I have a 2007 Cooper S with about 38,000 miles. Orlando Mini tells me sludge in the oil caused the pump to seize and all hell broke loose from there. Right now it boils down to the don't want to warrenty it, I need a new long block and turbo. And it's going to cost $14,000.

I have found someone else who had this happen and it was fixed under warrenty. Has anyone else had this issue?

And as for the $14,000... That is absurd! anyone know what it really costs?

 

If you've had your service performed as indicated by the computer, they have no reason to deny your warranty - unless maybe you have some aftermarket parts on there that might be related.

otherwise, I'd be on the phone with MINI USA right now!

 

If they refuse to warrenty the repair, MINImania, a vendor does sell remanfacured r56 motors....I think it would be cheaper to get the towed to an independant shop, and have the rebuilt motor installed. Still, it sound like you should be able to get mini to pay for 75%-100% of the cost. That is unless you did not change the oil, ran it low, or simply used regular oil instead of the recommened full synthetic oil.
Good luck!

 

Dig up all your oil change receipts and call up MINI USA, they should get you sorted. If all else fails, get a lawyer to write up a threatening sounding letter, they don't want to deal with that.

 

You are technically out of warranty though, so...

 

I thought the warranty was 50K?...free maintanance is 36k?

 

Are the new warrenties different? In 05 it was 4 years or 50k.

 

If you have evidence of proper maintenance, you should still be covered by warranty.

 

This is why I've been telling customers to make sure they change the oil every 5k. But since the MINI computer didn't tell you to do it that often they should warranty it, stick to your guns.

 

Keep pursuing warranty, but if that fails, got to car-part.com and search there. I did a quick look and there are about 5 or 6 motors ranging in price from $2500 to $4000. You'll have to ship, and maybe get a turbo, too, but it will be less than $14000. Good luck.

 

38,000 miles on a '07, that, dependind on the car's in service date should most likely be under warrenty...unless it was voided in some manner...sounds like the dealer is saying no to the warreny....
What reason is the dealer giving? Did you drive with low oil, the red light on, fail to get oil changes.....maybe seriously abuse the car? The more info you give us, the better chance we have of brainstorming a good solution for you!! Even if the answer is a bit embrassing, nobody here knows who you are, so you can be honest!!

 

It could be worse.. a reman long block for my BMW lists for over $22k!

Fight this one all the way to Washington. Unless you haven't properly maintained the car (to the loose standards they dictate.. surely you've at least had the widely-spaced factory-mandated oil changes?), they should cover this. At the very worst, you should be able to buy a long block from a boneyard for a fraction of that ridiculous cost. Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

Give us some more details!!!

 

Bumper to bumper is 3yrs/36K, but drivetrain is still 4yrs/50K warranty with MINI. Isn't it?

 

At what intervals did you change the oil? If you have service records you should still be covered under the 4 year/50k mile warranty. I'm crossing my fingers for ya. If you've completed every scheduled service and they still are denying you it's time to start war. Maybe the dealership technician hasn't done a massive repair like this and the extra money is to train their *** how to do it?!

 

If for some reason Mini does not warranty, get with E2services or Maitland Imports. They both do work on Minis and are within 5 miles of Orlando Mini.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
Still interested if you followed the maint. schedule or let the oil run way too low at any point.

 

Was your car bought by you new?
If it was purchased used when you bought it the previous owner may have never changed the oil and just kept topping it off with the cheapest thing he could find.
What kind of "Sludge" did they say was in the crankcase?
$14,000 is a lot of $$$$$

 

Something is missing from the story here. If the car has followed recommended maintenance (and can be checked by MINI's records or reading the key), then there is no way the dealer can deny warranty. On the other hand, if there's some mods you're not telling us about, or you've been changing your own oil with non OEM filters, etc. they might have a case.

 

yep

need more info to make an opinion

05 warranty is 4 years/50,000 ... altho that's "limited warranty" {maint is 3/36,000}
I've got my window sticker right here with me

what is the reason they are denying warranty coverage?

p.s. I'd post this over on Sunshineminis.org

several folks from Orlando MINI are active there and they usually try to close any 'issues'

you can also find a couple of other excellent MINI mechanics in the greater Orlando area via SSM if this work is really necessary....or to determine IF it is REALLY necessary (altho sounds like you are busted up inside so I guess there's little doubt)

 

14k for an engine swap from the dealer sounds about right. Your better off picking a complete engine up on Ebay or from a junkyard. I found my 07 MCS w/stage 1 JCW in a scrap yard with 8k miles and paid $4300 for it.

 

For 14k I'd just buy a different car and sell that one as a roller.

The bumper to bumper warranty for the car is 4 years, 50k miles.

As an 07, unless it was purchased prior to 1/20/2006, it would still be under warranty.

If it was purchased prior to that date, you are hosed.

 

Orlando mini and all fields owned dealerships will RAPE YOU

Eddie is ok at E2,ian at maitlands is ok.

If it was my car i would call macedo motorsports.i bet macado works on more minis then e2 or maitland combined.Macedo builds bespoke vipers ,services ferrari,lambos,bentleys and other exotics.Best of all is that his prices are like 1990s prices.

Have Macedo find you a low mile used motor and just do a remove and replace instead of a rebuild,or if you want the worlds quickest r56 have macedo build you a motor.

 

Boy, "guitfiddler" sure knew how to pull your chains! You folks have been ranting on and on, but no further news from OP...think about it.

 

I would think that if the OP was taking the MINI to the same dealer every time like most of us do, or at least me. They would have noticed something was starting to go wrong the last time it was it. And if the OP hasn't done anything different since the last service it should be on the dealership.

But as it has been said there is something being left out of the original post.

 

Check the OP's post history...aftermarket mods = excuse for dealer not to cover warranty work (possibly)