So our Clubman S has been in Italy for a little under 3 months. When we shipped it here, we had just had it's first oil change done, no other problems.

I started to notice a slight stutter when accelerating and it didn't like the shift between 2nd and 3rd gear.

Last week, the check engine light came on. My wife took it the Mini dealership and in a mix of broken English on their part, and broken Italian on her part, they determined that something was wrong with it.

She told me they said it was something with the catalytic converter.

Today my wife calls, using an Italian speaking lady in her office, and they tell her that there is "gunk" (translation from my wife, from the lady in her office, from the mechanic) in the fuel and they have to do some major repairs.

Now, this is where I get scared. My mom lives in Belgium and has a friend with a Mini that is contently in the shop. Then my wife mentions that the mechanic said it might be something with the carburetor.......?!?!

So here's my question(s). Anyone else brought a US Mini to Europe? Anyone speak Italian here wiling to call the Livorno Mini dealership and get me an explanation? Should I be nervous about random "stuff" being wrong with it from here on out?

Also, in the US they will give you a loaner. They didn't here. Should they have?

 

Wait... hold on. A "shutter" or powertrain performance decrease would NOT be caused by a catalytic converter.
Second, there's NO carburetor on a fuel-injected engine management system.
Time to get a translator in to see what the Italians are really trying to tell you.

When the shifting problems occurred, did it feel more engine or transmission related?
Gunk in the fuel seems beyond sketchy; and really the myth of "bad processed" fuel is out-the-window with such strict world-wide quality control

- Erik

 

Shutter I felt was in transmission. It happened only in the shift from 2nd to 3rd. It was almost like the Mini didn't want to shift.

I know there's no carb, but it was hear say/translation that my wife got that lead to that word coming up.

Water in the fuel? People she works with have mentioned the fuel station we used is know to have "bad fuel".

Whenever I type "word" it's because it's something I've heard second hand.

I have an Italian buddy calling them in the am, but want to arm him with as much data/info/internet advice as I can.

 

Really? And that station still exists in business? Easiest thing would be to change stations, and making sure you getting the correct grade / octane level for the car.

Also to think about, if there was water in the gasoline, its denser and doesn't mix (its naturally separates from oil / petroleum fluids). So water would fall to the bottom of the fuel tank, be picked up by the fuel pump and essentially the engine would not run instantly. Again, I highly doubt there's a large amount of water in the fuel.

- Erik

 

Ok, my Italian speaking friend called. Not bad fuel, not water in the tank, apparently the values and/or seals have something wrong.

Anyone know if Mini Europe/Italy should provide loaner vehicles.

 

It's dependent on the dealer, just like in the US. My dealer has them but I didn't get one, nor did I ask for one. Just ask, all they can say is no.