I have an MCS on order, which will be in sometime in November. Until then I have nothing to do but order mods and read post after post about STUMBLE problems. My anxiety is building to the point of almost regretting the decision to order the car. Had I read the threads about Stumble before faxing my Deposit Agreement to my MA I would not have placed the order until I knew the problem had be fixed. That is a sad statement considering the otherwise glowing reviews from owners, fans and auto writers (i.e. September ’03 Road and Track, pg 99).

Perhaps I don't fully understand what is being done to remedy the situation. By situation I mean two things. One, what is BMW doing to fix the problems, stumble and apparent cover up of said stumble. Two, what are the owners of these cars doing to fix the lack of response from BMW?

It seems to me that the members within the organizations of Metroplex MINI, MCO and MINI2 (as well as others) represent a large, vocal and active group of MINI owners. With all organizations combined, this family should have considerable clout or leverage in gaining attention from the suits at BMW. Perhaps we need a petition to start with. Something to identify to the owners, and then BMW, and the MINI dealers just how many of us they may be dealing with. Should that step not yield results, then making noise with the automotive press might prevail. Certainly BMW should appreciate the impact of a letter to the editor following up on the recent article in Road and Track (9/03). Their positive review might be tarnished a bit by a collective response detailing the problem and failure on the part of the manufacturer to respond in a forthright manner. Who knows maybe the only way to emphasize our resolve is to start a class action suit?

I am not one for frivolous legal action; we have enough of that clogging our courts as it is. But if we continue to simply grouse about the situation on forums and only within our communities it will simply be akin to keeping our crazy grandma locked in the attic when only family knows she exists. Let’s put our embarrassment aside and scream about this situation as loud and as long as we need to until we get results rather than smoke screens.

Am I off base here? (I'm already in the process of a letter to R&T)

 

My Mr.Motor was a March 9th, '03 build, and he had the stumble tendency. I stress tendency because launching the car without bogging it was possible, but not easy. Furthermore, of the handful of MINI's I've driven, mine was the worst to have this tendency. However, it did not cause me to lose sleep at night or throw a fit; it is character of the car that is not faulty, but perhaps a bit annoying for the obsessive/compulsive types. I feel many people are throwing the stumble tendency WAY out of proportion, and I wouldn't dare ruin the chance to drive the best vehicle I've ever owned because of this slight flaw in character.

Regards,
Ryan

 

I think a petition is a great idea.

 

Personally, no, I wouldn't buy a Cooper right now until the issue is totally resolved. My car has been in for fixes too many times, and at best the stumble is slightly relieved for about a day. Some fix. :evil: I cannot start from a stop and not get a big *** burp/stumble where the car bucks like the engine just died. Not only is it disconcerning, but it's downright scary when you're trying to pull into traffic.

I got SO sick of it, I'm selling my MINI. Perhaps I'm just a picking SOB, but damn, this is NOT right.

R

 

"Let's make a list..."

That was the first line of some post punk song in the late 90's...I can't remember by whom. Anyone know what it was?

Anyway...a petition isn't a bad idea. I would like to see something a little more tangible than the surveys on this board. Someone who's done an online petition before: your help is needed.


Items needed:

Build date (month/year--located inside your driver's side door on the sticker); received date; dealer purchased/received from; stumble received date (i.e. was your car BORN with it, or did you receive it after a friendly software update); comments

And Ants...I realize that you have had outrageous problems with your MINI CVT, but (not to hog a problem all to myself ) the Stumble is sort of exclusive to the MCS. The bog is available to all vehicles though, so there could maybe be two petitions just to keep things ultra clear: one petition ONLY for MCS owners with the first gear issue known as the Stumble (browse through the thread to see if you qualify); another petition could be for all MINI owners to sign regarding their engine/etc. woes.

Who's with me?

 

Actually thats not true. Even MINI USA admits it effects the CVT. My car definately lurches and stumbles. Probably worse than some MCS. When I called MINI USA they said it effects the CVT also. Now, my computer was sent to BMW so we will see what happens next... But when I take off from a stop I feel like I am going to break my neck the car is lurching and bucking so much. And Davebret, you are 100% CORRECT. IT IS WAY MORE THAN A MINOR PROBLEM. These are NEW cars, not cars with 50k+ on them.

 

I will support other MCS owners, but I have NO stumble! It is not every car. '02 MCS

 

OK Ants. I'm not here to argue about who does or doesn't have the stumble, but this issue started with the MCSs earlier this year and it has always been discussed as being an MCS issue. I know that there are lots of other issues relating to all of the MINIs. I'm just selfish about wanting to solve a very specific problem, viz. the buck ing/stumbling/burping/hiccuping that the MINI Cooper S makes in first gear at the precise point at which the clutch pedal becomes fully disengaged. It is a clear and identifiable problem, and was not present before a certain software upgrade took place. I'm not trying to belittle your issue, because I think that what you've got is probably MUCH worse than what we've got. Frankly, I think that your car is the ultimate "Lemon" under the definitions in the law.

Beagle, congratulations on not having the stumble. Try to keep it that way: don't let your dealer touch it! And please note that I am arguing that the problem is exclusive to the MCS, not that all MCSs have it. I have said this until I'm blue in the face: all MCSs with software updates in spring of '03 or later seem to have it.
(See you at the Tire Rack!)



_________________

 

Chitown_COOP,

It seems that the administrators here at MCO have experience with petitions. I am certainly not asking MCO or the admin.'s to endorse this subject in any way, but they may offer advice on how this is set up. Perhaps we should find out what percentage of MCO owners have the problem first to determine the scope of the situation. Could that be done with a simple poll, which as simple as it sounds, I dont know how to set up!

 

Frankly I think we are approaching class-action territory here. My 2nd mini should be arriving shortly. The first one, an MC CVT, was bought back by BMW - a story which is too long to tell at this time. If Beatrice arrives with the stumble and yo-yo I'm going to be a very unhappy informed citizen.

CTA

 

I don't think taking legal action at this juncture would be wise. I have been told by
Mini that a fix would be available in December or earlier if possible and I believe everyone should give them a chance to make good on their word and try to be patient until then. If they don't deliver before Jan. 1 then I would be happy to join a class action suit to seek a remedy, whatever that means. I will have been driving my DS/W MCS for a year on Sept. 16 and I would be foolish to fall off now rather than hold tight for another three months......but after that I'll join the posse and head after 'em with both guns blazing!

 

<<< I don't think taking legal action at this juncture would be wise. I have been told by
Mini that a fix would be available in December or earlier if possible and I believe everyone should give them a chance to make good on their word and try to be patient until then.>>>


BMW/MINI has been "next month"-ing us to DEATH!!! :evil: :evil: :evil:

If this was the first time corporate has come forward and said: "We expect a fix by___" I don't think anyone would be getting their knickers in a wad. But every other blasted WEEK their telling us "Oh, it's coming soon... just be patient." And, frankly, I'm a little past conspiracy theory and headed right toward laying down the obvious: they couldn't give two s**ts!!! What they're REALLY saying when they ply our patience is more along the lines of "Stupid consumer, can't you see we're busy making real cars over here? Now, if it will appease you, then consider that we are working on the problem and a fix should be available shortly. How much time will that buy us, you wretched nags?"

And Ryan, please don't take this personally, but telling anyone with the real stumble that they're overreacting is second in annoyance only to those who tell us we just can't drive a manual. I will admit that there are shades--there are shades of the stumble within my own car--but when it's bad, it's really freaking bad. Nose dips, heads fly, whiplash is acquired by passengers, and death is looked head on when I can't get my car out of the way of the Mack truck bearing down to T-bone me!

I support a petition. I support a class action. I support anything that will fix my bloomin' car!!! And if that means storming the castle, then I have only one question: would you like to carpool?!??!??

 

>>I will support other MCS owners, but I have NO stumble! It is not every car. '02 MCS
I too will support all those with stumble. I have an 03 MCS built 10/02 and have no stumble- never have.

 

>>>>I will support other MCS owners, but I have NO stumble! It is not every car. '02 MCS
>>I too will support all those with stumble. I have an 03 MCS built 10/02 and have no stumble- never have.
Oct '02 MCS. No stumble.

 

Amen! :smile:

There are varying degrees of stumble, and I assure anyone that if they had MY stumble, they would not be able to dismiss it, get over it, or ignore it. My MCS stumbles so hard, if I relaxed in my seat and wasn't expecting it, I would pop my noggin' on the steering wheel it jerks me so hard.

If you want to know what the stumble in my car is like, accelerate to 10-15 MPH, slam on the brakes, then immediately push the accelerator to the kick down position for 2 seconds, then remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. That's about it. Severe. Back when I first took delivery of my car in May, I could adjust my driving style to avoid the stumble, but lately in the heat of August, it's gotten to the point where I really can't avoid it, especially on the very first launch after the car has been started. That stumble is just unreal.

I had a NC inspection done on my car, two days ago, and when the mechanic returned my car, he said, "Well, that was a learning experience. We've never done a MINI, before. One thing I noticed, though, is that your clutch seems to have a problem. Your car bucks when you let out the clutch."

You're darn straight it does. I explained the stumble issue to the mechanic.

I think it is absolutely ridiculous that MINIUSA can't give us some definitive information on this issue, instead of tap dancing around it. We've been told "two months", "soon", etc, for a long time, now. Then we get a hint of December. Well, December isn't "soon". It sure as heck is a lot more than two months away when I was told that months ago. I want some official correspondence from MINIUSA regarding this issue: what is causing it, what is being done, when will the fix be ready. Now, we got free mugs for the poorly designed cup holders (the cup holder is fine to me, however). I wonder what in the heck we should get for having to put up with a piece-of-**** running car for 6 months to a year?

I understand how hard it is for those without the stumble to understand what we're going through. I offer this. If anyone wants to drive my car and see for yourself, just ask. I'll be glad to demonstrate.

If there are any potential MINI buyers out there, come experience the joy of MINI ownership first hand. I offer you a test drive in my car.

If my 2003 MCS ran half as good as some of the 2002 MCS's, I'd be thrilled.

Now, let me end this by saying, if my MINI ran properly, I'd love it--just love it to death. But it doesn't. Launching is annoying, embarrassing, and sometimes dangerous.

See ya,
JS

 

my car was built the week of june 10th 2003.. no stumble. the cooper i had before, with the latest upgrade it had no stumble there either.
the tech at my dealership says it seems to effect some cars and not others. and the new software that comes out weekly also fixes some and not others. thats just what he said though...
for those that have the stumble its not right. they should be able to fix it. if i had the stumble i'd probably use the lemon law until i got one without

 

>>I too will support all those with stumble. I have an 03 MCS built 10/02 and have no stumble- never have.

AND

>>Oct '02 MCS. No stumble.



I appreciate your support. Also:

>And please note that I am arguing that the problem is exclusive to the MCS,
>not that all MCSs have it. I have said this until I'm blue in the face: all MCSs
>with software updates in spring of '03 or later seem to have it.

 

March 03 MCS stumbles hiccups and yoyos like a biatch

Take the poll - great move - get the info to the motoring press

BMW your stock is headed south for the winter.

_________________
'03 S DS

 

>>>>I too will support all those with stumble. I have an 03 MCS built 10/02 and have no stumble- never have.
>>
>>AND
>>
>>>>Oct '02 MCS. No stumble.
>>
>>
>>
>>I appreciate your support. Also:
>>
>>>And please note that I am arguing that the problem is exclusive to the MCS,
>>>not that all MCSs have it. I have said this until I'm blue in the face: all MCSs
>>>with software updates in spring of '03 or later seem to have it.
>>
>>

No offense, but if we are gunna get anything done we shouldnt be diving up like this. "I have a MCS and thats all I care about attitude". Software problems are affectng all models, so we should just petetion the software as a whole.

 

my 11/02 build 03 MCS didn't have stumble -first few months were stumble free. I had software upgraded by MINI 32.? at my request (what a dumb ***)-. I noticed stumble as i pulled out of dealer. been complaining since then They installed version 34.? but it did nothing to improve stumble. They reinstalled software as it was not fully installed this also did nothing. I have stumble at 1900 rpm taking off from stop. If i take off slow I can avoid stumble but this is difficult as its not how i drive. Also have stumble when slowing down in 2nd gear even with foot off of the gas.- as soon as tac hits 1900 rpm car lurches (stumbles)- again with foot off of gas- it does this every time. It's so annoying - why did i upgrade, why can't i get my old original 11/02 non stumble software back???