I have in the past two years spent over $4000 dollars on my mini. Two weeks ago I took it to the dealership in San Antonio (2.5 hours away) which is the closest one and spent $1000 dollars on the carbon build up walnut cleaner. It still ran like crap. Took it back Sat Feb 25 and thye said it was the electrantic fuel injector and I had the recall for the waterpump. They had me leave the car, gave me a loaner and said they would bring mine down to me. They called and said now I need an engine timing belt to the tune of $2201. That would put me at over $6,000 in repairs in 18 months. I bought it used in 2009 and I rue the day, no matter how much fun it is to drive. I can't afford the car anymore.

 

Sorry to hear about your problems. I hope my MINI doesn't cause me problems.

 

Sorry to hear . I take it you have an S?

 

Sorry to hear about your car's problems.

How many miles on your car?
When you bought it used, when did you buy it and did you have it fully inspected by a mechanic?

 

Well their is no timing belt. There is a chain and it is known to fail in the 07-10 models. As far as your MINI breaking that just sucks, there is nothing I can tell you other then looking into your lemon laws and see if you are covered.


On another note you could come on here more in the last 2 years instead of 5 times and asked for some help and maybe looked up independent mechanics that might have save you some money instead of spendiing dealer labor rates.

 

just a little advice, you might want to look and see if there are any independent BMW/MINI repair shops near where you live. Don't assume that a dealership knows more than everyone else.

I want to echo what Porthos said, you sure it isn't the timing chain that needs to be replaced? If that's the case, I was under the impression that the part was only around $70 and requires, at max, two hours of work. $2200 is insane. I remember, on my old Mazda, when I needed the engine cover gasket replaced. The dealer quoted me $1100, an independent mechanic said it would be $750. I bought the part for $30 and did the entire swap, with a free, rented torque wrench from Advanced Auto, in under 45 minutes.

It pays to do some research before any repairs. I feel like you're putting yourself in a bind by having to drive two and a half hours to get your car serviced. You're almost forcing yourself into paying whatever the dealer quotes you. Honestly, and this is coming from a tech nerd who a year ago didn't understand a damn thing about cars, 90% of repairs just take time and patience.

 

Depending on your mileage, wouldn't it have been under the 4 year/50,000 miles warranty? If the dealership did the work 18 months ago and you were still under warranty then I would ask for a refund or at the very least a credit of some sort. I second everyone else's opinions on getting the work done by someone other than the dealer. Our first MINI had only a very few problems and our dealership didn't upcharge everything so they did the work but the majority of the time we never have the dealership do the work. If the loaner is a necessity for you then I would see if you could borrow a friend's car or find out if you could get a discounted rate on a rental through Avis, Enterprise, etc.

 

It wouldn't be under factory warranty as it is an 07 unless he has an extended warranty which it looks like he does not. Hell I had my timing chain done in my 07 by an independent shop for $900. Almost a grand less then what the dealer wanted.

 

Beat you on that one. My dealership fixed mine in Dec. for $1700 but only charged me $500. The rest they submitted to Mini as good will.
Yea!!!!!

 

Yeah I didn't ask about a good will gesture from the dealership yet.

 

Sad... They might help you out with the timing chain, it is a known issue... Of course so is the carbon build-up...

 

You said it brotha, I def saved money on installs and have caught some early symptoms because of NAM

 

Sorry this is a bit off-topic, but do our R56s come with 4yr/50,000mi warranty? I thought it was 3yr/36,000mi... I'd love to find out I'm wrong!

 

Yes. I believe that the 3/36,000 coverage you are thinking of is for the maintenance.

To the OP, I'm sorry that you've had so many problems. I hope the dealer can work something out or perhaps another repair shop can cut you a better deal.

 

I just a bought a used '07 MCS with only 35,000 miles.... Hope it gives me a few good years of motoring before I can trade it in on a newer one.. **knocks on wood** Sorry to hear yours has been giving you SOO much trouble... Is it high in mileage?

 

A few suggestions.
*have SA pull up the work/warranty work sheet.
*Check oil frequently and coolant.
*Run 91 or up octane fuel
*get an oil catch can and boost tap (easy to install yourself).
Mine had 57K when I bought it and no warranty. Bought from non Mini dealership.
1st month I had it the thermostat leaked. Fixed at my expense.
Timing chain issue occurred in Dec. 2011, dealership replaced all and billed me $500 (they submitted $1200 to Mini as good will).

Those are the only two things I've had to have done. I don't consider that too bad. I take care of my cars and the previous owner did also but the thermostat and timing chain are common issues with the 07 (and up).
Good luck with it and I'm sure you'll love.

 

Mine came from a Non-Mini dealer as well. There is some service history online at the Owners Lounge, but not all of it.... Was planning on doing most of the maintenance that SHOULD have been down between the last recorded service and now, whether or not it has already been done.. Was also looking into the catch cans... Mine appears to have been well taken care of, but you never REALLY know.. Still trying to find a good Mini/BMW tech in my area.

 

I have had my 2008 Clubman since new and have replaced the Thermostat my self for $120. Only other repair was a High Pressure Fuel Pump replaced under warranty and now has the 100K warranty on that part.

Other than that no issues and i have 89,904 miles on it as I type this.

 

Way to go. That's right, I forgot the HPFP. Mini did extend 10yr/100K on that. I haven't had an issue with that one.
I'm now at 65K and all is well.

 

sorry about your mini woes !! that sucks !!! i just bought my 07 mcs and so far so good, still kicking around buying the extended warranty[guess i should] whats the fuel pump replacement problem and how do you know if there is a problem , no start ???

 

learn to do your own labor.

I really dont get everyones problems, i swear its poor maintenance.. I have 90k on an 07 and i have had limited problems and I credit them to the fact i over maintain my car.

Sorry you hate your car, sell it and get something else. complaining isnt going to fix it.

 

my 2007 S is sched'ed to go to the dealer {for the recall}, for the first time in 2 years. B4 that, it went for the factory sched service (maint 1 and 12 month oil) since passing out of pre-pay I've done the oil my self - I'm low miles - my early 07 has not yet turned 39,500.

My pads are due but I do those myself too - changed out to EBC Green within weeks of ownership

 

Probably, but like I said I haven't had that issue so not sure what the symtoms would be. I'd assume no start but the thermostat sensor can also cause a no start.

I bought mine used and expected some issues and what I have had isn't a big deal. Otherwise, I do my own maint. for the most part.

Love the car and will most likely keep it for some time.

 

We had a 2010 Cooper S with 12,300 miles come in today. Lots of sludge and blocked oil passages, needed a new turbo due to starvation.

No low-mileage annual oil change. I couldn't believe it but the oil-change schedule is no joke. These cars react so drastically to infrequent oil changes and low oil leve.

 

I bought mine a year used from the dealership and opted for the 10/100 extended warranty. Glad I did after reading some of your stories. No problems yet...

Just got the notice for the water pump recall. I am glad that this was recalled after reading the story on here of the poster whose car burned down right in front of his eyes while it wasn't even running.

Getting the car into the dealership is extremely inconvenient since I don't live close by and the don't offer any weekend hours. Not sure how I am going to make it work with my demading schedule.