I'm kinda freaking out. I use my '11 base hatchback to commute mostly. Saturday we got in it to run some errands, and it ran fine out of the apartments. When I pulled out onto the main road, it stuttered about 3 times. Each time I let off the accelerator, and then eased back on the gas. After 3 times it quit. It had never done that before. We drove it all day in traffic, shutting it down several times to do our errands. Then that evening I got in it to run to the store, and as soon as I went to pull out onto the main road again, it lost power. I got dash lights saying engine malfunction and loss of power. Yellow CEL came on as well. I shut it down, and then after a couple of seconds cranked it back up. Super rough running and dash lights still. Drove it home, and parked it. Tried it yesterday morning, and rough running and dash lights still.
Don't know what to do. I know about it using oil, and so I have the oil changed using MINI oil and filter every 5000 miles, and check the oil every 500-700 miles and top it off. It has 106,xxx miles on it. I bought it with 82,xxx last June and have put 24,000 on it in 10 months or so. 90% being highway miles.
I'm at a real loss, and wanted to try and see what people said before having it towed to a shop.
Thanks in advance.

 

scan it for codes. it could a simple spark plug replacement.

 

I am pretty new to the MINI's. Does a regular OBD scanner work on them? I have one, but since we recently relocated, and are living in an apartment, most of our stuff is in storage an hour away from our apartment.
It seems like I saw something with running through codes in the info center. Would that be how you find a code?
Thanks for the quick reply MiniToBe.

 

for starters, a regular one can get you started. Autozone can scan it for free too. also, do you know when was the last time the plugs were changed?

 

I'm not sure about when the plugs were last changed. I do know that when I bought the car, I got a car fax that showed all the scheduled maintenance was done by the dealer the car was originally bought from. I'll look into scanning the car. Thanks.

 

Ok, changed my plugs, and coil packs. Problem is gone. Yea!! I bought the parts plus a spark plug socket from ECS Tuning. The shop quoted me $660 to do it. After watching a couple of YouTube videos I did it in about 30 minutes with minimal tools. Simple job that cost me $195 with expedited shipping. Thanks ECS!!
I did notice oil in the last tunnel. I’ll have to talk to the guy who does my oil changes.
I wasn’t able to get a hand held scanner to work. I tried 3 different ones, and got a failure to connect message. Will the CEL go off after a period of driving, or will I need to have it deleted?
TIA

 

Glad the issue is fixed. I think you need to delete the codes to turn off the CEL. any auto shop should be able to clear it for you or just buy a BMW scanner.