Ok i just took my 02-s to the dealer once again to fix my hanging stock exhaust and leaking coolant bottle, this is the third time and i am really getting pissed off. I was torn between a SRT-4/Cobalt since i wanted a fun car but the mini won due to the scary leg room for a tall guy like me. But with all of these problems i am wondering if i made the right choice. Then i am seeing threads about rust problems wtf man. This car takes forever to start in the morning and everytime i leave the dealer it feels more and more sluggish. It only runs on Sunoco Ultra 94 with octane booster. The only time my car feels decent is on the spray. I cant spray everyday now can i. Am i the only one that is getting a tad bit frustrated.

 

In the used car market, one usually ends up buying someone else's problems... These cars are typically beaten or driven hard initially... The effects are only obvious years / miles later.

The starting problem you should read up on. There was a service bulletin addressing this by updating the software. good luck

 

The first time i went to the dealer he told me the car seemed to have been problematic since he is showing records of them changing everything on it from the fuel pump to the starter. I figured since the previous owner wrestled with all thosebugs i should be ok. Think i am really plagued with poor work from the dealer as well, since they are chaging the same part 3 times. They pissed me off a few weeks ago when the metal ring around the headlight fell off and the dealer told me they dont sell that part by itself i have to purchase the headlight assembly for $275.00. I told him to go *&$% himself and called up pro-mini for help they told me to call Sterling Mini in VA which i did, they sent me the ring overnight for $20.00.

 

I don’t know what to say about the hanging exhaust, if it truly hangs get under there and find out if it’s loose! If it’s not then suck it up and except the MINI with a character flaw, if that’s what you think it is, a flaw. As far as the coolant bottle… If you have the dark no see through plastic bottle then the upgrade has been done and do not expect a MINI dealer to change it unless you have a major cooling problem.

I’ve had my 02 for four 4 years now and went through the cooling bottle problem before it was a problem, they identified the clear bottles cracked and they changed them. If you are truly worried about it then go to an independent repair person. I just happen to be lucky enough to have one of the best independent BMW/MINI mechanics around where I live. His wife even has a cabrio.

I’m finding it hard to believe that some one at this time still has a factory warranty on a 02. The 02 I bought new has been out of warranty some time now.

If you are not under any factory warranty go to some one else.

 

Hey sndwave thanks for the tid bit on the coolant bottle since they still replaced it with the clear one, now i am wondering if they are just cleaning it off and putting it back and invoicing BMW. I mentioned it to the guy over the phone and he states he had no idea there was an upgraded bottle. My warranty runs out in Sept of this year so i know i will be visiting them quite a lot.

 

My warranty runs out at the end of this week, and I noticed a hanging exhaust/muffler. I called them about it, and the agreed to service it when my new glove box locks comes it even though my warranty will have run out.

To ensure that everything (15 items) were fixed to my satisfaction, I camped out at the MINI dealership all day. At the end of the day, the service manager brought over 5 pages of repairs and told me to have a nice day. LOL You gotta be firm and stand over them to make sure it's done right, and don't count on them finding the problem. Even thought they serviced the rear brakes on a lift and had the wheels off the week before, they didn't see the hanging exhaust! Go figure.

 

I am so disgusted with Hassel Mini right now, 2mor is going to be 1 week they have my car for a hanging exhaust, i have only received 1 phone call regarding the status every time i call the service rep said he going to call me back then he goes home. Is there any other Mini service facility in New the New York/Long Island area?

 

I'm taking my car in for warranty service for the hanging exhaust and to get them to install a new lock in the glove box that was replaced under warranty. The only thing that makes me nervous is that I'm the one that has had to detect all the problems with my MINI. MINI will only examine my car if I specifically ask for it. I guess they don't have to fix what they don't notice, and ignorance is bliss.

 

So far i have had the glove box fixed once, i was hoping they would give me the upgraded one with the lock and key. Both Hangers replaced twice...cooling bottle replaced twice. Now they are telling me they changed my radiator and fan shroud...i have no idea why but hey the are the profs they should know what they are doing.

 

Does this mean you have to spray something in the car or the air cleaner to make it work? I suppose you could spray everyday but that would seem unncessary and perhaps costly if what your spraying is expensive. If I buy a MINI, will I have to spray as well?

 

I think you'll find that good dealer support is hard to find. Ride 'em hard! And get everything in writing. To find another dealer, just go to the Mini USA website and look.

I agree, it can be a pisser, and is dissapointing for such a cool car.

Matt

 

That's total BS. The leaking coolant bottle was one of the most common problems with early MCSs, and it should be the most easily fixed. Either they're lying through their teeth and think you're a fool, or else they just ignore the service bulletins and don't bother even trying to permanently fix problems. I'd find another dealer to go to (however far away), and file a complaint with MINIUSA. Any dealer with half a clue should be able to fix your problems in one visit (except for maybe the engine issues). If this is how they're treating you under warranty, look out afterward!

Good luck.

 

All MINI coolant expansion tanks leak. The original white/clear one's leaked much sooner than the current yellowish one's...but the yellow one's will still leak eventually. We're on #3 in our '02. The only other problems we've encountered were a leaky water pump gasket and engine wiring harness needing replaced. Both of those issues have been documented in early build cars.

 

No i am running a 50 shot nitrous system....i wish i could spray everyday.

 

I got the car back, they changed the radiator..fan...fan shroud coolant bottle for the third time as well as both exhaust brackets for the second time. I had to pay them $60.00 to balance a wheel since they claim it was causing vibration which caused the fan to rip a hose which they also replaced. I refused to pay them but they were going to hold my car ransom till i pay. They had my car since Last week Wednesday i cant explain it...but i really missed my car so i just paid them so i can get it back home.

 

I've never heard of anyone using nitrous on a Mini, seems like overkill to me, just switch out the pulley and get the benefits.

As for other service you could try Halberstad or Mini of the Hamptons if you are on LI. I have no experience with either as all my service is done by Morristown in NJ. I know some folks come over the river to Prestige so that might be an option as well.

 

Yeah i heard Halberstad is prolly a 1.5 hour drive from LI. I am using nitrous with a 15% pulley. Over kill? Have you seen the mods people are doing on here, makes nos looks like childplay a handfull of folks running nitrous on here, check out that M7 setup, that thing is sweet. I am using a zex setup since it was on my stang before.

 

they can't charge you for it. That's why you're supposed to sign an estimate. If the estimate is vauge crap (like service and repair) then you may be hosed.

What they should have done is told you the wheel needed balancing and asked you if you wanted them to do it.

Matt

 

Halberstad is on LI, in Nassau County. I assume you mean that Prestige is 1.5 hours drive from LI. That is totally traffic dependant as I can get from South Orange NJ to Port Jeff in 1.45 with average traffic and Prestige is closer than that. It's not a hard drive and if you want better service it could be a good bet.

 

Are you f*&$ing kidding?! What dealership is this? What a load of crap.