The recall effects all 2007 – 2011 R55, R56, R57 and R60 models with the turbocharged N14 engine...

http://www.motoringfile.com/2012/01/...and+Podcast%29

 

Can someone who's dealt with a recall before provide some guidance?
Is this something that i should proactively schedule time with the dealer or do i need to wait for some notification from them?

 

You'll get a letter in the mail. One report said next month.

 

I think MotoringFile made an error in specifying that this is limited to the N14 engine. If you read the NHTSA recall, they list a bunch of N18 equipped models too.

 

Could it be two different campaigns?

 

One campaign, MINI USA will be getting a letter out to affected MINI owners in February, 2012.

If your MINI is affected, you will get a letter per my local dealer.

If you want, you can contact your preferred dealer and schedule a time after the parts are available. Per a discussion I had Saturday with one of the lead Service Advisers, the parts and procedure is not available at dealers until February, early March.

Be patient, I have two MINIs that will need recall, but I plan to enjoy motoring.

Don S.

 

so what do we do if no parts available till late feb-march. just keep driving and just hope your car doesn't catch fire in you garage and burn the house down ?

 

Er.. I believe the article mentioned that Mini was suggesting parking the affected vehicles outdoors until repaired.

TO each their own though.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Wonder if there's been any engine fires while the car is running? Does the aux water pump just run after shutdown?

 

Dumb question , but how does one tell the date the car was built?

TIA

Spencer

 

Look at the door sticker, it should have month and year of manufacture.

 

Another article

http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/16/auto....htm?hpt=hp_t3

 

I had previously scheduled my first service for today on my 2011 MCS (just the right time mileage wise), and it looks like this is already coming up in dealerships computers. It came up as a "Service Campaign" for the Aux Water Pump.

 

Depends on your dealer. It will be a while before parts are available, I personally would not want to be the car the techs learn the procedure on.
You should get a letter from BMW by next month - then it's supposed to be as simple as scheduling a repair visit citing the letter/campaign. Some dealers have been known to make customers schedule two visits, the first to verify the vehicle is covered by the campaign and to ensure it hasn't already been done - only then will they order the parts and complete the campaign repairs on second visit. Given the scope of this recall I imagine many dealers will be willing to take your word for it and try to complete it on one visit. Bye Bye resale value...

 

Found more detailed information on the cause of 'why' the required replacement:

"...An official statement issued by Mini highlighted that the issue 'is caused by plastic additives [on the water pump’s circuit board] in conjunction with high temperatures, and can lead to a failure of the additional water pump. This can cause smouldering and in extremely rare cases the possibility of a fire cannot be excluded.'..."

- Erik

 

As a follow-up, they didn't have the parts to do it yet--they had just shipped their (bad) parts inventory back. As someone else said, I'm not super comfortable being the first car they do this to. Let's let them practice on a few cars first.

 

My MCCS 2012 is safe from the recall I believe - I should pick it up next week, but I'm curious of your "expert" thoughts:
From what I can tell, the MINIs are a bit of a heat trap in the engine bay, so with that in mind, add a failing water coolant pump on the turbo; what other damage could this cause (likely/probably) and does MINI plan on taking preventative repair action on seals, et. al that could likely be affected?

 

Not totally true. My 2011 is not recalled.

 

The only reason the aux water pump is failing is because there was a manufacturing defect on a circuit card located on the water pump. I don't know of any failures in the engine bay due to heat other than the cheap hood scoop.

 

I agree, it ins't the heat per-say. From what I have read that if the pump actually fails it can mess up the electronics part, that part can then possibly smolder...then catch fire.

 

I brought my 2010 MCSc in for some minor checks today. I asked to be put on the "local list" to be notified when the parts come in. My SA said the don't have a list, and I would receive a recall notice. He also said that the auxiliary pump continues on for too long and that's what causes the overheating and fire. "It's not a problem with the circuit board." (I'm not saying that the SA is correct in what the actual issue is though.

I then went off with a technician on a test drive to hear the rattles I was complaining about. When I got back he said that they, in fact, had the parts, and would I like to prioritize the recall and have it done today? The coolant will be replaced, contrary to some fears I read on this or another post.

I just got a call saying that it would be completed by 4:00.

Perhaps I'm the first in the Bay Area to have the recall done?

New Information - apparently the Auxiliary Water Pump unit integrates the Circuit Board and the pun into one unit, so the circuit board was replaced.

 

If you don't mind me asking, which dealer was this? Feel free to PM me if desired.

 

It was San Francisco Mini. I've been pretty satisfied with their service department.

 

I had mine done yesterday. Before I got there at 2:30pm they had done about 10 already.

 

Thanks for the info! I bought my 11 in Concord but Mini SF is right down the street from where I live. How long did it take?