Loud bang/snap sound this AM 20 foot out of my driveway - 2015 All 4 - could be a twin of the original post. Reading the post I am assuming a broken spring.- dropped it off at the local garage. Can't wait for the estimate.

I think it is time to dump this car - I am almost ashamed to admit the amount of money I have invested in this thing in the last year. I love the car - have driven Mini's for the last 20 years but am tired of the bottomless pit.

 

FWIW, my grand total for the spring, strut, and 10k mile oil change was $1,018.55.

No fooling: two weeks after the right rear spring broke, the left side did the same.

Bottomless pit is right.

 

I would just switch them out for lowering springs. Having the oem spring might just do the same thing down the road.

OEM Springs, but i worry that that something else would damage when the springs crack. I would then do lowering springs and new Bilstein or just do coilovers and newer worry about it again. Also you will have a better ride. If I had a countryman thats the first thing i would do anyway.

Cracked springs are common on the BMW e46 and M3

 

Per my mechanic the springs are on backorder from Mini and have been for months - also not available from any other suppliers. He was able to locate a used one which will take a week to arrive. I guess a used one is better than none.

That they are backordered from Mini would suggest a problem. As per others have suggested should be a recall

 

Might be, MINI has several springs for the rear per VIN. So you Vin might be one spring weight and another Vin one spring up or down based on weight.

I would just switch out to aftermarket (performance H&R, Eibach...etc ). They lowering will not hurt anything, makes the car handle a bit better, look better. And you don't have to worry about it again or the other side.

MINI Countryman Base https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2012-...nsion/Springs/
MINI Countryman S https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2012-...nsion/Springs/
MINI Countryman S ALL4 https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2012-...nsion/Springs/

 

IT was nice seeing the information from everyone one here I just picked up one of the of the 2015 all4 models and both of my rear springs have just failed yesterday

 

My Countryman has been out of commission for 3 weeks waiting for parts. The mechanic wants to replace not only the springs but also the struts. The left rear strut has been the hold up -on backorder..
I finally got tiredi of waiting and picked up the springs, sway bar links and miscellaneous bolts and hardware - cost was around $900. I am going to just have the springs replaced and not worry about the struts since I am going to dump this turkey.
While at the dealer the parts person reported that coil spring breakage is VERY common among all Mini products but especially the Countryman. There there was a Countrman in the shop with the same problem. He also reported that there had been 2 in the shop last week and that he had received a call that morning with a woman looking for springs for her Countryman.
The other issue is that on the hardtop etc the strut/spring comes all together and is readily available from aftermarket suppliers. Not the Countrman - springs and struts are only available separately.

This car has been a money pit - within the last year - oil leak - replaced alternator and AC compressor, replaced radio unit - battery and now the springs. It is time to say GOOD BYE. Good luck on your adventure

 

Why would anyone change one side and not the other, anyone with scruples would want the two sides even, BTW, next time you buy new shoes, only wear a new shoe on the right foot and keep the old shoe on your left foot, its exactly what you’ve done here genius