One problem related to engine failure has been reported for the 2009 Mini Cooper S. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I stopped at a red light on a busy city street. The Mini Cooper S engine stopped running and would not start. That day was heavy snow and the roads were very difficult to drive on. I could not move the car. After sometime waiting on a tow truck the four way flashers quit working. Fortunately no one ran into the car. I disrupted traffic for about an hour until the police were able to push the car off the road. The car was towed to the Mini dealer and it was determined the timing chain broke. The car only has 32,000 miles on it. Researching, I see that many Mini owners have experienced the timing chain failing. My 17 year old daughter usually drives this car. I am glad I was driving it when this happened and fortunate the car was not moving when the engine failed.