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Hmm. Food for thought indeed. The one aspect I really need is reliability. Partner has a tendency to ignore noises or warning lights till it escalates.
What did you go for in the end?
Chak-
R53 fan, she’ll forgive you, they’re really great fun. I’m not sure many would take a 56 over a 53 in terms of reliability if that’s paramount?
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We ended up for a 1.2 TSI Yeti which I suppose is the closest VAG offering to the Countryman. It’s practical and handles well but it’s no Cooper S.
Skoda Fabia could be a good alternative or a Golf with the right engine.
They can also suffer from timing chain issues too but some less likely.
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That is the thing, how bad is the prince engine. I know a number of traders won't buy a Citroen/pug with the prince engine. Even tho PSA engines were built in France and the BMW engines were built in England.
Looking at minis, the timing chain replacement is doable DIY, and can be 60,000 miles. Greatest issue is that the cars went 10k between services and no one checked the oil level between services.
Then there is the carbon build up on the inlet...but that can be cleaned in situ.
But at a certain point all the fucked ones are gone now.
I mentioned I keep looking in the hope the @NurseHolliday would recommend a forum I could annoy with questions.
hang_on_voltaire
JamesQGM
lynx
I spent quite a lot of time researching the R56 engines as we nearly bought a Countryman Cooper S.
BMW prince engine also in Peugeots. Long story short is buy as new as one as possible as they improved the tensioners etc as time went on. Listen out for the rattle on start up. Or buy one with the chains replaced already. Also check coolant levels as they can leak. Clutch is an engine out job too.
Tbh in the end I couldn’t find a decent enough one. There is a reason a lot of them are very cheap.