Hello all:

Well today (Saturday 26-Jul-2025), on road trip from FL to MD, I broke down on I77 in Charlotte, NC. Was able to get off exit and pull into a Circle-K gas station. It's 98degF outside - Aggggg

REQUEST: Need recommendations on good local Independent Bmw/Mini Shop in the Charlotte, NC area.

Issue: It appears my water-pump has failed. I have a scangauge-II that I use to keep an eye on coolant temperature. Noticed coolant temperature started going from it's normal 210-225degF to 235-240degF.
Luck #1: I was at an exit, I immediately exited and pulled into gas station right at top of exit ramp.
Luck#2: I have relatives in Rock Hill, SC (30 min away), so I have a place to bunk while I try to find a shop (today & tomorrow) to have water-pump replaced. And then, hopefully have car towed to shop on Monday.

Coolant was leaking under passenger-side of engine compartment (i.e under water pump).


Thank's in advance for any shop reccomendations

W

 

There is Hendrick Mini, of course. Eurofed is not too far off 77 if you are north part, Lake Wylie Euro is kinda close to Rock Hill, Kinetch Motor Works is good, but probably not close to your position. Swedish Garage is close to center city, they work on Saab and Mini.
Welcome to hell😂

 

Hello Boeingboy,

Thank you for the reply. Ended having car towed to Kinetech based on your and another recommendation.

We'll see how it goes... :-)

 

They are probably the best of the independents. I’ve never heard anything bad about them. Where on 77 did you end up? I hesitated to list them first because they aren’t exactly on your route

 

I made it to a parking spot at Circle-K gas station right if I77 and Nations Ford Road exit in Charlotte. The staff at Circle-K were great. Allowed me to keep car there this past weekend and kept an eye on it for me. AAA tow truck arrived 30 min after submitting call online (fasted response I've ever had with a aaa tow).

Initial shop diagnosis pressure test confirmed failed water-pump. However, they are looking a cylinder misfire history. They pulled spark-plug and used a bore-scope to take a looksie. They said that saw some "wetness". Nothing on top of piston but they indicated could be a small head gasket leak but, will confirm tomorrow with a CO2 test (which I've never heard of...)

May be end-of-road for car. Will find out tomorrow...

 

An easy test for head gasket leak. I went through all this with our ‘06 before I decided to let it go. Ended up replacing with a new to me ‘23 SE. so I’ve had a gen 1 (the best) still have the gen2, I like it, and a gen3, love hate relationship

 

Well, End of the line for my 16 year 2009 MCS w/ 198,500K miles. Was trying to get to 200K miles but did not make it.

It was confirmed it has head-gasket leak and I've decided not to proceed and incur expense to have head removed, checked for warpage, resurfaced, and re-assembled.

Had water-pump replaced so I could freaking drive car to relatives home 15miles south of Charlotte .

 

So sad. 😭

 

How much would the repair on the head gasket leak cost?
It seems looking at the history you and your car have that it’s a shame
to part ways.

 

Knowing what i know, it's a big job, labor to remove head, send head out to machine shop, labor to re-install head, easily over $1.500. Owner of shop where I had water pump replaced mentioned folks who love the car all have similar sentiment of, "Love driving the car when everything is working but, too many issues like I've dealt with keep coming up". I'm just glad my wife was not with me when I broke down on that 99degF day - LoL I can just imagine if i kept and repaired the Mini, HPFP would be next thing to fail. I enjoy a challenge and still enjoy doing some "light-wrenching" but I'm not sadistic - LoL

Today's BMW/MINI products over 100K miles are just not as durable nor reliable as Toyota or Honda products, PERIOD.

I just obtained it's replacement. A 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport with 2.0L 6MT. Honda's K20C2 engine and 6-speed transmission will easily go over 200K miles with routine maintenance and gets better mpg than Mini.