I was surprised when I took my 2014 CM JCW in for a routine service/oil change and they said the system was calling for new spark plugs. Not sure what system that is but my CM is not even a year old! The MA said it was time and for JCWs it is 30,000 miles it is called--yet I am only just hit 24,000. That said, I asked to examine the removed plugs and I did not notice any real carbon build up and I did not notice any odor. It certainly seems peppier now.

I should add that I mentioned to the MA during my service that my clutch seemed like it was struggling to get up my steep driveway starting from a stop. They did not find any faults and mentioned no issues found. Surprisingly simply with the new plugs I have regained my power and my clutch feels normal again.

 

What is the spark plug change interval for a Countryman S ?

 

60,000mi for the S engine. Half that for the JCW.

 

My plugs were replaced, as well as an ignition coil at 49,300 miles......After the car went into limp mode 180 miles from home.

 

Is there any correlation between the pop-gurgle, and a rich condition causing the early failures? Isnt that a side effect of direct injection engines running rich, throwing the cat/02 into running rich to burn off carbon, rinse repeat? I always wondered about that, if it were a novelty with a cost.

 

Yes the JCW cars have a 30k interval for good reason. We've been recommending on all Turbo MINIs to replace them at 30-40k as we've been seeing the spark plugs tips burnt off and worn out.

 

I'm taking mine in for it's next service in about a week. Nothing wrong... just says I'm due for service. Much like about 99.9% of the population, I have always wondered if they REALLY do as thorough a check as they should being that it's coverd under warranty... I've had the "hiccup" on accelaration a few times like some other folks, but it never tripped a system warning or killed power to the car. just a hiccup or two when accelerating... Of course, they cannot duplicate anything when I'm there. I'm almost at 2 years of ownership and 22500 miles. But I've wondered if they really replace the plugs when it's necessary ... If they really flush out and/refill or top off all of the fluids they claim they do... If they really check the brakes and clutch for wear... OR do they just address these things when it triggers a sensor and a light comes on or if the car starts making some kind of noise or begins to affect how it drives?

I'd like to think they do everythign accurately, but then again, we've all been down the road where you take a car to a mechanic with a complaint and they cannot find ANYTHING wrong with it... It's like they are completely senseless. However, 1 mile or 1 day outside of the warranty, and they've got ears of a bat, the eyes of an eagle, and can smell like a bloodhound... and it's all gonna cost you the big dollas...

It seems like EVERY time I took my last car in that was just slightly out of warranty in for service, they were telling me that something was wrong... Without fail, they would always tell me the brakes were wearing quickly and I needed to change them right away. WIth my new CM that's still under factory warranty and I added in the extended service throgh MINI to make sure the clutch and brakes were covered, I've asked them about the hiccup and also about the brakes... They have yet to find anything wrong with it.

 

Just curiosity on my part...if you have such a strong feeling that the dealer / service departments are only out to screw you (i'm also seeing your response on the "what would you ask for" thread), why did you buy a MINI and why do you still own one? Or is it that all dealers/service departments will screw you if they can get away with it?

 

Took my 2011 CM in for an oil change and they told me I needed new spark plugs also. I only have just over 24k on the car so I thought that was odd. Judging by this thread maybe not??

 

Had plug and coil failures and 40K and needed a tow into the dealership.
Have extended maintenance plan.

Morristown charged for the parts and labor because the failure occurred BEFORE the specified maintenance interval.

 

+1 on the JCW CM / PM spark plugs and the shorter service intervals. Looks like they are using :
12122293697 BERU 12ZR6-SPP2 -1 now.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/12122293697/ES2592875/



Which takes the special 14mm 12point socket for all the Gen 2 MINIs socket.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2561145/

 

If you guys sell the long socket version, I'd generally recommend that. It's just nice to use it without an extension — makes threading them in just a hair nicer. :-)

 

Will let you know in the future if we have another option, right now I just use that I just use a medium extension and its gtg. Having the right thin wall 14mm 12 point socket makes it much easier.

Thanks.