This forum has been so valuable in learning about the MCS, so thanks everyone. It's a fantastic resource.

My 2010 Camden MCS should arrive this week, and I've managed to freak myself out about the cold start issue (which, unfortunately, I just read about). Should I get the dealer's service department's stance on the issue or ask how they would handle such a situation? I have yet to sign on the dotted line, and I definitely want a MCS, but I don't want to buy a spankin' new car fraught with repetitive or not-properly-addressed issues.

FWIW - Because I don't have it yet, I don't know the date of the engine's manufacture.

Thanks!

 

Since you have already bought an R56 I'd recommend that you not worry about the cold start rattle. Enjoy your MINI, but keep listening. You are under warranty & that is a good thing.

Happy motoring...

 

I agree, enjoy your new car, and if it sounds like a diesel when you start it, get it taken care of asap. My 09 MCS started doing it last month. The dealer had it flatbedded there and back (over 2 hours) and now it works fine. Small price to pay for the fun I've been having the last 6 months!

 

Hi raleighdog!

I don't know anything about the cold start issue.
I don't want to know anything about the cold start issue.
I already know way too much about MINIs and cracked windshields...

After I brought Little Wing home DH checked her over.
He had not participated in any way during the purchase, as he strongly disapproved of the whole thing.
He said that I would get tired of her.

So, he asked me where the spare tire was located.
Deer-in-the headlights look from me.
"Please, please don't tell me that you just bought a brand new car and it doesn't have a spare tire!"
I tried to distract him by commenting on the location of all the cup holders.
Didn't work.
A quick call to my MA confirmed that there is no spare tire.
Something about "run flats."
DH was very uneasy with this news.

So, although I can't answer your question, I am just sharing a couple of different issues that have come up since bringing Little Wing home.
The run flats have not been a problem.
It's just a strange concept to grasp.

The real reason that I am responding to your post is because you are getting a Camden MCS!
Wow - I think that is one gorgeous car.
Please, please post a pic when your MINI arrives.

You will love your MINI.

BTW - There is a mystery at my house.
I have noticed that frequently DH and Little Wing both disappear at the same time, for long periods of time...
I wonder what is going on?

 

You have four years or 50,000 miles warranty. If you hear the chain rattling, have the dealer fix it. Otherwise, don't worry. Be happy. If MINIs fix isn't quite complete yet, that is plenty of time for them to sort it out.

My 2007 had the rattle, and it was fixed. I've not had it reoccur and have had many situations where conditions should have caused it. The most important thing is to be aware of the possibility and have it dealt with if it occurs.

Whenever you have backed the car out of the garage, washed it, moved it back in, and left it overnight, listen for the sound when you next start it up. Also listen if you have parked it facing downhill overnight. Rev the engine to 2,000 rpm and see if you hear it. If so, get it fixed ASAP.

 

Enjoy the car. My only suggestion is that you use Top Tier gas and save the receipts. If you have a problem with the high pressure fuel pump, show the dealer the receipts. It's kinda like garlic with a vampire.

 

You could talk yourself out of any car made by going to it's forum and reading about all of the problems associated with that car. Forums bring out the worst and the best in any vehicle. It's the nature of the beast.

 

Thanks for talking me off the ledge; I needed the perspective! Relax, motor, enjoy! Will post pics soon. All the best.

 

Congrats on the Camden! Ours is being built this week and it will be our 3rd MINI replacing the 07. Your going to love this car. Don't worry if a problem crops up they will fix it. Thats been our experience anyway.

What's your build look like anyway? Did you get the Mission Control?

 

Mine wasn't a custom build - we found it at the port, but short of an armrest, it has everything I want. Got a black roof (white was my first choice) Cold Weather package, auto a/c, anthracite headliner, moonroof, rain sensor and auto headlights (don't care either way about these) and Crown spoke wheels, although I may try and switch them to web spokes. I added the blackjack mirror caps too. I imagine the Mission Control will get old after a couple of drives, but I'll wait to see.

I tell you, it's great that Mini has so many options, but it was a nightmare finding the car I wanted. Each one was close, but there always seemed to be a deal breaker, and to take advantage of Mini's $1,750 package credit and 4.9% financing this month, as well as the dealer's competitive offer for our trade, we had to decide pronto. Camden was not my first choice, but after digging up as many pictures as I could find, and this model having the options I wanted, I think I'm really going to like it. I REALLY hope so!

 

Hmm, elementary my dear Little Wing...

Look for clues, such as DH having a large silly grin on his face when he reappears back at home... a telltale sign of succumbing to a MINI's road handling talents.

Were I to venture a calculated guess, it would seem that Little Wing has worked her magic on DH.

Perhaps you should check out the local twisty sections of roadway in your area when both Little Wing & DH are absent... I believe you will find them enjoying themselves there.

 

raleighdog, the armrest is a storage box, nothing more nothing else - unles you are really height challenged. My armrest is about 2" below my arm when driving, I'm 5'9.
Enjoy the car!

 

Yep, it is. I sat in one the other day and was fine without it. Good times. Now if the car would just hurry up and get here (just in time for the snow storm we're about to have...).

 

I have a 2010 MCS that I bought in November 2009. I live in Colorado and I have only had cold weather starts since I got my car. My MCS was parked outside for a month and each time I started it, including now and at temperatures at -11F, I never once heard a rattle and I still don't hear any rattles. I find my engine to be very quiet at start up. I think I got lucky?

 

Does anybody have a comparison video/audio of the sounds, from various points? I know there was something posted at one point, but I can't find it.

I'd love if someone had one from sitting inside the car and one with the hood popped. If you've never heard it (I know it's supposed to be very blatant), it might not be fully recognized.

I think we've all had the concern...

 

Hey Dean, OT question for you - is that leather shift boot as much nicer than the stock vinyl garbage as it looks in the pictures? I'm contemplating buying one. Simple to install without headaches? Same for handbrake boot?

Really irritates me that Mini doesn't provide these as part of the hideously priced $2k leather lounge upgrade.

Sorry for the thread-jack.. we now return you to the original topic.

 

I only had my car for under 5 months but never had any strange cold start noises. I started it many times in single digits. BTW, the heated seats are awesome. I have to turn them off in about 5 minutes they get so warm.

Good luck with the new wheels!

 

The rattle sound your talking about is the Chain Tensioner... quite common up here in the cold winters of Montreal Quebec where our usual day to day weather, like this week, goes from 0'c to -20'c within 24 hours... Ask for the recall done on "S" models when it comes to the intake being changed due to accumulation of humidity in the airbox, as well as having the tensioner checked after a few weeks... if it sounds like a diesel... get it changed. Mine are already done as well as a certain tank breather valve that makes an occasional "tick tick tick" sound when the car is running for a whie, they'll change it as well. I'm lucky enough to work at a mini dealer and the guys explained it all to me in detail! Dont worry, enjoy the ride and enjoy the cheeky british talk module in you 2010!

 

Hey Kevin...Yeah, the leather shift boot, ****, ebrake handle and boot are all much nicer than the vinyl. It's really thick leather too. I love it. It wasn't too hard to install at all. The only problem I had was the chrome trim at the end of the ebrake. The leather handle comes with an extra one, mat black or silver, but not chrome. I have the chrome package and it broke when I took it off. That's why they give you an extra one. I had to order a whole new vinyl handle to get the chrome piece. Lame.

Back to the thread! LOL

 

I never worried about anything when I bought my Mini...that is until I started reading this forum. Now I am waiting for my Mini to self-destruct. I am almost afraid to even start it, let alone actually drive it.

 

That's funny AutinS, I feel the same way! Just going to "let go" and enjoy it. No sense in worrying over stuff that hasn't happened and that I can't control anyway. Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

I've got my 2010 MCS (December 2009 built) two weeks ago and have had the metal on metal rattle from the left side of the engine twice upon cold start (0-2°F°) yesterday and this morning I've had the icy throttle starting issue at 0°F. I am right now waiting for the flatbed towing truck to come and pick my Mini up to get it back at the dealer which has mentioned they would replace the intake manifold with a redesigned one which does not go into regular assembly, but rather only as a replacement on cars driving in cold climates and experiencing this power cut-off at ignition in v cold weather. If you live in a cold climate ask your dealer if they can install the redesigned intake manifold during regular prep, before you experience any problems with the stock manifold. Good luck and enjoy your Camden SE!

 

Here is how to install Redline leather shift and eBrake boots. I have them and like them.

http://www.robincasady.com/ShiftKnob...otInstall.html

 

I have a question about cold starts and whether or not to let the car warm up before taking off...I read in the manual today that you should just start up and go, not let the car sit and idle. What's the reasoning behind that? I feel like I'm going to damage something by starting driving right away when it's 20 degrees and below! For the record, I have a basic Cooper, not an S.

 

I fully agree!!! I have gone on Honda and other sites and you'd think that the roads would be littered with stalled Hondas when you read about all the problems. It is impossible to know what percentage of the owners have a particular problem.

I sometimes question if it is good for me to even read the posts ...makes you a wee bit paranoid.