Guys and Gals,
I placed an order for my Mini S a week ago Friday, and completely missed the cold start issues thread before doing so. Now, after reading about so many people having issues with their engines during start up (very loud, rattling-dry starts), and with relatively few miles on their cars, I am really starting to freak out.

Can those of you with Gen 2's that have owned them for over 10K milkes please comment here? What have your your experience been? Is the issue overblown, or is it common to all Turbo Charged "Prince" engines?
Please help to set the record straight, as there are a few of us worried now.

Nits are one thing. A bad engine design is a whole different ball game.

 

I've got 14k on mine, yeah it rattles at idle (cold or not), but I believe it's just the direct injectors. Coming from a car that has solid lifters, I don't expect a perfectly quiet car. I think it could be overblown.

 

I've had mine since August of last year. I've got about 12K miles on it. I have experienced the cold start issue after my car sat overnight in the winter, but I would just let my engine warm up a few minutes before taking off and the "noise" would go away. Mine doesn't appear to be as bad as some of the videos I've seen and listened to, but it still was a little disturbing. I mentioned it to my dealerships service department when I went to pick up some new key fobs, and they are aware of the issue. The service guys read these forums and stay on top of the problems as much as they can, at least at Mini of Dallas where I bought my two minis. They asked me to keep them informed on my car's performance, and offered to help if I had any issues. I haven't had to take them up on that yet, but it sounded sincere at the time. I don't think I'd let this sway your decision to order. These are great, fun cars to drive. I have a 70 mile commute every day, so yes, I'm 'kinda going on faith that I won't have any major issues by going with the Mini versus a more conventional vehicle, but so far so good.

 

24k no problems.

It's not overblown to the people affected by it but those people are a minority.

 

I was at the dealership the other day wanting to test drive an automatic (thinking of switching) and as they moved the new cars out of the way to get to the one I wanted, they all had the rattling dry starts. Guess it's just normal, haven't heard of anyone's engine failing due to this issue, at least not yet. Mine does it too and goes away after the first mile or so. It's understandable for some people to over blow it, it is a new car and it is an expensive car, so you wouldn't expect this from a new expensive car. I think it's normal and as long as it goes away after a few minutes I'm not too worried.

And just to clarify my statement... Every one of those new cars started with a rattling dry start, like they didn't have any oil but within seconds it was gone. They didn't have the cold start chattering that lasts several minutes but they did have the rattling dry start. Maybe an MA sitting inside the car can't hear it, but I was standing in front of the 5 cars that were started and moved and they made the noise. Is it normal? That's what they tell us...

 

I don't have over 10k (almost 5k) miles but I've had the cold start sound twice since last December. It went away within 15 seconds both times. I've read every thread and had a long talk over breakfast with a MINI mechanic about it. It will probably happen again. I reported it to my dealership during the first service visit so it's logged with MINI.

In reflection, at this level of occurrence, would this stop me from buying my current or next MINI? Not a chance. The fun factor is like off the charts, and there is no substitute. If it became a serious issue, I'd press for repair or replacement, and use the lemon law if necessary. But I'd buy another one right thereafter because I know that it is not a ubiquitous problem across the fleet.

 

I am at 8800k, and my engine is noisy at startup. It is to me, another endearing quality to the car, and adds to the charm. I love my chattery-sounds-like-a-diesel-but-it's-not little engine. So far, for me, it's been problem free <knock on wood>.

 

Not to be a rabble rouser, but for those of you who find the noise tolerable and even "endearing", clacking valves and other related engine noises at start up are usually due to parts being "out of tolerance" and/or a lack of lubrication, and are a likely precurser to inordinate wear and a shortened engine life span. A noisy engine at start up should be concerning to you.

BTW: I have seen similar conditions arise from using cheap oil filters with faulty anti-drain back valves (bottom line fram was the most common for this in the past). I recall, after reading pages of mind-numbing comments and studies on this particular issue, one post from an automotive expert that was able to solve the problem by adjusting the valve lash tighter and switching to 0/30 or 0/40 oil for faster movement to the valve train.

Regardless, this is still pretty worrisome to me.

 

There is a characteristic diesel-like noise that direct injection engines make at idle, and I do think it is an endearing quirk. However nobody is implying that the loose-chain-smacking-around-the-engine-sound that we hear in the videos is endearing It would definitely scare me.

 

I've had mine for a year now and its noisy, but I'm not worried they all sound the same to me.

 

Same thoughts here, although I did take mine in because the Hubby was hearing a noise he thought was beyond the cold start issue. Of course they couldn't get it to do it, but Hubby says it's constant and they just didn't have the ear for it. So they have it on record that I've been there for this. I have to believe if there is ever a further issue that it should be handled without debate. They won't want to tangle with me. Hubby says 99 times out of 100 I will get what I feel is right if I have to tread over their butts 3 times over again to get it. I'm bad about getting the right thing out of a promise, warranty, guantee, etc.

 

It's really very harmless (for the most part), and a normal sound to hear from a DI petrol engine.

That said, there were some issues, but I believe they were early builds, and that's been corrected.

 

I understand that you are kindly trying to assure me and others on the issue, but several experts have analyzed the problem in depth and don't agree that it is harmless at all, and could lead to premature engine wear. Dry starts are a real killer of valve trains, especially if you try to "rev" the car to get it to go away. Metal on metal with no cushion provided by oil.

My real questionis, how many Gen2 Mini S owners have experienced the problem (so far, almost everyone with over 4,000K on the clock from what I can tell). And what (if anything) have you been able to do to get it cured? In addition, has anyone had confirmed catastrophic engine failure or unusual value train wear as a result?

The best fix I have heard was to adjust the valve lash with shims, which should be performed uinder warranty. Unfortunately, few dealers seem aware of this fix.

 

This is really making me think ... Im not sure I want to order an S now!

 

It has nothing to do with assurance. Engines with loose tolerances and premature wear don't win the engine of the year award...the Oscars of the powertrain world...for the 1.4-1.8 litre class:

http://www.ukipme.com/engineoftheyea..._08/14_18.html

 

This is why NAM sux. Things that are not important get blown out of proportion, and people like this end up losing because of it.

We can debate this all day. Bottom line, for every R56 owner with a serious engine issue, there are 30 of us with no problems.

Nothing is perfect. This is why cars have warranties.

 

There's a 4 year 50K warranty, and if the thread is any indicator, you'll notice the problem during the first winter, so well within warranty. MINI stands behind their cars, don't let something like this deter you, it's overblown.

 

It's not NAM, it's just that a number of people out there are finicky about their cars. They feel it should work without a hitch, and if anything comes up, they're up in arms about it. I know how they feel. 2500 miles on the MC and we had transmission issues that took three visits to sort out. Problem? The rubber boot around the electronics for the CVT wasn't sealed and was letting moisture in. Replaced and not a single problem since then. You just have to realize that MINI is only a phone call away.

Everything that rolls off a production line (even high dollar vehicles) can have quirks. There is absolutely no way to 100% make every vehicle exactly the same. Yes, there may be some tolerance issues on some MINIs, but as you said, that is what warranty is there for.

 

I would be willing to wager a large sum of money that I am one of the most "finicky" people out there.

I drive an R56. I didn't let the cold start "issue" deter me one bit. Neither should any of these prospective owners. Your experience speaks volumes. Had an issue. Said issue was corrected, and you're now problem free.

If people would take the time to read stories like yours, instead of hunting for horror, this place would be a lot better off.

 

Well said...

 

1. your new car will come with a warranty
2. you are buying a car with direct injection
3. don't let a few early issues scare you away from one of the best bang for your buck cars on the market.

 

I'm at 6800 miles on my 08 MCS. I have not experienced the cold start rattle.

 

I have had absolutely no cold start issues with my r56 and I have done 8000 kilometers (Im not sure what that is in miles)

 

Yay for the internets.

Forums like these are full of 2 kinds of people. People with serious issues with their car, and people who idolize their cars. The former is the most outspoken, and as a result, issues get blown way out of proportion.

10k miles and not one issue (except my cigarette lighter losing power).

 

OMG! OMG! OMG! Your lighter lost power? When? Is there a service bulletin? I don't know if I'll get my justacooper now, is my MINI a PoS?


Seriously, though. The MINI bashing here is just too much sometimes.