As you know I have had a huge list of problems with m car. Well today it got much worse.... My airbag light came on, so I took it to the dealer and they replaced the plug and all was fine. Well tonight while driving, THREE TIMES at stop lights, the car began to shudder like crazy...as if it was going to stall. I have a CVT, and have already had the wiring harness replaced for stalling. As a result I have NO CLUE what this could be. I feel like crap, this car just gets worse and worse, and I dont even feel like I can move to Florida anymore with the car like this. I dont know what to do at this point. Does anyone have any idea what this problem might be? The car didnt stall but almost got there..... was shaking bad. UGH I cant even type I feel sick to my stomach. I really feel I have wasted a huge sum of money on this car. It has screwed everything up. Now I cant move as a result...there is no way i can drive this car down there with peace of mind. I still owe four years on this car...what the hell am I going to do. UGH I feel sick.

 

How long have you owned it?? Is it possible you could enact the "Lemon Law"?

D

 

I've had this on my manual afetr geting it fixed for a airbag light. they have forgotten to hook up something in the harness or it isn't seating properly. March right back and make them fix it now! That was my probelm and it was fixed within an hour after I exploded all over the service guy (I too had just picked it up)

 

hey ants

sorry to hear of your troubles. i say sell the car, pay the loan off, and get something else, like Ryan from portland did

thats all the advice i can offer man :smile:

good luck, i will keep you in my thoughts

 

Ants,
I feel for you - I have gone through similar stomach sickening with my (failed) stereo upgrade; only $2k so not as drastic, but still hateful.

First BELIEVE that not all MINIs have this issue.
Therefore, there must be a problem with your one - and it should be possible to identify and fix the problem.

There is not likely to be any relationship between your new engine problem, and the airbag issue - different electronic bits of the car.
The shuddering you describe is probably related to a sensor problem; it should be reported in the engine diagnostics if you can get it to a MINI tech to read out.


If you have had lots of serious ongoing problems, check out the lemon laws. Otherwise, just hope this is the last hiccup before your MINI relationship settles down.

Good luck. And sorry.

 

>>I've had this on my manual afetr geting it fixed for a airbag light. they have forgotten to hook up something in the harness or it isn't seating properly. March right back and make them fix it now! That was my probelm and it was fixed within an hour after I exploded all over the service guy (I too had just picked it up)

Spo can you please go into more detail on exactly what was wrong? I guess Ill drive it back tommorow... This car is consuming my whole life, I am constantly having to get it fixed.

 

Ants,

I'm terribly sorry to hear about your latest round of problems. I have to agree with the others:I think you of all the people out there really do qualify for the Lemon Law. Look into it. Talk to any lawyer friends you might have. I think it's got to be done.

 

My mcs has done that same shake, stoped at a light 2 or 3 times but never stolls. I just let the computer do it's job when that happens. I'm not sure what conditions create the shake but so far has not been a real problem.
I'm sure of that coz my car goes to redline every day. The air intake system and a 15% reduction pulley realy made my car more driveable, to the point where I'm very happy with it. It sound like you've had some bad luck with your car to this point but that shake has not turned out to be anything serious on my car. I would drive my car to florida or anywhere today. In fact I'll be driving to Bershires this coming weekend.
Good luck, I hope all goes well 4 u.
:smile:

 

I had a failed sensor (one of 3 at different times) and they replaced it. Turns out that to get to it they had to remove a bunch of interior stuff and disconnect the controller that lives in the passenger footwell behind the side plastic piece.. They didn't seat it properly and mine did stall of the way out of the dealership. I was miffed! An hour later it was fixed and I got some goodies to make me feel better.

I'm not sure of all the probs you have had but I think I can help on this one.

 

Don't feel too bad. Get all the info from the srvice guy and remeber what they say. I have fixed a coupleof my own problems already since I live almost 300 miles from the dealership. They were very understanding. I would also get a mini sevice manual ( the ones the mechanics use) they're not cheap but can generally save you a trip to the dealer

 

I am calling MINI USA in the morning, Ive had it.

 

Anthony,

Good luck! I hope it gets fixed for you. I tend to lean towards a plug not being seated back into it's position. Also check to see if the battery was hooked back up tight and no slop in the terminal connections.

And may I rant an editorial for you? Problems, problems and more problems. Sheesh...will it never end. I've followed you and your car thru it's birth till now via the posts you've made here on the MCO. I only wish that it wasn't so bad for you. My "problems" I've had with my MINI pale in comparison to what you've gone thru.

Dominic

 

Thanks for your support everyone. I really hope they can fix it tommorow. If not I guess I need to call MINI Division. This really puts a huge kink in my moving plans. I really dont want to sell this car but at this point it may be the only option.

 

>>I am calling MINI USA in the morning, Ive had it.
Best of luck Ants,
Somehow we have got to find a fix for this sort of problem. We must report them and if not fixed, report it to the authorities.
MINI USA deserves to fix this for Ants! Whatever it takes. :evil:

 

Ants,

A few years ago, my mother bought a 1999 Mercedes C230 Kompressor that had a slew of problems wrong with it...every other week my father was having it fixed after only 6 months of purchasing it (by the way, he ripped a new ******* in some of the service techs too). The problem was a faulty gas gauge sensor. Anyway, one night a few days after the 6th or 8th time being serviced, a sales rep calls our house to allow us a new 2000 Mercedes C230 Kompressor because of the "Lemon Law" jurisdiction it fell under. It just so happened that other Mercedes of that model that year did experience the same problems.

What I am saying is that if the problems continue to occur, return to the dealership and tell them, "I don't want this ****ing car anymore...if you don't fix it, I want my money back". Also try to contact BMWNA. Chances are that a small percentage of the MINIs out there ARE having similar problems.

I hope some good comes of this, it does sound like you do have a Lemon of a MINI on your hands. Good luck dude.

Eric
IJM

 

AAwww ants -- feel so so bad for ya. :evil: Just remember that we are all rooting for you and hoping Miniusa will step up and take care of your problems in style. You sound like a really nice person and you deserve to be treated right. I talked to hubby who is super mechanic. (little bit of prejudice there) He agrees that it sounds like they screwed up something when they worked on the airbag light. Go back there and kick some butt. We'll all be thinking of you so please keep us posted.

ps-- Spo-- can you tell me where we can get a copy of that service manual? Fuzzy Face has always bought a mechanic's manual for every vehicle we've ever had. He spazzes out if he has to see anyone else work on his car. You know the type. I think he would rather read one of those manuals than a copy of Playboy -- correction, when it comes to this mini, I can guarantee it!! He will spend the first week studying every inch of that car -- when he ain't runnin the wheels off it, that is. When he does have to take it in for warranty work -- the poor service mechanic has to keep shovin Tim outta the way so he can work --- and heaven help the poor guy if he doesn't do everything just exactly so!! But I'm sure most of you guys out there are the same way --- and even a few of the ladies!

 

Ants. The car's gonna be fine. Get MINIUSA on line to hasten your MINI's repair. It's ridiculous - especially considering your previous online incarnation's miniborne troubles. Your lawyer/relative will surely steer you down the right path. You are going to Florida, as far as I can guess! And you're DEFINITELY going to Limerock this weekend. Westechester will loan you a MINI if need be.

 

>>As you know I have had a huge list of problems with m car. Well today it got much worse....

Hey Ant,
Bring your car to Hassel MINI .
Ask for Alex....
They actually have mechanics that know the MINI.
Peace,
D


_________________
I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.

 

Ants, I can't add much here other than to agree with - and underscore the opinions of - those who say that you should get rid of the car. Frankly, I wouldn't try too hard on the lemon law thing as it'll take a lot more time (even if it's an easy case) than you want to spend. Also, using a lawyer is likely to eat up the difference between your investment and what you'd get by just selling it. Instead, just get the car quickly diagnosed and receive whatever current fix the mechanics at your dealer recommend...and then sell it quick. It's still under warranty, and whoever buys it can deal with whatever residual problems exist.

Bottom line is that you just don't need to deal with this anymore. You need to cut your loses and get to FL. Buy a nice used car down there and get on with life. You owe it to yourself to be free of this crap.

 

Ants - I feel for ya pal!! :smile: I know that's easier said than done....but get it in the shop ASAP and insist on a rental of course...... :smile: Keep us posted....

Chow!

Donna
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

Hey, Ants. No advice coming from here, just a comment on your Mini pic. Gas filler is on right side. Is that a Mini One you have there, with right-hand steering? Just curious.

 

^no, it's called photoshop mirror

Anthony: I think I understand your frustration, but not sure why you're putting yourself through the hassle. If your dealership can't fix it, bring it to another that can! There's no need to suffer with someone elses incompetence.

What exactly is the problem you're having anyway?

 

there comes a point in some relationships when you are consistently giving more than you are getting. In these instances, unless you are a masochist, it's best to cut your losses and move on. Get you baby fixed, clean it up, and sell it.

 

>>there comes a point in some relationships when you are consistently giving more than you are getting. In these instances, unless you are a masochist, it's best to cut your losses and move on. Get you baby fixed, clean it up, and sell it.

I'm with jsun and Redleg. Clean it up, sell it, and call it a day. Get something else with the $ you make (you should be able to sell for a pretty good price), and move on south. Peace of mind is worth it.

 

Oh Anthony,

That SUCKS!!!! Even if they fix it today (with a holiday weekend, they might not), get rid of that car. It's been nothing but problems.

You will get to Florida one way or another. This is one hassle that I wish you didn't have to deal with. Moving is stressful enough.

I hope things work out for you today. I know that the last place you want to be right now is back at the MINI dealership.

As far as the lemon law goes, you might have luck based on the # of days your MINI has been in for service.

(BIG HUGS),
Kim