We had a 09 turbo s. At 96k miles timing chain broke, and ruined all the valves. Estimate was $3500 to repair or $5k for new engine. Dumped it at the scrap yard and put the $3500 into a newer car for the kids.
WOW...
Daily Driver? I probably wouldn't have a 12 year old one, but depends on the miles & $ paid... My Dad had a couple of them (both the "S" turbo's) & in automatics and He loved them! Crazy fun little cars, even in an automatic. No crazy maintenance for him but his never got out of warranty.
I have been looking at the "E" version (plug-in Hybrid all wheel drive) but people like them ($'s asking) more than I do. Mini had a bad year last year, Atl. metro lost 2 dealerships last year, S. Atlanta closed 3 years ago, before Covid. Not something everybody can work on and the "Quicky Lube" places won't do an oil change on them because of all the plastic underneath that is prone to break... That's about all I know & all I'm going to say about that... 
