Aren't there rev limiters for this??? How can simply "missing a shift" do this much damage?

 

If one missed shift can do that much damage, that doesn't speak well at all for the build quality of these engines. Fortunately, with as long as R56s have been out and people have invariably redlined, I doubt it is a problem. Besides, the OP is stating that he didn't miss any shifts. It sounds to me more like your dealership is just trying to make a bit of extra cash. I'd tell them where they can shove it, then contact the nearest different dealer and ask if they'd take care of them problem - promising to become a long term customer if they would. That is inexcusable.

 

The Rev Limiter only protects the engine form over reving on acceleration. What the dealer is speaking about here is downshifting over reving. Say you are in 4th gear going to 3rd and by mistake you put it into 1st gear and let out the clutch. The speed the car is going is going to overwelm the engine revs forcing it way over redline.

In racing cars this is one of the main causes of engine blow ups. It can also destroys the clutch (which is actually better then engine!).

The dealer knows EXACTLY how much over rev there was from reading the ECU.

IMO there is no chance that you could do this and NOT know it at the time. If windpower says he (she?) didn't do it and didn't lend his (her) car to anyone else then something fishy is going on here.

 

No sorry Wet nose .... But I am a Wind turbine Technician and have quite the mechanical and software programming background and would have noticed if i went from 4th to first gear.....But so far my lawyer has said that the service manager said himself that if it were his way he would have already replaced the car and ... just because you own a cup car doesn't make you a professional racer... so you might want to watch your words and be a little more respectful.

 

It really depends upon how much the over rev is and for how long. This is determined by the gear missed (say 5th to 2nd or 6th to 3rd), how quickly the driver caught it, the amount of traction (did the wheels grip or skid), the strength of the clutch (if it blows that would relieve stress on the engine).

If you take an engine that is tuned for say, 7,500 RPM and over rev it to 11,000 rpm then damage is going to be done. Has nothing to do with the quality of the engine build.

I've made these mistakes - little ones, in my race car. While going from 4th to 3rd I once went into 1st. Now I was having a problem downshifting into 3rd (tranny has since ben rebuilt) and while I fumbled around my speed dropped quite a bit (I was under heavy breaking at the time). As soon as I started to let out the clutch I felt it - and caught it quickly before fully disengagement. But because my revs had dropped and I was turning at the time as soon as the rear wheels started to skid it immediate spun the car. This and the fact I was quick on the clutch saved a serious over rev. Later, checking the ECU I noted that I had revved the engine (briefly) to 9,100 rpm - well within reasonable limits (red line is 8,200). Much higher then that and for a longer duration would have done damage to the valves and possibly more. And we are talking about a performance tuned German engine.

So there are limits!


BTW - bouncing off the rev limiter under acceleration doesn't do any damage.

 

Whao, whoa, whoa - read my post again - I didn't say you did it and didn't notice.

I said there is no way you could do this and NOT notice.

No disrespect intend or implied.

 

In that case, I don't see how it could have been over-rev'd. The rev-limiter should prevent you from over-rev'ing on acceleration.

 

He was saying that the dealer/MINUSA was the "fishy" one, not you.

 

Exactly. Thank you.

 

Maybe someone screwed it up in those 12 miles before you had it.

 

Ok sorry for the miss understanding I'm just really upset , In fact to add to it all bmw called and said i had to return the rent car ... So i'm ***** up a creek with out a paddle! .............When is this nightmare going to end

 

No because You have to expect some milage from production testing and delivery. and filling it up at the dealership

 

No problem. I understand you are upset - I would be too.

 

Wetnoseranch I recieved your message and my lawyer is looking at going to san antonio and seing the ECU Live and not the print out but thanks for the info ... that will help ...

 

I am REAL surprised MINI San Antonio is making you return the loaner. There did not seem to be a time limit on our loaner from them when our MINI was in for service.
Matter of fact, they were real understanding when I could not get back before they closed one day to return it.

Hope all works out for you as I have had pleasing dealings with that dealer/service location.

Best of Luck!!!

 

This is a very sucky situation. Is it possible for them to show you how many miles were on the odometer when this incident happened? That information should all be in the ECU right? If you didn't mis-shift, then maybe someone accidentally did it when they went to fill up your car with gas or drive it off the ship or something. Either that or the dealer is trying to pull a fast one.

 

WindPower, I feel for you. I've never seen this kind of thing with a new car. Thanks for sharing.

 

+1. i owned a toyota corolla before and had to take the stupid tranny out and take it to the dealer so they would stop trying to tell my husband and me it was the clutch when we took the car as a whole. i would take it to another dealer as a few others have suggested because they seem to be trying to make money off of you. i love my mini dealer and went back to purchase my second mini there only because of how great they were. either way i wish you the best of luck! and we feel for you :(

 

I am about to purchase a new mini for the first time. Seeing this really scares me at first. i just hope that i dont get the rotten egg in the bunch. i know minis are good reliable cars

well best of luck!

 

My MCS had 3 or 4 miles on the odometer when I picked up the car. 12 miles seems excessive to me. You sure someone didn't take it for a test drive?

I had the head crack on my Integra a few months after the warranty period was over. Honda took care of it and provided a rental car while the car was in the shop. Seems like Honda and BMW have an entirely different attitude towards customer service.

 

Agreed, it appears BMW is really not being reasonable here. I'm not sure why they would take such a hard line on a car that is less than a month old with very few miles on it, surely there is an amicable solution somewhere.
It proves they really don't care about bad customer relations. If I were the OP I would run not walk from any future Mini's and never look back.
As an aside, a work colleague's father in law bought a brand new 2006 Honda Accord. The next morning he noticed a fair bit of oil on his driveway, he contacted the dealer. The car was brought in and by the end of the day he was given a brand new replacement vehicle. No hassle, no accusations, no lawyers, just top notch customer service.
Honda never did divulge the problem, however the customer was happy.

I hope things work out in this case.

 

I have had issues handled after warranty by MINI, too...on several occasions. So I bought another. This dealership should consider this...apparently the SA has.

 

Just be careful taking it to another dealer as they might flag your MINI in the computer.

Just a word of caution. Good Luck!

 

With all this, did anyone notice that the Smart Car's website totally trashed the MINI marque? With misinformation, no less?

 

I though the ECU would counter for over rev with the rev limiter? Im sorry to hear about your bad experience. Hopefully you will resolve it, get a new one and move on and enjoy the Mini