OK, so maybe this is just a forum for me to vent. I started leasing an '08 MCS last August. I love the way the car drives; it's power and handling but the whole Mini experience has in general soured on me. The car has been in the dealer for warranty repairs no less than 8 times since I picked it up last August for the following:

Broken backseat hinge - broke after weekend trip with seats down 2 trips to dealer

Broken hood hinge - No idea how this happened but it manifested itself in an annoying rattle when driving over bumps. This took 4-5 trips to the dealer plus the troubleshooting assistance of a regional engineer from Mini.

Power window not rolling up properly - Rolls up and then apparently doesn't secure properly and as a result rolls back down. It's been to the dealer for this problem once and will be back in on Monday

Cold start issue - Happened twice on sub 10 degree days.

Do I own a lemon or am I being over critical? Any ideas on letting MiniUSA know of my woes. Is it worth my time? This is a car with 13000 miles and I'm wondering what is going to break next.

 

Sounds like you should be selling a 5¢ yellow beverage with all the problems you have.

However, none of those problems are major (other than the cold start, which we all have) and everything should be covered under warranty. Maybe you just have bad luck?

 

Yep, it's been more frustrating than anything. Because the car is leased I don't think I will have it much past warranty. Maybe I'm just used to reliable (boring?) Honda products.

 

I hear ya there. My previous two cars were Acura's, and reliability was unmatched (after Toyota of course). I've only had my 07 MCS for 6 months and it's an entirely new learning curve.

 

Maybe it's just me but I think when you buy a Mini you have to throw everything you know about automotive quality and dependability out the window. Really, if any of my previous cars/trucks had the same minor and major problems our Minis have I would have freaked out a long time ago. Quality and dependability don't mean the same thing when you look in the Mini dictionary. If the baby's ugly call it ugly and then either live with it or move on, otherwise you'll go nuts! Did I mention I love my Mini?

 

I have nearly 4000 miles on my 09 S and it is a MUCH better built product than my 2005 S could ever dream of being. With my 2005, by 4K I was already having problems with dash (and other) rattles, window regulators, steering racks, moonroof issues, stumbling, loose hatch, etc etc. With the 2009, just the cold start rattle once about 1500 miles ago, that's it.

 

Not everyone has the cold start rattle. Please don't generalize this. i would actually say it is a fairly small percentage that has it.

 

i disgree i had 2 mini loaners from dealer and same thing

 

I also disagree. Those who don't have the issue tend to be in climates that don't experience rapid, sub-zero temperature drops. I'm sure if you bring your California car up here to the Great White North, then yours would do just the same.

 

I agree todoubled. This has been the chief reason I've yet to take the plunge on a R56. The rattle seems to take some time and mileage to manifest itself, and then on some cars progresses in frequency till cam chains slip or snap. There have been 3 known attempts to rectify the problem, the jury's still out on the current version.

 

The driving experience of the MINI and the looks I get when driving it make up for any problems I have. I do a lot of driving (probably more now that I have a MINI!) and I have yet to drive a car or see one that excites me this way!

 

I've had my Clubman for a year, and I haven't had a single problem.
None.
Zero.
Most trouble-free car I've ever owned.

 

If so, then why is BMW/MINI spending big bank and devoting so much time to try and rectify this problem? Same with Peugeot, who also report this problem

It's a lot more widespread than U think-- UK, Europe, America, Canada, Australia, motorers in all these locales have reported the rattle which, to me, is more a loud metallic knock like someone hitting a metal drum with a hammer. warm climes, cold climes, it doesnt matter.

 

Sorry for those who HAVE had trouble but....ditto above.

 

Can you quote a source on this please? Specifically on the time and money BMW/MINI is spending on this, as well as the number of people reporting it. What percentage of people in the UK, Europe, America, etc. have experienced this problem? I'm sure a lot of MINI owners as well as potential MINI owners would like to know.

Thanks.

 

I just went over 6K(Since Late August 08) and had Winston in for "User Error" repair once. I accidental kneed my speaker grill (And VistaMini replaced it!)
Not a complaint to be had even with a round trip to Knoxville in Feburary and 13 degree am start up. (No cold start up issues, but a tire sensor light)
Love it, Love it, did I say LOVE IT!

 

First, what I said was a generalization based on what I've read over the last two years, my cold start rattle that scared the $hi$ our of me, and conversations with my SA's. Besides, detailed dealer service information, including specific percentages, are confidential. Scrubs like U and I cant get that information.

But by doing some in-depth research--including finding out some Peugeots that have the same turbo'd Prince engine as the MCS have experienced the rattle--one can put 2 and 2 together to form a general opinion that BMW is devoting time and money and manpower to correct this. sooooo.....

Why dont U do yr. own research and draw yr. own conclusion? Start by Googlin >mini cooper s cold start noise< and have at it. I guarantee tho if U went out one cold AM (even the 40s and 50s) and started up yr. S (if U have one) only to have it sound like it has the most obnoxious diesel engine on the planet for a minute or two, y'd be on the 'net researchin this.

(btw, my mitigation method, one suggested to me by a SAE engineer familiar with VANOs, is working well for me and a couple others with early build 09s that, like me, had the rattle once in the first 2-4k miles. My only occurence was 2000 miles ago. Yet we dont know if it works for cars that'd had it for awhile, with many more miles on the clock.)

 

Well, I've looked into it. Fortunately for me the only research I've gotten was second hand as in that I haven't experienced the problem myself. I am worried that the problem will crop up however, which is why I was hoping that you could provide evidence that BMW/MINI was in fact spending time and money on the problem as you stated. That fact might help put me and other owners and prospective owners at ease.

Certainly it is a possible conclusion that they are spending resources, a conclusion that I share with you. I was simply hoping for something more concrete than a general opinion. For the first six months that I owned my 08 MCSm, I lived in Michigan and never experienced the problem, though it was often outside and very cold. Since I have returned to the south, I have dreaded the possibility that if/when I return to the north the problem will eventually crop up, perhaps when I am out of warranty, hence more concern and curiosity.

I will continue my research as no research is ever totally complete and absolute. The information on the Peugeots is very interesting, I'll concentrate on that. If I find for a fact that BMW/MINI is spending resources on this problem I will post it on NAM. If you find evidence I'm sure you will post it and that it will be greatly appreciated all around.

By the way, thanks for the links in your earlier reply.

 

I don't really want to jump into the fray here... but I thought I would mention my car was outside all winter and I never had a problem with cold start. I have a MC though, not an MCS. I DID have a slew of other problems:

Weird sunroof issues (if the temperature isn't just right it won't open or close)
Window (driver and passenger) not maintaining the programming and not going up and down properly -- one time I couldn't shut my car door because of the window.
Strange creaking noises in dashboard (minor annoyance-- I live with it)
Air conditioner not getting cold even after being on for 20 minutes

Yah it sucks. I still love this car though. I'm sure I'll love my MCS when it comes even if it has problems.

Regarding the cold start issue... ummm would a block heater help solve this problem?