I am a little worried that after three times in service my poor MINI can't seem to be fixed for good. I purchased a 2010 MCS in March 2012, and beginning six to seven months after I acquired him, Baker began throwing misfire codes. The first time, a normal carbon clean was in order. Two months later, more misfire codes called for a new high pressure fuel pump. This week, the same misfire codes popped up and I was told that he needed yet another carbon clean. This all really worries me considering I've been told, "we really never see this continually" and "hopefully this is it". I'm nearing the end of my warranty and being a college student I cannot afford to pay for costly repairs.

By no means am I bashing the MINI brand. I absolutely adore my car and I'm just at a loss. I realize that this seems minimal and pales in comparison to what some owners deal with; I'm looking for help!

 

What code is it throwing I have an 03 mcs so I dont know to much about the newer ones but it can be alot of things.
How does your coils look and spark plugs. I would check plugs coils wires and see how they look. On our 1 gen #3 cyl on the coil gets corroded easier than the others. Also what type of gas are you using the way gas is now adays alot of companys can tend to well rip you off. I read a report with gas stations putting to much ethonol in (over 10% limit) I personally use stp fuel treatment (red bottle) with every tank. I drive until im right under 1\4 of a tank then fill up and use the red stp fuel treatment. Then I use lucas fuel cleaner every 3k miles. Just a thought.

One thing to do is get a oil catch can so you stop the carbon build up with all the oil recirculating into your motor I am getting one after seeing how much got into my intercooler.

Also any symptoms hard to start hesitating stumbling less power? Is it just one cylinder or a couple is it constantly misfiring or just once in a blue moon?

 

I always use premium from reputable stations recommended by my local dealer, and it does stumble and stall at random. The dealer has done fuel additives and that didn't help matters any. The intervals at which I'm taking it in for service are becoming more and more frequent, too.

 

Sorry, but not a good car for anyone to own without a factory warranty. If you cannot afford the factory extended warranty, I would STRONGLY suggest you sell the car BEFORE the warranty expires and replace with something much more economical to own over the long haul.

Again, sorry....

DOC

 

I could extend the factory warranty if I so chose, but what I'm trying to avoid is it being in service for weeks at a time every few months. I guess there isn't really a good answer other than try to get the sales or service manager to help me or contact MINI.

 

Only way to avoid that is for someone else to own your car.

Again, sorry....

DOC

 

The top tier gas affects the carbon buildup problem very minimally. It really all comes down to how you drive your car. If you're taking frequent short trips all the time and the engine doesn't fully warm up, you'll have much more problems. The N14 and N18 engines do best with highway driving and they like to take a load to stay healthy.

The MINI is an expensive car to maintain mostly because it is a European car. All cars have problems, its just a bit more cash to maintain a MINI.

 

I realize that it's more expensive to maintain, and I don't mind normal maintenance or even a problem here or there. The problem is how frequent my car is in service, which is abnormal. Also, all of the other European cars within my immediate family don't require nearly as much attention as my MINI. It just worries me that my SA even says they cannot figure out why the problems continue.

 

You apparently are not aware of the frequency of catastrophic failures with the R56. You have an opportunity to avoid a major financial loss by selling the car or purchasing a factory extended warranty, then selling before THAT expires.

Best Wishes,

DOC

 

I am fully aware, but this, according to my SA does not align with any of the problems experienced by other owners that he has dealt with. What I don't understand is why it's so difficult for an actual problem to be diagnosed. I seem to be blown off every time I ask what's going on.

 

Other than selling, do I have a leg to stand on if I contact MINI? The SA said they contacted corporate to let them know the problem, but I'm not sure of what that entails.

I hate to resort to things like that, as I'm not really ever one to complain, but I've read and read and can't seem to find anyone else having the same type of problems I'm having. Admittedly, I shouldn't be surprised; the problems with the R56 are many.

I appreciate everyone's feedback thus far, as well!

 

Your first two problems were unrelated and while happening close in time, were really coincidental.

However, the fact that the SA is saying another carbon cleaning is needed sounds like the same problem as the first go round and it just wasn't fixed properly. My MINI had to go through three or four different fixes before they corrected the code it threw. Replacing the valve cover finally fixed the problem.

Keep pushing on the SA to fix the problem is really the only thing you can do. Unfortunately, that won't help with your concern about the constant downtime. Hopefully they can get it fixed for you for good.

And pay no attention to the naysayers spreading fud about MINI reliability.

 

I hope after this time it'll be fixed for good. I'm glad to hear that your problems were finally resolved! The SA did tell me, however, that the first two problems were related; it's good to know otherwise. I'm ignorant of car maintenance, and have been relying on what I've been told. I suppose I should brush up!

 

Since you bought the car used, any chance of finding out what maintenance the car had before you took delivery? I'd be curious to see if this is a common occurrence, or if it is as your SA says, also any other Dealers you could take your car to? I know being a college you are kind of stuck, just a thought.

Also those "other European cars" your immediate family members have, they must be maintained as well, so why not see if any of their repair shops have someone who can or will work on your MINI, after your warranty is up, should you choose to keep it, not saying it will help, but it's worth a try.

Good Luck, sorry to hear you're having these issues, Ss' are none to be problematic albeit not so frequent as yours.

 

I'll check and see if I can get printouts. I could take it about an hour away from school to the nearest dealer.

I would take it to the other repair shops we use, but it's just a dealership as the other cars are also under warranty.

Thanks for your input!

 

Maybe previous owner used regular gas not premium.

 

I would cut out and buy another one under warranty. I say this because this particular one is causing way too many problems. I turn my own wrenches and very rarely make a trip to the mechanic and my car has been out of warranty for about 3 years with one major problem.