I just want to pass this story along and ask for suggestions.

I have a 07 Mini Cooper with auto trans. The oil pressure and service engine light came on at 5000 miles. I stopped the vehicle about 10 seconds after the oil light came on. It was then towed to the dealer. After two days it finally gets looked at and I’m told it needs the ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED since they found metal in the oil. I have spoke with customer service and stated I would like the vehicle replaced and they will not comply. So now I’m going to be stuck with a non factory installed engine. I explained to customer service that I can’t see how they can have the same tools and checks at the dealer that factory has. They assured me that the dealer is qualified to replace the engine. I still don’t agree but it seems there is little or nothing I can do since the refuse to replace the car. I have then asked for an extended warranty and their reply is MINI does not offer one, the dealers offer them and therefore MINI can’t provide one to insure longevity of the vehicle.

How do we raise the quality bar?
Am I the only one so far this has happened to?
Is this a fluke?

 

No that sounds right , new engine every 5000 miles . Did they tell you why this happened ?

 

Nope. The dealer (shop) did not tell me why it happened.

 

First I've heard of an engine having to be replaced. You didn't indicate which dealership has your car? Engine swaps for the MINI are pretty easy these days... I wouldn't worry about it provided you have a dealership with good service capabilities.

 

sorry to hear about the engine trouble. Luckily it is covered under warranty. i would not be worried about the dealer installing the engine. it will also depend on if they put in a short block or long block. a short block has pistons installed on a crank in a new block, the dealer would have to add the head from your car and all the other items. they did this for years when the JCW kit was dealer installed. a long block comes with almost everything you need and will just need a few bolt ons. there really would not be a whole lot of difference having a tech do it or the factory. since the factory worker is not a mechanic, and they just get the engine shipped in and bolt it in. the tech will actually see what i going on and make sure things are torqued. i would say you will be fine.

 

I was told the replacement will take 3 days if that means anything...

 

i wouldn't worry about it unless they are going to keep some parts and replace others. Everything that the oil touches should be replaced.

If it is truely an entire engine swap, i wouldn't think there's anything to be worried about... except having to get through the break-in again!

 

entire engine swaps are not complicated at all. The come from the engine manufacture complete just missing the intake and exhaust setup wiring harness and everything else that is not just a engine.

They take your old one out, take off all the stuff they need (undress), put it on the new motor (dress) and install it into the car. Add oil, and start the car.

The do not touch the actual internals at all.

 

Also find out if this is a NEW engine or a REMANUFACTURED. I personally wouldn't want a REMAN in my new mini with 5k miles. Either way the dealer will not touch the internals of the engine.

That is a very easy swap to R-n-R which is remove and replace. Yes 3 days sounds about right.

I personally would be miffed but not concerened long term as long as they replaced the engine!

 

I highly doubt it will be a reman engine. i have never heard of such a thing from bmw. and it will definitely be a longblock. for bmw to not swap the whokle engine makes no sense

 

Probably no biggie. Happened to me once in a Pontiac GP GT 1997 6000 miles. There was a crankshaft problem and protocol dictated engine replacement.
Ran even better once it was done.
Good Luck and no worries...

 

I had a 1984 Fiero that had to have the engine replaced for a cracked block. Oil and water mixed to make a chocolate float LOL. No issues afterward. It's good to have a warranty!!

When I adopted Hendrix, my MINI dealer looked up his records before we purchased. They disclosed that they replaced the transmission for the previous owner. To me that was not a buying deterrent, and it was good to see their honesty. My SA Nicole Osborne at Otto's is the best!!

 

05 Nissan 350Zs had an oil consumption problem and Nissan was and still is replacing engines left and right. An engine replacement done by a good service dept is no big deal. I know several 350Z drivers that were dying to get their engines replaced. Besides being Mini-less for a while you'll have the next best thing to a new car!

 

Heard of a Mazda RX-8, I've got friends on their 3rd engine, from warranty of course, but still.

Go rotory

not the same but close

 

dont feel bad man.. Last night my r56 with 5.5k miles same as u...engine light and then the oil pressure light in red went on and the car just died out....kept trying to start it but nothing, its at the dealership and will be looked on monday. ill let you know if its the same problem. it sounds like an serious engine problem but well see

 

Yours is not the only engine replaced ! http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-f...n-cold-14.html

 

Would rather have the dealer perform the R-square than someone else. It will be a new block, pistons, etc. since it's factory parts and also there aren't any reman parts available yet for this car. There was just a design flaw in your car. Let them fix it and motor on...

 

Let me know. The general consensus is mine was a fluke. Turns out my oil pump failed.

 

I can understand how you would like the vehicle replaced. As far as the checks a dealership and the factory can/ccan't perform. I have already replaced 2 Engines on the R56 and have not had one problem. Please don't be so quick to judge. Its not our first day on the job.

 

Well said Healey - I think that a mechanic takes more care with their work than someone on a production line........

Incidentally, have you replaced any due to the severe top-end (valve train-sounding) engine noise? My first was rejected 'cos of this, but I believe MINI are now changing engines on cars that do this??

 

An engine swap is relatively easy. It's far more complicated to remove the engine, tear it down, rebuild it and return the original reworked engine. It's just another 'part'. A competent tech can do the job as good as a factory job. There are cars that come off the assembly line at every manufacturer that have issues with an engine, trans or other major assembly which go right to a service bay that resembles the dealer service bay where the affected part(s) get replaced. The car goes out the door to it's new owner as a new car. Once it leaves the factory, though, any issues that arise before it gets to the owner should be documented and disclosed.

 

So exacty where do the RMFD engines come from? Do they come from field failures?

I guess it's too soon to ask how relilable the RMFD engines are?

 

You will never get a RMFD engine from the dealer, all engines are factory. They will stop producing factory engines at one point, then only parts of the motor/car for 10 years after last car produced after that is it jobber parts only or RMFD. RMFD come from places that specialized in RMFD parts, usually this is normal when you get a rebate for core part. Like a Master cylinder or alternator, calipers ect.

I had a friend got his ITR motor changed at 60,000 km for buring oil. Last year of honda factory B18c5 short blocks, lucky him.

 

No I have not replaced any due to this noise I hear so much about.

The 2 I replaced, 1 over rev... 17yr old kid decided to hot rod around and missed a gear. Hit 8887 rpms in the little black box. Bent the entire exh side of the valve train and damaged the exh cam. This was a Manual Trans.
2nd one was similar but an Automatic engine. Broke the head off a valve on the #2 exh and shot a hole thru the top of the piston. Needless to say, done. These Eng do not come apart on the bottom end easily at all..
I've seen the oil pan bent trying to remove it. No rebuilding.

 

The dealer called back. It turns out my engine is blown, I have been driving stick for years and I dont know how but on the highway, instead of going into 4th it went into 2nd i tried to catch it before it over-revd but it was too late, engine shut off and got the oil light. The dealer says they wont replace the engine because of a misshift but arent gearboxes suppose to stop you from shifting into a gear thats too low, I remember my old car had that. Hmm what should I tell the dealership. I told them that if they cant fix it ill take it all the way to court so now they have a regional manager analyzing the car. I miss Charlie(fermale =P)