I'm in the planning stage of ordering up a MCS (hopefully this spring) and decided to do a bit of research on the kinds of problems I might come accross with the Mini. I like to keep vechicles for 10 to 12 years so it helps if I know more about them.

Some of the threads hint that Mini may be quietly addressing problems with incremental fixes. The thread Neil started (08-09 changes/fixes) notes some changes that are mentioned in other threads/forums and web pages.

Ones that I've been following closely are:

Carbon build up. A possible new valve cover assembly was noted on the Mini2 forum. Here at NAM there are reports of an "emblem-less" valve covers on the latest cars. Is it a new part to address oil vapor which over time may lead to the carbon issue?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ges-fixes.html

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-f...ours-back.html


Cold Start "diesel-ing" sounds. Mini2's forum notes several people taking cars back for a new cam tensioner as recently as last week. The MotoringFile website noted last July that a fix was due around Dec 08. Is this a new revision of the part, or the fix that was tried and didn't work last fall?

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-f...ours-back.html

http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/07/...al-fix-coming/


Melting hood scoops. At least one person noted recently that a new scoop was installed made of a "different plastic"; better able to withstand the heat. Again, a new part or the dealer blowing smoke?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...5-post326.html


Window issues. There are many threads dealing with issues with the windows (dipper, opening by themselves etc). New door switches and actuators as well as updated Foot Well Modules were noted here and there, but the threads are still noting problems. For people that have had thier cars fixed (and stayed fixed) do we know which versions of software and hardware were used to finally end the problem?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...their-own.html


Hot Footwells. It was noted that the 09's have a thermal wrap around the heater core to try and lower the temps in the foot wells. Does anyone with an 09 Mini still have blazing hot foot wells?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...090-post6.html

It would be nice if someone who works at a Mini dealer were able to confirm part numbers, software versions and new revisions so everyone can be on the same page.

It's not uncommon that fixes to problems are addressed by the factory and quietly implemented. Some dealers may just not be willing to dig for a fix that may be already addressed, and MiniUsa may not be willing to loudly broadcast that a fix has been found to a problem that may affect cars already sold.


t

 

re the windows: BMW products have had window issues for decades. If my 09 doesnt develop window issues in the first 10K, I will consider it divine intervention from powers I will never understand.

re the cold start chatter: 2200 miles, nada. Even if the car sits for multiple days in near-zero weather, nada. But then I make sure that it reaches op temp every time I start it; I never start it cold, then shut it off a few seconds later (like to reposition in a garage or drive.) I think this behaviour may be fooling the oil-on-demand system and contributing to the problem. (BTW mine is a late sept build with the MINI emblem on the engine.)

Re hood scoop: no problems at all, but yeah it gets major hot.

Re carbon build up: one bottle of techroline every 5K or a can of BG-44K every 7500, plus use top-teir gas like Shell or BP, should mitigate this.

Re the footwell heat: I have an 09, and no there's no excessive heat down below.

 

All well and good, but I think you missed the real intent of yub's excellent post. There are all sorts of swirling rumors about new and different parts being introduced that may (or may not) scratch the itch on several well publicized issues. He's looking for actual part numbers and side-by-side comparisons so the rumors can be replaced with facts.

This has the potential to be an extremely valuable 2nd Gen reference thread if the data can be assimilated.

As an example from the 1st Gen MINI world, the following solitary picture along with the part number for the redesigned part (i.e., 32 41 6 781 742) was probably one of the most widely valuable posts ever made on NAM:



It was rock solid evidence that, yes indeed, MINI really did recognize that there were shortcomings with the original PS pump fan design and that a better replacement existed in newly manufactured vehicles and was accessible as a back-fit for anyone who wanted it.

Now, let's see if we can elicit some 2nd Gen side-by-side comparisons of the old and new cam chain tensioners, valve cover assemblies, etc. along with the new part numbers -- if, in fact, MINI is really, truly updating and improving their design.

 

Cold Start. New Chain tensioners?

RealOEM lists two diffrent part numbers for item #4:

04 CHAIN TENSIONER 1 04/2008 11317565868
04 CHAIN TENSIONER 1 11/2008 11317582036

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...24&hg=11&fg=25

If I'm reading these part numbers correct, a new revision was introduced around April, and then changed again in Nov.

Anyone have the part number for the "new" revision that was just released late December? Unfortuanly the site only lists through production dates for 07/2008.

t

 

Melting hood scoops. New revision?

Not sure how acurate RealOEM is, but so far there are slight part number diffrences.

Earlier production catalogs note the scoop as up to 07/2007. While later pages notes the scoop with a diffrent part number and from 07/2007:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...36&hg=51&fg=20

02 AIR INLET HOOD PRIMED 1 up to 07/2007 51132756095

02 AIR INLET HOOD PRIMED 1 from 07/2007 51132757694

Anyone get a hood scoop replaced recently? Do you have the part number to see if it's another revision?