That last video is crazy!!! I only get that knocking sound when it is below 30 degrees out and it only lasts a min or so.

 

Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.
I think you guys need to understand a few things - first - this car has been in for engine troubles on numerous occasions. Several different pieces have been replaced along the way. On many occasions, Manhattan MINI told me the car was fine, only for me to return and for them to acknowledge a major problem or two. Anyone who makes multiple trips to a dealer knows how infuriating this can be. Finally, I could take it no more; I had gone through several levels of MINI customer service - from the dealership, up to the attorneys who work for BMW NA. All sympathized, agreed that something should be done, and came back with nothing. This all over a 5 month period of phone calls and unreturned messages. That is why a filed the lemon law suit here in New York. What was so astonishing, was that at the hearing, BMW NA's own engineer listened to both the videos before and after the timing belt service and testified that everything was fine. The very same videos I posted, and the very same videos that caused them to spend thousands on major repairs.

I am not after a payday, but for a car that is still obviously with problems, I would like to be made whole. I don't think that's too much to ask. Clearly I cant sell this car to anyone in good conscious and MINI won't buy it back. What would you do in this position? Sell it to carcash or carmax for a loss? Then it just gets passed to the next guy - how is that fair? I don't think I'm evil or asking too much, and I really thought, considering all of the problems with timing chains on these cars, you guys would be glad to see someone not back down from BMW NA.

 

Here's a photo of the parts that were replaced when they did the timing chain repair - note SIM 11-02-07.

 

There have been a number of threads concerning the "knocking" on cold start up, there seem to be two completely different scenarios - one is a knock, the other is a chain dragging on the insides of a metal box sound. I don't believe they are related.

The chain sound is fixed by changing the chain tensioner, and more if you've had some wear from it being loose for long enough time.

The other is a knock that has not been shown to do any damage. That doesn't mean conclusively that it doesn't......

Chain tensioners OTOH if not fixed will result in a destroyed engine. That's what they fixed on your car......

So if I understand what you wrote, they fixed the one problem but not the other, and that's what you're upset or concerned about.

Still interested in hearing the outcome of your lawsuit.

I don't care to "stand up to" MINI because when I approached them with a chain tensioner noise, they fixed it immediately, no questions asked, and I haven't had any problem with it since - 15K miles on now.

If your dealer didn't do the same, then it seems to me your problem isn't with MINI, it's with the dealer.

 

Which brings me to something I was thinking earlier. I'm sure he's tried about every avenue to get this repaired but what about a better dealer?

Of course, at this point, it may too late and a red flag may show up as soon as he pulls in.

I mention this simply because from personal experience, I know that what one dealer denies, another sees a problem.

Still hope you get some satisfaction...


Mark

 

Same thought here. I have notice this on some motorcycle forums. I understand how a person posts about a problem. Like the old saying, the squeaky wheel gets the most grease. But it is interesting when it's their first post.

 

Correctly functioning DI doesnt knock, it ticks, just like a loud clock. This is why it is better to record the much much louder tensioner noise inside the car, glovebox open, than outside, hood up.

 

Something smells fishy here....
This thread seems....um......"questionable".

 

Dont torture yourself by buying VW. get a base Cooper. Unlike the S's, they have no issues with the timing assembly

 

I beg to differ, my VW has been much better to me so far

 

I think I know the forum.

 

We always stand aware of these questions about posters:
1. Motivation
2. Truthfulness
3. Accuracy
4. Completeness
5. Perspective

 

Then you haven't owned it long enough.

God...I will never buy another VW.

 

Before a lynch mob starts, just remember that though he happens to be a lawyer, he is a Mini owner and just because he's a Mini owner doesn't mean he frequents the boards.

Many people don't sign up or register on a forum until they have a need or question.

Just because they are "car" people doesn't mean they hang out on the forums.

I personally think, lawyer or not, his complaints against Mini are justified and if he has the means and knowledge to go after them, then by all means, I think he should.

Anyway, I guess my point is not to judge him because of his first post, I think he has legit complaints and is doing what any one of us would do if we were in his shoes.

Mark

 

I had to laugh because when I read how happy he was, I had to go back and read what type of vehicle it was....lol.

Glad it's workin' for him but.....


Mark

 

I agree with OC - I smell nothing fishy here, and we have all heard stories about godawful dealership "service" to know it's hardly unique. Sure, some of you have been treated like the Pope by your dealer, but others had more of a convict-style encounter. If I had been treated like this by the dealer, believe me that they would be seeing me in court under the same law.

Don't read intentions into posts - even if it is a first post. NAM is not exactly required reading for MINI owners folks. Try to keep an open mind.

 

Stop the hatin on VW's. My new MINI is my first non-VW purchase since 1999 and I can only hope its going to be as solid and trouble free as my VWs and Audis have been/currently are over the years.

 

VW's and Audis have been "trouble free... over the years"?

How old are you?

Mid-20s?

 

Mid-20's? If only! More like mid-30's. And smart enough not to drink the hatorade about VW. Lets face it, one of the main reasons people buy MINI's is because VW no longer sells their small cars in the U.S. Not knocking my MINI, I love it obviously. But the people hating on VW's are seriously uninformed.

As a guy in my mid-30's, with a certain level of maturity, I just don't get what the point of bashing other people's choices is. We all love our MINI's, but to insult people or their choices is lame and common. Especially on the internet...

 

Having also experienced significant problems with my dealer on the West Coast I can sympathize. After everything I went through, this will be my last MINI and threads like this only support that sentiment. And - as a lawyer as well, I can tell you that people lie on the stand to protect their own interests all the time.

 

Nobody's bashing your choice of vehicle. Drive whatcha like.

What we're chuckling at is your claim of VWs and Audis being "trouble free".

I've got a buddy who's as big a VW fan as you'll ever find. The VW logo's tattooed inside his forearm. He's a serious tuner, but there's no way in hell he'd claim they're "trouble free". But... He didn't mind because he enjoyed working on them.

 

I've owned 2 VWs prior to this one and they were both problem free.

 

I'm seeing a pattern here...

 

1969 VW Beetle (new) sold in 1970
1984 VW Rabbit
1986 VW Cabriolet (new) sold in 1991
2000 VW Passat GLX 4-motion (new) sold in 2010

The Passat had a leaking valve cover replaced under warranty.

1970 BMW 1600 (new) sold in 1978
1972 BMW 2800CS
1989 BMW 325i
1992 BMW 525i (new) sold in 1998

The 525i had a wavy windshield replaced under warranty.

The MINI reliability story told in this forum is an embarrassment.

 

Based on all sources, "trouble-free" with regard to VW is 100% accurate when compared to MINI, unfortunately for all of us. :(