A month ago, at 79k miles, I had the dealer replace my high pressure fuel pump under warranty. The car was sputtering, CEL was on and was suffering generally poor performance.

Fast forward a few weeks, and another 3k miles. The CEL comes on, the car is running terribly again - misfiring. I stop driving it, and take the car back to the dealer. They diagnose the problem as a burnt exhaust valve, caused by a faulty fuel injector spray pattern.

They quote me ~$6k to fix (remove head, timing, fix head, replace valves and other what-not and reassemble). In my opinion, the tech that did the HPFP work accidentally got grit into the lines while doing the replacement, the grit lodged in the injector, changing the spray pattern and burning out the valve - in other words, their fault.

Realistically, the car is worth ~$13-15k, when running, but it's a paperweight at the moment.

So, do I:

1) Eat the cost of the repair, and cross my fingers there won't be another?

2) Scrap the car and buy something else? (I really can't trade it in it's current state.)

3) Sue the dealership for the repair, plus the cost of the lawyer?

 

I'd get a second opinion. Assuming that diagnosis is correct (and I'm not questioning that), an independent mechanic can R&R the head, and sub out the machine work for a WHOLE lot less than 6k.
I can't give you a quote, but I spent 7 years working for an engine manufacturer, and half of that time was building heads, and rebuilding warranty work. I actually used to work with a guy (at same company) who opened his own automotive machine shop. Among other things, he does all of the work for Ridgefield BMW in Ridgefield CT. At least that was true last time I was in his shop (Fred's auto machine, Bethel CT) about 5 years ago. My point in all of this is that even if the dealer charges you for the job, it might be the same trusted, honest independent guy that gets the rebuild job.

As far as how to handle your suspicions as to the cause, I can't advise. I don't rightly know what I would do in your shoes. Best of luck.

 

Scrap the car and buy something else. I am getting ready to trade my Mini, especially after a quoted $4,000 clutch repair from the dealership. It is just to expensive to maintain. It is not cost effective to keep it. It will cost more then it is worth. Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed Mini ownership, but I am not rich....

I am looking at the Mazdaspeed 3. Brand new $22,500.... It does not handle like the Mini, but it will smoke it in the power department.

 

Yes, they are expensive to maintain AT THE DEALERSHIP.

Scrapping is not a realistic option. Even if you didn't want to do a thing to this car, it would probably get several thousand on eBay from a flipper. That's an easy fix, and not too expensive, for someone who can do the R&R work themselves. If you really want to unload it, let me know. I'll buy it.

 

A 2007 with 82k miles is not ment for the scrap yard. I meant to say get it repaired for as cheap as possible and then unload it.....