From 2006 to 2010, a factory in England assembled the 1.6-liter Mini Cooper N12B16A engine, which was fitted to the Clubman station wagon in the rear of the R55 and the mass-produced Mini in the rear of the R56. Under its EP6 index, Peugeot-Citroen vehicles had a comparable power unit installed.
N12B14A, N12B16A, N16B16A, N14B16A, N14B16C, N18B16A, and N18B16C are engines from the Prince series.
Specifications
| Production years | 2006-2010 |
| Displacement, cc | 1598 |
| Fuel system | distributed injection |
| Power output, hp | 90 (One) 120 (Cooper) |
| Torque output, Nm | 150 (One) 160 (Cooper) |
| Cylinder block | aluminum R4 |
| Block head | aluminum 16v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 77 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 85.8 |
| Compression ratio | 11.0 |
| Features | DOHC, Valvetronic |
| Hydraulic lifters | yes |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Phase regulator | on both shafts |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 4.2 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 4 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Mini Cooper 2009) — city — highway — combined |
7.8 4.6 5.8 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~230 000 |
The engine was installed on:
- Mini Cabrio R57 in 2009 – 2010;
- Mini Clubman R55 in 2007 – 2010;
- Mini Hatch R56 in 2006 – 2010.
Disadvantages of the Mini N12B16A engine
These power units’ primary issues are intake coking and oil burn.
The timing chain, and particularly its tensioner, is a rather modest resource in this case.
Furthermore, Vanos-type phase regulators and the Valvetronic system are not very useful.
This family of engines is well-known for frequent oil and antifreeze leaks.
Lambda probes, a water pump, and a thermostat are some of these motors’ weak points.