Well... went in for a basic oil change and check up last week. Also asked that they check on the clutch as it had been behaving strangly (occasional spongy feel). Dealer ended up requesting to keep it over night to do full check. What they found was all the End Points/Play were out of spec so they sent a request to Mini Usa for recommendation. Mini sent a new engine that is now in the process of being installed.

Just wondering if anyone out there has experience with this and what I can expect as it relates to the following:
- warranty
- other potential damage?
- anything else I should look out for?

Any input is appreciated. FYI, it is a 2015 MCS from I believe the first or second week of 2015 production. Just over 20k miles.

 

No personal experience with it but guys on my C7 forum have had full engine replacements with excellent results.

Issue may arise if selling it (diminished value) to a private party should the report of an engine replacement appear on Carfax (often times warranty work is not reported). May inquire to dealership if this replacement will affect trade-in value when and if you decide to get a new MINI down the road. These issues have been debated to death on the C7 forum. I know of no actual reports of guys taking a hit sale or trade with a new engine when it's replaced under warranty due to a manufacturing defect and not abuse.

Ultimately, these cars (even the new C7 Corvettes) an not collector's cars so numbers matching engines should not a priority. On the plus side you get a new motor which should be covered for a full 4 years and mileage as new.

I'd guess you'll be fine with the engine swap. Should other issues arise have them resolved as they occur (no reason to assume there will be IMO). If problems become cascading (again no reason to believe they will), there are state Lemon Laws to protect the buyer where are car problems resulting from repairs or defects cannot be resolved or turn into new problems.

Kudo's to MINI for stepping up and throwing a new engine to you. Often times these things can be dragged on at a dealership for months chasing gremlins.

Good luck with the new engine and future motoring.

 

Thanks for the feedback and you touched on a lot of the concerns I'm having. I just want to be sure that A) they are replacing all damanged componenets, and B) I'm covered in the future if this were to happen again.

So far the dealer has been great so hopefully that will continue.

 

I think the time and mileage of the original warranty applies. In other words you still only have 4 years and 50,000 miles from when the car was purchased.

It should be no different than any other repair under warranty.

 

Falls under the new car warranty from purchase date , they may extend it. I would ask.

 

I would imagine the dealer/Mini USA would bend over backwards to keep you happy. After all, it was their fault not yours. This is not a good faith replacement, it's a warranty item. Talk with them and tell them what it'll take to make you happy. I would recommend being very diplomatic about it. Too many people screw themselves by being a PITA right off the bat.
I've read elsewhere that this problem necessitated replacing the engine, trans, and turbo because of the damage caused by the endplay and particulate damage resulting from the problem.
The only downside I see from total engine replacement is you'll have to go through the break in procedure again. As always... YMMV

 

Got my 2014 S manual trans. (built June 2014) back a week ago. Replaced engine, clutch, flywheel, transmission and turbo. Dealer found metal particles in oil due to faulty crankshaft thrust bearing. Endplay was 1.63 mm...shouldn't be more than 0.25 mm. Runs fine now. No more flakey clutch operation. Said I have 2 year warranty on new parts or remaining factory warranty if greater. Since they had my car for a month and a half (diagnosing/ordering 50 line items of parts/installation), they're giving me 2 months of finance payments. The service manager said this problem only affects a small number of early VIN's, but what I see from forums there is at least 4 months of reports. That's a lot of cars. I believe automatic transmission cars won't notice the early driving feel (detection) of the problem, but there's got to be some wearing going on and eventually component failures.

 

Thats great they took care of you, with the extra finance. So factory warranty with car as well. Thanks for the info.