I assume the valve cover is off. Look at the valve stems and see if any have excessive clearance between the cam and the roller of the rocker. If so, the valves still open when it shouldn't be. Grab a socket and racket and try to spin the motor backs gently to see if it moves backwards. Keep going until it stops again and keep looking at the valves.

 

Sorry. Wrong thread

 

wiper speeds.... it's either off or continuous. it's the only car I've ever seen that doesn't have an intermittent setting.

 

You should have it. The automatic wipers, including the intermittent setting, are triggered by the button on the end of the wiper stalk. Even if you didn't order auto wipers, there is a little "ledge" type button to push up or down to regulate how fast for the intermittent setting, or to go to full wipers. It's at the base of the stalk.

Look in the owner's manual!

 

Mine has. On. Off. And intermittent. But intermittent is only one selection. No options of faster intermittent or slower intermittent.

 

My Mini

 

The big-fat left side A-pillar that is always exactly blocking my line of sight when making left turns. I would gladly give up one additional airbag for better visibility.

 

For me it's the torque steer in the 2013 MCS. The 2003 MCS had no torque steer, and I miss that. Otherwise, my '13 is a fabulous car, absolutely love it!

 

My new year rant would be my key less entry range, it will not lock/unlock unless I'm within arm length beside the car. Very annoying

 

Get an F56, starting with 2014. Stomp on it, NO torque steer!

 

I don't have automatic wipers, but on my 2011 R56S, I have noticed that when I come to a stop with the wipers on the first speed, they go to intermittent without any command! Very cool, and I gotta dig into the manual more in order to figure out intermittent wipers. I know it's there...somewhere! But just like anything MINI, it takes a bit of work! Cool car with many features, if one cares to look!

 

This has been a BMW trait for many years. When you're waiting for a light or otherwise stopped, they'll go to intermittent, then resume normal speed (whatever it is set for) when you begin moving again. I had a '94 325i; it had it even back then, and all of our Bimmers since then have, too. Don't know when it started for MINI, but of course MINI has been at least 1/2 BMW since 2002.

 

Thanks, Deb. I had no idea, since I have never owned a BMW. This is my first car that was less than 10 years old. LOL. Most of my previous rides were old beaters, and either free, or cheap. I am loving all of the new features on my "new" 2011. I have a loaner car now, as my 11 is in for warranty work. Loaner is a 2014 MC hatch non-s, but has the 3 cylinder turbo! Pretty smooth and peppy, I must say! I think they are trying to up-sell me on a new MINI!

 

Well, I haven't driven the non-s 2014, but I can tell you the F56 is a great car. You wouldn't regret it!

That '94 I mentioned was 13 years old when I sold it to buy my first MINI. Still running well years later (sold it to a fellow at Hubby's work); it had 190,000 miles on it when we sold it. Original everything, including clutch.

 

This may have been ranted about already in the 35+ pages preceding but the vertically rotating heater and fan "*****" on my 07 Justa make it harder than necessary to make fine adjustments.

Plain-jane regular ***** that come out of the dash are what's best.

A couple of cars in the family can play music from a USB stick. I guess this wasn't common in 2007. I wish my Justa could do this.

 

Rock hard run flats...bumpy ride...

 

Panoramic sunroof is straight garbage.

 

Wow, I love my pano....

 

Brake Dust is way over the top. I know it fights brake squeal but I would take squealing over the dust any day. Also there is no way that stuff does not affect the environment. BMW's seem to have dustless pads now, why not Mini? I don't like that I am locked in because of the extended maintenance with no option to remedy this situation (except pay outright for additional brakes). If they offered a dustless alternative pad would you pay extra for that option? I think I would. Even if it had less stopping performance. The stock JCW brakes will suck your face off. There is plenty in reserve.

Interesting, lots of doors slamming on legs. No problem with that for me. Maybe I don't park on an incline?

Key-less entry range, you have a built in range extender. If you hold the key up to your temple and then push the button it usually significantly extends the range. I think your skull acts like a sat dish. Play around with this trick, you will be amazed.

Run flats, mine were nail magnets. I only got 20K out of them. I got at least 3 flats (in 3 tires) I ditched them for std tires and have had them 40K miles with no flats! I carry a bike pump and a plug kit in the boot. That has worked for me since 2005 on my first MCS, got out of many jams. Cheap lightweight alternative to a spare tire, compressor or the canned stuff that will ruin your TPS.

Sunroof, yes I wish I could have skipped the sunroof too. I went to the 99 cent store and got a cheap sunshade and simply cut it to fit in the opening. It fits between the glass and the screen. It is 10 degrees cooler in the car.

Automatic wipers, I love this option. It is one of those things that before, you didn't know you need this, but after driving with it and you switch cars you miss it a lot. I love the functionality of this car that keeps your concentration on driving and away from fiddling with adjustments. The auto climate control falls into this category. The defroster has no equal. This was true on my R53 as well.

I think I have the only N14 JCW that has never had the death rattle. 66K and on the original timing chain.

My 09 has nearly 0 oil consumption but the wifes '2010 JCW Clubman drinks a quart every 2 months which is "normal" (no leaks, no smoking so i have no idea where it is going).

I don't like that the windows don't close when the doors are open.

I don't like the clutch in my JCW. The motor can easily overpower the clutch since max torque is just off idle. I bet there is another 1/2 second in the 0-60 time if the clutch was better equipped. In a rollon you can stay with much faster (0-60) cars. Those same cars annihilate you off the line. Add corners and the tables are turned so you pick your battles wisely in this car and there is usually something in reserve for anyone. I love how you can drive like a hooligan while getting 30+ MPG.

Despite the small problems this is truly an amazing car.

 

That's precisely why I have the 6 speed automatic...no clutch slip at all!

 

Sit at a restaurant behind a locked gate 15' away and watch someone open your door and steal everything out of your car...then get back to us...don't be annoyed...be happy

 

How about the "unlock the door button "?

 

Won't be so handy when he's 7 or 8 and drives away cuz you started it b4 you got in!

 

You just got unlucky, the Panoramic sunroof has a fail safe. When it detects obstructions it will not shut to prevent damaging the motor. I replaced all the (seals) weather stripping on my sunroof but failed at being able to realign the two glass panels to where the front piece would not shut. I found out that the Mini dealers have special alignment tools to properly realign the panels. I spent all day on Sunday attempting to align those glass panels and failed, it's far from easy! If I had known how difficult it really was I would have the dealer do it.


My key-less entry battery (CR2032) lasts only a year, same with my LoJack early warning FOB or whatever it's called. I make it a habit of keeping new batteries in my glove box. I think your problem is a dying battery, I have heard later models are rechargeable type so when your FOB rechargeable battery dies you need a new FOB.

 

center console rear cup holder cant hold cans properly **i*!