Update, Mini is sending a tech onsite.
I explained that if this guy cannot fix the car, we should consider it unfixable and get an answer from BMW about solving the issue trough other meanings.

Now, the dealer (who mounted all the special parts) told me that warranty is still valid, because you can change everything around the engine (but not opening/modifying it)

I really hope Mini won;t take the special parts as an excuse to wash their hands..

...if so, I'm gonna mount original exhaust/IC/filter back, but hopefully they won;t be so blind, as the issue was present with stock parts since I bought it.


Keep you posted.

 

Just curious, you said in your first post 'stock car'? I would certainly put the stock parts back on so they don't have a reason to deny warranty claim..

 

Correct, I started the thread when the car was indeed stock...for few weeks I wasn't sure the behavior was normal (couldn't test another N18) and　initially the dealer said it was performing normally...so I went on having the special parts mounted by them.

I'll call them and try to understand if the warranty policy is just local or will be confirmed by Mini as well.. if they are not sure, I'll ask them to mount the filter/exhaust back on their expense.

THanks, next Monday is the date...we will see..

 

my car started doing it again today, it had actually been running real strong for the last few days. no sign of it at all....going to log everything air fuel related i can with torque for the next few days see if it gets anywhere.

please post an update iif you find anything out carrboroman

 

OK, latest update:

The regional supervisor/tech from BMW spent yesterday from 10:00AM to 6:00PM roughly, he didn't fix the car.

The issue though, seems to him 90% related to the fuel system, so he authorized the dealer to proceed swapping every part of the system (this wasn't possible before, as the dealer had to ask permission for every spare)

Between yesterday and today, they did change the HPFP and the normal pump without results, so they are now changing the rails.

I would keep any non-technical comment for after the problem has been solved or considered concluded, but having been on the other side (different industry) I think so far they (dealer/BMW) did actually spent time working on my car and the issue is indeed particularly nasty...there is no record in BMW of such problem not solved after changing/excluding so many things already.

Hopefully this will be solved and everything back to normal soon...(I want my car back!!)

 

Carrboro man, sorry for the off topic question but I too live in NC, Charlotte area and am new to the Mini world. Can you tell me which tuner and/or shop(s) you use?

 

Hi, you are lucky, M7 guys are your best option!

http://www.m7tuning.com

 

Latest update:

they changed *everything* in the fuel line, including injectors rails, both fuel pumps and the whole engine wiring harness..nothing.

We are seriously discussing about installing a new engine, Mini/BMW is aware of all the parts I already added and wants to avoid replacing the car.

I made a point about stopping keeping chasing the "gremlin" and do something resolutive in a timely manner.

There's gonna be an escalation these days, to the BMW area manager, let's see.

Keep you posted.

 

That's awesome. Thank you bud. I feel kind of stupid for not knowing their location. Im relatively new to the area and never drive on the road where they're located, but I live in the same exact town....they're less than 7 miles from my house.

 

How long has Mini/BMW been working on your Mini? They don't seem to knowledgeable about their own cars, it seems without codes their shooting in the dark randomly.

 

Has anyone thought about changing out the ECU/DME? Seems like the information senders are working fine, but the information receivers aren't working properly. Could be the rev limiter is coming in at a lower RPM, and cutting the fuel off too soon.

 

Yes, they changed the control module as one of the first things. :(

It seems we are all agreeing for a drastic solution (engine change) as even if they will find the issue, it will take time that we (dealer,me, mini) don;t have anymore.

 

I would bet an engine change isn't going to accomplish much, they would more than likely just buy a long block assembly and put all your existing parts back on it. If there were a mechanical problem with the long block 4500 rpm would sound horrendous already.
They , or you, need to data log a few pulls, the obd2 spits out a ton of info

 

This sounds to me very much like a partially melted and blocked cat or blocked exhaust.

I have seen this twice on race minis, once on mine, once on a friends. In mine the cat melted due to heat from the turbo, and almost completely blocked the exhaust. The car just wouldn't rev much above 4000rpm, really slow. Eventually mine did throw boost pressure implausibility codes.

Friends car did exactly the same, but never threw codes. His was a blockage further downstream in the exhaust. Because of the history with mine we knew where to look and found it pretty quickly.

I would ask them when they replaced the turbo did they look at the cat? If not they need to exclude a manifold / cat / exhaust blockage.

 

I would bet on that as well TBH.

By engine change the idea was to do a drastic intervention that could solve the issue for sure...whatever they wanted to propose, new electronics, harnesses or else, I did not care frankly...(of course, if after all the trouble I would ended with a new engine AND the issue fixed, it wouldn't bother me at all, if you follow my train of thought)

Anyway, just had a call today and deadline is finally set to this friday, if they do not fix it by then (regional tech working on it full steam) they will probably end changing car...at least this seems one of the options.

If that's the case, the dealer/BMW will take care of swapping the special parts on the other car.

If they propose a similar vehicle under every aspect, I think that's the least evil scenario... of course I'm quite disappointed, agreeing on how strange is they couldn't figure out an issue on their own car.

So far, despite the clear issue going on, all I can say everybody is taking responsibility and trying to bring it home....will keep comments once everything is over.

Unfortunately, I did change the full exhaust, 100 cells downpipe included, with a brand new Akrapovic... nothing changed.

I agree with other comments about an electric/sensor issue...it seems a rev limiter is kicking in just before the fun should start... I also thought the previous owner had "sealed" the car for her daughter or stuff like that.

 

Shot in the dark!!! Change out the tach. Maybe it's telling the DME the wrong information. At this point anything is worth a try.

 

Latest update:

I've been told that BMW is not willing/able to buy back the car exchanging it with a similar one, because I'm the second owner*
The warranty though still applies, so BMW says they still believe they are gonna fix the car even if taking longer than expected.

The "super tech", in charge for support for different states, is coming again next week, this time to stay until the car is fixed (previously he came one day max, twice/three times, leading the local tech from remote). He has a "blank check" all green to change any part in the car now, in order to finish.

I don't care if they swap the whole mechanics or even the f^&(*g seats.

*I mentioned the lemon law, the dealer replied it applies to the first owner.
The issue seems also to find another 2013 MCS with 16K miles within their net.

Now, I'm not completely sure about the lemon law thing, anyway before hiring an attorney, I'm willing to give them a final try and see if they can make it.

Again, I'll post my comments about all this when everything is more clear and depending on the final outcome.

Thanks for your help and support.

...I think that has been the strategy so far...

 

I'm kind of baffled with regard to your hesitation to consult an attorney.

An attorney will be able to quickly tell you if you have a case and if there is something that you should be doing to protect your interests.

I would not be relying on the dealer for legal advise. Granted, they might not be trying to screw you but they are most definitely not there to look out for your best interests.

 

Yes, I completely agree... I'm just having few other personal issues right now for which I'm not able to fully follow this.
But you are right, I'm gonna find someone next week and see what options are... I may avoid a mistake waiting more and more.

Thanks

 

Any updates Carrboroman? I'm still interested in hearing what happend.

 

Hi, things are proceeding..somehow, I'm in contact with an attorney, anyway Mini/BMW was not able to fix the car yet.

It seems everything revolves around the parking mode that limits the power to 30% IIRC, but the car thinks it is in park also when on drive.

They changed a *lot* of parts, including ECU, new turbo, fule line + injectors and the whole *transmission*... good news is that at least all those parts are gonna stay in the car.


BMW is putting together some kind of task force, and we are now waiting for them to schedule the next session....I think next outcome will be in January TBH.

Anyway, I have a 2015 MCS loaner car until they fix the car.


I'm going to drop updates until the car is fixed, as I'm not sure how this may affect a possible lawsuit.

Thanks everybody for your support

 

Wow that's crazy that it still isn't fixed. Well I hope the loaner is as nice as yours. I totally understand if you can't give any more updates. Best of luck with any potential lawsuit.

 

At this point it sounds like they are using it as a learning experience. Seems like they will spend more time and money working it than had they just swapped out the car with a brand new one. Good luck, last thing you want to mess with is a lawsuit.

 

OK, *final* update about the issue...Christmas miracle here.

Surprising me (positively), Mini/BMW eventually opted to skip further troubleshooting and change completely the engine and the parts around it (intakes etc.)

Guess what? The car now revvup properly.. (^_^!)

So, basically they yet don;t know what the issue is, but the original engine and all the old parts have been sent to BMW for further analysis.
It is my understanding it will take 1-2 months to get a definitive answer.

So, long story short, they kept it for 4 months, gave me a 2015 loaner and returned my car to me with:

new engine
new turbo
new transmission
new fuel injection system (pums, rails and injectors)
new electric harness
new ECU

the bill of material (parts only) without the engine was already 14000$...I have to check but they probably spent ~20K of parts, not counting the labor.

I really don;t know what to say...I just want to forget all this, but I don't feel they tried to F*&^ me, honestly... especially the dealer did everything they could.

Anyway, I would thank everybody here for the support and advice...I appreciated.

Now, they tested it for ~100 miles and of course the car was fine.
After just one day I got it back, the turbo lost pressure (I heard a "whooooshhh" a couple of times then the engine light kicked-in stopping the car).

It seems it has to do with the after-market intercooler (which they mounted months ago without any issue for ~1000 miles) not fitting the original hose completely tight because too short...I should ask Forge about this, but sounds plausible.

Saturday they will fix it, not sure if I'll ask to simply put a silicon hose kit just to be sure, but as many of you may realize this is little thing compared to the rest.

Anyway, I'm back on track, let's celebrate with few pictures of my baby!

 

Congrats! I hope it runs well.