F55/F56 3rd gen mini reliability.
#26
I thought I read that the crankshaft thrust bearing recall was only for certain 2014 to 2015 models. It effects the 2017 models too? Anyways, is this something I would bring to their attention before anything happens, or should I just let it happen and then tell them? I've never had warranty work done on any car I own (because I've always bought old stuff, or Toyotas)
I was just mentioning that if you were to select a pre-owned one, it's likely been taken care of with new bearings or a new engine by now.
#27
The plan is to lease/buy a brand new one! Looking at the MCS or the JCW MCS.
#28
#29
#30
I have not seen any JCWs affected by the recall either. Different engine entirely.
#31
#32
#33
Here are my reliability issues on my 100% bone stock 2014 MCS F56.
1. Had ongoing intermittent engine stalling issue during cold start up and reversing out of my garage in the morning at about 49000 miles. Took it to my selling dealer in Monrovia CA and they said they couldn't find any stored code in the ecu or any fault on the car. I asked if there is any TSB bulletin like reflashing ECU. Dealer said no. Cleaned the throttle body and MAF sensor by myself using BG cleaner and so far so good at 62000 miles now.
2. RH/Passenger side headlight housing lens would fog up inside in humid days or after car wash. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the complete hl housing by warranty.
3. Intermittent plastic rattling noise coming from inside the driver side dash panel at about 20-25 mph. Not fixed yet.
4. Intermittent clunking noise coming from front suspension area when going over a speed bump or rough road joints at about 5-10 mph. Not fixed yet.
5. Just yesterday "DRIVELINE MALFUNCTION" error message popped up on the screen while coming out of a grocery parking lot at about 10-15 mph. But it drove fine home about 10 miles away. Shut off the engine and restarted and there was no more error message since.
This is my everyday commute car, 60 miles /day, in congested L.A. area. Never raced or driven hard. Been religiously followed the maintenance schedule.
I've been driving since 1978 and this MCS is my 5th European brand car (320i, 525i, SLK 320 & C230). I'm a mechanical engineer and car enthusiast. I've had a bunch of Japanese/Korean cars (B210, Tercel, Celica, Camry, 300ZX Turbo, Supra, Rav4, Integra, RSX, B2000, Sonata, Elantra, Santa Fe, Tacoma, etc.) and American brand cars/trucks (Cadillac, Escalade, Mustang, Trans Sport, Caravan, Ranger, Dakota, etc.).
So far the reliability of MCS is little BELOW that of other cars that I've owned before. A bit disappointed there but it's helluva fun to drive. I'm trying to keep it for a long time.
1. Had ongoing intermittent engine stalling issue during cold start up and reversing out of my garage in the morning at about 49000 miles. Took it to my selling dealer in Monrovia CA and they said they couldn't find any stored code in the ecu or any fault on the car. I asked if there is any TSB bulletin like reflashing ECU. Dealer said no. Cleaned the throttle body and MAF sensor by myself using BG cleaner and so far so good at 62000 miles now.
2. RH/Passenger side headlight housing lens would fog up inside in humid days or after car wash. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the complete hl housing by warranty.
3. Intermittent plastic rattling noise coming from inside the driver side dash panel at about 20-25 mph. Not fixed yet.
4. Intermittent clunking noise coming from front suspension area when going over a speed bump or rough road joints at about 5-10 mph. Not fixed yet.
5. Just yesterday "DRIVELINE MALFUNCTION" error message popped up on the screen while coming out of a grocery parking lot at about 10-15 mph. But it drove fine home about 10 miles away. Shut off the engine and restarted and there was no more error message since.
This is my everyday commute car, 60 miles /day, in congested L.A. area. Never raced or driven hard. Been religiously followed the maintenance schedule.
I've been driving since 1978 and this MCS is my 5th European brand car (320i, 525i, SLK 320 & C230). I'm a mechanical engineer and car enthusiast. I've had a bunch of Japanese/Korean cars (B210, Tercel, Celica, Camry, 300ZX Turbo, Supra, Rav4, Integra, RSX, B2000, Sonata, Elantra, Santa Fe, Tacoma, etc.) and American brand cars/trucks (Cadillac, Escalade, Mustang, Trans Sport, Caravan, Ranger, Dakota, etc.).
So far the reliability of MCS is little BELOW that of other cars that I've owned before. A bit disappointed there but it's helluva fun to drive. I'm trying to keep it for a long time.
#34
I to have plenty of jdm imports, few s13 14s and every Nissan z imaginable.
I do like the Gen 3 Minis as a daily, and as well have a JCW f56. Really all its needs is a tune and a Downpipe and your up 75hp. thats pushing 300whp in a 2800 lbs car.
I do like the Gen 3 Minis as a daily, and as well have a JCW f56. Really all its needs is a tune and a Downpipe and your up 75hp. thats pushing 300whp in a 2800 lbs car.
I was always a RWD kind of guy. I had a Supra a long time ago and that was a blast too, but there's something about small fuel efficient cars that are fun to turn that appeal to me now.
Since you're in the UK, I think our US aftermarket is a bit different. I'll look those up to see if they're around here.
Since you're in the UK, I think our US aftermarket is a bit different. I'll look those up to see if they're around here.
#35
Here are my reliability issues on my 100% bone stock 2014 MCS F56.
3. Intermittent plastic rattling noise coming from inside the driver side dash panel at about 20-25 mph. Not fixed yet.
4. Intermittent clunking noise coming from front suspension area when going over a speed bump or rough road joints at about 5-10 mph. Not fixed yet.
3. Intermittent plastic rattling noise coming from inside the driver side dash panel at about 20-25 mph. Not fixed yet.
4. Intermittent clunking noise coming from front suspension area when going over a speed bump or rough road joints at about 5-10 mph. Not fixed yet.
#4 did they do the front control arm replacement? Mine was done and it cured that problem.
#37
Only 23k on my '14; but so far the only issues for me were the faded wiper cowl, and the run flats sucked. 4 times to the tire shop for leaks before 10k miles, and one had a sidewall blowout for no apparent reason, who knows. Put on some Michelin PSS just after 10k and not another tire related issue since.
#38
2015 F55 MCS, 12k miles, auto.
2 issues:
a) Very abrupt shifting from gears 1 to 2 to 3 and then when decelerating 3 to 2 to 1. This is especially noticeable when the AC is turned on.
b) strong rubbery smell (I falsely thought it was electrical smell) of HVAC especially on a hot day and the car has been sitting in the sun. Also some mild mildewy smell sometimes when initially turning on vents.
2 issues:
a) Very abrupt shifting from gears 1 to 2 to 3 and then when decelerating 3 to 2 to 1. This is especially noticeable when the AC is turned on.
b) strong rubbery smell (I falsely thought it was electrical smell) of HVAC especially on a hot day and the car has been sitting in the sun. Also some mild mildewy smell sometimes when initially turning on vents.
#39
2015 F55 MCS, 12k miles, auto.
2 issues:
a) Very abrupt shifting from gears 1 to 2 to 3 and then when decelerating 3 to 2 to 1. This is especially noticeable when the AC is turned on.
b) strong rubbery smell (I falsely thought it was electrical smell) of HVAC especially on a hot day and the car has been sitting in the sun. Also some mild mildewy smell sometimes when initially turning on vents.
2 issues:
a) Very abrupt shifting from gears 1 to 2 to 3 and then when decelerating 3 to 2 to 1. This is especially noticeable when the AC is turned on.
b) strong rubbery smell (I falsely thought it was electrical smell) of HVAC especially on a hot day and the car has been sitting in the sun. Also some mild mildewy smell sometimes when initially turning on vents.
#40
thank you
#41
#3 Rattling Noise Inside the Dash - has been in shop twice on my car, they took instrument cluster off and put some material to get rid of the noises. Keeps coming back however. Will be interested to hear how yours gets resolved if it does.
#4 Front Suspension Clunking Noise at Low Speeds - did they do the front control arm replacement? Mine was done and it cured that problem.
#4 Front Suspension Clunking Noise at Low Speeds - did they do the front control arm replacement? Mine was done and it cured that problem.
F56 is undoubtedly a fun car to drive (my first Mini), but as of now I'm not impressed with the quality/reliability aspects of the Mini brand, especially after driving dozen+ Asian cars since 1978.
#42
Like in every brand and model, first all new models most likely have reliable issues, this is not special to Mini.
I used to have 2007 BMW 328xi -
I was getting a run flat tires from a Mechanic who works in Rhode Island BMW. I asked him for the new BMW 328's engine and reliability. (I'm talking about F30 3 Series)
He said, they are all junk, very easy to break down. BMW recalled 328 engines because of turbo turbine failure 3 months later.
Is BMW reliable ? of course not , and it is impossible to make it reliable because they change the whole infrastructure all the time.
But 1st and 2nd Gen Mini were not totally designed by BMW because of time and other considerations. For instance, 1.6 Supercharge engine is develop with Peugeot which it doesn't have good reliability in Europe.
I used to have 2007 BMW 328xi -
I was getting a run flat tires from a Mechanic who works in Rhode Island BMW. I asked him for the new BMW 328's engine and reliability. (I'm talking about F30 3 Series)
He said, they are all junk, very easy to break down. BMW recalled 328 engines because of turbo turbine failure 3 months later.
Is BMW reliable ? of course not , and it is impossible to make it reliable because they change the whole infrastructure all the time.
But 1st and 2nd Gen Mini were not totally designed by BMW because of time and other considerations. For instance, 1.6 Supercharge engine is develop with Peugeot which it doesn't have good reliability in Europe.
#43
2014 F56S (B48) - one of the first ones built, 37k miles.
Issues so far (and all covered under warranty)
1- AC Stank. Fixed twice. Last time was at 17k miles, and no issues since.
2- Front suspension popping. Entire front suspension was replaced under warranty at 11k miles, no issues since.
3- Rear weatherstripping. It dry rotted prematurely. Was replaced at 10k miles, no issues since.
4- Oil leak from rear main seal. Was fixed at 20k miles.
5- Rear wiper nozzle. It stopped working. Was replaced at 37k miles.
6- Engine mounts. One was damaged. Others were immaculate. It was replaced at 37k miles.
7- Lateral visor. It broke off. Replaced at 37k miles.
I drive my car hard, but have been following the recommended maintenance schedule religiously, and do an additional in-between oil change every 5k miles. Thank god I have a CPO warranty to 75k miles, and all maintenance until 100k miles.
Issues so far (and all covered under warranty)
1- AC Stank. Fixed twice. Last time was at 17k miles, and no issues since.
2- Front suspension popping. Entire front suspension was replaced under warranty at 11k miles, no issues since.
3- Rear weatherstripping. It dry rotted prematurely. Was replaced at 10k miles, no issues since.
4- Oil leak from rear main seal. Was fixed at 20k miles.
5- Rear wiper nozzle. It stopped working. Was replaced at 37k miles.
6- Engine mounts. One was damaged. Others were immaculate. It was replaced at 37k miles.
7- Lateral visor. It broke off. Replaced at 37k miles.
I drive my car hard, but have been following the recommended maintenance schedule religiously, and do an additional in-between oil change every 5k miles. Thank god I have a CPO warranty to 75k miles, and all maintenance until 100k miles.
Last edited by mkt3000; 08-23-2017 at 09:27 AM.
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2017All4 (08-23-2017)
#44
#45
2014 F56 Hardtop (non-S)
About 37000 miles now, oil changes every 5000 miles, every other one at the dealer under the maintenance plan.
The only "real" issue was resolved over a year and a half ago with a brute force software update. The issue was the lack of coasting when in Green mode.
Apart from the minor rattle here and there, which I don't particularly care about, the car is a tank.
About 37000 miles now, oil changes every 5000 miles, every other one at the dealer under the maintenance plan.
The only "real" issue was resolved over a year and a half ago with a brute force software update. The issue was the lack of coasting when in Green mode.
Apart from the minor rattle here and there, which I don't particularly care about, the car is a tank.