I am pretty pessimistic concerning the chain tensioners on these cars just so you know. That being said, from what I've read and experienced first hand if you own a 07-09 S that hasn't had the Oct. 2010 revision of the SIM done there is a good chance you have a problem even if you don't know it.

There are to many problems and the difference between the 07 and 2010 tensioner to large for the problem not to effect almost all MCS's.

 

For me, at the beginning of the rattling, it would be much more noticeable if I was a tad low on oil or if it was a day below 40°. If it were me, I'd pressure them to do the SIM 11020 test and measure for timing chain stretch. If the service manager is reasonable, I'm sure they would recognize that dealing with the problem now would be much better than having a very angry customer in 10K miles. It would be better if you could get the car to rattle again with the oil level full. Usually parking nose down for a night or two and starting on a cold morning will be the worst case.

 

Had my tensioner and chain replaced last moth at 15,000 miles with just 4 months remaining on the warranty. Chain length was out of spec. so SA advised he would replace it as well. Car actually runs smoother and feels faster. MPG actually went from 28.3 to 30.6 using same gas and same driving route. Bought an extended warranty for 5 year/100K. Now I am good, I hope.

 

That doesn't seem too bad. How did you know you did not need the "full monty" replacement?

 

I didn't. But I don't have the ability to do the full deal so I didn't do it. I figured the new tensioner was better than nothing.

 

Mine started to make noise. Just got it fixed last week. Glad it was still under warranty.

 

In my '07 Cooper S - I have a sputter and oil puff problem that only happens under heavy acceleration. My dealer replaced the high pressure fuel pump (no change in performance, but hey, thanks!) and then the timing chain tensioner (a little less frequent and less severe but still there). I check the oil all the time now...

Does anyone else have this problem under acceleration? It momentarily loses power and then seems like it has less until I let off the accelerator and put my foot back down again. Wondering if I need another round of timing chain tensioner - plus a new chain this time?? My tensioner was done less than a year ago.

 

I am having the same issue with my '08 Mini S with 51,000 miles. Loud rattle upon acceleration. Dealer just quoted me $2500 to replace timing belt & assembly. After I picked myself off the floor, I inquired if Mini would help with the cost since the car is just 1,000 past warranty. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I may be looking for a Honda soon.

 

$1959 for timing chain replacement for 2008 MCS - 4 months out of warranty.
:(

 

They didn't give you any goodwill? That is a lot of money right out of warranty for a known problem.

 

Yeah, I would fight with the dealer, ask for goodwill. I Was lucky and got it.

 

After catastrophic failure, the guide rails exploded and the gear lost a tooth I finally got my car back from Greenville Mini. A big thanks to Nick since my car was out of warranty. Used my mini motoring discount 10% (ie. alliance mini, and from here). Then he split the labor with me plus a valve cleaning with those walnut husks or whatever. $1675 total repair. I spoke with the tech while he was working on my car, unfortunately he says my water pump could be next. Also showed me where to tack weld the turbo oil line so to avoid the turbo failure problem some folks have. Highly recommended a catch can as well. On the way home traveled the speed limit on the hwy for 50 miles then took the long way home while flogging the crap out of her.

 

Hi travowen,

Can you tell me more about tach-weld spot for turbo oil pipe? Why does it need?

Thanks,

 

Goodwill as they did it for free, or Goodwill as they gave you a good discount

 

All minis have this issue? I'm thinking about buying a mini because I just had to spend about 5k to fix my tensioner problem :( I'm ready for a gas saver and don't want costly maintenance. I'm considering a 03 jcw at the moment..

 

I got my dealer to goodwill a full timing chain and tensioner assembly install at 60k. I had been complaining of rattling since somewhere around 25k or 30k, and had the guides replaced already. I was told that when the guides were done, the chain measured in spec. Now being that I was a long time Saab 900 enthusiast, I thought the whole reason to put a timing chain in a car instead of a belt was to have a near-lifetime chain life... Guess not.

 

I don't own a mini but my girlfriend owns a 09 and for some reason her speedometer when coming to a stop ticks down to 0 then on the way up ticks till about 20mph before it smooths out.mi don't know much about minis but anything helps