I only have a maintenance warranty on mini left but i was told that i should get my timing chain measured because it made a sound when the car was started. they said it would cost me around $400. isnt the timing chain a huge problem on these cars? Does mini cover it because of the known problem? help please

 

What year / model? Any other symptoms? I had the same suspicion for a while. It wasn't until I got a CEL that I could get MINI to do much of anything for me. Turned out I had pretty decent carbon build up that they thankfully blasted out for me.

 

oo im sorry its a 07 MCS they said when it started it made a noise coming from the timing chain and stop once the car was warm. they said they need to measure the timing chain and they think it would cost me a total of 400. can i get any way for mini to cover atleast half of it?

 

Th timing chain isn't just $400 it is over $1100 usual, sometimes up to $1600 IIRC depends on what gets done. The tensioner is around $20 or so to change if the chain doesn't have too much slack. If there is too much slack the tensioner, chain, and guide rails all get changed.

 

Sounds to me like the OP is saying $400 just to measure the timing chain, not to change it. Is that right?

 

+1 - just to measure, not replace, which would be a steal at $400. lol.

 

I just purchase a used 2008 MCS with 30k on it and sent it in for the timing chain and the water pump recall.

The shop told me that it's a 10 hour job or so. My guess it's closer to 2K to get the work done.

Once the engine warmed up you could hear (and feel) the chain slapping around inside the cover. Awful racket. They changed out the sprocket, guides and chain. No mention of the tentioner.

I was advised to check the oil every 1k or 1 month and top up as required to prevent premature wear and stretch.

 

My kids 2009 R55 had the "funny noise" when cold that went away warm. sounded like an old diesel.

Then the water pump started to leak so I took it in and they fixed both. The new water pump was covered under the warranty. The timing chain was the tensioner which uses oil pressure and spring force so that's why it was noisy cold.

All done under 200 bucks at the dealer.

Of course later my 2006 had a power steering pump fail. My arms are still sore and my wallet is still whimpering.

 

quick update i went to mini dealership to have the timing chain mesuared. they told me that i would have to to replace the whole timing chain and the cost would be 1900. i was freaking cause thats a lot of money. i ended up calling mini usa and they told me to speak with the GM of mini. i spoke to the GM and he brought it down to 800. so i guess you can say im pretty happy about the discount but still gotta pay 800. couldve been worse