Greetings!

I have a 2002, indi-blue MC (06/02 build) with only 7,000 miles, purchased in July 2002 from New Country in Hartford, CT.

Beginning on New Years's Eve, 2002 (yes, can you believe it?), I experienced my first de-accerlation/loss of power event in heavy highway traffic. I've since found many other complaints about this same, dangerous problem.

At that time I had to have it towed to Mini of Fairfield because it was closest to the breakdown-- which happened near New York's JFK airport--and they were unable to replicate or log any problems...ugh!

Since that time the same problem has recurred on at least THREE other SEPARATE occasions, usually a couple of months apart.

I have had it to Hartford's New Country Mini TWICE for the problem (both times I was able to drive it there). The first time in January they did some computer updates and on the second, most recent occasion, they noted a throttle error but did NOT replace the throttle assembly, instead assuring me that it was working fine at the time of service. (Interestingly, they noted on their report that "next time" the throttle motor will need to be replaced!)

I picked up my MC two weeks ago and lo and behold, on July 4th, the soonest the problem has recurred, I AGAIN broke down with de-accleration and a loss of engine power. This time the car has not "reset" itself, and thus for the last week my car lay dead in my driveway.

I called New Country and spoke to Scott, their service mgr, who couldn't get me in until next Monday (July 11), which seemed an awful long time to have to wait to look into this potentially lethal problem (losing engine power in traffic at highway speeds ain't pretty!).

So I guess my questions are:
(1) Does anyone have more specific feedback on this problem, or should I just let them try the new throttle motor as the most likely fix? (I see some of you also had the engine wiring harness replaced related to this problem.) What should the current software fix be??
(2) Should I be worried by the fact that on two previous occasions New Country Mini was unable to fix the problem? Would I have better luck going back to Mini of Fairfield in Darien?? What are other folks' experiences with CT's Mini service centers???
(3) And finally, my last question makes me wonder if I should give up on New Country's bungled work on my new Mini and begin looking into CT's "lemon law" resolution to my problem. My preliminary research indicated that I've got a pretty good case--THREE different service center visits for the same DANGEROUS problem that has occurred at least 4-5 TIMES!!! IS IT TIME FOR ME TO DEMAND A NEW CAR!?!?!?

Help!?!?!?

(I should close by saying that I have escalated my problem to central Mini customer service at 1-866-ASK-MINI, but they too have been far LESS responsive to what I regard as an urgent problem that I thought they'd be. (Anyone have corporate names & addresses to send my complaint to?)

:evil:

 

You don't need a new car. Here is what your car needs and your inept dealer has not provided to you yet (For some unkwon reason):

1) New engine wiring harness
2) New throttle body control module
3) Software update 33.2


Good luck. That should take care of your issues.

 

:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

Please let us know what happens! :smile:

Cheers!
Clover

 

Thanks for the reply

My research on this site agrees that these same fixes will help.

But my now question now then is...how do I tell the service department how to do their job, and that I know more than they do?



Also, I still wonder if anyone else there has also had "inept" service from New Country in Hartford, CT?

Thanks again.

 

Hi this is ant from ant division. We are sorry to hear about your problem. Call my cell if you need our help.

 

>>Thanks for the reply
>>
>>My research on this site agrees that these same fixes will help.
>>
>>But my now question now then is...how do I tell the service department how to do their job, and that I know more than they do?
>>
>>:D
>>
>>Also, I still wonder if anyone else there has also had "inept" service from New Country in Hartford, CT?
>>
>>Thanks again.

Try a different dealer. That is your best bet. Good excuse for a nice road trip.

 

RR
Did you ever get this issue resolved? Having the same issue with my wife's 02

Thanks

 

FWIW, I take my car to NCM and have yet to have any issues with the service... sorry to hear about your plight! I do know that Mike in MINI service is a MCS owner and is very knowledgeable. Maybe you can go through him for the next visit.

 

Not a good thing to happen while driving in traffic. Let us know how things turn out for you. Hope it's not a lemon. I have a 02 and so far, no problems like that.