Hi,

Lately I've noticed that when I'm backing into a parking space - without stepping on the accelerator or with very light braking - the car jerks and does not roll back smoothly. But, as is normal, going forward without gas is nice and smooth.

Anybody have an opinion? Should I be concerned?

 

Check your motor mounts.

 

Thanks. Is it urgent or can I wait for my next scheduled maintenance next month?

 

Open the hood...and look....pretty simple... About as easy as checking your oil....
And I WOULD HOPE any shop that knows mini's are looking at the mounts every time they open the hood....
Edit.....
Thinking back....you have a cvt right?

 

You can check the motor mounts:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...any-ideas.html

But I think you have a CVT Automatic from your other threads and reverse gear can be a little jerky in those transmissions. Some have done the computer flash at the dealership.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-in-drive.html

Thanks

 

Thanks for all the help.

Yes, I do have an automatic CVT.

I just went and took a look at the engine mount. But I have to admit that I only saw one on the passenger side. (Is there one on the driver side too?) It was not leaking. And there is no noise, as noted in the other threads you linked to.

I'm the third owner of this car, which I've had for about a year. When I took it to BMW (the official importer here) for it's first maintenance after purchase, the service rep pointed out that:

1. The car had never been serviced by BMW.
2. The engine was not sitting perfectly level.

The car was in a minor accident and had the bonnet and windscreen replaced. The rep said they apparently replaced the engine mount with a non-original part, hence the engine problem. But since that first visit was already costing me about $3k, I told them to hold off on the engine mount for the time being. On a subsequent visit to the mechanic who serviced my pre-Mini car, I mentioned it to him and he said that as long as the car isn't vibrating when driving - it's no big deal. Any opinions?

 

Never serviced by bmw means nothing....just a scare tactic to get you to accept anything you say since there is no records of prior service....heck they got you to pay them $3000....
The 2005+ mounts do tend to leak the oil in them...but if yours is ok, and the engine is not thrashing around...i'd be inclined to say it is ok....the "not perfectly level" is troublesome, but any replacement part that is proper will fit perfectly...funny thing is, many of the best "non-oem" parts come from the same factory as the oem...the factory simply makes more...and ships them to auto parts places....sometimes with markings ground/cut off.....(belt tensior on the s is a good example...the "gates" one, a company known in the us for rubber parts is the oem tensioner, but mini logo ground off the casting...about $76, the oem lists for $350 ish)...or 3rd part parts that may/may not be as good as the oem...
The second mount is kinda hidden...down by the tranny...
Guess it comes down to how much you trust your mechanic....while mini's are a bit different, they are cars....and it sounds like the dealer already hit you for a $3000 bill...and the issue (engine not being level, non-oem part) was not an...er...issue then...
Dealers sell an experience....a cost is no object, new car as if it came from the factory feel, and they try too keep cars feeling like that....gets $$$$ fast....under warranty, ok...but once it is my wallet...lol...I can deal with a few squeeks, etc or pay a trusted local guy 50% per hour to do most of it.
With a CVT, I would keep the fluid fresh....and drive.
I would be hesitant to sink to many $$$ into it...the tranny has been the issue of law suits, and tends fail quickly if not treated well and fluid changed regularly.

 

Thanks, ZippyNH.

I don't think (or hope) that they took me too bad. I was leaking coolant fairly bad - the radiator was shot - among other problems.

Part of it was my fault. I spent a year looking for a Mini that I could afford and live with. And when I finally found this one, I may have pulled the trigger a little too quickly. Anyway, I've always wanted a Mini and don't regret the purchase for a minute.

I will definitely check that the trans fluid is part of the next scheduled maintenance.

Thanks again.

 

mini started out saying it was filled with :lifetime fluid"....as the Failures started to mount, they started doing regular fluid changes....
Well, hopefully it is a decent dealer....some are pretty good, some bad, some just $$. good luck...heck we all learn, but the 2005+2006 is generally pretty good.