everytime my car gets wet (mostly rain, but also when i wash it) the door always gets harder to open. the problem is that when i am inside trying to get out the door does not open. you have to either open the window and open from the outside (stupid in the rain) or give the handle quick jerks to open. today i broke the handle right off. now i cant even get out.
i was just getting ready to sell the car too ( for a subaru wrx sti) and this had to happen.
there are also more problems:
window doesnt roll down
power steering is about to go
steering wheel pleather is almost gone
belt is slipping.
there are probably more to add to that list. dont know what im going to do. hopefully the dealer will take me in under warranty even though i'm a few hundred over

 

If it's been an ongoing problem I'd hope the dealer would go to bat for you with BMW MINI.

I love the STi....well all except that way big ugly apendage on the boot lid. Great car, enjoy.

 

What year is this MINI- and did you buy it used? + what is the mileage? I ask because I've had 4, (2) 03s, an 05 and an 06.

If the window won't power down at all then I suspect the door latch issue (prior to breaking it) may be related... does it unlock on the first pull? (I'm assuming you know it takes 2 pulls to open of course)

The steering wheel leather failure is a known issue (I had that on my 05, dealer replaced it).

Why do you say the steering is about to go? and what symptoms indicate belt slippage?

 

it is an 02 with about 50000 miles. bought it used. power steering fan is really starting to whir. i can hear the belt and also smell it. and the door wasnt locked when i tried opening it

 

My door latch cables have each broken twice, which causes an inability to open the car from the inside, and requires one to put down the window and stick ones arm out, etc. etc. However, when the cable is broken, the problem occurs (obviously) regardless of weather conditions.

Forgive me if you think I'm assuming stupidity on your part but, the whir to which you refer is NOT the whine of the servo motor, is it?

 

Have you brought it to your dealer before for these issues?

 

the dealer isnt too close, and i cant really find time to get an appointment set up. after doing some searches i assumed that it was the power steering fan. it isnt the usual high pitch whine at low speeds but a much louder whir. i'll try to make an appointment on monday

 

the dealer should cover all of that...hopefully.

 

hopefully. exactly

 

I've not heard of that before! (I'm sure you posted, but I missed it)... didn't realize that was a potential weak spot. That's 4 breaks-!?! yikes.