My "S" 's Stumbling problem has been looked at from 1000 mi. to 6500 mi. even by a MINI rep by appointment the last time. At that visit they finaly recognized that the problem existed and even had me drive the dealer's "S" to see that it also stumbled, I've called it pulsing. Mine is most noticable in 2nd or 3rd gear under mild acceleration,coming on at about 3050 RPM toabout 3400RPM.The fix has been simple for BMW. I was told that they desided that I didnt really have a problem. With that they have washed their hands of it. I believe that this enables me to resort to NY state's LEMON Law which will be my next move following a trip in 2 weeks. No-one seems to complain much about the poor gas milage of these cars but I think they run much to rich at the usual cruising speed of 70 MPH, at least for me. My exhaust is noticably blacker than other cars I have compared it to. 70 MPH is about 3000 RPM. Is it related , probably! The folks at MINI MANIA tell me they have identified an enrichment curve coming in with boost. Fortunatly for MINI BMW by claiming that the problem doesn't exist it will perhaps really go away, as a used car , back on their lot. Karl Hacker

 

Crashkarl,

The stumble and yo-yo or pulsing, as you describe it are two different things.

The stumble is a sudden and immediate loss of power during acceleration from a dead stop in 1st gear. It is like the motor cuts out for a brief moment.

The surging/yo-yo/pulsing is another issue that occurs just as you have described it.

Good luck with your decision. I hope BMW/MINI will get it solved, though.

See ya,
JS

 

I got my car last August, so I would say I have driven in warm weather. Never had a problem, until I complained about hard start.

Miracle of miracles, the car starts everytime now. Unfortunately, pulling into traffic is another issue.

MINI? great car. Stumbling? This sucks.
David

 

>>^^ You had 33.2 re-installed?

OmToast:

I don't know whether they reinstalled it or just installed *the rest* of it, but I still have 33.2. The main point (for me) is I have no more stumble. I've driven with and without the A/C on now, in humid, 80-90 degree (F) weather, and have had no stumbling.

I do still have the cold start problem, but not every time. I can live with it though. If nothing else goes wrong I'll stick with the status quo until the next "new version" of the software is out, and, more importantly, proven.

 

new version is out, was at dealer yesterday 7-3, getting a little raddle fixed, was told to be expecting a letter in the mail about that and a fan thing ? I dont know if he said 33.4 or 34 was the version, but they have it at the shope but the service tech said they have to wait till all have the new verion and they needed some additional booting stuff? anyway they were going to start getting the cars in about 2 3 weeks, my BMW place has about 10 cars that have this and he said they had been unable to fix, that the softwear is suppose to correct. He was telling me he gets on MCO and Mini2 and gets assistance from everyone here, he said is a wealth of knowledge from those who know the cars better than anyone. what a statment, I was impressed that these guys did not think they knew everything and were willing to try and find the answers. he was not afraid of mods, just would not warrenty the mod part, which I agree with. I was impressed and happy for find a honest service tech, I just hope Randy can get ecu settings for the new softwear before I get my pulley/ecu upgrade.

 

Thanks Shkeller!

And Darxar......... NO WAY!!!!!! A fix has come????

 

Im just telling you what the service rep said. I dont know nor think a fix is in the new softwear, I just wanted to report what my service tech said, he seems to be a pretty good guy and admits an inability to fix the problem, he is wanting this new version to fix his cars, I think he is just as frustrated and getting hammered by the mini owners that have this issue. we will all just have to wait and see what happens to those who have the problem and get the new softwear, then a little time will tell.

 

UPDATE:

I still have no stumble but while taking my neighbor for a drive tonight my "Service Engine Soon" light came on again for the 3rd time in the 31 days I've owned the car. I've put less than 100 miles on the car since I last got it back from the dealer (Global Mini of Atlanta), where they said that once again they found nothing wrong.

I guess it's getting close to lemon-law time.

 

^^ :evil:

That sucks.

A coupla days ago, after a particularly lurchy day, I FLAMED MINIUSA (tactfully) on their "suggestions" board. I thought maybe I'd get some kind of official response back... but so far nothing. Not even other MINI owners (ok, I think 1) stepping up to weigh in on their stumble issue. Perhaps the stumble results from posting too much on MCO...?

Anyway, if I hear anything interesting, I'll post it.

 

^^

Well, I've received 2 more responses from my MINIUSA post. Both are people telling me how to use the clutch :evil:

Thank you. Thank you very much.

 

Brought my MCS in 7/7 for stumble and other minor stuff, at the end of the day when I checked in with them they claim that they can't find the stumble and wants to keep it overnite and see if it happens. What a bunch of bull! I'm guessing some dealers want us to believe it doesn't exist. I haven't check back yet this morn but I bet they have nothing. We'll see.

BTW how does the lemon law work particularly in Illinois, anyone?



Peter

 

If anyone from MINI USA is reading this, please know that I am on this board evaluating my decision to buy a Cooper. I will not be purchasing until this problem is fixed.
Telling people they don't know how to drive a stick (as in the case of Om Toast) is a really bad move, particularly when people are having the same issue with your CVT's.

Nice looking car, I'll likely buy one if you can get the bugs worked out.

 

<<<Telling people they don't know how to drive a stick (as in the case of Om Toast) is a really bad move>>>

Oopsie. Just to clarify, the people telling me it's driving ability were fellow owners. I'm sorry--the way I worded my previous post didn't clearly explain that.

And I must say that I find it SUPER curious that people posting on the boards in the Owners Lounge at miniusa.com apparently don't have this problem or don't mind it or something... :???:

 

Service writer in Dallas says they had a big Mini meeting at headquarters last month. Possible problem noted by Mini =more alcohol in US gas than anywhere else. More summer heat makes it worse. My car is now horrible. They are working on it and hoped for software fix soon. Glad to here there may be a fix!

 

If it's a fuel formulation problem, what happens when we switch to the winter version (in NJ)?

 

...but if it's purely a heat/fuel issue, why does it do it when it's REALLY FREAKING cold outside??

...but if it's purely a heat/fuel issue, why doesn't it do it when I make a 90* turn??

R

 

I just got a call back for my dealer service and they acknowledge the fact that the stumble is a software problem and Corporate is working on a fix. His answer on an estimated time frame was 30-90 days out. I am in the Chicago area and this is a reputable dealer too, if that helps.


Peter

 

Peter -
Who is your dealer? I'm in the Chicago area as well and my MCS (Jan 03 build) just started stumbling pretty significantly (hotter here lately?). It would be worth knowing who has acklowledged the problem since it seems many dealers don't.

Thanks,
Barry


>> I just got a call back for my dealer service and they acknowledge the fact that the stumble is a software problem and Corporate is working on a fix. His answer on an estimated time frame was 30-90 days out. I am in the Chicago area and this is a reputable dealer too, if that helps.
>>
>>
>>Peter
>>

 

Barry, check your PM (link at the upper left corner of your browser window).

Welcome to MCO!