i porbably didnt explain well enough but i meant if problems started occuring down the road.

 

I copied the information from post 57 of the Cold Start Issues Database. Sorry I don't know how to put a link directly to it. The posting doesn't list VIN numbers only actions to take based upon build date.

 

Interesting. However my folks have (and have HAD) the same interesting "issue" with their Subaru - for 10 years/100,000 + miles.

As I am still in the market for a new vehicle (and a new MINI is at the top of my list) I was/am pleasantly surprised to learn from this thread that we're talking Timing CHAINS, and NOT BELTS, with MINI's. Am I understanding this correctly?

Thanks in advance,
g ...

 

2007 MCS
Purchased April2007 from Mini of Dallas
6 Speed Manual Transmission.
Build date? dealer has car so I cannot check at the moment.

Posted this same input under: Dreaded Engile Clatter. This answers the "replaced timing chain tensioneer" which the dealer did and it solved the problem for about 6000 miles then the noise returned getting progressively worse over the next 1000 miles upon which took the Mini to the dealer. The dealer seems genuinely concerned however appears to be getting little assistance from the factory.

At 11000 miles, in April 2008, took Mini in for anual service. Service Manager heard, at my request, "abnormal engine noise", this was with the engine at operating temperature. They replaced timing chain tensioner. Two weeks ago, 13Nov08, took Mini in for scheduled service at 18000 miles. Informed Service Manager about cold start noise. They performed schduled service, however I took Mini in for service on Friday so it would sit over the weekend. Upon cold start next Monday Service Manager confirmed "abnormal engine noise". They still have the Mini and I am worried they will simply install a new timing tensioner but not solve the real problem.

Searching these pages it seems this "abnormal engine noise" is well known. I find reference to PuMA Measure 10686850 as a technical document that the service personel are to reference in fixing the "abnormal engine noise" problem.

Does anyone have a copy of the PuMA 10686850 document that they can send me or post so that I will be better informed and possibly be able to help my local dealer find a perminent fix for the engine noise problem?

 

Your understanding is correct, sir. The prince engine (07-later) has a timing chain.

 

Thank you very much - very good to know!

Though my folks "Sube" has a belt, and it (the motor) makes a cold-start ("Clacking") noise, however after seeing (hearing!) various online clips about this (MINI "issue"), it is a different sound (though the Subaru Dealer Service "guy" did say "Timing-Belt Tensioner", on the folks Sube)

Now, the folks at a Subaru Forum I visit refer to "Piston Slap" (which is something else altogether if I am not mistaken).

I'm a bit confused (nothing new here). Is this noise only on the `07 + (`07-later/Prince) motors?

 

Have you all seen this thread?
http://www.michiganmini.org/forum/in...?topic=3115.90

Tom even has some drawings here and gets to the actual root cause of this problem, I think this is the best write-up I have seen.

Oh and what about drivability doesn't that count.??? I paid good money, my car should be drivable.
I can't start up and go, as the car does not run corectly when this is occuring, it IS a safety issue, if I am trying to pull out into traffic or in front of a semi and the car does a nose dive!!!
Count me in..

 

Hi
Did you have any luck with your attorney? I had my 2004 MINI unfamous CVT transmission fail at 22,000 miles (of course not under warranty) two months ago, and am quite frustrated with the way MINIUSA treats customers. I had to go through all the inconvenience of the very poor conmmunication between MINIUSA and its dealer, and had at the end to pay for labor for replacing the transmission (although MINIUSA recognizes there is a problem by covering the parts!).
Any experience of people dealing with MINIUSA would be apreciated (I have even sent a letter to the BMW chairman in Munich to explain how poor the customer support was but have still to hear from him)....
Darren

 

just wondering .... did you notice that this thread had been dead for one day short of a year?

second post for u so no foul but you may want to pay attention to that as you go back and read historical documents. You'll often not get a lot of replies when resurrecting a dead thread.

 

Thanks Capt bj
I thought my question was worth asking, maybe todoubled will share his experience with his attorney?
Thanks,

 

Do you mind if I ask what the labor alone cost you? I'm out of warranty mileage-wise but I plan to strong-arm the dealer for a deal when my CVT goes. I would be okay with paying just labor but am curious what it ran you.

 

I paid 2250. Which I believe to be a rip-off, considering that a transmission should not fail at 22,000 miles and that MINIUSA is covering the parts (which proves they agree this is not a nominal situation). Since then, I have sent a registered mail to the BMW CEO in Germany but have still to hear from him. At the moment, I just think that BMW / MINI do not know what customer satisfaction and customer loyalty means........

 

I do not support this idea because 1) MINI is making a good faith effort to try and resolve the problem, and 2) if a C-AL is filed, and the media finds out resulting in huge damage control by BMW, watch our cars plummet in value even more than they already have.

 

I have a 2007 Mini Cooper S (on lease). It's had electrical problems in the past, but other than that really no major issues until last weekend. I experienced the now known knock associated w/ the tensioner (saw it on YouTube, same exact noise) to I parked the car, tried to restart it, wouldn't start. Had it towed to the nearest dealership and they said - timing chain jumped, took out the valves. Best thing is, now they are saying that because I didn't get a preventative maintenance level 1 done at 25000 miles (the car was fully serviced at 16000 miles and the indicator hadn't indicated a needed service again until 36000 miles) that they've voided the warranty. I had the service performed 3 weeks ago (when the car was acting just fine), but they aren't standing behind the fact that 3 weeks ago the car checked out fine- but it's suddenly my negligence because I missed some myserious preventative maintenance that I knew nothing about (this all comes from Mini USA that I called after the dealer said they were sorry but couldn't get it covered under warranty). The dealer proclaims to have never heard of this level 1 preventative maintenance either. So, now I have a dead leased car that of course they won't end my lease for and looking at a $5k repair bill. Any suggestions?

 

This may be of some help to you...
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-knocking.html

 

My 2007 MCSm -- an excellent car in every other way -- experienced a frozen throttle when starting in sub-zero temperatures, as well as the cold-start rattle.

MINI trucked my MCS 250 miles (twice) to try to remedy the sub-zero issue. When they could not fix this problem, I wrote a polite explanation to MINI USA, requesting an extension of the warranty, or a buy-back of the car. A few days later, I received a phone call from the New Jersey BMW offices, offering to replace my MINI.

Working through Patrick MINI of Schaumburg, Illinois, BMW bought back my MCSm. I used the buyback (plus $$) to order an MCCm. I could not have been more pleased with the treatment I received from BMW and Patrick MINI.

 

I believe you are the exception in the woes of other MINI Owners.

Here's to many Happy Motoring Years!!

 

Too often I am the exception. Usually, it's painful. In this case, I am delighted. Thanks for the good wishes

 

At least someone here makes sense...

I'm a big advocate against class action lawsuits...not going to get into a political debate as to why, but both of the above points in this case are very valid.

If there is widespread injury or damage caused by a company's product, then yes...I'm all for a class action suit. You are talking about a noise here. It's an annoyance....not a SAFETY issue. There have been multiple fixes proposed for timing chain rattle, and more often than not, they fix the problem. (yes.....I know there are some cases where the noise returns even after the fix, but that does not warrant a lawsuit)

 

plus attitudes by the dealer have changed here over the last year. now, my dealer does not even require replication of the sound; they checked my tensioner at my annual oil change and replaced it, because they 1) believed me when I complained about it sounding like an obnoxious diesel, and 2) they had recently replaced a dozen or so. It's not that big of a deal, time or parts-wise, to check and replace these things. I call that good faith effort.

two months and a thou miles later, all is still quiet.

 

http://classactionlawsuitsinthenews....#comment-42773

 

Anyone else have to replace a 6-speed with 45,000 miles, the synchros are gone in 2nd gear. My dealer is covering 65% of repairs. I am looking for a class action lawsuit for manual trans' but haven't found one, maybe I'm the only one?

 

I have a 2007 Mini S 6 speed. 57,000 miles on it. Timing chain went while driving from LA to Phoenix. My car is now stranded in Indio, CA.

So no, you are not the only one. Any luck on a Class Action?

 

Well a couple things come to mind.

1. This is NOT a common problem so there should be no class action suit for it.

2. You tell us nothing about what year your car is so we have no way to advise you on any dealings with the dealer.

3. If your car is under warranty why is the dealer only covering 65%

4. if you car is not under warranty why is the dealer covering any of it.

 

Along with the above if its not a safety item its not worth the attorneys time to deal with it. Just talk to one and they will tell you the same. That's just the way it is. You could do what that lady did about her Hybrid Civic and gas mileage promised. Prove your case in Small Claims........its you against a company rep not a lawyer if you win you get all the $ if not you loose a few bucks for filing fees.