Got just another update about Mario;

During further trouble-shooting between the tech guys @ MH & BMW Asia, it's been discovered that my engine control unit is faulty too. A replacement one has been ordered though am not sure when it'll arrive from Germany.

Thank goodness there isn't any excessive carbon build-up in the engine.

 

Timing chain tensioner seal failed. It sprayed oil inside right front wheel, coated the under-body.
Lost less than a quart of oil. I had the MINI Roadside Assistance flatbed the car to the dealer. If the Tire Dealer installing my new wheels had not notice the leak, I would have blown the engine. I checked the oil the day before and it was full.

 

Going in for the third time on mine. First time, blew oil - was down to "MIN" on the stick, refilled it and got there fine. They replaced the chain tensioner, don't think they did the full TSB.

Second time found a leak under the car - looked like oil but turned out the water pump was leaking, so it was coloured water (go figure).

Now I am having the rattle (for the first time). Told the dealer I'm bringing it in for the chain rattle - his reaction, "oh, it's THAT problem....." - so hopeful they'll do the full TSB. They've been pretty good so far on warranty work, so I'm optimistic.

This is a 2009'08 build, 25k miles.

 

+1, 08 MC Clubman S - Original owner: turbo and apparently major timing work (+-37K), MINI of Balto/Towson was not too forthcoming on providing me any details, because Im the second owner (must be a national defense secret). I change oil every 6.5 to 7.5K, Mobil1, so far all quiet. I dont trust 12K regardless of who made the oil.

 

I had my chain tensioner and chain replaced along with the entire sunroof at 15K miles. I thought that is ridiculous, so I sold my MINI. The future cost of repairs scares the fajitas out of me. Fun car but too many issues.

 

I've noticed my engine sounds quieter when I use Mobil 1 instead of Mini Oil.

 

+1 2010 MCS. Car has 9500 miles, and the timing chain blew. Had it towed in. Everything replaced. Going to pick it up tomorrow. Not happy. I know this is an ongoing problem, but I can't believe any cars timing chain would break at under 10,000 miles. Is it safe to say from others experiences that I should expect this to happen again? Any advise would be helpful. Thanks

 

Not really, there are thousands of owners with many many more miles that haven't had any time chain issues. Me included...

Update: Fast forward three months and I just had the whole enchilada done. Good to go now...

 

http://distributionthp.free.fr : 1.6 EP6 PRINCE THP (timing chain, cold start...)

 

No there is a revised part design that should eliminate this issue. Also keep an eye on your oil levels and never let it get low.

 

Well I read all 9 pages to its entirety and I can relate. It all started last Monday when I was about to go to my Mini Cooper club, as I turned on the MINI it seemed like it was about to stall on me. After that the "death rattle" came roaring to life, it sounded like if I had a diesel type engine car. So I thought maybe the car was cold and it would warm up when I took it around the block. Sadly, thats when I knew the Mini needed to be serviced. As I was taking it around the block, I have noticed that I have significantly lost power when driving. It didn't react to the turbo and I was pretty much flooring it. Also the "death Rattle" was getting louder when I kept in motion.

So I took the car back home and called the next morning for Triple A to tow it to the nearest Mini. Thankfully it was only 8 miles away from me!! The Mini spend the night and I finally got a call today from the Service guy and he told me it was the Timing chain. Basically the same symptoms all of you mentioned. He quoted me $2,800.

Yup, $2,800.00 and of course I can't afford that because I just got a job and I am not making that much money. Also to make it worse my warranty expired 3 month ago. So I told the service guy to please help me and give me some wiggle room. I can't afford that much of sticker price. So he mentioned that he will put a case up for me and talk to the manager and see what they can do. He also mention that even though my time expired I am still low on miles, 52,000.

So I am hoping for everything that I can squeeze this in as my final fix before surely to end. If not...find out how much the MINI is worth or let it rest in peace.


I am really bum, cause I love this car. I really don't want to let it go, but $2,800 is really a lot of money to ask for.

You guys have any idea on what to do?

P.S. Really glad I am not the only one with this problem. Seems like it is a big case against 2007 MCS. Which is what I have.

Here hoping for the best!

 

+ 1 ....................2006 MCS , tensioner went , chain went , valves bent , btw i JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 3 days ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is unbelievable , WHY WONT MINI RECONIZE THIS IS A PROBLEM> i called the dealership and the service manager told me, "chains are uncommon, but tensioners -- WE DO ALL DAY!!" what a joke,....

 

+1 '08 Clubman - new tensioner, chain, etc - out of warranty - $3K - Not a happy Mini owner.

 

+1 08 MCS July 08 build- 79000 miles. Engine very weak and rough running climbing a long grade-Pacheco Pass in NorCal. Chain stretched to over spec. Replaced entire chain system at Stevens Creek Mini in San Jose, CA. $2,200.00 Repair feels like they replaced the entire engine.

 

You people should submit reports to the NHTA, maybe this way Mini will listen!

 

crap...... so.. I just bought my 07 MCS JCW 65K miles and its making the loud rattle...
Its only in the morning when its cold but after that goes away. It seems to drive fine no other issues. I am disappointed I didn't do more research before I bought this car.
I have a V12 BMW and I need a car I can count on and I'm praying this isn't the beginning of a shaky future with this car.. What do I do? I took it to a Mini dealership and told them about it and he said no big deal around $350-$450 to replace the tensioner and something else I forgot what.
The thing is after thoroughly reading all 9 pages of this thread I'm absolutely terrified to take it to them to get some shocking repair bill.
I'm speechless and not sure what to do at this point.

 

+2 Had the timing chain replaced last year, issue came back this year and had it done again at 48K.

Not out of warranty yet, but very close.

 

I am being offered 4500 less than KBB and Edmunds by my MINI dealership on a trade. I'm 2K from being out of the 4/50K... so they are pressing by saying

"We don't like to take trades on MINIs out of warranty, it significantly affects the trade in value"

It's really frustrating to feel like you are being kept in a perpetual buy/trade cycle.

 

:( at 58k miles

 

+1 2007 R56 MCS
Replaced the tensioner at 40K miles with the longer 11-31-7-607-551 part;
a little quieter, but have yet to have a cold enough day to see if it really worked --

 

Too many problems, luckily still within warranty. Timing Chain and Tensioner replaced at 15,535 miles. Timing belts get replaced periodically like 60, 80, or 100K usually on most cars. A timing chain rarely gets replaced. Something not right here. I got nervous and sold my 2007 MINI and bought a 2007 Mazda Miata MX5, for the much better reliability and still have the fun factor with the rag top.

 

+1 2007 Cooper S, 23,000 miles. $1500. No goodwill help from MINI because I stored the car for 2010/11 and the oil wasn't changed from the end of 2009 - mid 2011 because it was parked. 3000 miles on the oil when changed in 2011 when car put back in service. MINI said they recommend annual oil changes in addition to the condition based service. Not having driven the car with mileage to prove it didn't matter.
I loved my MINI. Now I'm not so sure they deserve any repeat business. Way to go MINI, save a few bucks and alienate your loyal customer base.

 

Were you still under the 4 year warranty?

 

No, 4 yr expired 5-24-11, tensioner + timing belt died 5 months after warranty expiration.
Timing belts require replacment at 70k milies, chains much later. MINI is happy to have sold a poorly engineered product and hasn't stood behind it yet. Maybe they will eventually step up similar to the HPFP. I understand they are under no obligation to fix this, but there seems to be a high percentage of failures in these specific parts.

 

Has this issue been fixed in the 2011 and 2012 models? I had mine replaced (2009 MCS, 21,000) in the spring, and the noise is back. I just made an appointment to bring it back in. It took in 2x before they replaced it on the third time.