How much would it cost to repair the timing chain issue if it's not covered under waranty?

Vince

 

You might call the MINI dealership and ask

 

Be sure you're seated and breathing deeply before you call...

 

I wonder if they would cover this anyway because it seems to be a design flaw? Acura did something like that for me. If they made me pay for it, It would be the last BMW product I ever bought.

 

I saw the timing chain cost about 200.00. I must be labor that kills?

 

Why do you ask?

 

Because I heard a nasty metallic rattle yesterday. Since I bought the car used from a private party, and have done some simple mods, CAI, suspension, Strut brace, and exhaust, I'm preparing myself for Mini San Francisco do say that my waranty is void and they wont cover the replacement. My M3 mechanic has been working on my cars for years, so he would be the guy to eventually do the job. I wanted to get an idea on cost out of waranty.

I visited realoem.com and checked out the cost of parts which came out to be roughly 800.00. Then I saw some where that the amount of hours it take to replace 10-12, I assume labor is going to be around 1200.00. So I guess a rough estimate for a complete replacement will be a bit over 2000.00 taxes included.

Does this sound about right?

 

What year and how many miles do you have?

 

Since the only engine mod is the CAI, and the timing chain tensioner is a known issue, you may still be covered. The warranty does not die when a MINI is sold. Even if it was out of warranty, you may find them willing to do it without charge. If not, I would argue that the cause is a known design flaw that has been corrected by a redesigned part. MINI should cover it, whether it is discovered under warranty, or not.

 

Just curious. Do they make any after market replacement for the timing change assembly?


Vince

 

I haven't seen any, but MINI is replacing the tensioner with a new part. When my MCS had the rattle fixed, I specifically asked if it was a redesigned part and was told that it was. RealOEM shows a discontinued tensioner number and another begun in 2008.

 

October 2 appt. Wish me luck peeps, and I hope whatever is wrong is covered by waranty, and that I don't get my hand smacked for my current mods.

Vince

 

I doubt they would smack your hand. They'd just suck your wallet.

 

Does 10-12 hours seem absurd to anyone else? I'm pretty sure they fixed mine while I was out test driving BMWs on the lot.

 

If all they do is change the tensioner, it's about an hour IIRC.

But changing the timing chain, all the slides, the tensioner and sprockets requires disassembling the front of the motor - it's a real job......

 

If it was a recall, it should my covered. My 99 SHO with 30k, could still get its springs replaced under warranty. That was 6 months ago.

 

If it actually fails while in service, you could be looking at a lot higher costs. My friend's '07 camchain tensioner bolts broke off at highway speed and caused lots of damage. The dealer installed a new shortblock engine assembly under warranty.

 

The way I see it is, if they are not going to honor the waranty, then I'll just pay for the diagnostics and then have them put it back together and take it to my BMW guy. He's a lot less than the dealer, and a great BMW mechanic.

Vince

 

Is this only an MCS problem or is the MC afflicted, also?

 

Both

 

A search for "cold start rattle" on NAM would show it to be exclusive to the MCS.

While it is possible that the cam-chain tensioner may have been changed for the MC as well,
you're not going to get a warranty replacement without showing the problem.

 

I'm not clear on this. I have a 2009 MCSa which has had the cold start rattle once (when I started the cold engine to move the car a few feet and then turned it off...which I've made certain never to do again).

Do I need to demonstrate the problem at the dealer or is this such a clearcut issue that they'll measure the timing chain deflection and repair/replace the tensioner without question?

 

Only your cold air intake mod involved the engine. Take if off before going to the dealer about the timing chain noise. Then there is no reason for them to deny warranty coverage of the timing chain tensioner if it requires repair or replacement. If the dealer causes problems, take your complaint to the next level by contacting the manufacturers zone representative. These are the best technicians who handle issues too tough for the local dealer. I do not know if Mini has this system, but it is used by many other vehicle manufacturers. There will be contact information in your warranty booklet.

 

The dealer will attempt to reproduce the problem. If they can, they will fix it. I took mine in after hearing the rattle, in spite of my not being able to reproduce it on demand. My thinking was that even though the chances of their being able to reproduce it were slim, at least I would have a recorded complaint in the dealer's records in case the engine self-destructed after the warranty expires. To my surprise, the dealer was able to reproduce the problem, and fixed it. They kept the car a week and provided a loaner.

 

Dropped off my mini today. So far everything been positive. Told them about the simple mods and they didn't seem to concerned about it. They are keeping it over the weekend since they couldn't reproduce it today.

v