I hopped in the other morning (Sat the 17th) to go to work, started it, drove 5 minutes to the gas station and filled it up. Hopped back it, started again, drove 10 minutes, made a stop to see my girlfriend on the way, turn the car off, five minutes later, hopped it one more time and no start!!!

I have comfort access, but it didn't matter whether I put the key in the slot or not. It still recognized the key in the car and would power on all the electronics with the comfort access, it was just as if I was pushing the button without the clutch in, nothing happens but turning the electronics on and off. It could still be locked with comfort access or the remote. It did give a warning symbol of a steering wheel with a padlock over it, but the wheel was not locked and there was not tension on it. It had to be towed back to the dealership.

After sitting on their diagnostic system for the day, it is recommending they change the little part the key slides into. Because this is a "coded part" for the car, it can not be rush ordered and will not be here until next week!

I am already having withdrawals, I want my mini back!

But, just wanted to post in case someone else has a similar problem, I haven't seen this one anywhere yet... and hopefully we won't

 

Sorry about your separation from your MINI. Did they at least give you a cool rental?

 

Aren't British cars wonderful? So much character!

 

my mini is in the shop today and yesterday too for two stained bonnet stripes for leaky washer jets, i know your pain.

but the 335xi i have as a loner is nice too.

 

No, I don't have my mini serviced at the dealer I bought it at and their policy is loaners only for customers that bought it from them. They have given me a rental in the past, but I returned it cause I wasn't happy with it (Jeep Liberty), so I doubt they will offer me that again unless I ask for it.

 

I jumped into my car the other day and couldn't start it. I had just driven it about an hour before, so I was very puzzled. I heard clicks, and immediately thought electrical=tow. I then got a "key" symbol on the OBC, even though the key was in the ignition and I don't have comfort access. Weird.

Had a brainstorm, and turned the steering wheel slightly. Apparently it was in a semi-locked position that the interlock didn't like. Has totally performed well since then.

 

It's pretty much the same idea as in other cars when you can't turn the key because the steering wheel is locked. Some of the 3 series have had a problem with that locking mechanism and now are no longer being sent from the factory with a lock on the wheel (per my service guy). He thought that was initially the problem, but I think they have since found something else... so far anyways.

You sure it was a "key" symbol, or could if have been a steering wheel with a padlock over it? That's sounds like the one you should have seen for that,

 

I've had this occasionally with BMWs, but never with the clicking sound. That's what threw me off.

And yeah, there was a key on it. Some other symbol to the right of it, but my eyes zeroed in on the key.

 

So, now, more than a week later, they have replaced the part their little computer system told them to and low and behold, NOTHING! The techs have been standing around my car for the last few days scratching their heads without a clue. They've been back and forth with Minis "tech help" for two plus days and are still at a loss, No motoring for me

This gets me thinking, complicated computers in cars, tech help, what a mess. What is to happen when these cars are out of warranty and something like this happens, are we going to pay for a week plus of manual labor costs to have them come back and say, sorry we can't get it to work, your gonna need a new car? I have had tech help with my computers tell me that, but I have only been out a $1000 and the computer lasted me a good while. I expect a car to have a life span of at least 10-15 years, I'm not even at 10 months.

 

i think i have a very similar problem.. yesterday drove my car home left it in the garage for few hours then came back and my car wouldnt start.. i can hear a clicking noise.. but i think that is the lights just turning on.. my steering wheel was not locked and fully movable and my battery was def not dead. dont think this is related but one thing i did notice was a loose wire harness connected to a little piece of plastic.. dangling just left of the clutch.. but i just seemed i was loose and did not need to connect somewhere, also my car was driving fine even when that wire was hanging.. so dont think its that. brought it to mini and they said they were too busy to even look at my car and they have no rental.. so im out of a car for the weekend which sucks.. I think this problem may have to do with the cold winter startin to kick in.. i notice that the mini is not the best winter car (not for driving) but the design of the car.. there are lots of deposits for frozen ice to build up, if it rains and freezes next day gluck trying to open ur trunk.. even ur door.. and always find the car builds up lots of condensation and ur 2 back windows will always be fogged on a rainy day.. anyhow enough of my biitchin.. anyone else know what my problem may be??

 

Hahaha, thanks for the laugh this morning. You shoulda bought a civic.

 

that's pretty harsh.

I'd be upset in his shoes too. While browsing these forums can paint a bleak picture, fact is most MINIs don't experience major problems.

 

TWON no worries im in the same position my r56 has only 10000KM on it.. think i wanna get a 335i next

 

Angy? For sure, i totally empathize with the man. But i think the phrase is " dont build em like they used to." You're out of your mind if you think a mini will last 15 years without being really expensive in maint cost.

 

No worries, no offense taken and I agree MOST minis don't have the list of problems mine has had and are very good and reliable cars. And I don't judge all because of one lemon.

If I ever though that a car could not handle at least 10 years, I would never own one, I believe that is VERY reasonable. Although 15 may be streatching a little bit, depending on how much it is driven, there is not any reason it shouldn't. At average milage of 12,000 a year, that only puts you at 180,000. That coming with extra maintenance is acceptable, but should certainly be capable. Whether it is a civic or a ford for what it matters.

All that aside, I am now at the point that my car has been in the shop for more than a month out of the six months I have owned it and I am quickly about to hit my breaking point and have them send me a new one in place of this one. It has already past the point of being a "lemon" in the eyes of the law in California. I am a patient man, but when I hit that point, it is over. I can't see them avoid that at this point considering they have had my car for two weeks today and have yet to even get it started and then they still have a list of fixes once that happens.

 

yeah. just hit 80k miles and had the clutch replaced.

 

Good luck to you TWON, I hope your situation gets remedied.

 

You're right, they don't build them like they used to. In many respects they are better--but the electronics have taken over the car. This is what concerns me most. I had a '94 BMW 325i that I sold (runninig) at 190,000 miles. Original clutch, no engine work ever done, battery that lasted 9 years, etc. It was a pretty simple car, though. I don't think the MINIs will last that long--mainly because all of the modules that will have to be replaced, one by one. And they ain't cheap.

 

I know there is a guy on Mini1 that has 250,000 miles on his Cooper and no major problems, not even a clutch repaced yet. I believe he lives in Wisconsin and he has the 1st model year of MINI.

 

You returned a free loaner because you didn't like it? Really!

 

A friend of mine was telling me today that on a recent service visit she was offered a choice between a Saturn or...a Ford F150.

Sure glad my dealer offers MINIs only!

 

TWON: The lemon law was put into effect for people who bought new cars that had to be repaired way more often than average OR cars that the dealer could not figure out how to fix. If it were me there's no freakin' way I'd take your car back home. They admit they can't start it and they admit they have no clue as to why. That's the definition of a lemon, and it matters not how long it's been there, trust me. But in your case it's probably been there long enough anyway, so insist on a new car. They won't give a darn, it won't cost them a cent, and they'll be glad they don't have to mess with it anymore.

 

LOL, not really, it was a rental and it wasn't just because I didn't like it. Long story made short I got roped into getting insurance and they would not let me cancel the insurance, so I was paying $30 a day not exactly free So I told them to shove it after day one (rental agency, not mini). There is more, but I will leave it at that,

 

I understand the lemon law a little too well I am afraid to admit as I have used it before. It is not so straight forward and it is better to make it worth their while to NOT go through that process and just send me a new one (as was done last time for an ex-wifes car). I would like my car to be running so I have somethings to drive for the 6-8 weeks a new one will take to get here. The "request" will be made in the next week.

Thank you for everyones comments and concerns, it is greatly appreciated,

 

Not sure if I have the same issue. Picked up a new MCS last week, put on 243 miles, after motoring all day to and from work the last day, I went to pick up my daughter from church. After parking the car for two minutes, getting back in trying to start it ......no luck.The starter would turn fine, just no ignition. Hey and no check ingine engine light either. Fuel indication all segments but 4 lit. Computer indication 218 to go to fill up. I found the gas cap impossible to pull out due too a huge vacum effect, some dedicated wiggling finaly useated the suction. My understanding wife brought me some fuel and the car restarted, but as I approached the chevron station the car began to sputter, and limped in to the pump. Agian trying to unseat the gas cap was was crazy. I am not going to go over the manual again and again for cap removal. As stated before 1/4 turn and dedicated wiggling unseated the hoover effect. I added five gallons to the tank and now fuel reads one less segment than before. If I was writing a comedy script I would understand but I am not and this is really happening. The dealer has been rather odd when dealing with me. This car is only a week old and no one said I'm sorry, or this shouldn't happen, or we will make this right...... zero. Well at the dealership now. I can't wait to hear the diagnosis. As an extra bonus I also noticed a screw in one of my run flats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!where does the good times start.
To add in on the loaner car humor they offered my wife a chevy AVEO! You have got to be kidding me, and the mini dealer is next door to a BMW dealer( same owner I believe). 32,000+ loaded mini in shop and you get the 8000+ ? Aveo.
I just want to say it is odd, that my mini motor advisor was excellent, all equipment I have on the mini is outstanding,what he helped me pick was right on, the delivery day awesome, it was in the show room under cover....perfect!. The service department did not offer one, " We are terribly embarrassed", "We are sorry" ....nothing. I realize they do not build the car and are not responsible for the components originally installed but they should offer comfort not ambiguity. Service techs???? I would hope these people attend Mini schools or something, I work on big jets and we are always schooled over and over on the equipment.
My last purchased new vehicle a 1990 ford ranger 4X4, has over 236,000 miles, yes I have had to replace the clutch at 188,000 and yes after 17 years it is a little old but I finally got mad at gas prices and thought a nicely equipt mini would get me through the next ten years or so. Who knows what I am in for .....I hope this to be just a bad karma issue not a lemon issue. Sorry for dumping this all but I needed to vent and it is cheap therapy. Thanks.....Ollie