I recently bought a 2003 Cooper S. I have been noticing over the last two weeks that sometimes the idle changes when I am at a stop light (clutch in or in neutral). It drops in tone and the engine struggles. I talked to my dealership and they say it's not a problem, they advised I switch to the medium grade gas. The problem has not stopped.

Since my service contract runs out next month, I want to get this fixed now if it is a problem. Has anyone else had this happen, and if so, how did you convince your dealership to fix it?

Thanks in advance!

 

It is a software related problem and the 2002 and 2003s MCS were notorious for the "Idle drop" and "stumble". I am surprised the dealer is refusing to upgrade your ECU software programming, which in my view, is the thing to do given the poor driveability of the car.

Mechanically, there is probably nothing wrong with it. You are dealeing strictly with an electronics/software issue. Take it back and demand to have the ECU re-flashed with the latest version of the software. If not take it to another dealer.

 

They flashed it at the last visit and it didn't help. Should I have them re-flash it?

 

Before doing that, I would talk directly with the service manager to find out what version of the ECU software was downloaded during the last visit. Also, the dealer should check the engine wiring harness which is another known culprit. Do you know the repair history of this car? Could this car have been lemoned/returned because of these problems? If you haven't done so, run a Carfax report check on it and have the dealer pull off a complete service history report on it with the car's VIN serial number.

 

is there a particular version I should be watching out for? Or a version I should request?