The 2-liter BMW diesel engine that powers the Mini cars in the UK and in other markets is obviously worth your attention. This is a durable, economical, and not really problematic engine that offers quite a lot of power and fun driving. The unit is technologically advanced and its only serious flaw is expensive repair and maintenance.
Today, I will tell you about the 2.0L diesel engine in the Mini Hatch, Cabrio, Clubman, and Countryman that has been used since 2014 till now. In 2019, Mini Hatch got another engine but the Clubman and Countryman still use this German diesel engine that is almost legendary in terms of how long it can last and how good it can go.
Here’s what exactly I will cover in this article:
- What should you know about the 2.0L diesel in Mini cars?
- How long will the BMW engine last in your Clubman and Countryman?
- What are the common problems with these engines?
- Can you prolong the life of this engine with your driving style?
Key facts about the 2.0 diesel engine in Mini vehicles
This is not the only 2.0L diesel engine in Mini cars, so there may be some misunderstanding. From 2010 to 2017, Mini used the variety of the N47 diesel engine that also had 2 liters of displacement. But today I am talking about the B47 version and its modification coded B47C20A.
This is originally a BMW engine that was used in plenty of German vehicles and had a good reputation. In Mini cars, it also got proper feedback – owners love the engine and say it’s pretty reliable, offers wonderful fuel economy, and is pleasant to drive.
Here’s what you should know about it:
- this is the 2-liter 4-cylinder diesel turbocharged engine offering 150 horsepower and 330-350 Nm of torque, depending on the version;
- the engine has a pretty standard common rail injection system with no serious problems or disadvantages;
- the timing system is driven by a chain that’s durable but still isn’t good enough to last the entire engine’s life;
- the turbocharger is Borg Warner – a simple and reliable unit ready to kick in any moment you need it;
- there are no phasers in this engine, so one common BMW problem can be forgotten about and it’s good;
- there is also a Cooper SD version of the engine with the Garrett turbo and it offers up to 400 Nm of torque and up to 190 horsepower.
- the Cooper D was available with 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic gearboxes while the SD version came only with the automatic option.
I should say that the best thing about these vehicles with 2.0 diesel engines is that you could easily get about 5l/100 km fuel consumption in the city (over 55 MPG UK). Both types of transmissions are good and reliable and don’t change fuel consumption much.
Today, the remaining Countryman and Clubman vehicles are only sold with petrol engines in the UK, at least this is what the official website says. But a couple of months ago, you could order a diesel version. Although this engine is pretty old and not super-technological, it still seems to be a very good option for a car like the Mini SUV.
How long will the 2.0 diesel last in a Mini car?
In terms of durability, there is nothing bad I can say about these engines. They will easily hit 180,000 miles or 280,000 kilometers without serious or fatal issues. But to achieve this, you will need to properly maintain them. I will later focus on some tips that will help you drive this diesel engine longer.
I know some Mini Countryman and Clubman vehicles that lost this engine much earlier. Usually, the premature death of the BMW 2.0L diesel engine is connected to the use of bad fuel, poor maintenance routine, ignored minor problems, and abusive driving.
Also, the 8-speed automatic transmission doesn’t seem to be extremely durable and it may require repair at about 120,000 miles or 200,000 kilometers. But the transmission is a conventional torque-converter gearbox, so the repair will not cost you a fortune. Also, the manual transmission is durable and problem-free, it will easily outlast the engine.
What are the common problems with the 2.0L diesel engine in Mini?
Although I think this is one of the best diesel engines Mini had in its history, it still has several common problems. I am not saying that you, as a Mini owner, will experience all these problems inevitably. Just pay attention to some symptoms that potentially may tell you about the common issue that you can prevent or repair at the early stages. This will apparently save your budget.
Here are the issues you should know about:
1. The AGR valve will cause some problems
The majority of reports about this engine that come from owners are connected to the EGR valve that is called AGR in this BMW engine. This is the valve that directs unburnt gases back to the cylinders instead of just letting them leave the engine through the exhaust system. This is the ecology equipment and it may cause serious issues.
The valve may get stuck and this will affect the vehicle. Also, the coolant may leak in the cooling system of the AGR system because of sudden cracks that may happen almost at any mileage.
2. DPF filter issues
If you own a high-mileage Mini powered by the 2.0L diesel engine, you will most likely experience issues with the diesel particulate filter. It gets clogged at about 100,000 miles even if you follow all the guidelines.
Unfortunately, cleaning is not always possible and you will need to replace this filter which causes a lot of expenses. Also, if the filter is said to be deadly clogged after inspection, there is just no other way but to replace it. Deleting this filter is not legal in most European countries and in the UK.
3. Injectors may fail
After your 2.0L diesel engine happily goes 100,000 miles, its extremely expensive injectors may fail. This is especially possible if you use poor-quality fuel. This engine uses piezo injectors in the Common Rail system that are hard to clean or repair. They need to be replaced once faulty and this is yet another highly expensive operation that you may need to pay for in this Mini engine.
4. Flaps in the intake manifold may get clogged
The intake manifold is not simply designed. It has some flaps and other moving parts that are attacked by diesel soot and happily get covered with combustion products. This may lead to stuck flaps and eventually bad engine operation. Fortunately, this common problem is not as hard and expensive to solve as the three previous issues.
5. Timing chain problems
At about 120,000 miles, you may hear the engine rattling. This is a clear sign that the timing chain decided to retire. If you keep driving like that, the chain may jump a tooth or two and this will lead to bad damage to several valves. Also, the engine head may get stuck and will require expensive repair or even replacement. The block may also get some damage if this happens at high speed.
So, the timing chain should be replaced at about 120K miles or 180-200K kilometers or as soon as the engine starts rattling when idling.
Can you prolong the life of this Mini engine?
Actually, yes, you can make the 2.0L diesel engine in your Mini drive more miles or years by adjusting your driving style and also providing it with proper maintenance.
First of all, you should know that the Cooper SD version is less durable due to higher power and torque. This engine will require more attention to last longer.
Overall, you can do the following:
- avoid driving right after you start the engine in the morning – let it warm up a little (a minute should be enough);
- avoid abusive driving style – this is not the engine for racing, but you can drive it actively, especially the SD version;
- after the engine reaches 100,000 miles, it needs to be inspected and maintained more often than before;
- also, at about 120,000 miles, you should change the chain kit, this will save the engine from premature death;
- use Mini-recommended oil and filters and avoid experimenting with oil viscosity;
- have the AGR and the DPF inspected yearly to prevent them from failing completely;
- have the piezo injectors inspected yearly after the engine reached 100K miles.
Of course, you should also avoid buying bad diesel fuel because it will cause clogging, loss of power, bad DPF consequences, and other issues with the vehicle.
To wrap up
Even though the B47C20A diesel engine in Mini vehicles is not perfect, I still think this is one of the best diesel powerplants that you could ever find under the bonnet of these cars. It’s really good in terms of fuel efficiency, pretty durable, doesn’t fail unexpectedly, and provides you with enough power and torque.
In the article, I listed the common problems that may happen with this engine. And I should say that the price of repair is still one of the worst sides of this unit.
