There are NO words to describe what I felt today. I watched the car that I loved, took immaculate care of, and babied burn to death.

I wish I had a picture to show the carnage. Sadly my phone, laptop, and blackberry were in the car. I parked it (far away from everyone else as I always do ) and slipped into an automotive store to buy a gift card for my dad for fathers day. I was inside for approximately 20 minutes. When I came outside-- I saw 3 dozen people watching a fire in the distance. Here is my thought process:

Wow... something is on fire in the parking lot.
Holy crap I think it's a car.
Holy crap I think they parked close to me... I hope I can get in my car and drive away!
***barf*** (which is what I did when I crumbled to the ground upon realization that it was my 2009 MCS named "Clark"

Things you should know: Mint condition, only serviced at BMW, no CEL or warning signs during my 25min drive to the store.

What the fire department said: most likely an electrical problem-- fire originated from driver side of car, either below the dash or the engine compartment

Tons of witnesses. Car simply started to smoke (someone thought I was inside smoking a cigar apparently) then FWOOM! front end lifts off ground, hood pops open, car is totally engulfed in flames.

I watched the firemen scrape my car into buckets after they put out the fire. I cried. Strangers took pictures. Some of them were laughing at me.

Can I get a hug?

 

Damn, that is heartbreaking. One hug!

 

Holy crap... that's terrible!

I don't even know what I would do if I lost the MINI or either of my Mustangs. I'd probably cry, too.

So sorry to hear that, Carlisle.

 

I am so sorry!!! Glad no one was hurt. We fellow MINI owners can understand how sad this would be.

 

I'm halfway through a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and still crying. This makes me feel like an idiot though. I am lucky to be alive.

I also want to add that all my M7 performance parts were being installed next week (they were already paid for and painted). Aside from that, they were being installed at an authorized BMW/MINI dealership and would NOT have affected the warranty in any way as M7 supplies the parts for the challenge cars. I was told by my dealership that those are the only parts they would authorize being added to my car, and they would have to install them. I was fine with that. Sadly, the $3,000 in parts I ordered will be sitting there for awhile....



***bottle is now almost empty

 

On a lighter note, what are you going to configure and get into the order queue?

Good solution with the Sauvignon Blanc.

 

Right now I am just scared... I feel this is a BMW/MINI waranty issue. The car was never misused. I have fire/police statments saying the cause of the fire was a problem with the car itself-- no outside forces involved.

I just don't know what to do. I have been a believer in the BMW/MINI brand... now I am shaken. I still want another MINI... but... I just don't know how this will play out and I wish someone could just tell me what to do.

 

I would search the site for other threads (like THIS one) regarding similar issues, how they were resolved, the cause, etc.

 

get a good night sleep, stay optimistic or another bottle of the Sauvignon Blanc

 

**HUG**

 

Oh no Big hug here for you.

 

Oh wow! My last car, the grand prix, were well known for spontaneous engine fires! Not MINIs!

Hugs for sure!

 

Start writing down all of the little things you would have changed on Clark if you'd have had the chance.

Now change them.

Get back on the horse that threw ya.

 

So sorry for your loss. Guess it was a good thing your M7 parts weren't already installed, who knows how much $$$ you would have gotten back from the insurance company/MINI if they were lost as well.

From your posts it's easy to tell how much you liked your Mini. Think of it this way - what are the chances you'll have 2 Minis in a row that went up in flames? Guess that's one less problem you'll have to worry about on your next MCS.

 

You gals and guys are awesome. Thank you so much for your support. I'm still realing from the experience. I appreciate the hugs and sentiments A LOT!

I barely slept... but that is to be expected. I'll keep you all in the loop as I deal with the insurance company but... as aforementioned, I was told by both the police and the fire marshall that it was an electrical fire relating to something that went horribly wrong in the dash or the engine compartment.

Ho hum. I'm driving a Ford Focus with hub caps now. I should tell Dante I've found another level of hell where they make you drive domestic vehicles.

 

Hugs from a fellow Ontarian. Hope everything works out.

 

<HUG> I'm sorry you had this experience and thanks for sharing this information. I wish you all the best with the insurance/settlement etc. Keep us posted and we'll keep you guys in our thoughts, prayers, & well-wishes. Good luck!!!

 

wow! good luck with your insurance co. & mini

 

Sorry about your car. I hope things work out with Mini and your insurance company. Clark will be missed.

 

I am so sorry about your car. It was gorgeous.

 

That's terrible! We're all here to support you. Hopefully everything will work out.

 

That really sucks but I wouldn't loose faith in Mini. Cars catch fire sometimes. I've seen it in Porsches, Audi's and Honda's. Fuel + spark + complex electrics = fire.

 

I think I'd be crying, too. Hang in there - this has to be a true rarity. I would not be thinking twice about configuring another one. Keep us posted on what the cause might have been.

 

I was lucy because I was driving my Escort at the time and when I first smelled smoke I pulled over. Then the flames came from under the dash. I poped the hood and pulled the battery terminal off. A guy in a pickup stopped and pulled his fire extinguisher. I caaled the ford dealer and they sent the towtruck and repaired the car. I never felt comfortable parking in my garage so I traded it on a Probe GT

 

Too bad you didn't think to call MINI Roadside Assistance to let them know you had a warranty claim you needed help with.

Hang in there. Don't let a freak occurrence stop you from getting another MINI!!