Looking for an alternative to a $1700 fix for my engine mount leaking, I found this place and discovered a whole lot of other people have had the same problem.

I got my first Mini in 2011. Got talked into trading it in for a 2013. My 2013 Mini, Hermione, had the worst luck with unexpected falling objects. First, a tree fell on her, wreaking havoc with the roof mostly but also a side panel. It took a long time to get her fixed because apparently, the folks at BMW don't get many calls for roof replacements. Insurance being what it is insisted she have anew roof instead of one from a junkyard. They had to make it. That took a whole summer. Then one day I was driving to work in the pouring rain, in the left most lane, next to concrete barrier on 6 lane interstate in bumper to bumper traffic when I noticed a fairly large sized flying object come flying from somewhere unknown. I could tell it was heavy because it hit the roadway and began skidding across the lanes right towards me in my Mini. There was no place I could go so I just held the steering wheel tightly and ran over the thing. I saw the car behind me run over it as well. It was about the size of a window air conditioner but it had sharp spikes coming off of it. I have no idea what it was other than deadly.

Then I had to make it across all those lanes of traffic with flat tires to the side of the road. Whatever that object was, it tore up my electrical system. The Ford behind me lost its engine to the monstrous metal thing. After that, I had small problems occur that had to do with the electric system and decided to trade her in.

My 3rd Mini was black with tinted windows. I was just getting used to those tinted windows when a little old lady slammed on her gas pedal instead of the brake as she came out of a shopping center.My third Mini didn't even get named because I hadn't had it long enough. The insurance paid the cost of that vehicle so it was paid off, but then I had to find a new Mini without the benefit of a trade in. That was rough. All my Minis have had a manual transmission and it was hard to find a 2018 manual but my sales lady found a 2018 F55 S in another state with only about 1000 miles on it. The person who had bought it never got used to a manual transmission.

Thus I ended up with the R55 S that is British Racing Green with black stripes. His name is Oliver. I put the typical amount of mileage on him the first year. Then Covid hit. That's why my 2018 only has 33,500 miles on it.

I was on Car Talk once. I have the signed photo to prove it.

In 2016, the last time I visited family in London, I decided to go to Oxford and take the Mini "factory" tour. It was fun.

 

Welcome, we need pics!