Please have a look at the CBC News - BMW's Mini Coopers labelled 'junk' as owner hit with engine repairs.

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/canada/story/1.2948855


I have a 2009 Mini Cooper S with 54,000 kms. My only issue has been adding 3/4 of a liter of oil every 3-4 gas fill-ups. The Dealer told me that they couldn't spot any leaks.

- AJK

 

There are a lot of inconsistencies in that report. Vacuum pump ?
Something doesn't seem right there to me.

 

" Bursac bought the car second-hand from a non-Mini dealership"

While it might possibly be manufacturing or design flaw that caused the failure, BMW Canada is right, she didn't buy it from them. Unless it's a known issue, she's on her own.