for rodent damage (dealer last I checked stocked them)

 

[97prizm]

So, a buddy of mine was asking me for suggestions on a commuter vehicle because come this summer he'll be losing his company vehicle due to a job change. He wants something that's economical (will be putting on close to 100 miles roundtrip/day), good in snow (MN weather), relatively low miles (under or right around 100k) and doesn't want to spend a ton (around 7k or so). I told him my wife and I used to own a '12 Mini Countryman and we loved the car. We traded it in on a Honda HRV when my wife found out she was pregnant with our daughter and the size was a tad small for our needs at the time.

So, he did some research and really liked what the Mini is about and found a '15 with 104k on it with the features he wants and a price he can live with. I told him we didn't have any issues with ours, but we traded it in with only 36k on it. After doing some reading, it appears some had oil burning issues and timing chains wearing out right around that 100k mark.

Now, for all of the experts around here, what oil would you suggest for this vehicle? His son likes to wrench and does all of his maintenance on his vehicles. Would this vehicle be a candidate for Valvoline Restore and Protect, or would you stick with a Euro Spec of some sort? I hope I didn't suggest a poor vehicle for him. I honestly didn't know about those known issues when I suggested the vehicle because to me it checked all of the boxes.

"The 2015 Mini Cooper Countryman has mixed reliability, often rated below average (approx. 3/5) with 6 recalls. While offering engaging, sporty handling and a practical, stylish, and roomy interior, it suffers from high maintenance costs, potential engine oil consumption, and, in some cases, serious, expensive-to-repair timing chain issues. "
The regular mini Cooper and Cooper S has above average reliability.

 

[maw_76]

I could see Valvoline coming out with a Euro Spec Valvoline Restore and Protect for such an application then. Until then, it appears Quaker, Pennzoil, Valvoline, etc all offer a Euro that meets BMW LL01 and 04 standards. I'm sure he'll just grab what's on the shelf at Walmart.

 

[edyvw]

I could see Valvoline coming out with a Euro Spec Valvoline Restore and Protect for such an application then. Until then, it appears Quaker, Pennzoil, Valvoline, etc all offer a Euro that meets BMW LL01 and 04 standards. I'm sure he'll just grab what's on the shelf at Walmart.

They won’t. Valvoline has specific Euro oils.

 

[maw_76]

Valvoline also has various synthetic oils, but they still came out with the Valvoline Restore and Protect.

 

[edyvw]

Valvoline also has various synthetic oils, but they still came out with the Valvoline Restore and Protect.

They did. But limits on Euro approvals are far more stringent. Valvoline Restore and Protect cleans stuff good. Does not mean it does everything else in the same manner.

 

[maw_76]

Right, but what I think you're going to see happening with Valvoline Restore and Protect is that people are going to start using it as their primary oil. I believe someone on here ran it in a vehicle and had it tested after so many miles and the results were very promising. I know a lot of the German vehicles run extended oci's of 10k+ with some of the Euro Spec and some vehicles, like the Mini, had sludge issues running intervals that long. A Euro Spec Valvoline Restore and Protect could clean, and hopefully maintain cleanliness if it were ran exclusively after that, especially if you kept your oci's closer to 5k.

 

[edyvw]

Right, but what I think you're going to see happening with Valvoline Restore and Protect is that people are going to start using it as their primary oil. I believe someone on here ran it in a vehicle and had it tested after so many miles and the results were very promising. I know a lot of the German vehicles run extended oci's of 10k+ with some of the Euro Spec and some vehicles, like the Mini, had sludge issues running intervals that long. A Euro Spec Valvoline Restore and Protect could clean, and hopefully maintain cleanliness if it were ran exclusively after that, especially if you kept your oci's closer to 5k.

Let me tell you what will happen: “i have VANOS code. Idk what it is, I ran full synthetic oil all the time.”

Full synthetic is lingo: i picked up any oil from the shelf.
Just because Valvoline Restore and Protect clean doesn’t mean it doesn’t leave any deposits, it still oxidizes etc.

 

[CleanSump]

If one wants to clean BMW VANOS, High Performance Lubricants Cleaner Oil or Euro oils will do that. Also, knowledgeable owners know to occasionally Remove/Clean/Replace the one way anti-drainback valves on the side of the head and the VANOS Solenoids. There is one of each for intake and exhaust cams. The screens on them collect crud and can restrict flow.
As for waiting for Valvoline to come out with an Euro Restore and Protect, I remember a Samuel Beckett play titled "Waiting for Godot".

 

[JohnnyG]

Used Mercedes C or E 300 (2.0T) with 4matic. Hard to beat in the snow, @30 mpg, and pretty safe and comfortable.

 

[JohnnyG]

If one wants to clean BMW VANOS, High Performance Lubricants Cleaner Oil or Euro oils will do that. Also, knowledgeable owners know to occasionally Remove/Clean/Replace the one way anti-drainback valves on the side of the head and the VANOS Solenoids. There is one of each for intake and exhaust cams. The screens on them collect crud and can restrict flow.
As for waiting for Valvoline to come out with an Euro Restore and Protect, I remember a Samuel Beckett play titled "Waiting for Godot".

You don't need to wait. 2 quarts Valvoline Restore and Protect 4.5 qts of any 229.5 of your choice, done.

 

[maw_76]

So, would you guys trust an oil for a Mini not with a BMW label on it permitting it's full synthetic and Euro Spec and has an LL01 or 04 rating? I know my buddy well enough to know he's going to get his oil at Walmart and his kid is going to do the service on it. Not sure, but I'm guessing they'll carry Quaker State, Valvoline and Pennzoil, all with Euro Spec ratings. Heck, maybe Royal Purple has one too? It sounds like he did put $$$ down on the car and is flying out of state to get it and driving it back.