You have to notify the manufacturer, if possible, before making a claim. It takes quite a while to get a lemon law claim processed.

 

The SA at the MINI dealership, called me about a half hour ago, I described the problem to him, and he said that MINI/BMW just released on friday a software update to fix this issue. He was hoping to have the new software loaded in the shop today around noon, and then get it on my MINI. I do hope this addresses the problem. He said this is a known problem with MCSa's, so if you don't have the auto in an S, then it's likely something else.

 

Not a good night for me. MINI dealership was able to get the fix installed on my new MINI, they sent over a shuttle to pick me up. I get a half mile away from the dealership and BAM the same exact problem. So car goes back to the shop, and I now have a 05 Blue/Black MCa with a sunroof as a loaner. I'm fairly annoyed at this point, but at least I have a car to drive. Will have to see what tomorrow brings.

 

Ouch! Somehow it's comforting to know I'm not all alone on this, however.

Man, isn't the automatic on the MC just *awful*? I'm driving a convertible MCa. I like the drop top, but that tranny's gotta go.

 

*Awful* says it. I can't believe how much of a difference the MCa and the MCSa is. I would never have bought mine with the auto if it drove like this MCa does. Moving the tranny to sport drive mode is a little better.

 

It helps a little, but it's still a dog. The auto in the MCa is a CVT, but the MCSa is a "normal" auto.

 

I just had a talk with the "master tech" at the dealer who worked on my car. I'll get it back this afternoon with a full tank of gas and washed. :-)

They replaced the "pop-off valve" for the supercharger, which was sticking open. According to him, in the last week, a service measure (the precursor to a service bulletin) came out indicating a problem with some pop-off valves. I'm assuming this is just on new cars. He wasn't aware of any changes to the part with '05s and said it's possible that there was a bad batch of these produced which would have failed with enough frequency to warrant a service measure.

He had to pull the part from a new MINI on the lot, as, apparently due to the frequency of this problem, the valve's back-ordered!

Last week they'd checked connections around the throttlebody and various sensors and air inlets, on advice from MINI North America. The codes stored when the problem occurred didn't directly indicate a fault with the pop-off valve, apparently, so they had to do a fair bit of diagnosis. It didn't help that the problem would correct itself...

Anyway, that's all I've got for now. Hope you're back in business soon, acej80!

 

I am in the same hell! My MCSa was delivered on March 31st. At 600 miles they replaced the bypass valve. Then at 1400 miles they replace the throttle body. I went to pick it up tonight, less than 3 miles from the dealship, no acceleration, SES and EML light came on. This was the first time that it happened on the road, the other two times I was in a parking lot. It really scared me. I raised hell with the service manager, they put me in a 2006 BMW and said they would call me first thing in the morning. I am so frustrated. The need to get this figured out.

Sad Mini Owner

 

Sorry to hear your frustration ITLGRL. What did they do to your MINI this time? 3 miles is too close to my 1/2 mile, sounds like we had the same thing done with the same failing results.

 

This was just last night. I spoke with my SA this morning and they are trying to figure out what to do. I also called MINI USA and they really didn't have any answers, he said that they would contact the Service Manager and keep me posted. So basically nothing has happened. Let me know if you have a "break through".

 

I have my MCSCa back, the dealer replaced the bypass valve today and I drove it home tonight without problems. I'm still heavily concerned about this and don't have any level of comfort that this issue is resolved, but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

I know how you feel. It's extremely frustrating! I've still got this nagging concern in the back of my head, and feel like I'm always watching the tach and bracing myself for the impending lurch of doom. We're going into day two, and I'm trying to be optimistic.

Has everyone seen this thread? Supercharger bypass valve. It exactly describes what was happening to me.

 

Just a quick update. They replaced the MAP Sensors/Pressure Sensors yesterday. I picked up my MINI last night, so far so good. Seems to be driving much better, smoother not jerky. Third time is a charm, right? I hope I am in the clear now. I realized last night how much I love this car. Good Luck to you all too!

 

So far eveything is good for me, put a few miles on her this weekend, without any problems. Just like you said ITLGRL, I realized [again] how much I love this car over the weekend.