The MINI Cooper Paceman Years To Avoid
MINI Cooper Paceman by Thomas doerfer - CC-BY-SA-4.0
As an iconic British car brand, MINI has always been about the celebration of individuality, style, and fun. The MINI ownership experience is unique in many ways, and these distinctive qualities make people fall in love with the brand.
With that said, one of the more interesting offerings by MINI is certainly the Cooper Paceman. It’s a two-door, four-seat compact crossover that combines the fun-to-drive dynamics of a typical MINI with the practical nature of a crossover—the Paceman slots in as a more sporty and stylish alternative to the more practical and family-oriented Countryman.
While it shares the same platform and many components as the Countryman, it features a sleeker design and sportier driving dynamics, which helped develop its appeal. It’s a solid option for those who want the happy medium of practicality, style, and driving enjoyment.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE MINI COOPER PACEMAN
To help you, we go through all models, determine the most reliable MINI Cooper Paceman year, and offer some insights into why they’re worth the investment.
Unfortunately, the Paceman was unceremoniously discontinued, so used car buyers only have a few options to work with. Today, we highlight the worst MINI Cooper Paceman Years to avoid and the ones you can safely buy as used.
Which MINI Cooper Paceman Years To Avoid?
First, let’s consider the overall reliability of MINI as a brand. According to RepairPal, the MINI brand has a reliability rating of 3.0 out of 5.0, placing the automaker 25th out of 32 car brands – not exactly the head of the class. In addition, MINI also has an average annual repair cost of $854 per year, which is higher than average across all manufacturers. The frequency of repairs is also higher, so you might also be getting more familiar with your local mechanics than you’d like.
As such, remember the above information when shopping for a used MINI Cooper Paceman. With such a small lineup, below is the only Paceman model year to avoid as a used car buyer:
- 2014 MINI Cooper Paceman
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2014 MINI Cooper Paceman
The Paceman debuted with a fairly reliable unit in the 2013 model year. However, the same can’t be said with the 2014 Paceman, as it received more reports of reliability woes than the rest of the lineup.
2014 MINI Paceman Reliability Ratings and User Complaints
The Paceman isn’t exactly the most popular model, even within MINI’s lineup. Thus, data about its long-term reliability are scarce. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2014 Paceman has seven recalls and 30 complaints. What made this model one of the MINI Cooper Paceman Years to avoid is the severity of the complaints.
The three major categories that receive the most number of complaints are the engine, powertrain, and electrical systems. One user said they experienced unexpected engine shutdowns, forcing the car into “accessory mode.” This required a complete stop and restart to regain control. The power steering was disabled, leaving the driver to coast to safety. A warning message, “Transmission not in park, vehicle may roll,” appeared on the car’s screen.
Regarding the engine-related issues, one user claimed the turbocharger had been gradually failing over the past year, causing the car to enter “limp mode” and lose power. This is obviously a huge safety risk when driving on a highway.
2014 MINI Paceman Potential Problems
Although experiences can vary, looking at a car’s common and potential problems can give you a good idea if they fit your needs. Below is a quick summary of the reliability issues you may experience with this model.
- Instrument cluster going haywire: A forum post related to a 2014 Paceman with the John Cooper Works (JCW) package describes a problem with the instrument cluster, which randomly starts blinking on and off, makes chiming sounds, and shows fluctuating speedometer and tachometer readings. This issue is also concerning because it affects the vehicle’s turn signals.
- Timing chain issue: One significant issue, particularly prevalent in the 2013-2014 models, is the timing chain tensioner failure, which could lead to serious engine damage if not addressed promptly. Without proper tension, the timing chain may slip or “jump” a tooth on the timing gears and mess up the engine’s timing.
- Carbon buildup in turbocharged engines: Some turbocharged engines of the Paceman were reported to have carbon buildup. This may lead to various symptoms like reduced engine performance, increased emission, misfires, and rough idling.
- Crank oil leaks: Several MINI vehicles, including the 2014 Paceman, may develop crank oil leaks due to a failing crank seal.
- Transmission issues: The 2014 Paceman is also prone to developing transmission issues. Drivers may experience symptoms like difficulty in shifting, slipping gears, delayed engagement, etc.
Remember that these issues are only sourced from a few complaints, forum posts, and vehicle history. Thus, there’s no indication that these are widespread issues. With that said, the number of complaints and potential issues made the 2014 model our top pick for the worst (and only) MINI Cooper Paceman Years to avoid.
WHAT TO DO IF A DEALER REFUSES TO CANCEL EXTENDED WARRANTY
Car buying can occasionally be frustrating, especially if you’re purchasing your vehicle through a dealership. We’re here to tell you how to navigate a situation in which a dealer refuses to cancel your extended warranty.
Which MINI Cooper Paceman Years to Buy?
Outlined below are some of the more reliable Paceman years for used car buyers.
2013 MINI Cooper Paceman
While most debut models tend to have the most problems, the 2013 MINI Cooper Paceman ended up as one of the most reliable years for the two-door compact SUV. For starters, it only had one recall – a positive sign suggesting that the vehicle has no history of significant safety issues. User complaints for the 2013 MINI Paceman are also relatively low. This either indicates that most owners of this model have had a positive experience with their vehicle, or it’s just not very popular.
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2016 MINI Cooper Paceman
The swan song of the Paceman is, thankfully, a reliable unit. With the 2016 MINI Cooper Paceman, you’re getting the latest version of this compact SUV which generally means fewer issues and more features. In addition, the 2016 MINI Paceman offers entertaining driving dynamics and reasonably fuel-efficient engines. The turbocharged Cooper S and John Cooper Works models provide lively acceleration, making the driving experience more enjoyable.
Although it’s not a competitive compact SUV in the segment, it’s a great option for buyers of used MINIs.
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