Hi All!

Trying to work through some very frustrating issues. Been searching through this forum and others and have come up with some good suggestions, but need to put this out as a more complete picture.

A few months ago, I took our '05 MCS to a local dealer to solve an upper end tapping/diesel sound. Sounded like the rocker issue. On the 3rd try they FINALLY decided to change rockers(after replacing tensioner and a software upgrade). The very first time I mentioned it the tech even said it sounded like rockers, but they didn't replace them 'til the 3rd time I was there. At the same time(when getting the rockers actually replaced) I complained about a grinding/bearing noise from the front, so they replaced the supercharger. Soon after that I noticed a vibration through the cabin at idle. Took it back to the dealer(an hour and a half each way and not a nice drive, either), they said it must be from the rocker change and they'll reset the computer. Seemed to be OK for about 2 days, then came back. I took it in again, but this time I'm at 50,200 miles. They only seemed to plug the computer in and check things, no real diagnosis or fault codes, so they weren't going to look further. Picked the car up 2 days ago, but still vibrating at idle. Also, right at about 20 miles over 50k the airbag light came on, then stayed off after I restarted the car. Dealer couldn't find anything wrong - again, no fault codes so why look further.

This morning I go into the garage and there's coolant leaking across the floor. Nice! I put it up on my lift and notice that it's coming from the back of the engine. The coolant tank is fine, although low on coolant with a strange substance on the top of the coolant. I had the thermostat housing replaced about 2 years ago. My floor, specially coated concrete, has some dried blue spots so it must have been happening for a while.

While checking this out, I notice the area under my right/passenger engine mount is a real black mess. It's been that way for a while, but I only now put it together with the mount failures. Could this be the reason I'm feeling the engine more?? I also ran the car while up on the lift and could feel the vibration from underneath the car at idle.

What's frustrating is that I have taken this car back to this dealer several times to fix issues. Now it looks like I have to go back again. While they are VERY good about providing a loaner and getting me fit in, the drive is horrendous. I lose 3 hours each way. I have been through the common problems on this car, but now that I'm out of warranty it gets even worse. I'm very concerned about the longer term reliability.

So - do I push the current dealer?? Do I try yet another dealer?? Do I demand a different tech work on the car?? I took pics from under the car and of the motor mount possible leakage.

Thanks!
Jason.

 

Eh, does this look like a shot motor mount??....



Trying out a different and recommended dealer tomorrow. Will update if anything changes!
Jay.
'05 MCS.

 

That is a bad motor mount. It was probably leaking for a while. I would have thought the dealership techs would have noticed that when working the other issues. It is a real pain to get the black goo off the paint. I would push for getting the mount replaced for free since it is a known problem that Mini should address, also the techs should have seen and fixed prior to 50,000 miles.

 

That is what is so incredibly frustrating with this dealer!!! I have to take issues back multiple times to get it fixed! As an engineer, I look for the cause of a problem. Even with cars under warranty I look for the cause as best I can - I have almost a full shop including a lift - in order to help out the dealers. I didn't know about the motor mount issue until searching through this great site for info. Then is was incredibly obvious.

In fact, I may have finally found my sunroof rattle, but that's in another post I'll update tomorrow after another drive. (2) times into the dealer for that.

The dealer I had been going to has noted in the computer that there is an idle vibration. Whoever the tech is who has been working the car must be a complete idiot. So I'm hoping the other dealer is OK with this fix and replaces it under warranty. Also hoping this other dealer is good like people have recommended. I'm in the Philadelphia area, but not mentioning dealer names yet. There is a coolant leak I'm hoping they can fix as well. I'm literally at 50,700 miles.

At this point we are looking at replacing the poor car just to get something under warranty again. I have vintage sportscars to maintain and don't want to be messing about with a daily driver! I can put up with some issues if the dealers weren't so far away!

 

My closest dealer is 120 miles away and not very good for service. I replaced my motor mount at 25,000 at my own cost and labor because I did not want to waste time going to the dealer. It is sad that the Mini service centers are so bad.

 

Yeah, I figured I can fix it myself as necessary, but want to get this on the MINI record and see what this other dealer is about. We have a local BMW dealer that has been VERY good, so I'm hoping there can be some cross-over in service as needed. I can do a lot of the work myself, but there are times I need help, especially now out of warranty.

 

SEEMS FIXED!
Took the car in to the dealer today and they replaced the motor mount. Idle vibration is definitely better and I don't hear or feel so much of the car. They replaced the thermostat housing and found another small issue that was fixed. Great service today at this new place.

 

Sounds like you found the right dealer, glad they got you fixed up.

When I bought my '03 it was out of warranty on time but not mileage, MINI fixed several things that were known issues, well after 50k miles as well - the dealer really makes the difference!

There have been several discussions about whether to keep one of these newer cars with repair costs so high - I read here that San Francisco dealers charge $195/hr for labor, and I thought we were high at $110!

It's a tough decision, but if there's a local independent shop you trust, it might be "cheaper to keep her"..........

 

I really haven't found an independent shop since we have either dealt directly with the dealers(mostly Land Rover and MINI). I've been doing some work on a few friend's MINI's, plus other cars. Maybe it's time to be "official"!! But there is stuff I just can't do, so I'll search around.

The dealer was going to recommend a local shop, but realized I'm not even in their area. I'm actually located north of Doylestown, PA. There is a BMW dealer in that town that has a good reputation and I know the owner, so I'll be talking to him next week hopefully.