I went into the dealership today to pickup a timing chain tensioner for my 07 MCS. The parts department told me there was new service bulletin that they received yesterday saying it would cover the timing chain tensioner or whole assembly if needed but it was still pending meaning they are just waiting to get the parts and go ahead from BMW. The service advisor checked my vin and mileage and said my car with 78000 miles would still fall under the bulletin.

 

Bighaus....thanks for the post and update on a topic I've read quite a bit about over the last three years.
Do you know if this is something that MINI will send via mail to all owners as an advisory or is it an item only addressed when the car is in for some other service?
Curious to know which cars it covers and what the parameters are for determining when a fix/replacement is needed.....especially if the car appears to be operating fine as is.

 

It sounds like it's just going to the dealerships and as the car needs to be serviced it will be addressed. As to which vehicles it covers I'm not sure it sounded like some of the older n14 models will as mine is an 07 and I'm not sure on the mileage. They didn't really seem to want to share to much with me other than it would cover my car after it was in affect as it is pending right now.

 

I was just talking with the parts manager at the dealer and he indicated that repairs would be made as required after techs measured slack etc. They might opt for the updated tensioner say, instead of the full package. Sounds like a whole set of criteria for making the fix, or not. Didn't talk about reimbursements for completed fixes.

 

Good news my neighbor was just telling me his 09 clubman s was rattling really bad and so he called the dealership and they told him they would look at it and if it wasn't the timing chain they would charge him 100 diagnosis fee but if it was there was a service bulletin. Well turns out it was the the timing chain and they replaced the chain, tensioner, and the guides all for free.

 

Does anyone know if there is a mileage cutoff for this bulletin?
Edit- found DIY for tensioner. Will try the updated part, then the dealer.

 

If yours is a 2007-2010 S, do NOT change the tensioner! Take it to the dealer first or call with your VIN. If they see a new tensioner they will check no further under campaign guidelines. As far as I know there is no mileage cutoff. I just had mine done last week. New tensioner, cam chain cassette, and valve cover gasket at no cost. Even had the obligatory free car wash.
Mine has 113K+ miles.

 

Wow, awesome. I will have to call them with the VIN.

 

By the way, you have excellent taste. I thought that was a picture of my car in you signature.

 

Thanks. Wife's favorite color and we only paid 9500 for an 09, couldn't pass it up.