Hello, I'm new to this forum but looking for some advice. I just bought a beautiful red 2006 Mini Convertible for my daughter and its not going well. It only has 24K on it and looks fabulous but right after we bought it I noticed the passenger side airbag stayed on no matter who was sitting in the seat.

We'll I dropped it off today at Cincinnati Mini and it will cost me over $ 1,600 to repair a seat sensor. He also quoted me over $ 600 to repair the weather stripping that's cracked around the base of the convertible top.

The service tech said the car is in overall great condition, the Carfax was clean but I feel I may have bought a money pit. I've had bad experiences with BMW in the past but thought that the Mini was a good, reliable and safe choice for a new driver.

Anyone else have these issues?

 

The airbag light can be turned off by Mini or anyone with the appropriate tool(like a reset), it might be worth doing this and seeing if it comes back on. If it does then it might be worth getting the part from an auto parts recycler?

The cracked weather stripping seems to be common on the convertibles, I just looked up the costs of the parts only and that is close to $380 USD so $600 including fitting isn't so bad. I'd only replace it if you really want to.

 

Thanks for the reply. I asked the service adviser about getting a used seat and he said something about having to match the sensor to the car. Probably BS but my wife and daughter are driving it so I want it to be 100% safe.

I looked at few other threads that talked about the weather striping issue..... looks like I could handle the install.

I appreciate your advice, I hate to have my first post here to be negative as I've loved the Mini going back to the first Italian Job. I signed up to drive it the first week the new Mini was released, just a bit disappointed with this situation but it is a beautiful and fun car.

 

My only suggestion is to get another quote from a different dealership. Not sure if that will help you price wise but it might.

You might also find an independent repair shop that has experience with Mini's. This car even with low mileage was probably not the best choice as a car for your daughter. Mini's are typically high cost to repair cars. But then again it may run just fine for many, many miles once the repair is complete.

 

Thanks, not many Mini dealers close to Cincy.

I ignored the cost factor when we bought it as it's so darn cool but I should have stuck with my instincts and gone with a Honda, Mazda or Hyundai.

 

I might also recommend searching for a trusted independent repair shop in your area. For example, I was recently quoted $1500 by a dealer to replace the water pump on my '07. When I hesitated, they offered 15% off and reminded me of the 2-yr warranty on Mini Authorized (read: dealer) service to sweeten the deal.

A quick call to the German car specialist we used to take my wife's VW Jetta and (later) Mercedes SUV to quoted me $700, with a 3yr/36k mile warranty (parts AND labor) warranty on the repair. Furthermore, thatbwas after telling him the dealer quote price, so it's not even like he just had to beat their 15% to get my business -- he beat it by 50%.

Yikes.

 

Hi and welcome. Finding out your new purchase now needs big money repairs is disheartening, but you do have some less expensive options. Did they give you a more specific description then just a seat sensor? Maybe a part number? How handy are you with repairs? One other option is to find a good used seat and replace the seat itself. Pretty easy job and much less expensive but tougher to find the used seat.

I seem to recall another thread here on NAM that talks about replacing that seal. The dealer gets big bucks for their labor charges so you might be able to save money again by doing your own work.

The search function on NAM is not the best. Try using Google, your search term(s) and "North American Motoring".

Try finding a non-dealer mechanic that specializes in MINIS to save yourself some money. Search for some local MINI clubs to help you find a reputable mechanic.

And finally, there are other sources for cheaper new and/or used parts. minipartsmass.net is a good source for new parts. Way Motor Works is an independent shop and parts supplier and a vendor here on NAM. Way is a nice guy and very helpful on this website. He often has used parts for sale.

These cars are, fun, safe and good on gas. I am sure the bad news does not feel good but it might be the only thing you do to the car for quite some time.

Good luck and let us know what is going on please.

 

Good advice. It's crazy what dealers charge for things (especially BMW). I just had a 100K service on my Ridgeline at a local garage....timing and serpentine belts, water pump and a few other things for $ 900. My Honda dealer wanted $about $ 2,000 for the same service.

 

Thanks for the advice, I hope this is just hiccup as we love the car.\

BTW you Other car: 1971 Triumph TR6 One of my all time favorites but due to my electrical issues with an English Sunbeam I'm on my 4th Miata. They are indestructible!!

 

I think its definitely worth asking exactly what they are going to replace and then look it up on http://www.realoem.com this lists all the parts for your car.

With the Mini I've found that unlike the old days it's not plug & play, it's more like plug, program by Mini & play. So with matching the sensor to the car he is probably right but whether it's a used matching seat or a new seat then that doesn't matter.

I'm also guessing that you must surely be able to just replace the sensor and not the whole seat.

As the guys above have mentioned its worth finding a Mini Specialist as they will be much cheaper as you won't be paying dealer labour rates.

Like you I'm not looking forward for when its going to need repairs but its such a fun car to drive !!!

 

The TR6 is a very solid car. I have had less problems with the Lucas electrics then on my "modern" cars. And, the electrics are MUCH simpler to trace, diagnose and repair. But I hear you about the Miata.

 

Did you buy your used mini at The BMW Store? I ask, cause I recently bought a used mini from a dealership at the Kings Auto Mall, and I when I took it to Mini (The BMW/Mini Store on Stewart Ave) for the water pump recall, they were pretty snooty with me about not having purchased it from an official mini dealer, ie, them.

I have heard similar stories about the BMW Store. But, heck, if we want official BMW/Mini service, The BMW Store (TBS) is the only place we can go; the next closest MINI dealerships are in Louisville KY or Indianapolis IN.

Now, I just had the MINI at TBS today to get the Airbag warning light turned off and to check a few other things. If you search my other posting on this forum, you'll see that I self-installed a Bluetooth retrofit kit; because MINI want a whooping $2000 for the parts and install. Ouch! Anyway, I made the mistake of turning the car on while I had the driver's seat out and disconnected from the Airbag wiring harness. This caused the Airbag light to come and I told the dealership what happened, and I needed them to turn off the warning light, which they did for about $75 in labor time. So $1600 seems odd to me. It could be a malfunctioning sensor or it could be a $75 programming fee to turn off the light... who knows... There is more to this story regarding my BT install, so I will finish that post in my original thread.

So, when I dropped off the MINI this morning (at the dealership) I authorized approx. $250 worth of repairs/programming, they called me later, towards the end of the day with over $2500 in recommended fixes or upgrades. AAAhhh! I told them thanks, but no thanks, button her up, I will be over to pick it up.

I think TBS has just gotten too use to being the only MINI dealer for miles around. Time for us cincy area used/out of warranty mini owners to start researching 3rd party/mechanics alternatives.

Your new-to-you red cabrio is beautiful. Good luck.

 

We have 8 independent shops listed in your area that may be helpful. Good luck.

 

I had a bad passenger airbag switch changed under warrenty. Not sure if it is a recall. Note they can not just replace the switch, the whole seat bottom is changed. Not the best design Mini.

Just peaked on RealOEM Parts, that cushion starts at $279.

 

My sensor in the passenger seat went as well. My dealer had to work over BMW Canada to get it covered under MINI next warranty with a new seat bottom, but I was thankful.
If it goes again I'll take that seat apart , its probably a $10 sensor. Must be a poor design. I've had a bit of trouble with the boot latch other than that just maintenance. They are great cars that put a huge smile on your face. The members on the forum are great. No matter what comes up you'll find someone on here that can help.

 

Don't confuse the small size of the Mini with the term "cheap" or "inexpensive". My car is a 2008 and I'm still in shock that the dealer keeps sending me $50 off of an oil change bringing it to "only $250". FOR AN OIL CHANGE!!! So it's not surprising they want $1,600 for what should be a $5 part and 30 minute install. Don't get me wrong, I love this car, but some of the bad engineering and the high-dollar dealership rip-offs make it a real challenge to want to keep it as it gets older.

 

I usually do my own oil changes, typically with Mobil One (can buy a lot for $200-250). Would that be a problem?

 

Thanks, I bought it from a local individual who deals in used equipment. He bought it at an auction in Florida which I thought was strange, as it looked clean and had a clear Carfax. Probably the dealer who had it wholesaled it rather than repairing the airbag.

The BMW Store was OK to work with, no attitude about where I bought it but I had serious issues years ago with a '98 "certified Bummer" I bought from them for my wife. After 10 trips to get the car right, I sold it.

They replaced the whole bottom seat cushion on the Mini including the cover. There is a flat black sensor in between the cushion that apparently shorted out.

Per this forum's advice I will be looking for an alternative, less expensive mechanic going forward for those things I can't tackle.

 

The trim at the rear is easy to replace. I'm not much of a mechanic and I managed it easily. You can also find it for less, too. I've found that Mini of Morristown (NJ) has the best prices for oem stuff. You can find the correct part numbers at http://www.realoem.com/bmw/

 

So I found the Stock Problems section under First Generation sub-forum. BTW, I really love this Forum, great advice and information available!!!!

So back to my problem, it apparently isn't an issolated issue.

There was an extended warrenty issued by BMW for Mini passenger side airbag seat sensors for 2002-2003 but not one for later models. I have submitted a formal complaint on this at NHTSA website. People have reported having to do multiple repairs over the life of the vehicle.

In searching the NHTSA website a majority of the (40) Cooper and (11) Cooper 2006 complaints revolve around this very common problem for passenger seat sensors failing.

I urge everyone that has had this issue or dealing with it now to lodge a complaint, as this is how goverment recalls start.

http://nhthqnwas700.nhtsa.dot.gov/co...ts/results.cfm

 

I would buy the extended warranty I purchased my 06 Mini Cooper S Conv with 76000 miles on it. It now has 82000 miles on the odometer and it’s at the dealership with a automatic transmission problem they wanted $9600 to replace the transmission. I got them to go lower but not low enough. Get the extended warranty for piece of mind.

 

Thanks for your advice, can I buy a warranty from BMW if I didn't buy the car from them or are there other companies I should consider? The problems with these cars seem pretty scary and expensive to resolve......I'm having buyers remorse, athough we love the car.

 

Don't have buyers remorse! You bought the most reliable MINI spec and year possible. Your car was towards the end of the gen 1 manufacturing and it's a base (non-S) MINI. My '05 base cooper was indestructible. Now that I've switched over to the turbo model, can't say the same. I feel that you will get many many happy miles out of that car.

 

$8 for a filter, < $20 for good oil... that's some labor cost - glad I just do it myself..

sorry price was so crazy I had to comment

 

I can't say for sure, but I believe the sensor in the seat should default to on. The sensor does one or two things. If it is one stage airbags, it tells the car someone is in the seat during an accident it should deploy. If no one is there, don't bother and save the money.

It makes sense for a company to default to the safest state which would be deploy on any accident if the sensor isn't working. Think lawsuit if that is not true.

A dual stage airbag deploys depending on weight to try and accurately match the force to the person. Again, I have to think the airbag will deploy for an adult.

With that said, it is a guess, but from a liability standpoint, mini would be nuts not to have the airbag deploy for an adult if the sensor goes wonky.

Figure out dual stage, or single stage...it is by year and someone will know. They figure out who sits there. If it is always a full sized person. That sensor probably will do nothing that would harm anyone. A little kid is also debatable, but would be more reason to fix it.

Just my thoughts I had while my light was on due to sensor disconnect while battery was in. I cleared it with INPA software myself, but I would not spend money to fix it if the cost was $1600 just based on my usage and thoughts of how the car will behave in an accident regardless of the sensor input.