I called customer service today to complain that the second timing chain tensioner has failed in my Mini. They told me that they are not aware of any timing chain issue with any mini nor has anyone ever complained of such.

My R56 Mini has 55,000 miles on it.

Would members who have heard of the timing chain death rattle please offer their say.

 

Seriously?

300 views and not one opinion on the topic?

 

Check out the attached TSB 110207, it addresses timing chain etc ...a big issue and my 2007 MCS is technically on the 3rd timing chain / tensioner setup

 

I think the reason you're not getting much feedback is there are a ton of threads on NAM about the death rattle..

 

Thank you, I have noticed threads on the issue. I was hoping to gather up many posts, so that I could show them to the BMW customer service.

When I called Customer Service, they said "they have never had anyone call and complain about the issue".

Perhaps I should have started a poll.

Thanks to the above for the PDF.

p.s. What I would really like to find, is Minis original claim that the N14 timing chain would need little to no maintenance.

 

 

We were told that as long as we kept oil levels where they should be, we would not ever have any timing chain issues.
Do I believe this? Not really.

 

I can see low oil level exacerbating the defect. However Mini should have recommended shorter intervals between oil changes.

Talking to Mini, is sometimes like talking to people who are acting stupid on purpose. They cannot acknowledge the defect, so they act obtuse.

Having crappy customer service really does everyone a disservice. It affects the resale value of our minis. Our enjoyment of them. And in the end, it will affect Minis sales. Perhaps they are hoping the mini's cute factor will be greater than the gag reflex resulting from when you have to eat the bills for repairs.

 

Apologies in advance to you smart car dealer employees!!

The majority of the people I have interacted with at car dealer services departments are not brilliant or maybe just bad at coherent conversation. Some of them can really fix your car, but they can't think like a businessperson. My wife has just been down this road with the local VW dealer, requiring multiple calls, emails and personal visits just to get them to order and install a part and realize that is what they are hired to do.

 

Obtuse is the word you were looking for. At least I have found it to fit.

I wish I could get Andy Dufresne to go into Mini and say " You are being obtuse"

 

If you're trying to get BMW customer service to help you that could be part of the problem. You have a MINI.....


Your first stop if you have a problem is to go to your MINI dealer, that will set the wheels in motion. But don't go in there screaming and complaining about what **** service MINI is giving you cause they'll be less than likely to be of any help - would you? Tell them you're having an issue and ask them if they can help you......works wonders.

 

The Mini Dealer was indifferent ( to the point of seaming to be semi retarded ) and gave me a quote that was eight times more than what it cost to fix at a good independent mechanic.

Mini's tensioner has a weak little spring inside and relies partly on hydraulics. Not unlike a hydraulic lifter, except when a lifter collapses it doesn't cause the destruction of the engine.

The long period Mini suggested between oil changes was idiotic. The tensioner will not work properly with old oil or if the oil is low. Mini should have sent a letter to their customers suggesting a new routine for oil maintenance. But they couldn't be bothered because they did want to admit their was a problem and decided that most mini's would survive until they were off warranty.

Why admit that your car is a lemon, when you can screw your client base?

Mini Strategy: Instead of recommending an extra $100 in oil changes each year, let your customers face repair bills of thousand.

BMW quality.

 

I have recently discovered that the New BMW tensioner for the Mini has a much stronger spring inside.

If there was no issue with the chain, why did they have to make a modification, that would address the issue of a sloppy chain?

Mini is a okay car. Mini Customer Service, sucks.