Fellow countrymen to the rescue!

I've been feeling short (1-2 sec) vibrations and grinding/shaking noise that goes with them for the last few months. It only happens when i straighten the steering wheel after a turn and accelerate. I experience this mostly after sharp turns but sometimes slight ones also. It's a 2012 CMS ALL4.

I took it to my authorized service center to get it checked. They kept it for 2 days but could not figure out why it happens. They hear and feel it but cannot put their finger on the problem. They told me to drive it like this for a little longer and if it increases or stays the same they'll check it out again and possibly tape it and send the video to Mini Germany.

Any ideas what the problem may be?

BTW, they found an oil leak this time and fixed it. They also changed the thermostat last time i dropped it.

 

It's been a while since i post this problem but any idea would be great.

I dropped the car at the authorized service center several times about it. They felt the vibration during the test drive the first time and after a detailed check they said nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.

They changed the steering box the second time even though they could not put the finger on the problem just to give it a shot. After the replacement, the vibration went away for a while. Steering felt a lot stiffer though. But the vibration gradually came back in 3-4 months. Now the warranty is almost over and i'm quite annoyed by this.

I did not want to go to another mechanic because these guys have a very professional setting and the largest BMW/Mini/Land Rover dealer/service center in the country with many branches.

What do you guys suggest i should do at this point?

 

No idea what might cause this. I'd suggest taking it back to your dealer and having them refer it to BMW/MINI Germany. You'll have the problem well documented at that point so the warranty end date wont affect this problem being resolved.

 

They are gambling, potentially with your life. I can't believe they know of a problem but let you drive the car that way. I'd explain to them that they need to solve the problem, provide you with a loaner or you will be contacting an attorney to have your rights protected. I guess if you crash and burn they don't have to figure out the problem.

If they can't diagnose, let them pay for you to go to a specialist to seek answers.

 

I had the same thing on my first 04 R53, it turned out to be the bad drivers side Wheel bearing/Hub Assy. That's what an independent foreign car repair shop said, and replaced, after 3 trips to A Mini dealer who had no clue. Their last guess was a belt in one of the front run flats was damaged and required all 4 to be replaced as a set,and that would "Fix the problem." Got the hub replaced, and the $ I saved not buying Run Flats, was spent @ Tire Rack for a set of Michelin AS 3's.
Good Luck Foo

 

Ahhh... the common answer to every problem. Call an attorney.

 

Thanks for the help, everyone. I decided to take it to some "competent" mechanic that can diagnose it and get the authorized one do the necessary repair. If not solved again, i guess i'll have to pay my lawyer a visit.

 

It could also be the cv shaft sometimes water or sand or road grit will work its way in and cause it to fail I have had it happen to me multiple time in off road vehicles your vehicle is also old enough depending on where you live road salt and stuff has caused a small rip in the cv boot