This is a heck of a first post...

I purchased a 2012 Mini Cooper JCW 6 months ago. The car had 110k miles but when I purchased the car it had a new engine installed by the dealer at 108k miles. The engine came with a 2 year parts and labor warranty. I knew that when purchasing the car. I purchased the car not realizing there was an aftermarket turbo installed.

The car began blowing blue smoke and I took the car in. A leak down test revealed 80% on one of the cylinders. The dealer is saying the turbo will void the warranty if they determine it caused the failure. How can they prove the turbo was the root cause versus anything else? How would they know it was the turbo versus poor manufacturing from an internal component?

 

Sadly most likely you're SOL. The turbo is directly related to the engine. A lot of companies will void the warranty on a turbo if you installed a K&N,

 

 

The turbo installed is aPeugeot S42 RCZ 200. For them to prove it they would have to break down the engine beginning at $1200. Is it worth it?

How would they even prove it? Are you aware of what the thresholds of proof are? There's a difference between it could have caused it and it definitely caused it? How would the even prove it?

 

Let's say that they could prove that the aftermarket turbo caused the failure 100%. THEY sold you the car that way! They can't now say, well it's your fault for buying the car from us that way. If they didn't disclose this fact to you when you signed the papers for the car, stating the obvious opinion of theirs now that the aftermarket turbo would void THEIR warranty, they have no case. This is idiotic on their part from start to finish.

 

If you bought the car from a dealer and it had the turbo installed they should cover the engine. Now if you bought the car private party with the turbo then you are most likely sol. What are you running for boost psi? Is the car tuned for the turbo? The turbo very well could have caused the engine failure. The federal law was designed to deal with Dealerships denying warranties for aftermarket parts that have nothing to do with what failed. Ie engine failed because you put lowering springs on the car. Or your suspension failed because you put an intake on the car. A bigger aftermarket turbo is very much reason to deny warranty on a blow motor. But all of this is null if you bought the car form the dealer with that turbo already on it.

 

They are identical motors‘

Except one says miNi

An the other says Peugeot


Sounds like’ Just the same old ******** that you get from the dealers

 

Thank you all. I purchased the car with the turbo installed already. I spent HOURS speaking with the technicians and the service director to make sure I knew what I was getting into. They told me the aftermarket turbo shouldn't/wouldn't, etc be an issue (I don't recall the exact language but I was assured it would be okay). I do recall telling them that I'd be willing to change the turbo myself if it was too much but they said it wasn't necessary. Fortunately, the dealer recalls the conversation.

I don't know the boost on the turbo.

I'm waiting to hear back from the dealer to see what they're willing to do. They're talking to the regional rep. I've had the car for 6 months, driving in stop and go traffic. The engine failed within 15k miles of the engine being replaced. This is nuts!

 

The dealer doesn't have to prove anything to deny the claim, you can force them to prove their case by taking them to court at your expense.


-Kevin

 

Seriously?? It's the same turbo?? I brought the car home on Friday. I'll get out there tomorrow to get some photos. The selling dealer seems to be willing to help. They're calling the dealer who installed the engine to make sure he understands all the details.