I purchased a 2008 Clubman S new in 2008, and it has been absolutely the toughest car that I have ever owned to maintain and drive. Bluetooth has never worked. Head pulled for carbon problem. All kinds of computer reset problems. Turbo went out four months ago. Today, I am told that the timing belt needs replacing. And the news media says that I will have to replace the water pump in Febuary if Mini can get the number of pumps that they need. I purchased the 100,000 mile maintenace and warranty contracts .... Thank God! Otherwise, I would be broke and depressed from all the expense.

They replaced the turbo four months ago, and today they tell me the reason that the motor sounds like a tractor diesel motor is that the timing belt is shot! This noise started right after they replaced the turbo ..... any coincidence that they have a connection? Think that they screwed up the timing gear when they replaced the turbo.

Today they said that they would let me know tomorrow if my 100,000 mile warranty will take care of the timing belt. I have 79,000 miles on the car now, and want to get it healthy so that I can rid my hands of the SOB! Absolute fun car to drive, but I have had enough problems with this LEMON!

Any comments and advice would be appreciated.

 

Timing chains and their tensioners are a common and known problem. Extended warranty should cover it. As for being related, very doubtful. Good luck!

 

In relation to your problem, I think there is no connection between the changing of the turbo and the problem with the timing chain. To access the turbo, they just go via the front of the car - no need to put the engine into service mode. The turbo just sits at the front of the engine between the exhaust manifold and the catalytic converter.

I'd be surprised if the problem with the timing chain wasn't related to the tensioner. I can't imagine the chain is worn at 79,000 miles. I would think that the warranty should cover the chain repair. If not, ask for a "goodwill".

Unfortunately, I've had the same experience as you, but I have a 2009 diesel Clubman. Car has constantly been in the garage. Timing belt was replaced at 40,000km along with a waterpump, clutch and flywheel replaced at 65,000km, another waterpump at 66,000km, Garrett turbocharger and catalytic converter seal replaced 1 week ago, sunroof was fixed at 30,000km. The car rattles so much in the interior you'd think it was 20 years old. I am disgusted with the build quality of these cars. The problems others and I have had are unheard of in a car with under 100,000km and less than 3 years old. Aside from the sunroof and rattles, these problems are not new technology "quirks" either, they are major issues related to major components on the car. I have no idea why the residuals on these cars are so high because in my opinion they are sub-standard quality. I'm also seriously considering to ditch this thing; once bitten...

 

Sorry to hear about your pain -- it's not uncommon in MINI land, unfortunately. Your problems mostly seem to be quite typical of what I read in forums and hear from many MINI owners I meet. I've had many issues with mine, most of which seem to be more common than not (embarrassing rattles, poor fit and finish, window problems, clunks, air bag light, limp mode for no reason a couple of times, etc.). I might sell mine, too, even though it's so damn fun to drive...I wish BMW cared about making a consistently good quality car in the MINI. It's clear that they don't.

Just to say: I and others feel your pain. Last weekend I went to a classic Porsche 911 meet (I have an '88 Carrera -- bulletproof!) and was talking to someone about MINIs -- he said that some of his friends who have them complain about the poor quality, too. So we're not alone, but we did unfortunately pay way too much for this kind of stuff to happen!

 

After reading the responses to my post, I completely agree that BMW is letting their PAST reputation for performance and quality control go to their heads.

The BMW product line and the MINI lines are not what they used to be, and the dealership that I have to do business with should read "Dale Carnegie's Ways to Make Friends and Influence People". They have been awful to do business with.

I will be getting rid of this car as soon as possible, and you can bet your bottom dollar on one thing ...... the replacement car will not be BMW or MINI!

 

Sorry to hear of all your problems. I may be shooting myself in the foot here, but i have 89K miles on my MINI Clubman and it has been to the dealer once for a HPFP. That is it. I dont have any extended warranty and i expect the car to be able to last without problems way in the 100K miles range. And my BMW currently has 110K on it. Just this past monday it sprung an oil leak but after a new valve cover gasket almost good as new.

Now what i can say it that the worst vehicle i had for needing repairs was a 1999 Dodge 1500 Pickup. Although thru 60K miles in the first 18 months i had no problems after 60k miles it was in the shop many times for repairs like a new transmission, engine rebuild, new rear transaxle and much more. But i did keep it unitl it had 138K. Then I got the MINI.

 

Schatzy,

What can I say. After reading about so many owners having the same problems that I have had with Mini and BMW, you are quite lucky to be an anomoly. Count your lucky stars.

Your "luck" brings up the obvious question. Do you have the turbo model in your Mini and your BMW?

 

Yes if you look at my signature it states I have a Clubman S. The BMW is a 2.5 liter inline 6 non turbo.

One thing to remember is that what gets reported here or other sites for problems is only on a VERY VERY VERY VERY small portion of the MINI' sold.

Very few people come to this or other sites to say "Hey my cars has no problems" it is only the people with problems that come here generally. And from research that has been done and published in many places the MINI is really on worse off than any other make or model. I mean go to a Honda, Chevy, Dodge, Nissan, Toyota site or others and what do you find - really only the people with problems.

So to say that my luck is the anomaly is highly inaccurate. In fact of the 50+ MINI owners i know personally only one has really had any problems with his car. And of the 500+ i meet at MINI's On The Dragon over the past three years very very few, like less than 1% have been having issues with their cars.

I am sorry that you have been the unlucky one. And I am sorry to hear that you are wanting to leave the MINI community. I just pray tha tyour next car what ever it be be better than your MINI.

 

Schatzy62,

I appreciate your comments, and your prospective, but I'm 68 years old, and the worse two cars that I have owned in my life have both been British made ..... MG and Mini, both bought off of the show room new.

Will not go to European autos for my next vehicle.

 

I'm sure problems are disproportionately reported on forums, but I still say they're more common than they ought to be. The fact that timing chain tensioners are STILL problematic is alarming. I'll be holding onto my slower, simple '06 Cooper as long as I can. I considered trading up to an R56 S on a few occasions, but I've been scared off now. My next car will not be a new MINI.

 

Well, of all the MINI owners I personally know/have met (it now numbers 8) -- all of them have had problems, the same ones we see posted here and many of the same ones that the MA at my dealer (he just tells it like it is -- I love it!) complains about having to deal with yet again. But this is a fruitless argument I have over and over again with some folk on here. I just wish I were one of the exceptions instead of having my badly made MINI!

 

Owning a clubman is a catch 22. When it works it's brilliant. Otherwise it's really bad. My clubman S has been frought with issues. I think we're getting close to the cost of the car in warrantee and labour, and that's no joke. Knock on wood my '08 seems to be now sorted out. But then again, there's so many new parts on it, it should be. It's insane the amount of time and effort spent in the last few years with my car at the dealership, never mind all the parts replaced.

BUT, like I said when she's working, what a brilliant little machine. I drive a lot and also have spent a LOT of time in loners thanks to the issues with my clubman. And very time I get back in the clubbie, I'm happy to be back........ Until the next problem surfaces anyways.

One huge negative thing on re-sale. You get hit pretty good depending on the year of car. My '08 would be painful to sell.