2008 cooper s 75000 miles
I excluded myself. In my case the class action is worthless. Timing chain systems should last at least 100,000 miles without maintenance in my opinion.

 

I got so excited when I heard about this.
I'm a little down now though because it seems I've missed deadlines.
Anyone know how to figure out the In-Service Date?
'09 Clubman S with 39k

Rattle started a few months ago. Nothing confirmed.

I'm leaning toward calling a local dealer with my vin and asking.

 

So I'm guessing In-Service Date refers to the original owner purchase date. (2nd owner here) Not sure exactly when that was still. Oh well.

Called Plano, was told 'no service campaigns or recalls currently needed for my vin' and they'll look at the potential 'death rattle' to see if there's anything up there and whether or not I'm covered under the newly extended warranty. Pray for me.

Love this car - just bad luck I guess. Had little to no issues with my '05 mcs.
Have had this guy for just over a year and already potential major problems. What gives?

 

BMW changed motors in 2007 and those were the ones with the design changes. Sadly, it took a lawsuit for them to correct the flaw. The R53 line like you had is considered one of the best in the new MINI generation.

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

I called the law office yesterday out of curiosity to ask about my claim and the woman said they are in appeals right now and they are anticipating the checks or reimbursements are going to be sent out in the winter.

 

Quick Update. ('09 Clubman S w/39k)
I took her into Mini Plano last Wednesday (fantastic people in my experience).
I've had the death rattle for a few months and just before taking her in I got the Yellow and Red Temperature light.
Upon dropping the car off I was quickly informed that the timing / tensioner had been replaced just before 15,000 miles, just three years ago!

Day later I got the call and sure enough the timing chain / tensioner needs replacing again (just 24,000 miles on it)! P.S. It's not covered under the newly extended warranty specifically targeting my N14 timing / tensioning flaws. Cost? $3500.

The good news is Dennis, the Assistant Service Manager there contacted corporate and got them to cover $2600 of the repair. The new parts and labor will be warrantied for 2 years, unlimited milage.

So, I'm left wondering, do I trade in after all of this? Do I have faith in the new parts lasting a normal 60,000+ miles?

Mini of Plano has been great. But a timing belt needing to be replaced every 20,000 miles seems a little much.

What would you do?

 

Another Update. ('09 Clubman S w/39.8k)
Very grateful for Mini taking care of $2600 of the cost to replace the timing chain, tensioner & guides. Left me with just under $800 for that repair.

What they didn't know until they test drove it after the repair was that it was overheating as well for some reason. Initially, because I'm a noob of sorts, I was hoping the timing chain repair would be the fix for the overheating issue as well. I learned fast that the cooling system on these cars are separated from the timing cartridge.

In February I had the thermostat housing replaced (it was the typical cracked plastic experience). This, as it turned out, was the water pump. Mini wanted over $800 for the job so I just bought the parts (~$200 from the dealer w/ 2 year warranty) and did the job myself over the last couple nights. Problems solved.

Replacing the water pump wasn't the easiest job. It took me somewhere over 5 hours. There are a few really good tutorials around. This is the one I followed for the most part.

I've decided to just suckup the fact that this motor will simply continue to need these types of repairs (excluding the timing chain - that's just ridiculous) based on her age. I'm still super happy to be a part of the club. Nothing stock seems to come close to the way this car feels around town. So barring anymore timing chain guide issues, I'm sticking with Mini.

Thanks for all your help and patience guys.

 

That's great, glad it worked out!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Update: I just received my settlement check! I have a 2010 JCW, which has the N14 engine, but wasn't specifically named in the settlement class. I wasn't sure my car would be covered even though I had my tensioner replaced at 55k miles.

I included a brief note explaining why my car should be part of the settlement class, which must have helped! Full repair costs reimbursed.

 

Got my settlement check last month. I was able to get the dealer to fix it for $573, so that was what I had to pay earlier this year. It took a few months, but I got the $573 check.

 

I had timing chain replaced when the head was fixed broken valve due to carbon in engine. 9-2014
The complete cost of that repair >4,$ was refunded in the settlement case.

Although it should not take a settlement to get BMW to admit fault but since it was repaired a mini facility I was refunded the complete cost.
Water pump was also just replaced at 78, I did not apply for that.
It was making a lot of noise & due to the design normal wear I think.

The car otherwise been a great car, imo I do regularly use Seafoam into intake of engine!