Hello,

I'm a new member here, but a MINI owner from quite a ways back. Had a 2004 MCS with JCW dealer installed kit
(the only way they came then). I traded it in for something bigger without a clutch. Soon I missed the clutch, and regretted letting the R53 go. Tried to fill that space with a 2003 Miata......a great car but not a MINI. I've been spoiled by the turbo motor low end torque. The Miata was great around corners, but it just wasn't for me.

So I recently picked up a 2010 MCS, it's got the Mayfair package on it (neat seats and some other stuff in that package). It also has the premium package, and cold weather package. The previous owner took pretty good care of it, though the shop they were using (which is where I bought it) made some strange choices.

I drove it for 3 days and the CEL came on..... So into a shop I trusted. Seems the thermostat is bad and the valve cover was leaky, the brake fluid was not so new, so I'm getting those things fixed. Odd thing, they gave me records that I went back through and the thermostat is only 6 months old (hmmmm). They did an "inspection" and noted the valve cover issue BUT they are a shop more than a used car dealer so why wouldn't they offer to fix those things before selling it or at least make me aware of the issues if they wanted me as a customer going forward???? Anyway that ship has sailed and I'm back with someone I trust who took care of the first MINI (that had it's share of issues).

I'm looking forward to enjoying a MINI again.

 

Congrats on your second Mini! I'm still in the honeymoon stages with my first mini a 10 fjcw clubman. Ha

Glad you have a good shop to take it to. Enjoy!

 

Congrats on the 2nd Mini. I'm on my honeymoon with my 1st Mini - 06 R53.

 

@greenknight- post some pics when you get time. Your situation sounds strangely familiar to mine. The thermostat temp sensor took a dump on my way home from buying the car; I live in KC and bought the car in KY.
Dealer wouldn't cover the part under their warranty nor did they seem to care that it happened at all.

Anyhow, good luck with your second Mini! Sounds like a real gem!

 

Welcome.

Have heard a couple issues with the thermostat connections being broken or a bad thermostat off the bat when new, its rare but can happen.

 

@reACTION The story of my Thermostat problems is still ongoing……

First trip in they replaced it, but a couple of days later the CEL returned. So back I went. After a bit of investigation there was a fuse missing, not blown just not there at all. Seems strange but it gets better. Car was running fine for a couple of days (actually it's always seemed to run fine), but the CEL comes back on again.

So back into the shop, where they kind of start from square one. What they have found now is that the plumbing was incorrect for the flow of coolant to the thermostat housing, the tech put it back the way it was, which was of course not the right way.

So as of today they are correcting that issue and hopefully putting an end to the issues.


Here is a link to a folder of pics of the car:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ecefy9u3e...QcdfMNvZa?dl=0

 

Welcome to NAM, greenknight. Sorry to hear about your issue, but glad things are getting all fixed up and you'll soon be able to enjoy your R56. Looks very clean and if you ever need anything or have any questions in the future please do not hesitate to let me know.