Ok. I'm back with a photo of my leaning Mini. I have my 4th service visit coming up next week.

I replaced the suspension August 1 with the JCW suspension Kit and it didn't fix the issue. New suspension rules out struts, springs, stablizer bars and bushings. What now?

Any suggestions from looking at the photo? It leans off and on and drives just as bad as it leans.

 

photo?

 

Sorry...photo now present. I had to block out my license plate...gotta keep crazy people out of my business It's nice to see a post from someone local.

 

Hmmm, it does appear to be leaning to the left. It is a little hard to tell, maybe you should put a level across the bumper (and then also on the ground) for reference and take a few pictures. You could compare this to another mini in the same way for comparison. Maybe this would convince the dealer that something like your springs/suspension needs replacing? I can see why you would be peeved, cause I know I wouldn't be happy either. I'm pulling for you!

 

BTW, which dealer are you going to? Mini of Dallas or Mini of Arlington, TX? Just curious because I am waiting on an '09 ordered through Mini of Dallas and hope that they are not unreasonable in their service dept.

 

I had been working with the Mini dealership in Arlington where I bought my mini..I am now going to try Mini of Dallas with next weeks appointment. I'll let you know how it goes

 

Come on, the dealership can't find anything wrong...especially after installing the JCW suspension kit?! Is the whole car built as if the jig was broken, or are the damper mounts broken? I bet I could find the problem within 2 minutes, whatever it is. Those dealership people are only jerking you around by not actually looking at the car, making reference measurements, and doing some actual investigation work.

Use your factory jack and remove the rear wheels and take pictures of everything the suspension touches on both sides of the rear suspension. Post as many as you can that are relevant.

 

With the springs, struts, stablizers and bushings all new, I think it is an issue with the control arms or end links. I've noticed slight changes in the chamber on the left rear.

However, I do agree with you Ryephile, I don't think they put in the time to figure out what is wrong.

They told me they couldn't reproduce it, but it makes sense to me even if they couldn't...why can't they use their head and figure out what would make a car lean and drive poorly if you've replaced all of the above...parts.

I'll try to get some picks up so you all can take a look. I appreciate your help.

 

Ok. So I jacked up the car and found something interesting. I was able to flex the left rear wheel upward just a bit, which I know shouldn't happen.

I jacked up the right rear just to see if that was normal. It was rock solid I couldn't move the wheel at all.

I can't believe this would be a bad strut...I just replaced the original struts with the JCW kit. Could BMW be producing a bad batch of sturts? or is it something else that would allow some play in the wheel like that?

 

Probably something else....like the damper mount in the trailing arm is broken or a loose trailing arm mount? Taking the wheels off would very much help inspect for something bent or askew.

 

I did see the lateral arm move up with the tire...could this be an issue too.

 

Well Mini has now decided to bring an engineer in to look at my Mini. Car is at the shop today, the engineer will be taking a look at it tomorrow.

 

Good luck tomorrow. I hope it finally gets resolved!

 

From a bodyshop standpoint, I have a suggestion.

1) make sure the air pressure is the same in all 4 tires.

2) place the car on a level floor

3) measure the distance between the ground and frame. Measure both sides this way, front and back. Be sure to use the same spots.

4) measure w/o arches to the ground and check side to side.

If the frame to the ground sits level, you know there isn't anything bent as far as axle mounting, etc.

If the w/o arches differ from side to side, then you know it's in the suspension.

You need to determine if it's frame or suspension. I bought a truck one time brand new and found out the right rear frame rail was pulled down almost an inch so changing out suspension did no good.

Check that first and get back to us.

Mark

 

Disappointing news. The field engineer according to my service advisor couldn't find anything wrong with my Mini. The only suggestion my service advisor posed was the fuel was not redistributing itself properly on less than a full tank. And that would be the possible reason why it leans at times.

I don't think that is the issue. I think it something else, because that would not account for the dramatic changes in the way it drives.

I'm am mentally drained and clueless at this point. I know one thing though, when the car is lifted for service, it drives and sits level for a period of time and then it starts to behave poorly. That's why the guys at the dealership can't seem to experience what I'm experiencing.