On 10/21/2017 I was driving my daughters Mini Cooper since she told me that the check engine light has been on. I took it to go get gas and the car started to idle very rough and no power. It went into limp mode and almost dying. Took it to a repair shop and to find out that the piston has burned a hole in it along with parts of the ring on top of the piston. The broken pieces bored right into the side of the cylinder so there is no repair for this engine unless I get a new engine. Only 97,500 miles on it, very clean car with this only being the major issue.

Long story short I've had the car for 2 years (bought certified preowned from Carmax with 52k miles) and have spent over 10k on repairing everything from oxygen sensor, thermostat, water pump, fuel pump, fuel injector, transmission flush, throttle body, and more. Wrote an email to MINI for help as all my credit cards were maxed and both accounts drained to pay for repairs while still making a $340 monthly payment. They said tough luck, Carmax said tough luck. MINI is a company that does not stand by their product. They make cars that can guarantee the owner will pay an arm and a leg for maintenance because its certain that something major will fail.

P.S. Car depreciates like nothing else. I still owe 11,000 and resale is only 4k. Trade in is only $3,500.

Per my own investigation and research, it seems that the vacuum pump has seized causing the exhaust cam to lock up. This lock up caused the timing gear on the exhaust cam to snap off and allow the timing chain to come off. Based on the fact that this engine is an interference engine (meaning the piston and valves will come in contact if spinning) my only assumption is that the internals of the engine are damaged.

I have not had the car fixed yet, but I am sure that I am looking at between $5,000 and $10,000... oh.. and I bought it used.. and I still owe money to the bank on this car... worst car failure I have ever experienced...

Other than my wife's 2004 Jetta, this is going to be the worst car I have owned..

Bought this car from a dealer, clean Carfax, only 54000 miles...a cute little car. Not even 30 miles down the road the vehicle lost power in the middle of the highway. No warning, no lights, no smoke, nothing. Had the vehicle towed to Mini where I was told the vacuum pump went out and destroyed the engine. My extended warranty doesn't cover this part, which in turn destroyed the engine. I am now out over $8500, may have to have vehicle repossessed and Mini is not hearing anything about the car as it is all about the money.

First, mini and I have it for a whole 40 minutes and boom-destroyed. Dealer refuses to assist, car salesman refuses as they quote 'as is' and now I have nothing short of a paperweight. I think that MINI should step in and do some goodwill gesture in this situation, and honestly if I would of read more about this car would of never bought it. I have read nothing but sh*t about his model and MINI in general. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions feel free to offer. I am at a loss here, very sad that this happened and feel there is no resolve.