I have a 6 month old 2009 Clubman S, when the engine is warm (driven for at least 15 minutes) and is turned off for a short period of time, then restarted, the rpms drop down to where is sounds like it is going to die. The dealer tells me this is "normal", as long as it doesn't actually die. Anyone else have this occur?? I really need to validate whether this is a problem or "normal", sure doesn't seem right!!

 

What RPM does it drop to?

Mine has never done what you are describing. Not sure what it idles at though.

 

Just got it back from the shop. The restart of the warm engine, first goes up to about 1500 rpms, then there is a sudden drop to about 500 rpms, then goes back up to about 1000, and settles at about 750 or 800.
I didn't think to document the actual fluctuations, prior to bringing it in. I think they may have adjusted the idle, but I am also worried that this may cause damage in the long run.
They refused to document what they consider "normal", but said a "stumble after initial start up is normal."

 

Welcome to the world of some MINI dealers!

This is NOT normal. My Clubman S doesn't do this. Do NOT let them tell you that it's normal -- this seems to be the mantra at the MINI dealership that I (used to) go to whenever I had something that was clearly wrong.

 

I had something like this going on when my oil wasn't topped off. Low oil pressure kept it from starting properly and maintaining rpms, so it would often drop low enough to sputter like this and then stall. If I gave it a little gas before the stall, it would stay in a normal idle.

Filling it up with fresh oil did the trick.

 

Sounds like the high pressure fuel pump could be your problem, too.

 

I don't know how they could of "adjusted" the idle but it does sound like the common HPFP could be to blame.

 

On the first visit to the shop, they replaced "HDP pump", swapped "vanos solenoid", and "low side pump", and idle continued to be unstable. So, I brought it back, now suddenly the unstable idle is "normal".
As for the idle adjustment, the work invoice says :"per foreman asst (KT) adjusted idle speed. Block1:780. Block2:880." whatever that means.

 

That means they connected the MINI to the BMW servers and downloaded a different map. Try running half a can of seafoam through your intake and see if that make any difference with the idle.