Saw a post over on MINI2 that some folks have received the newly designed chain tensioner. Anyone here receive that part and have appropriate conditions to test?

 

my 07/08 astro black MCS has been at the dealer since Tuesday. The chain tensioner is on back order and will be instaleld next week. It's been averaging a high of minus 13 c here in Toronto this week so the dealer definately heard the cold issue first hand. Lets hope the new tensioner helps. I will post once I have the car back.

 

I think I am getting in the same boat as you. Am sold on getting a Clubman, but the following three issue make me think the new engine design/ECU has not been debugged enough.

1) cold start chatter, which could have engine damage consequences (or not!)
2) the other cold start issue, for which Mini now is on their second fix
3) the excessive carbon buildup, which may reveal itself more broadly as more Minis gain mileage and hit service intervals.

These have been around a bit, so hopefully a fix will be forthcoming.

 

Count me in as a ship-mate. I've started test-driving low mileage 06s, especially since the prices have started to soften on them. I tested an 07 (with 50k miles on it) at a local Audi dealership the other day and it sounded just like a diesel. Today I'm going to test out some MCS 09s as a comparison, just in case they end up getting the bugs worked out, but I'm not holding my breath