Hi all. Thanks for your input on this. This thread does seem to have taken on a life of it's own!

As far as the an update, I've purchased an engine from an 04 Cooper S that has about 9K on it. E & L Motors will be doing the installation, when the engine arrives. E & L has been great and really exemplefies what is so awesome about the Mini community. They work on mostly Mini's and some Land Rovers and do lot's of mods. They are actually the folks who operate http://www.1fastmini.com. They are doing the install for $1,500.

While it's there and I'm driving a POS rental Taurus, I'm thinking of having them put on either a JCW brake kit or the M7 brake kit. Anyway, I'm definitely looking forward to getting the car back.

As far as the legal aspect of this, I haven't decided whether I want to pursue it or not. I'm not really interested in some years long litagation, but I may change my mind. I just want to get my Cooper back and move on.

 

I'd say it wouldn't hurt to at least file a complaint with your State's consumer protection office... But, I certainly understand wanting to get it all behind you...

 

So glad to hear you've found not only another engine, but a reputable shop to install it for you.
If they are not taking your engine as a core you may be able to part it out, or sell it the way it sits and recover some of your money. Even if they want it as a core, you can still pull all the accesories off and recoup something. Just a thought, as they usually only want the block and perhaps the head back.
Let us know when you are back on the road. Oh yes, and while driving your POS Taurus, just tell yourself 'this too shall pass'!

 

Time for an update! Nearly 6 weeks later I have my MCS back on the road. Ending up getting a remanufactured engine that was rebuilt by a Calif. shop that really seems to know how to build top quality engines. Eddie from E&L Motors/onefastmini.com put it in and I got it back Friday.

Now, there seems to be a problem. While driving at 45 MPH plus, when accelerating, there is a vibration that can be felt throughout the entire car, but is worse in the accelerator, the steering wheel, and the gear shift. When holding a constant speed, there is no vibration, but when you accelerate, the vibration starts.

It's going back to E&L Monday, but wanted to get some ideas if anyone has any. Just in case any of you ever have to replace an engine, it's a NIGHTMARE. I've spent over $8,000 that I don't have to get this thing back on the road.

 

Hmm... clutch or transmission? Flywheel maybe? Maybe something attached to the drivetrain.

 

Motor mount (bad or just tired)
exhaust in a bind, exhaust hanger (missing, losse, etc.)
hose or pipe jambed up against the firewall or shock tower

Of course when you rebuild, you get new and larger pistons which are possibly heavier. The stock pistons were originally balanced to the crank. The crank-rod journals were also machined and are now small which means less weight. (If) the new pistons are heavier, then your rotating mass is now slightly out of balance which will definitely cause harmonic imbalance at various rpms. These are all small variations, but with high spinning engines, small things cause shake.

just suggestions of places to look first.


YD

 

Ouch! Sorry for your troubles, hope it's all sorted soon... To clarify though, the delaer would've done a new engine for $9,100, and the rebuilt and install by 3rd party ended up being $8,000?

Or was the dealer 'new' actually a used or rebuilt too?

Hope you're motoring smoothly soon!

 

Yeah, it's been pretty horrible. The dealer was going to charge 9100 for a new engine installed. I thought I could do better, so bought a used engine off ebay, supposedly having 10K and about a year old. Consistent with my luck, it was totally misrepresented. Ended up getting an engine from a shop in Calif. that uses reman. blocks, but everything else is new and built beyond stock specs (ported and polished heads, titanium valves, etc) for 5500. Plus about $3500 to put it in, plus a few extras mods while it was there. The mods included the M7 strut tower brace, and cross-drilled/slotted rotors and PBR ceramic pads.

Once everything is done I want to get some pics on here.