~2 weeks ago my MC automatic sputtered and then died. I was able to drive it just like normal for a few days, and when I brought it into the Mini Dealer they replaced some part (can't remember the part right now off the top of my head) after a few days with the car and everything was great again.

Then 6 days ago, my engine light came on, though the car didn't seem to be driving funny. I called the same Mini Dealer--they advised that it was a software issue and that nothing was immediately wrong. They wanted me to bring it in when the Service Engineer (not service technician) was available...on May 23.

Yesterday, the car sputters again and dies right when I get off of the freeway. This time, the car ends up sputtering and dying 4-5 times until I can reach my home which is one mile away.

I absolutely love the way my car looks, but what is wrong with it mechanically? Also, what does it normally mean when the Service Engineer is getting involved (vs. a Service Technician)?

Thanks

 

I can't say this will fix your problem but try loosening the gas cap and listening for a suction. I know of one case where the vent line for the gas tank was blocked and caused similar problems. In that case the gas tank also got sucked up like a prune.

 

go you live in virgina by any chance? there are reports here of other coopers stalling because there is water in the gas (its been especially bad in that state) and the cooper engine is very sensetive to it. also, where do you get your gas? is it a top teir place like shell or are you getting it from the local corner store and putting in 87 and not premium like the handbook asks?

 

Apparently I've had some problems because of the Virginia gas. It's not as bad as yours - my car wouldn't start for about 5 minutes one morning. It's been working since that morning. See this thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=100886

 

When I loosened the gas cap I didn't hear anything--in normal function should there be a vacuum or no vacuum?

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and always fill up with 91 octane. But on the possiblity it is related to filling up...both episodes of sputtering and dying happened a few days after filling up the tank. Coincidence? Gas cap problem?

This is so disheartening...

 

I just checked and it was the VANOS solenoid that was replaced (damn BMW!). Could it be possible that it broke for the second time in 2 weeks?

If the VANOS is indeed broken wouldn't that then explain:

1. the engine sputtering only when I got off the freeway--where I was going at low speeds and low RPMs?

2. the fact that I'm "only" getting 30.9mpg in my MC auto

3. The computer saying that I have "increased exhaust emissions."

In case anyone is interested, I found the function of the VANOS here:
http://www.e38.org/m62tu.pdf on page 3-4

 

Happened to me on drive home from taking delivery; abt 100 miles. Absolutely would not run at idle or low speed, fine above30 or 35 mph. Limped home and called roadside assistance. Not getting much encouragement from dealer and area service rep not too responsive. Acts like goofy electronics. Any other experiences out there?

 

does the car surge or chug real bad at idle? if so then its the varial valve timing solenoid. It is actually trying to engage the variable valve timing at idle and not when it is supposed to at above 3500 rpm. Had mine go bad on my cooper s at 280 miles.

 

I posted this in a couple of other threads. I had low rpm sputter where the engine didn't know where to idle. When coming to a stop in my mc manual and shifting to neutral the rpm would drop to 3-400 rpm instead of around 7-800. It also cut off.

I'm assuming it has something to do with a sensor heating up. It only happened twice after I was doing a bunch of errands and starting and stopping the car often. Both times when I got back in the car after about 30 minutes it behave perfectly normal.

Here is a better explanation in this thread.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=105142

Could the vanos solenoid be temperature sensitive?