I was a BMW 335i owner until Wednesday. Traded it on a 2011 MCS on order. I have dug through this forum and don't see that many HPFP issues. --Some, but--no where near those on Bimmerfest 3 series and even 5 series forums. Mine was delivered in Munich in 7/08 and after 23000 miles it died at the dealership while in for routine service. Many 3 series owners have had many pumps replaced.
Is it actually a rare occurrence if a HPFP croaks on a turbo Mini??

 

It happened to me at 25,000 miles. I bought my car in August of 07 too. I currently have 45,300 miles and have been using Chevron 91 octane 99% of the time and Shell 91 probably 3 times.

 

What year is your car and how many miles does it have on it now?

 

No problem with mine in the 15,000 miles so far but MINI did extend the warranty for fuel pumps for 2009 and some other years to 100,000 miles.

Many car manufacturers are having failures with these very high pressure (about 2,000 psi) pumps that are required for the newer direct injection engines. Fuel injection pumps of a few years ago ran at about 60 psi.

 

They are warrantied till I think 120k so don't worry about it.

 

As was the pump on my 335i, but the BMW folks and now the news media continue to be aroused about the issue. I'm with you, its warrantied a long time. Why worry.

 

Really I didn't know about this. I'm guessing they want to keep it quiet.

 

You will probably be interested in this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html

 

I started having trouble starting my R56 last week during a couple mornings when the temp. dipped below 15º C. Had to give it gas at start up to prevent it cutting out. Friday, the second day it happened in a week, I got about a mile down the road, and as I accelerated onto a major artery I got a little backfire and the Check Engine light came on, throwing the CD-ID031 code (emissions).

Took it to the dealer, who sat on it for three days, and they just called to say that the issue requires them to replace the HPFP, which I can verify does have a 10-year warranty, so it's covered. (I am over my 48 mo./50K warranty by just 2K miles, and was sweating the answer). They also suggested that the spark plugs get swapped out, since they are slightly fouled (not covered, $150)

I was not aware of HPFP issues with this vehicle, until today. Is this mostly a design defect (and hence the 10-year coverage)? Or are there things that can be done as an owner to avoid this issue (ie, higher octane fuel, idling before taking off)?

My previous issues with this car, while under warranty, were the timing chain tensioner. Was experiencing the death rattle, which was fixed temporarily once, and then finally (hopefully) when they put in a redesigned part, as I understand the fix, about three months ago.

Any connection between timing and the fuel pump failure (or fouling/carbon build up and the fuel pump)?

My only other bummer experience with this vehicle (while I'm getting stuff off my chest) was having the clutch give out at 30K. Outrageous. I put 150K on a Mustang and never touched the clutch once, so I doubt it's driver error.

 

I had my fuel pump replaced with less than 1000 miles and then again at roughly 12000 miles.

Got almost 30K miles on it and haven’t had a problem since.


Mark

 

My HPFP went the 3rd day I had the car. Its a 2010 and its no good so I'm trading it. There is a HPFP thread as well as something like had car for 2 weeks and dies.
They don't all have problems. I know lots of people that haven't had the fuel pump issue. Hopefully yours won't.

 

Do you have any other problems that you’re trading in your car? Just wondering....


Mark

 

Yes several. There's a worst car thread I posted in that I think I listed everything or you could just pm me if you're interested in more info.

 

No, not really... I have had my share of problems too...

However, I refuse to get rid of my car... it's just too much fun.



Are you buying another mini or moving to another brand?


Mark

 

I'm getting another MINI. I love Minis and I loved my car. But she's just not safe anymore.

 

I understand....


Mark

 

Mine went out at 35,000 mi. Replaced under warrenty, but it took a week to fix. (07 S coupe)

MINI withdrawl was starting to set in.

 

Manufacturer bought back my MCS after 2 HPFPs replacements in less than 10k miles. The problem with the HPFP is the same as on the BMWs: the reprogramming of the car at the time of HPFP replacement robs it of some power. Followed dealer's advice to stay away from BMW/Mini turbo engines on the replacement car. Not one problem with the normally aspirated set-up except that I terribly miss the turbo engine power, torque and sound. Good luck with your MCS.

 

I remember your posts about your problems and your trade. My dealer never mentioned anything about staying away from the turbos. I haven't seen many posts about problems with the 2011's so I'm really hoping they've got this worked out.

 

21K miles and the fuel pump went out on my '09 Clubman S. Valves were dirty too

 

I think the problem is fixed. Like I mentioned, I purchased my ’09 JCW brand new and drove to FL from NC. I made it all the way down there and as soon as I started coming back, it died.

I drove it home the rest of the way. Fortunately I had a tool to reset the check engine light with me because when the CEL came on, the car went into limp mode which would only allow you to drive only 40’ish mph.... not fun for 500 miles.

As long as I didn’t exceed 60-65mph or give the engine any major throttle, it would stay out of limp mode. (that was a looong drive..lol)

Once I got it replaced it died again a few months (4-5?) later (10-12K miles?)

I had it replaced and to this day I haven’t had any issues. (41K+ miles) I was told the new design fixed the issues.




Mark

 

Our stories sound similar. I had an 07 335 convertible with 3 HPFP replacements, fuel injectors, waste gates, DME issues, auto shifter - all in 24,000 miles. I had a good buy out price so I even considered keeping it so BMW gave me a platinum warranty for my trouble - and then passenger window and mirror motors needed to be replaced and that was it. I got a 2011 MCS and love it. I also flinched about the HPFP in this car as well but I am very happy. This car has a lot of the driving qualities I like in BMWs for a great price. You're right, there are some HPFP issues, but it's completely different than what I experienced on Bimmerfest. Good luck! I hope you are as happy with the move as I am.

 

Our 2012 Countryman was running really great, until it left us in the parking lot in the middle of nowhere one morning, cranked but would not start. Had a similar event a couple weeks before. Would not start, but then we let it sit a little while and it started fine and no problems. But this time, no start, clearly sounded like fuel starvation. No engine light warning. Mini Roadside Assistance was just great, found us a rental car and got the towing in motion within a few hours.

So with 3701 miles on the Countryman, the dealer confirms, HP Fuel Pump failure. Took the dealer two weeks to find a replacement pump, the Service Dept was really trying, so sounds to me like they are having lots of failures.

Hope this is a one time shot but sounds like its a chronic problem and one that Mini has not solved.

 

@ shysocks331. Interesting that your Countryman wouldn't start with a HPFP failure. That's an issue that didn't exist with the 335 HPFP failures. There were a multitude of complaints of long cranks (but with start up), and going into limp home (reduced power) mode, but I don't recall people complaining that the car wouldn't start. Same with the 3 times it happened to me. The car never left me stranded when the pump failed and I could at least drive it at 55mph or so (worst case scenario) to the dealer. The only time the car needed to be towed was when the DME went. I'm curious what the differences in the designs are? Actually, I don't want to know.

 

I have a question regarding this issue. If the dealer tests the pressure on the HPFP and its not having the problems at the time of the diagnosis will the dealer still see that there is a problem with pump? I ask because now that its winter it takes a good 4-5 tries to start my car in the morning. I took it to the dealer and they said the car didn't run rough or have any problems and the HPFP checked out fine.