Hey guys. I purchased a 2004 MCS indie Blue/Black with 15k on the clock. This car is awesome. Mini of the Hamptons are great guys to work with and honest as well. They did the CPO (*Certified Pre Owned Program) to this car and i am happy to have the 100k warranty.

Well i have a few problems with the car and they are fixing it on Wensday but i wanted to ask you guys about these things that are wrong.

1. I have the dredded "Orrrittt" (Metal chair sliding on a concrete floor sound) Sound from 1st gear while engaging the clutch when the car is cold on startup in the mornings. (What should i tell the Shop Foreman to do)? Anything special to replace? Is there a TSB on this problem? I was told by another dealer that the Throw-out bearing is the cluprit? What else would they need to change when replacing the Throw-Out bearing?

2. I have what sounds like Tranny Gear Box noise in 3rd and 4th gear at around 2k-3k Rpms (Just cruising). Does anyone else have this noise? Is there a TSB on this as well? Why is it making that noise at only that RPM range/ Speed range?

3. I have Mushroomed towers and i have an arsenal of Pictures of MCS's that have normal Strust Towers so if i get any BS i will be prepared. They will fix form what i was told (only had the car about a month and a 1/2) and the sales manager is very very understanding and knows the car is a CPO so it should be like new.

Any help with the Above will be helpful. Anyone have experiance with the Tranny problems?

Thanks guys!!

 

1 and 2 are probably related and will probably be repaired with a new clutch plate and bearing.

The only way that they can fix 3 is to bang it back into place but this will probably weaken the metal a bit. You may want to invest is some of the SRP's (http://www.m7tuning.com/parts/produc...f64bf998050af4) after the repair so that it will reinforce the strut towers.

 

So the Throw out-bearing is most likely the culprit for both situations?

 

Cant believe they overlooked the mushroomed strut tower when they inspected. IMO there is no way you did it though, takes a while. I got a problem with my passenger side, not mushroomed yet though-just cracked out about 80%. Would have never even looked if I hadnt learned about it on NAM! I would have to agree with daflake, and say you need a new throw out bearing and clutch plate. They are multi-piece plate, and can come apart-hence the nasty noise you are hearing. Good luck, I hope they fix everything to your satisfaction!

 

Thanks guys, the Sales Manager is a great guy and assures me all will be fixed, heck, i only had the friggin thing for a month and 1/2!!!

 

I would tell them that they are probably weakened from being mushroomed and see if they are willing to buy the M7 plates for you.

 

UPDATE:

Service advisor states that there is no TSB for the Throw-out bearing and or flywheel. And i find out last night that i have a leaky passenger side motor mount from remembering seeing some black gooey looking crap comming out of the seep hole on the mount. So i called in today to tell them the motor mount is leaking and needs to be replaced.

Ya know what really gets me... The car was supposebly CPO'd and they didn't even change the friggin Air Filter, it was filthy (On the bottom) and the Date on the yellow air filter was 03/06/2004. So that is the original Filter! and the car had 15k on the clock when i took delivery of her.

I just hope all the stuff gets fixed...

 

Used car "inspections" are generally poorly done or not done at all. They make money on the quick flip and they do it as cheaply as possible - get the car detailed and if it looks good, roll it onto the lot and sell it. A CPO usually buys you a warranty and tires that aren't too worn, nothing more.

If I buy a used car, it's from a private seller and I inspect the seller as much as the car.

- Mark