My wife bought her used 2012 S back in May. Shortly afterwards I fell in love with it and bought a used 2007 S convertible from same dealership in Valencia Ca. My 07 turned out to be a lemon with bad timing chain tensioner and an oil leak they couldn't repair after a month in the shop. They took that lemon back and I leased a brand new 2014 Cooper. 7000 miles later my new car has been towed to the dealership this morning because last night it threw a drivetrain malfunction code for my wife who was only driving my new car because her 2012 also threw a check engine code after only owning it for 4000 miles and both cars were just in the dealership last month for preventative oil changes.... So now both of our new MINIS are at the dealership where we bought them being worked on for who knows what... Am I extremely upset? Yes. But I will remain patient and let them rectify the issues before I pursue legal action....Three different year minis and all have given us issues?! Reliability opinions of this name brand so far for me? Zero..... I just had to say goodbye to my beloved 1998 ford f150 that has 405000 miles on it ONLY because I was hit by a water truck and my truck was destroyed.... I want to love our MINIs, but so far they havnt allowed me too!!!

 

How many miles did the 2007 MINI Cooper S (R52, with W11 supercharged engine) have on it? I'm suprised that the dealer could not fix it...strange. Was this a MINI dealership? I am glad to hear they took it back.

Sorry to hear that your Ford F-150 got hit by a water truck. :(

 

My wife and I have owned three MINIs, with a fourth currently on the boat to Port Hueneme.

Each required patience and persistence in their first month or two to work through problems. After that, they were trouble free.

I would add that all were base Coopers, not S's. The S models seem to have even more issues than the base Cooper as far as I can tell from friends and Consumer Reports.

 

Yes it was from a dealership. All three vehicles were purchased or leased from Mini of Valencia in Southern California. The 07 MINI had 82k on the clock, which in my opinion should be nothing at all for most reliable cars that have been well maintained and the dealership was indeed claiming that of that car. As of this moment they are assessing the problems with my wife's 2012 S and my 2014 base cooper.... I will be fair and give them ample time and chances to repair the issues. My faith in these cars is greatly dimenished however. I am a very good mechanic myself and have owned all kinds of cars and trucks over the years. I'm disappointed the most in my new 2014's issues already with only 7000 miles on the clock... Very EASY miles at that!! The supposed well engineered and designed and built by BMW engine was why I decided to give the new MINI a chance... Proving foolish on my part... If I indeed end up having to pursue a legal route, I will be buying myself the car my wife said I couldn't have... Corvette hahahah;-)

 

But the bad press is about the 2007 to 2010 MINI Cooper S models with the N14 engine....not his cars...his 2007 S had the W11 engine, the wife's car has an N18 engine, and we don't know if his leased MINI is a base or an S model [he did not specify (3 or 4 cylinder)]. -- Update the 2014 is a Base (3 cylinder)

 

2014 is the 1st model year for the F56 - notorious for most automobile makes for having problems.

 

Yes, my 2014 is a base Cooper 3 cylinder. Even though this is the first year of this new model, the engine design is based on the BMW venerable 6 cylinder so I had good reason to believe in this new model... I still don't know why my 'drivetrain malfunction' warning came on though, it could've been transmission related. My car is a manually shifted model so again, I highly doubt it but it does have the quirky rev matching feature which I wish it didn't have lol

 

Oh and another thing I'm not liking about MINIs... The terrible job they do at port hueneme of removing the nasty cosmoline... Not only are my wife's 2012's front plastic black fenders stained from it, my new MINI is now too and it's a Lease so I'll be damned if I'm paying for that damage!!!

 

The good thing is that you're going to have fun for the next 3-years (or whenever the lease is up) with the 2014 MINI base, and then you will turn-in the keys! Some other sucker will get a car with cosmoline stains, and a history of drivetrain problems. Get the Corvette out of your mind and enjoy your 2014 MINI!

 

Believe me, I want to... But the car isn't allowing me. As far as the corvette? Lol I've owned vettes before, no comparison. I will have my vette again but probably not for a long time if I want to remain married hahaha;-)

 

Well I wish you only the best! No divorce....so just face the reality....Happy Motoring! Hehe.

 

Maybe 2014 is an exception.



Also the 3-cyl model has a TSB for reflashing the ECU for engine stalling issue when coasting (no throttle).

 

Simple Green will easily remove the cosmoline.

 

Small update:
My wife's 2012 cooper S has been declared finished by the dealer as of today. Problem was supposedly three fold. Maintainance issues were air filter change due and oil change was due (1000 miles early by my calculations) . The check engine light was also on and it took them days to figure out that it was supposedly the thermostat causing it so that has been replaced and they claim the car is good to go.
My 2014 base cooper is being 'reprogrammed' for the last two days and is still not finished. Don't know what the issue is but my wife says the tech told her it is a common problem with these cars... Reassuring? No.

 

As far as simple green removing the cosmoline? I've read that it gets it close but the stains are really permanent and the only true fix is replacement. This is a lease and I will not be held responsible for damage that is and was out of my control and is the direct fault of the port receiving crews not cleaning the shipping cosmoline off properly. There is also gum or some kind of glue on the passenger front window that has not come off after many car wash details that I've paid good money for....In general I am not happy with the caliber of finishing on these cars...

 

No not reassuring I get it. What you didn't say is if the car(s) were running badly or the light just came on. The 2007 chain tensioner was a known issue (I had one, but not the chain problem) as was the HPFP (had that my only problem). Heck one car I had the check engine light was on more than it was off. I think I put a piece of tape over it lol. The only legal issue you have is if they refuse to fix something under warranty or if they refuse to lemon law the car if it meets those criteria.

 

+1. My '07 MCS had its timing chain and related parts replaced at 50k miles as well. Although mine was an R56 with the N14 engine.

 

I think they all were N14 engines. Somebody said supercharged but those ended 2006. Were the timing chains a recall or just if it went out? My only recall was that water pump that cools the turbo. I never had that done.

 

N14 = 2007 - 2010 R56 MCS and 2009 - 2012 JCW
N18 = 2011 - 2013 R56 MCS and 2013 JCW

 

Indeed. I was just agreeing with TheBigNewt on timing chain replacement being an issue with the N14 engine.

 

Why all of the talk about the N14 engine as it relates to his 2007 MINI?

Help me please... Did I miss something?

He has owned/leased the following cars:

- 2007 MINI Cooper S Convertible = Last time I checked this car had the W11 engine (supercharged).

- 2012 MINI Cooper S = N18

- 2014 MINI Base = 3-cylinder ...I don't know the engine code.

As I see it, he never owned a car with the N14 engine.

 

The real question is why MINI of Valencia in Southern California could not fix his 2007 MINI Cooper S with 82,000 miles on its W11 engine?

However, in the end you've got to respect the dealership for honoring the California Lemon Law.

The Score:
1998 Ford F-150 = 405,000 miles
2007 MINI Cooper S = 82,000 miles

The winner: 1998 Ford F-150

 

First of all, as a MINI advocate, I would like to welcome you to the MINI family. However, also a MINI enthusiast, I would have many words of caution about pre-owned MINIs in general and certainly particular model years and engines/transmissions. That said, I am truly sorry to hear that your experience has been so poor. Regarding the above, the thermostat on N18 engines (which your wife's 2012 has) are notoriously trouble. Although not reassuring, this is a very common issue with these vehicles. I am not at all surprised. Oil consumption as the miles add up is also a HUGE issue. 2012 models have the 2yr/15K mile oil service calculator which could allow a vehicle to travel very low on oil between service visits if it is not checked by the owner every fill-up or month as the owner's manual clearly states (along with the red-bordered card that the owner received when new). I cannot stress how important it is to check your oil frequently and add as needed. There is no "low oil level" warning light in these vehicles and MINI states that consumption of up to a quart of oil consumed per 1000 miles driven is not out of the ordinary. Newer MINIs, 2013 on have a revised 1yr/10K mile oil service calculator to try and get the vehicles back to the dealer sooner for inspection.

Regarding your 2014 F56/B38 Cooper, the drivetrain malfunction warning IS a known issue and there is a service bulletin which requires a program update to the vehicle. The same models, however only automatics - I think, also have an issue where the vehicle will stall or shut off when placed into reverse and your foot releases the brake. There is a TSB for that situation as well, along with one for the vehicle getting stuck in Park and not willing to release. The joys of a new model!



Cosmoline is removed at the VDC when the vehicles arrive, however it is also applied between the panels as well (inside the hatch and bonnet) and over time it will ooze out from between the panels. Especially in hotter climates or when the engine heats up the hood. This can be easily cleaned or removed by the owner, but will stain the black plastic fender pieces if not cleaned off quickly. It has been my experience that most dealers will replace the trim pieces once as a goodwill gesture or warranty claim. You would need to check with your particular service center.

Not sure what the glue is on your passenger window, my guess is that it is from the Monroney sticker which is applied at the VDC. This should have been removed at delivery by the selling dealer.



To clarify, if he (IDNTFIT) had a 2007 Cooper S Convertible, it was the first generation R52 Supercharged 1.6 W11 engine version AND NOT the N14 Prince engine. Only the Prince engines had issues with the chain tensioner and timing chain/chain guides. Not sure what the issue was with the convertible he owned that led to a buy back - but it is a case where the dealership chose to buy back the vehicle from the customer and re-sell(lease) them another vehicle. MINI, NA buyback and Lemon Law only applies to new vehicles within the first 18 months of ownership and not used vehicles.

Sadly, his experience with that 2007 was poor which resulted in a return - I prefer the R53/R52 S models over the R56 S! Especially the 2006 R53 (last model year) and the 2007/2008 R52/S (last model year) versions. The most fun!

Hopefully it all gets sorted out and he is able to enjoy their MINIs for years to come. No one is quiet about the reliability and cost of repairs to a MINI. Although BMW owned, and now largely sourced, they are still British cars built on British soil by the British. And no offense to the British, but they certainly live up to the age old stereotypes. Lots of little things go wrong and they can be very expensive to repair. This is not your Grandmother's Honda ... nor does it perform like one.


That's my $7.98

 

That about sums it up...
Boy...
Disaster of a thread...
So much bad and plain wrong info and speculation...
Anytime an owner has so much trouble...I kinda wonder...is it the car, or the squeeky wheel?
Not saying the op is the issue, but the dealer went to hell and back to keep him happy...
Sounds like a story with lots of emotions involved....but scant facts....and only one side of the story...

 

So sorry to see all the problems you have had with your cars, but not all MINIs are bad.

My 2010 Clubman S has had no problems, it had the turbo cooling pump recall and that is all, I am very pleased with my MINI.

Dave