Most liked posts in thread: Soon to be F55 owner

  1. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #3 Nathan, May 27, 2015
    Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.

    So far there haven't been issues with the new 3 cylinder that we've heard much about at all. It was the previous N14 that was problematic, the later N18 is better. Your's is different than those.

    Your's is a BMW designed lump used in BMW's as well as MINIs. The previous generation used a Peugeot/BMW design.
     
  2. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #2 MCS02, May 27, 2015
    Welcome to MA!

    Cant help with the question but someone will be along that can.
     
  3. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #4 Crashton, May 27, 2015
    Welcome...

    It is early days for the 3 hole MINI engine. Many makes are having issues with carbon buildup in their direct injection engines. Hopefully MINI has fixed that issue, but if not it is just a service that you do. I wouldn't worry about it.
     
  4. nxtMINI

    nxtMINI Active Member

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    #5 nxtMINI, May 28, 2015
    Welcome to M/A!

    ^^ I agree with what they said about the engine :biggrin5:
     
  5. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    #6 mrntd, May 28, 2015
    Welcome Aboard!
     
  6. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    #7 Zapski, May 28, 2015
    Welcome! Enjoy the ride!

    Speaking as someone who has an N14 engine, the carbon buildup issue wasn't as awful as I'd been fearing. I had over 100,000 miles on mine before I had a real issue with it. Some of it can be dealt with by driving habits; avoid frequent sub-20 minute drives and it should be OK.

    Still, as the others have said, you've got a totally new design that we don't have a lot of experience with. Should be fun learning!
     
  7. DryMartini

    DryMartini New Member

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    #8 DryMartini, May 28, 2015
    Welcome aboard!
     
  8. Ryephile

    Ryephile New Member

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    #9 Ryephile, May 28, 2015
    Every generation of GDI engine has been getting better for valve deposits via improved air-oil separators [aka catch cans] in the valve cover. The 1st gen VW FSI's are notorious for bad carbon deposits, as is the MINI/PSA Prince engine, however big wisdom strides in crankcase ventilation have happened since those engine designs and I'd hazard the B38 you'll have in your MINI will be able to go muuuuch further before needing a cleaning.

    Given OEM's must comply in not venting anything to atmosphere other than the tailpipe, it's also likely that an aftermarket solution [catch can] that simply vents the AOS to atmosphere instead of back into the intake would help carbon build-up at the expense of greater overall vehicle emissions [if you care].

    Basically, I wouldn't worry about it. If the engine needs a cleaning every 100k, I would call that acceptable maintenance.