I purchased an 08 Mini Cooper S about 3 weeks ago. I had a PPI done and just got the car out of the shop last week to address the known oil leaks. Took the car out for her first major road trip (10 hrs to Michigan) and after 3 hours into the drive, some were in PA, on a steep uphill highway, the check engine light came on, car lost engine power rapidly despite downshifting, and I had to limp it to the shoulder. After shutting down the engine and letting it rest for about 10 mins, engine turned back on without problem, but now had a noticeable rough idle (shudder), seemed to have decreased power in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear, very difficult to find engagement point in 1st gear, and noticeable shudder when going through 1st through 3rd gear. Also, putting the engine under load in 1st through 3rd gears (over 2500 RPM) would make the check engine light blink, and tach needle appeared slightly erratic.

Was able to limp it back home because I was in the middle of nowhere (probably not the best for the car, but had to make a decision) and dropped it off at my normal Mini shop. I'm sure they'll diagnose pretty quick, but I'd love to hear what the community thinks is the issue.

This is my first Mini, so I'm learning as I go.

Thanks!

 

Without knowing what code threw the CEL, is anybodies guess.

 

I just had very similar symptoms with my 2010 r56 N14 Cooper S. My OBD2 reader won't talk to a Mini so I'm waiting until a local SCCA member with a BMW code scanner can help me on Friday.

 

 

I tried unplugging the coils one at a time to rule out a failed coil, but each one made it worse, so if the problem is a coil it's only a partial failure, if that's possible.