While I was getting a scheduled service done at Jacobs, they noticed that the radiator carrier on my '05 Cooper was broken, leaving the radiator and the condenser 'hanging by the tubes.' It was stated to me that the carrier is plastic and can easily be broken if one were to roll over a curb or parking stop. My question is, can this happen bottoming out? Or can this be a situation where there may have been 'trauma' to the carrier , lets say 2 years ago, and the carrier may have finally given way? I certainly don't remember running anything over recently. Does anyone have any experience with this? Any information would be a great help as the estimate for replacement is $2450! Thanks!

 

Unfortunately this seems to be a very common sight for many MINI owners. The MINI sits so low that any small bump, bottoming out, or small parking median can destroy the radiator carrier. Yes this could have happened over 2 yrs ago, and the very cold weather finally let loose on it. Unfortunately, if the vehicle is already apart, nows the time to fix it, much cheaper in labor cost if the front of the vehicle is already being disassembled.

 

Thanks for the reply. I guess I was just having a real bad day. Wasn't thinking too clearly. Everything is under control.

 

That Plastic piece can't be that expensive I think $2450 is way over priced, what are the labor rates, should not take more than 3 hours to remove and replace, no reason to disconnect the radiator or the AC condenser to do the job

 

From what I hear it is the going rate. Our boy SrichS is the resident expert around these parts as he is an insider. Yes it stinks but you have to be careful when parking these cars. No valet for me, I am the valet!

 

To clarify the 2450 includes replacing the radiator and the ac condenser as they were damaged as well. Furthermore it is my understanding that the radiator and condenser need to be removed completely in order to replace the carriage.

 

If your car was not overheating then the radiator must be good, if you AC was working perfectly then the condenser is also good, personally I would not replace any of those items unless they were leaking, but the price now seems fair for the job.

 

Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it!

 

Having had this done, the dealer and a trusted tech told me the part can be cracked and fine for months/years, but once it breaks clean off the only thing holding the radiator will be hanging by just the hose/s Not a Good Thing. The Key for owners is to have this repair done while there is other reasons to have the front of the MINI apart to save money on the repair.

I now tip the valet when I GIVE him/her the MINI and tell them to not let the front touch anything and BACK it in the stall/hole.

Been There Done That