Took my car to the dealership for some engine noise (metal to metal). After two days (did not open up the engine), mini rep. diagnosed the problem as a "WRIST PIN KNOCK". They stated due to 3/4 of oil missing and negligence on my part (tracking the vehicle) that they would not cover the engine. By the way the "check engine" light or "oil level" light never came on. They stated it was about to come on or it was on the border.

They stated i needed a new engine. $9200.00

Please provide me with some fighting power.

 

Well, if you did have 3/4 of the oil missing it would be hard to have it be a warranty issue.
Are they correct?

There is not a low oil warning light on the MINI that I know of, just low pressure. Low level will not triger the oil light.

 

That's going to be a tough one to battle unless you can find out that there was a reason the oil was that low.

Did you notice any leaking or pools of oil under your car before you took it in?
Did you notice any kind of stinky burning smell?

The problem is that you'll say it was a failure of a part and should be covered.... they're going to say it was negligence.

 

How many miles on the car?

Now many miles since last oil change?

How long ago (time or miles) was the last time you checked the oil level and what was that level?

I'm just trying to paint a pic in my mind of the situation.

YD

 

You are gonna have a tough fight. Why do you think it should be covered if the oil was that low? There are recommended procedures for periodic checking of fluid levels in the manual. Though you may not do this, it is in there, and MINI is going to argue they recommend you read he manual and follow the directions in the manual, including the owner checking levels.......Good luck though.....I guess......

 

2 choices as I see it.

1) pay the money getting it fixed
2) pay a laywer the same amount to get it fixed.

 

The MINI takes about 5 qts of oil--are you saying there was under 1.5 qts in the engine? Especially as you track your car, shouldn't this have been obvious when you went around corners fast? I'm just trying to figure out how an engine with that little oil in it wouldn't be incredibly hot, and find some opportunity to trip the low oil pressure light?
Although it appears to be negligence, a good lawyer should be able to argue that systems on the car should have warned you of the condition without you having to check the dipstick. In this day of OBDs and engine management systems it might be possible to argue that the manufacturer is at fault. It's a legal argument (and this post does not constitute legal advice, blah blah...) with a non-zero probability of winning. Of course it might easily cost you more than $9200!

 

Another alternative-third party mechanic. Find a used motor from a wrecked car. Probably save 1/2.

 

fyi... if you are footing the bill yourself... don't pay a dealership, that is unless there is no other option.

 

Can you put it back to stock and then take it to another dealer and play dumb?

 

Why would you need a new engine? If the block isn't cracked or damaged, replace whatever parts are broken, and move on. BTW if the dealer isn't going to cover this under warranty you have to be out of your mind to get it repaired there. 9200 to replace a few worn out pins in the engine? Find an indy mechanic... I could probably get my whole engine rebuilt with new pistons, etc for under 5k .

 

MINI is HORRIBLE at warranty issues. I'm sorry, I love the car, but dread the dealers. I see a trend of the dealers crying "negligence." I finally convinced them to fix my mushrooming. They tried to tell me it was abuse. Sure, I could have pounded them down myself, but why? I cried it was a design flaw. So, I feel your pain. Do what others stated and do not have the dealers fix it. $9,000 for an outdated Tritec engine is highway robbery. You should find a used B16A engine from a Civic and try to do a swap. You'd have one bad @$$ engine, not to mention RELIABLE.

 

You took your car in to the dealer & didn't check the oil first?? No oil or very little is a good reason to have your warranty denied. Sorry for your loss.

Even if your engine has a hole in the side of the block, make sure you pour oil in before it goes to the dealer.

 

This is a wake up call for everybody. Just about every Mini that comes in for service that's been on the 2 oil changes in 40,000 mile dealer program is low on oil. These engines use oil as do many other modern engines. CHECK YOUR OIL REGULARLY. Contrary to popular belief, the hood on the Mini has not been welded shut at the factory.

 

I beg to differ. This depends on the particular dealer in question.

Look at my mods, I still just got a new clutch and flywheel under warranty due to the throwout bearing tapping noise when the car was parked, running, and in neutral with the clutch out.

The dealer couldn't of been nicer.

 

+1... it all depends on the dealer.

 

+1

I'm willing to host a tech day at Outmotoring's MINI morning breakfast tomorrow.

Topic... how to open ones bonnet & check the oil.

 

"...the hood on the Mini has not been welded shut at the factory."

too funny

 

I don't mean to pile on the train here... But I haven't been tracking my car this year yet.

I still check the oil ever other tank of gas.
I check the plug tq every 3rd.
Check the air in the tires 3 times a week. (some times multiple times a day if it's hot or I'm really hammering on it)
I eye my brake pads, strut towers, tread depth and wheel lug tq once a week.

If you are going to be driving your car on the Track... and you aren't at least this **** or even more so...

Well I don't have much to say other then... you get the picture.