Good deal. Glad I was proven wrong about Mini USA not helping. I guess with a little nudging, they gave in. Still should not have to go through all this crap for a decision. If one dealership is ok with helping a customer out (w/o warranty and a known issue), they all should do it willingly.

 

Yeah it sucks I have to go through the process again.

 

very kool of mini to good will that repair since you kept records of maintenance. i guess we should all keep good records of our maintenance.

 

another small update, The dealer still hasnt got their "written approval" just a verbal. They did say they would go ahead and start the fix that way when it does finally come in i dont have to wait 2-3 more days to have it repaired. so at this point I am 21 days into this. Still no loaner car. lucklily my parents got my sisters a newer car for graduation and Im drivin it lol

 

Glad to hear that you got this taken care of.

 

I find my self in the same situation as of yesterday. Car went out of warranty two months ago and yesterday my car sounded like the Ford diesel next to me at a stop light. This will be the third time I have had some fix for the chain tension issue. The latest being two months ago just before the car went out of warranty where the oil was changed and the slack of the chain was measured. It was determined based on the measurement that a new tensioner was needed. I'm hopeful that the dealer/Mini will come thru and fix the issue once again.

So the question I have is there a fix for this issue? It seems like every day there are new posts about the same situation I am in.

Wish me luck..

 

Wishing you luck, hopefully more than I have had. My car doesn't sound bad though and only noticeable when cold in the am.
I would hope that since you had it looked at and measured only 2 months ago that they would be willing to help. Post how it goes for you.

 

Read this: Don't know last time you had yours done. Mine was done back in Dec. 2011 and 5K and no issues. My SA and mechanic said they haven't had any come back since doing the newest process and using the newest tensioner bolt.
Hope this helps.

Accidently imbedded http in your quote but check it out.

 

Lisajt^^^^ Try this. http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/05/12/
Ok this one seems to have worked. Not my day.
Maybe your previous fixes didn't include the newer tensioner
bolt?

 

well one more update. They had a conference call today and got the "official approval" . and was told I could pick up my car. wich I did. I am still very displeased with the situation and will let anyone and everyone know about it. But again I am happy to have my car back

 

I pulled the documentation from my visit in Feb. of this year. The notes state the following.
" Chain tensioner was replaced Feb 2010. I have replaced with the updated tensioner. "

On a side note I also had the oil changed during this visit. Mileage was 31k and is now at 34k. I check the oil on a regular basis but, as I have read of late the dip stick may not be the most accurate.

Really hoping for the best here but, I must say my faith in Mini is being tested. Hopefully I know more tomorrow.

 

Happy you got the car repaired, just wish after having found a broken part, Mini was still looking for some reason to not repair your car, had you not kept your receipts you may still be in a debate, yet it turned out good...
Seems some of these cars are more prone to issues than others, could Germans have Friday issues as we do here in the good ole USA...

Enjoy that Mini, hope you keep it yet I have not been through your situation...

 

So an update to my update.

Mini tech pulled pulled things apart and in fact found a small pebble in the belt section. This was enough to make the car sound like it had rocks in it which apparently it did.

The tech verified that I do in fact have the latest chain tensioner so I am hopeful I am good to go. Total cost to fix my pebble issue is about $170 which was a new belt and labor.

 

That's all great news. Hopefully, all of us that have the newest and greatest tensioner bolt will be ok. Funny how a pebble can cause such kois. Awhile back I had a weird scraping noise coming from my left front brake. The brakes and rotors are fairly new. Anyway, this noise came on all the sudden. Took it to a car wash and sprayed the heck out of the wheels and wow, no more noise. Must have been something caught between the pad and disk. Cost = $2.00 for wash.

 

I am really getting mixed feelings here about buying a mini Has there been any updates on if this new tensioner is the key (if caught soon enough)? I am looking at an 07 Mini with 54k miles on it and only 30day warranty from the dealer (non-mini) I am doing everything I can to try to find out if this has been done yet. This kind of thing is making me nervous about my possible purchase...

 

Take it to a Mini dealer and have them pull up the warrant and work record for it then you'll know most of everything that's been done to it.
I can't confirm if the newer tensioner bolt is the key or not but according to my SA it is as well as maintaining proper oil level and changing oil/filter in a reasonable time frame (like every 6K).
I've said it before but I bought mine with 57K on it and the only 2 things I've had go on it was the timing chain issue and a leaking thermostat. Since those have been fixed I've had no recurring problems or problems period.
The dealership will charge you a diagnosis but they can check the timing chain play to see if it's within spec. If the timing chain issue has not been addressed with your car, they should be able to advise whether to change out just the tensioner bolt or not.
Love my 07.

 

drsimmons, thanks for the input, I have been reading your posts about oil levels and I have never been one to skimp on changes. I had an 01 golf 1.8t that was calling for an oil change every 7k...I still did them every 5k. I am confident I can do the tensionor bolt, but I just get nervous about dropping 1700 bucks or more for a car I just bought.

I absolutely loved the car and am getting a ton of info here. I am actually going to get the VIN number and call the dealer/Mini to find out exactly what has been done. There was no rattle when I test drove it. They actually gave it to me for 3 days which was nice of them and the car was super clean and everything seemed fine. Just trying to do some research on this damn chain problem.

 

Unfortunietly there is no sure fire way to know if you'll ever have the problem. I put on 5K before, out of the blue I got the rattle. I had it fixed within 2 days. You have to remember, it's a used car and I agree, it sucks to have to put money in a car you just bought (new or used) but it can happen. If you have a good dealership they'll at least pay for part of the fix if you run out of warranty.
I had thought about purchasing an extended warranty but for over $2K, I don't know that's it's worth it since I've only had to put out $900 in mine. That's been about 10K miles now (I'm at 66+K).
I wouldn't get too worried, have it checked and go from there.

 

I thought about the extended warranty also...but if you think about it, most people claim it is a 1k -2k fix worst case scenario and the warranty is about 2-3k I think (off the top of my head there so I am not 100% sure on the costs) I'm probably just going to set aside the avg amount of the fix for that rainy day .

 

That's pretty much what I did when I bought it. Had a couple grand out just in case. The timing chain issues was $1700 but my dealership only charged me $500 (I was very happy with that). You can ask about good will at your dealership just to see if they are responsive to the idea because it is up to each dealership.
Shortly before the timing chain issue, my thermostat leaked. I had it in for a full diagnosis, thermostat replacement, coolant flush, brake fluid flush for the other $400 I spent. That was alot of work for that amt IMO.
I'm lucky I've got a good dealership within 40 miles.
Hopefully you'll have the same good fortune.

 

Yea, we will see! I am getting it from a non-mini dealer but I have been calling the local Mini dealer about info and their service dept. have been great. Thats great you have such a good dealer to work with. It is becoming rare these days.

 

I bought mine also from a non-Mini dealer so I guess in my case it didn't matter. I've had them install quite a few mod items and they've been really good (work wise) and they are reasonable as well.

 

Actually, the dealer I am getting it from has the carfax posted with some of the issues that were fixed. One of them being the thermostat at about 38k with an engine inspection. No mention of replacing to the new tensioner or chain replacements...Other than that car was good except new tires and oil changes.

 

plus they have the number of the last mini dealer that checked it at 49k miles...win calling tomorrow if they will help me with what exactly was checked. If it is a problem, I am hoping I can get something in the lines of 'goodwill'

 

http://www.tommasano.com/detail-2007...d-8410011.html Thought I would post in here in case you want to check it out