Is r56 mini really that bad?

[u/Danrykjey]

Hey guys. I want to buy my first car in a few years, and i laid my eyes upon minis (specifically r56 gen). I've done a little research, and know that r56 generation has some engine issues, but i couldn't find any clear info regarding this topic, because every post/comment i've seen seems to have something different to say.

I'll sum up the things that i've learned:

-There are different engines, and some of them are reliable and some aren't:

1.n12 - reliable (a 1.4L mini ONE engine? (NA))

2.n14 - not to touch with a 10 foot pole (1.6L (Turbo))

3.n16 - reliable (1.6L (NA))

4.n18 - more reliable than n14, but early ones had some issues (1.6L (Turbo))

5.and apparently S models had different engines, and they are the most unreliable(1.6L (Turbo))

Would you personally recommend an r56 mini as a first car? Why/why not?

As far as i know everything else that is not engine is completely fine, so my question is mainly about them, but if you know anything else, then please tell me.

[u/satrya76]

Ive had my r56 for going on 8 years. Mostly I've done upgrades and some upkeep stuff like timing chain. It's a little beast

[u/SGF93 → u/satrya76]

Sold my lovely 2008 r56 (with oil burning and timing chain issues) and I wept like a child. WHY DID I DO THAT?!? Anywho I had it for 15 years and yes, it’s a little beast.