My 03 MCS has been perfect for the 4 years under warranty, but as soon as it ended things started to fall apart!

total mileage: 50k
things that broke over 2 years after expiration date

1. driver door lock failed
2. window doesn't roll down in the summer
3. boot would not open in temp. above 45 degrees F
4. sound system cannot produce proper bass or treble anymore
5. the clutch makes a weird sensation like its grinding on braided steel from about 30-60% pushed in
6. sunroof started to rattle
7. exhuast rattles below 2100 rpm
8. requires lots of force to shift shifter
9. windshield cracked

 

Leaky valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket.

 

Those are pretty common problems around here and I actually have most of them.

2. Try hitting the area above your speaker. It's usually debris in the window motor and knocking at it helps a lot. It actually fixed my window motor, and it's been working for about a year now.

5. I have the same problem, and my mechanic told me that LuK Clutches are ticking time bombs, and you won't know when their going to go out. Others say that it's a good indication that you need a clutch replacement soon. I ordered my CM Fx2oo and CM Flywheel recently and getting ready to install that soon.

8. That can be fixed with lubrication at certain places. Transmission fluid can also play a major role.

9. Normal wear and tear. Some states such as Massachusetts, covers windshield replacement once a year.

Something else you'd have to keep an eye out for:
-Power Steering Fan and Pump. Watch the fan, if the fan dies, it'll eventually lead to a dead pump which is costly.
-Supercharger. Have a mechanic who specializes in MINIs to do a maintenance on it at higher mileage ~100K. The oil in the supercharger gets sucked out eventually and the gears would self destruct.


Good Luck.

 

At 51k this happened:
water pump went = new super charger
ecu fried (shop still can't get back on road after 45 days)
compressor died
belt tensioner - twice
window does not seal right makes wind noise

POS

 

I've been bitten by a number of these issues which is why I'll never buy another BMW vehicle again. It's potentially a great vehicle but BMW's lack or R&D or cutting corners has resulted in many dissatisfied owners. All these expensive repairs overshadow it's thrills.

 

6 is pretty common also. I havne't tried doing anything to fix it, just because we've had bigger fish to fry with this car.

 

oh no... i better watch out for my car..