To change chain or to leave it alone

My R50 went to 160,000 miles before I swapped the car, as far as I know it was on the original chain

Jackdaniel good to know. I guess it’s a question no one can answer but there’s that many horror stories about timing chains. I will just keep listening. Don’t suppose you know how much a replacement is? Roughly

I think I was quoted £600 but can’t remember that well, I’m sure mike or someone will be along shortly who will know!

Jackdaniel mike is a legend he’s given me so much advice already. Better get saving

The engine in Jack's R50 will have been a different type to that in your Clubman.

Garybee ok. I’m going to try more garages for quotes tomorrow.

Peapod said:

Hi everyone I have a Mini Cooper clubman. 127 thousand miles full mini service history no chain change. Rang three garages today. Two said if there’s no signs of a problem with chain just leave it. Third said we’ve never done one in 35 years they don’t need changing they last the life of the car. It seems to have become an obsession with me listening for noises now and I’m frightened of giving it a damn good ride because of this. Obviously I don’t want to throw money on one if I do t have to. Any advice. Anyone never had to change one?

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never knew they done a gen 1 clubman ie tritec engine, also where a garage says he's never done one in 35 years , hmm they came out ie gen mini 2001 and not 35 years ago, as for leaving it until its a problem so many people try'd that with the gen 2 r56 cars and we on here see the endless posts for chain problems etc, we also see the ill informed manor of some garages where they have replaced just about everything but the real problem the timing chain, as 35 years a go a timing chain would in fact last 300,000 easy,
the question is.. is your car a clubman ie has two doors at rear and 3 doors for people to get in and out of,?

Hi mike,
It’s a 2009 Cooper Clubman with the rear barn doors and the strange little side door.

so its has the prince engine as i thought and as i gave info on good luck with listening to ill informed garages on that engine i assure you taking that advice will not end well around every 70.000 miles on most on some as soon as 50.000 miles and the ones with emissions fails and damaged cats and 02 sensors that limp past 100k are a massive money pit for the poor bugger who owns it when it finally gives up,