As a last ditch effort before we lemon law our car I am going to try some stuff on my own. Dealer & Mini are unwilling to do anything so that leaves things up to me. The problem is the cold start/poor running until fully warm. Also seems to be getting worse. My plan is to replace the injectors, fuel filter. If that doesn't do it I will try replacing the O2 sensors. If that doesn't work the car goes lemon law and Mini loses a customer (not that they care). Any tips or tricks to replacing the injectors and fuel filter?

 

You may loose any case you have if you touch the injectors, fuel filter and/or O2 sensor. (Could they blame you for the problems?)


A car, like anything else mechanical (I know, I know, MINIs have souls) can fail, but I wish you luck with your problems. It would really blow to have to go the Lemon Law route...

 

I wounder if a software update from mth would help this?

 

I am using factory Mini parts purchased discreetly. No way for them to know anything was changed. Plus as many times as it has been to the dealer for this problem there is no way they can prove anything.

 

Four Mini software updates have done nothing. That is what leads me to believe it's in the fuel system.

 

Minime

do you have access to the mini OL? If so, it might be useful to read this thread http://on.miniusa.com/thread.jsp?for...read=300005419
Did I get a Lemon or are they all Lemons?

This one http://on.miniusa.com/thread.jsp?for...8599#600028599

and this one http://on.miniusa.com/thread.jsp?for...read=600000384

 

If I were in your shoes, I would probably do exactly what you are doing. I would rather fix it myself than rely on someone else, but in this case, you didn't have much of a choice - you HAD to go thru their service department.

I just got my 2-year-old Magellan RoadMate 700 back from Thule (sp?) Navigation - the people that made it, because the sound was intermittent, if it worked at all. It took me 25 minutes talking to their "representative" (some young lady in India?) to get a "Return Authorization Number" because I couldn't understand anything she said and she had to S-P-E-L-L everything. Even as she spelled, I STILL couldn't understand half of what she said.

Got the RoadMate back yesterday and the sound now works, but I have to put my ear to the speaker to hear it. Try THAT at 70mph... I should have tried to fix it myself, but figured if I opened the case, it would have burst into flames...

I know that doesn't compare to your troubles but please believe me, I feel your level of fustration.

 

Not registered on that site. Can you copy and paste?

 

https://ol.miniusa.com/oemainlogin.asp

You own a mini. Just go there and sign up. Just needs a VIN. Then click the links once your logged in. Takes a few mins.

I would but the threads are HUGE. Way to big

 

Actually I have read that MTH has helped with eliminating the cold start issues. You might want to check out the MTH forum on NAM and ask some questions.

In the case of the MINI software updates you've had, if they don't include a fix for the cold start issue (I have been told they do not...hence MINIUSA copping out and saying to use mid-grade fuel), it won't matter how often they reflash you, the problem won't get fixed.

Good luck, I hope it all works out for you.

 

If I do a MTH they I will lose any possible lemon recourse if it does not work. Not willing to risk that.

 

MiniMe05, someone in the know who doesn't have an account here, but still reads the daily goings-ons wanted me to forward some info to you:

 

Trust me.. you need to get MINI USA Customer service involved. If you want, email me at erictuley@yahoo.com. I will give you the cell phone number to the factory rep. He was most helpful in getting me a new car. You can read my mini lemon law woes post above yours...

 

I appreciate the information. MiniUSA and dealer management are now involved so we will see how that goes. I have to keep my hands off as far as repairs go for now.

Donuts for the SA, not going to happen. However to the tech(s) that finally fixes the car I will treat them to a night on the town.

 

Has the temp sensor been replaced? Wouldn't that be the most likely sensor telling the ECU which fuel map to use. does it set any codes?
Why do you question the injectors and fuel filter if it runs okay when warmed up?

 

If the dealer cannot fix what is wrong, what do they say regarding your complaints?

 

"We know there is a problem but unfortunately there is no fix at this time". "You are not the only ones experiencing this problem, we (dealer) are working with many owners with the same issue".

 

I'm with MINI USA. I've passed this message on to a MINI National Customer Relations Representative who will be in touch with you soon.

 

Same thing we have been hearing, "someone will be in touch with you".

 

Thank you MINI USA, we truly hope someone from customer service will call tmw (Wednesday) and will help us to resolve the issues at hand. As you can tell, we have not had much luck so far and our patience is running a little thin.

To everyone else, we will keep you posted on the outcome.

Hope to be motoring along again with you all soon!

Discouraged wife of a car enthusiast

 

Hey we got a Fed-Ex form letter from Mini today. This site is obviously connected very close to Mini. The letter stated "we read your post on North American Motoring.com". "We are sorry to hear you are having problems". Blah, blah, blah. What I find funny is that I have not posted my name, address, contact info, etc. So how is it they made the connection from here to my front door with a fed-ex letter?

 

Well... NAM says you are in Portland (probably using a Portland dealer) and your sig tells us the make, model, year and colors of your car. How many people with that description of car would have recently registered the problems you mention above with the MINI dealer in Portland?

 

Still all assumption. Especially to spend $12 on a fed-ex letter pack to send a form letter. Me thinks they have a closer tie here than just an occasioal look to see what's going on.

 

 

I'm with agranger - you are in a state with a single Mini dealer and your car is not only exhibiting specific and unusual symptoms, but its also an unusual color, making it fairly easy for them to track you down. It would be one thing if you were in Cali with its many dealers and gave only general info, but being in Portland and with all the details provided is a different story.

I don't think most people are in the same situation - at least its helping you out in this case I hope

FWIW BMW has always kept a close eye on Roadfly and several other boards, for the most part their offers of help via the boards have been PR at best - follow up calls yield nothing much for those involved, I really hope that it is more than that in this case.