Previously owned and 05 MCS coupe I bought new and sold at 86K, great car, not a single problem ! Was really psyched to order a new MCS c in mid June (wanted supercharged) and picked up the car in first half of August. Driving home from dealer on highway, car was vibrating badly so I turned around right away. They had the car for 6 days, used electronic vibrations sensors and several different techs to evaluate. Replace both axles, 2 wheels, and a few tires, numerous wheel balancing. I picked the car up before an 800 mi weekend trip (lots of highway) and the vibration is still there. Typically happens between 65 and 75 and does not seem to be linked to power off or on. They keep the car another few days and replace all the tires (Pirelli Euphoria). When I pick it up, it is better, but after a week it gets worse. Previously could be felt in steering and seat of the pants, now it seems to be more towards the front of the car. To make things even more interesting, as the weather is now cooling here in NJ, the morning commute (cooler temps) is smoother, and the afternoon commute home is worse. I have 1/2 hour in am and 1/2 hour in pm at highway speeds, so as you can imagine, this can get on your nerves, esecially for a new car ! I realize that a convertible will not have the chassis rigidity of a coupe, but when the car is traveling on a smooth higway in a strainght line, there should be no viration. I have an old convertible (Lotus Elan) which is much more flexible, and does not do this, and have driven other modern convertibles that do not do it either. I have also driven an 05 MCS c that was rock solid and then another 08 MCS c that was worse than my car. The car is going back to the dealer, but they seem to be at a loss. Any thoughts or suggestions ?

Brian

 

Please clarify...the MCSc you have right now...is it the 08 you mentioned in the 3rd-to-last sentence or is it a different year?

Did you purchase it from a MINI dealership or a regular used-car dealership?

Has it EVER been in an accident?

Erika

 

I would suspect bushings in the suspension. The rubber is harder when it is cold and less forgiving and when hot gets more pliable so probably cause more vibration. They need to check the suspension and not just change tires.

 

If vibration occurs only between 65 and 75 MPH, this is a rotational imbalance that is exciting the natural oscillation frequency of the suspension (as you have when your wheel/tire is out of balance). It could be any rotating part in the drive-train (including brake disks, drive shaft, u-joints) or possibly the shocks.
Please keep us updated on what you learn and hope it's fixed soon.

 

The car I have now is the brand new '08 MCS c (one of the last), had about 12 miles when I picked it up from the Mini dealer in Mahwah NJ on Aug. 9.

 

Have they check the strut towers .

 

Agreed - it's something rotating that's out of balance. My car has NEVER exhibited that behavior... it's not inherent to the cabrio....

 

With all my experience with mini' 3 cases is strut tower due to lack of lubrication to rotating bearing on the strut tower mounts.1 case of broken tower rubber mount.Have your local dealer check the tower mounts.The other thing is check the electric power steering pump this can overheat and cause steering vibration cooling fan should cool it.Just make sure cooling fan is operating normal.

 

Verrrrrry interesting