This is finally going somewhere. Anyone who has had a chain failure or engine blow, email Jeffrey A Koncius Esq, at Kiesel & Larson LLP with their year, model, mileage at time of failure, repair bill or supporting details and a description of what happened before and after the event. His email is koncius@kbla.com, and no, this is not smoke n mirrors, this guy is serious about pursuing a case and is collecting all the data he can find. I have spoken with him already. Wish us all luck. < fingers crossed >

 

What are you expecting as a resolution from this?

What would be acceptable, cash payment of some sort? Trade in voucher? Buy back every N14 car made?

I'm just curious what kind of a result people would expect if they win this.....

All of the class action suits I've ever seen the only people who won big were the attorneys, those who brought the action got next to nothing.

 

I would hope for a warranty extension on the timing chain and associated parts just like BMW/Mini did with the High Pressure Fuel Pumps.

 

A suit should also include those who have had to replace chains and guides before they broke and destroyed their engines.

 

Good luck with this. But honestly, how much time of your life are you wasting trying to show BMW up? The little guy vs. the giant is a great concept, but gees what working man has the time?!

 

Class actions like this don't demand much time commitment from the class representatives. Apart from some strategy discussions here and there, a couple hours for deposition and deposition prep, and that's about it.

 

All i have to say is, lawyers on retention. I wish all of you in this pursuit the best of luck.

 

Mini2na, exactly. That is the reason for this, not fame or notoriety. Manufacturers have to know there are consequences.

 

The lawyers will do well, win or lose. Good luck.

 

Can UK citizens join the class action?

Tab

 

I wonder if I should bother. I liked my car, but I sold it. Here is what happened:
-2007 Cooper S
-Chain tensioner broke - tell-tale engine clacking noise on cold start
-Dealer 'fixed' it for free - paid by MINIusa
-Dealer missed a piece in the engine
-Engine ate the piece, chain jumped off, pistons smacked valves
-Dealer replaced valves / reattached chain called it good
-I sold the car to the dealer at a loss under market value

Basically I could not in good conscience sell the car to someone new, and I didn't want to keep it anymore for fear it would break on the freeway.

Should I bother to try and join the class? I mean ultimately I would have rather kept the car and driving it well into 100k mile category, but I felt the car was unreliable.

 

Most successful class action lawsuits unfortunately have a condition that is out of the control of the consumer. In this case however, the consumer has a large responsibility that if not addressed, can directly cause the timing chain issues. It will be hard to prove that every person with a timing chain failure maintained their vehicles operating fluids as stated in the owners manual. Good luck to those who are hopeful, but please don't blame the car if you are in fact guilty of not taking care of your car. Too many people these days think that cars just take care of themselves. Anybody remember the days where you filled your gas tank and ALWAYS popped the hood when doing so to check things out?

 

^ +1. Wait...those days ended? I knew I've been doing something I shouldn't be.

 

Not necessarily true. If it can be shown that the timing chain has a propensity to fail even when the car is maintained according to Mini's recommendations, the maintenance habits of class members would likely be irrelevant.

Indeed, if the timing chain is fine so long as the car is properly maintained, there is no lawsuit for anyone, class-action or otherwise.

 

Hujan,
I don't disagree with your statement. I'm basing my statement on the belief that the engine does not in fact have the propensity to fail if maintained properly. So I see where my statement may be skewed.