🇩🇪 Deutsch
MINI · Convertible / Roadster · 2009–2015

MINI MINI R57

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★
1.9 / 5.0 · Based on 11 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

178–306 PS

2.0L Turbo Benzin

THE MINI experience!

Legendary!
Problem Engine

170–174 PS

1.6L Turbo Benzin

9 weaknesses

Stay Away!

Generations

Engine Overview

The MINI MINI R57 is available with 3 engine variants — from 75 to 306 hp. 2 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.

2.0L Diesel · Diesel· 112 PS
2011 2015
Stay Away! 7 weaknesses
1.6L · Benziner· 120–122 PS Engine Change
2009 2010
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
2010 2015
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
1.6L Turbo · Benziner· 174–184 PS Engine Change
2009 2010
Stay Away! 9 weaknesses
2010 2015
Stay Away! 9 weaknesses

The MINI 2.0L Diesel (Diesel, 112 PS) has the N47C20 (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.

The MINI 1.6L (Benziner, 120–122 PS) comes with 2 different engines: N12B16 (2009–2010, Be Careful) und N16B16 (2010–2015, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.6L!

The MINI 1.6L Turbo (Benziner, 174–184 PS) comes with 2 different engines: N14B16 (2009–2010, Stay Away!) und N18B16 (2010–2015, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.6L Turbo!

NHTSA Owner Complaints
Below Average
307 complaints · 2009–2015
Engine
96 ⚠ 2
Airbags
86 ⚠ 1
Electrical
63 ⚠ 2
Other
20 ⚠ 2
Powertrain
19 ⚠ 1

Top Reported Issues

⚠ Engine (96 complaints)
⚠ Airbags (86 complaints)
⚠ Electrical (63 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

Alternatives

Same Segment

Mercedes-Benz SL R231

Cabrio/Roadster (2012–2020)

Same Segment

Porsche Boxster 981

Cabrio/Roadster (2012–2016)

Same Segment

Mercedes-Benz SLK R172

Cabrio/Roadster (2011–2016)

Same Segment

BMW Z4 E89

Cabrio/Roadster (2009–2016)

Same Segment

Volvo C70 II

Cabrio/Roadster (2006–2013)

Same Segment

Mazda MX-5 NC

Cabrio/Roadster (2005–2015)

Known Problems and Issues

A total of 75 weaknesses have been documented for the MINI MINI R57 (2009–2015). 6 problem engines: N14B16 (1.6L Turbo), N18B16 (1.6L Turbo), N47C16 (1.6L Diesel), N47C20 (2.0L Diesel), B37C15 (1.5L Diesel), B47C20 (2.0L Diesel).

MINI (N47C16, 2007–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain — Camshaft Sprocket Defect (Production Fault Pre-2011), Turbo Premature Failure, Rod and Main Bearing Wear. Power: 90 PS.

MINI (N47C16, 2007–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain — Camshaft Sprocket Defect (Production Fault Pre-2011), Turbo Premature Failure, Rod and Main Bearing Wear. Power: 109–111 PS.

MINI (N47C20, 2011–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Elongation — Known N47 Weakness, Turbo Failure, Rod and Main Bearing Wear. Power: 136–143 PS.

MINI (N47C20, 2011–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Elongation — Known N47 Weakness, Turbo Failure, Rod and Main Bearing Wear. Power: 111 PS.

MINI (B37C15, 2014–2018) — Stay Away!: Recall EGR Cooler Fire Risk, Timing Chain Rear-Mounted — High Repair Cost, Turbocharger Boost Pressure Leaks. Power: 95 PS.

MINI (B37C15, 2014–2018) — Stay Away!: Recall EGR Cooler Fire Risk, Timing Chain Rear-Mounted — High Repair Cost, Turbocharger Boost Pressure Leaks. Power: 116 PS.

MINI (B47C20, 2014–2024) — Stay Away!: Recall EGR Cooler Fire Risk, DPF Regeneration Fails in Short-Trip Use, High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Wear. Power: 163–170 PS.

MINI Clubman (N47C16, 2007–2014) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain — Camshaft Sprocket Defect (Production Fault Pre-2011), Turbo Premature Failure, Rod and Main Bearing Wear. Power: 109–111 PS.

MINI Clubman (N47C20, 2011–2014) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Elongation — Known N47 Weakness, Turbo Failure, Rod and Main Bearing Wear. Power: 111 PS.

MINI Countryman (N47C16, 2010–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain — Camshaft Sprocket Defect (Production Fault Pre-2011), Turbo Premature Failure, Rod and Main Bearing Wear. Power: 111 PS.

MINI Countryman (N47C20, 2010–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Elongation — Known N47 Weakness, Turbo Failure, Rod and Main Bearing Wear. Power: 111 PS.

MINI Countryman (N47C20, 2011–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Elongation — Known N47 Weakness, Turbo Failure, Rod and Main Bearing Wear. Power: 136–150 PS.

MINI Paceman (N47C16, 2013–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain — Camshaft Sprocket Defect (Production Fault Pre-2011), Turbo Premature Failure, Rod and Main Bearing Wear. Power: 111 PS.

MINI Paceman (N47C20, 2013–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Elongation — Known N47 Weakness, Turbo Failure, Rod and Main Bearing Wear. Power: 136–143 PS.

MINI Paceman (N47C20, 2014–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Elongation — Known N47 Weakness, Turbo Failure, Rod and Main Bearing Wear. Power: 111 PS.

MINI (N12B16, 2006–2010) — Be Careful: Chain tensioner failure — timing chain stretches, Oil filter housing gasket leaking, Water pump plastic impeller breaks. Power: 90–98 PS.

MINI (N12B16, 2006–2010) — Be Careful: Chain tensioner failure — timing chain stretches, Oil filter housing gasket leaking, Water pump plastic impeller breaks. Power: 116–122 PS.

MINI (N14B16, 2006–2010) — Stay Away!: Chain tensioner failure — notorious N14 problem, High pressure fuel pump (HPFP) defective, Oil pump undersized — low oil pressure at idle. Power: 170–174 PS.

MINI (N18B16, 2008–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain and Chain Tensioner Wear, Turbo Oil Feed Line Coking — Turbo Damage, Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak. Power: 211–218 PS.

MINI (N14B16, 2009–2010) — Stay Away!: Chain tensioner failure — notorious N14 problem, High pressure fuel pump (HPFP) defective, Oil pump undersized — low oil pressure at idle. Power: 174 PS.

MINI (N16B16, 2010–2013) — Be Careful: Timing chain and chain tensioner wear, Oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler leaking, Water pump plastic impeller breaks. Power: 98 PS.

MINI (N16B16, 2010–2013) — Be Careful: Timing chain and chain tensioner wear, Oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler leaking, Water pump plastic impeller breaks. Power: 116–122 PS.

MINI (N18B16, 2010–2013) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain and Chain Tensioner Wear, Turbo Oil Feed Line Coking — Turbo Damage, Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak. Power: 184 PS.

MINI (B38A12, 2014–2018) — Be Careful: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Failure (Early Production), Oil Filter Housing Leaking, Electric Water Pump / Thermostat Failure. Power: 75 PS.

MINI (B38A12, 2014–2018) — Be Careful: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Failure (Early Production), Oil Filter Housing Leaking, Electric Water Pump / Thermostat Failure. Power: 102 PS.

MINI (B38B15, 2014–2024) — Be Careful: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Failure (Early Production), Oil Cooler Housing Crack — Oil/Coolant Mixing, Oil Filter Housing Leaking. Power: 102 PS.

MINI (B38B15, 2014–2024) — Be Careful: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Failure (Early Production), Oil Cooler Housing Crack — Oil/Coolant Mixing, Oil Filter Housing Leaking. Power: 135–136 PS.

MINI (B38B15, 2014–2021) — Be Careful: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Failure (Early Production), Oil Cooler Housing Crack — Oil/Coolant Mixing, Oil Filter Housing Leaking. Power: 136 PS.

MINI (B48B20, 2014–2024) — Be Careful: Dual-Mass Flywheel and Clutch Premature Wear, Coolant Vent Line Breaks — BMW Service Action, Increased Oil Consumption. Power: 192 PS.

MINI Clubman (N12B16, 2007–2010) — Be Careful: Chain tensioner failure — timing chain stretches, Oil filter housing gasket leaking, Water pump plastic impeller breaks. Power: 116–122 PS.

MINI Clubman (N14B16, 2008–2010) — Stay Away!: Chain tensioner failure — notorious N14 problem, High pressure fuel pump (HPFP) defective, Oil pump undersized — low oil pressure at idle. Power: 174 PS.

MINI Clubman (N16B16, 2010–2014) — Be Careful: Timing chain and chain tensioner wear, Oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler leaking, Water pump plastic impeller breaks. Power: 116–122 PS.

MINI Clubman (N18B16, 2010–2014) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain and Chain Tensioner Wear, Turbo Oil Feed Line Coking — Turbo Damage, Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak. Power: 184 PS.

MINI Countryman (N16B16, 2010–2016) — Be Careful: Timing chain and chain tensioner wear, Oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler leaking, Water pump plastic impeller breaks. Power: 98 PS.

MINI Countryman (N16B16, 2010–2016) — Be Careful: Timing chain and chain tensioner wear, Oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler leaking, Water pump plastic impeller breaks. Power: 116–122 PS.

MINI Countryman (N18B16, 2010–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain and Chain Tensioner Wear, Turbo Oil Feed Line Coking — Turbo Damage, Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak. Power: 184–190 PS.

MINI Countryman (N18B16, 2012–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain and Chain Tensioner Wear, Turbo Oil Feed Line Coking — Turbo Damage, Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak. Power: 218 PS.

MINI Coupé (N18B16, 2011–2015) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain and Chain Tensioner Wear, Turbo Oil Feed Line Coking — Turbo Damage, Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak. Power: 184 PS.

MINI Paceman (N16B16, 2013–2016) — Be Careful: Timing chain and chain tensioner wear, Oil filter housing gasket and oil cooler leaking, Water pump plastic impeller breaks. Power: 116–122 PS.

MINI Paceman (N18B16, 2013–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain and Chain Tensioner Wear, Turbo Oil Feed Line Coking — Turbo Damage, Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak. Power: 184–190 PS.

MINI Roadster (N18B16, 2012–2015) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain and Chain Tensioner Wear, Turbo Oil Feed Line Coking — Turbo Damage, Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak. Power: 184 PS.

What to watch out for with the MINI MINI? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the MINI MINI R57 have? +
The MINI MINI R57 has 75 known engine weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used MINI MINI R57? +
faq.watch_a_avoid
Which engine is recommended? +
Be careful: N12B16 (1.6L), N16B16 (1.6L), B38A12 (1.2L Turbo), B38B15 (1.5L Turbo), B48B20 (2.0L Turbo). No engine is rated 'Good Choice'. The most fun to drive is the B48B20 (2.0L Turbo). Problem engine: N14B16 (1.6L Turbo) — stay away!
Which MINI MINI R57 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the MINI MINI R57 — rated: "Legendary!". {description} 192 hp four-cylinder turbo with 280 Nm — the real fun machine of the F56. Direct turn-in, firm suspension, a genuine go-kart on a B-road.
Is the MINI MINI R57 worth buying used? +
Caution is advised with the MINI MINI R57 — 6 of 11 engine variants are rated 'Stay Away!'. The engine choice is crucial.
What horsepower variants are available for the MINI MINI R57? +
The MINI MINI R57 is available with engine variants from 75 to 306 hp. Petrol: N12B16 (1.6L), N14B16 (1.6L Turbo), N16B16 (1.6L), N18B16 (1.6L Turbo), B38A12 (1.2L Turbo), B38B15 (1.5L Turbo), B48B20 (2.0L Turbo). Diesel: N47C16 (1.6L Diesel), N47C20 (2.0L Diesel), B37C15 (1.5L Diesel), B47C20 (2.0L Diesel).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee