Hi - I just bought a 2004 MCS with 26K miles. Bought it from a dealer, not the original owner, but everything checked out as far as regular maintenance at Mini, CarFax report, etc. Previous owner traded for new car.

I love love love the car, but just had it checked out by my local Mini dealer and they tell me the right lower control arm bushings are worn and need replaced and the right front strut assembly also needs replaced. They are telling me this is a $788 repair, but I think this should be covered under factory warranty. Granted, I am not the original owner, so I don't know the history of the car. But there is no indication this car has been in a collision (no frame damage, nothing bent, broken, no indication of body repair, nothing on CarFax from body or repair shops). I'm thinking the parts were not assembled correctly at the factory or are otherwise defective...

The dealer is suggesting this is due to the previous owner hitting a pothole. (After reading the warranty I see why he'd like to say it is due to some sort of "road condition") But I think he'd have to drive off a bridge to damage a strut! What do you guys think? I'd really like to get this repaired under factory warranty. Any suggestions? Am I off the mark? Thanks!

Tasha

 

Tough to believe that a two year old, 26k mile bushing is 'worn'. Trashed maybe - as in damaged. Why exactly does the strut need to be replaced? What is damaged? Answers to these would help us help you. Not quite sure how the parts could have been 'assembled incorrectly at the factory.' The strut is a single unit and the spring just sits on a perch. MINIs have been known to 'mushroom' the strut tower under hard impacts. Doubt you'll be able to convince any dealer that it's a warranty issue.
FWIW, you can pick up a set of four used struts on ebay for ~$100 or so. If it's not a warranty repair, find a good independent shop and have it done for much less.

 

I don't understand it either. I had the guy talk to my usual mechanic (who doesn't work on Minis) and it didn't make sense to him either. He said the strut tower wasn't broken, but needed replaced. And definitely said the bushings were "worn". I haven't had anyone else look at it though. Sure would like a second opinion I think. I will get more information and post. Thanks!

 

btw- perhaps I wasn't clear, it is not the strut, just what the dealer calls the "strut assembly"- the plate at the top that the strut fits into. The strut itself is fine. No damage.

So I looked at it today. Yes, it is mushroomed as you say. On one side and not the other. The plate/assembly piece is not cracked, but the dealer showed me what one looks like when it becomes cracked. They say that can happen if I let this one go without fixing it now. Not really sure why, unless it's just that it's obviously had some sort of impact since you can see the "mushroom".

Looks like the parts themselves are not expensive. Less than $100 for the assembly piece and the bushings. All the $$$ is in the labor.

My thought on the warranty issue is that if there was no serious collision -and there is no evidence to suggest that there has been- is that normal driving conditions - even potholes, speed bumps, etc, should not result in that sort of damage to suspension unless the suspension part is defective? Am I wrong? "assembled wrong at the factory" I mean not tightened completely or aligned correctly to begin with- i don't know what it could be, but it just seems odd to me that this would happen on a 2yr old car/26K miles.

also fwiw the tires are new, suggesting to me that the originals may have been worn and needed replaced, (which seems pretty early? no?) That also makes me wonder about how long this problem has existed/how long the alignment has been out... ?

thoughts? am I out of luck on warranty? I don't want to be unrealistic, it just seems so strange to me that this would be a problem so soon. if it's really something I'm going to be responsible for, should I try elsewhere and save $ on labor? how difficult is the assembly piece? it doesn't look too difficult. I might be able to have someone help me with that, although I'd need a pro for the bushings I think, since I don't know anyone who has the necessary equipment to do that job.

 

26k miles is actually a good lifetime for the stock runflats. When they wear down, get some regular performance tires and a can of fix-a-flat for the boot.

 

OK, thanks! I was wondering about the tires. Makes me feel a little better... sigh.

 

Replacing the strut cap isn't a big deal for any qualified mechanic (or shadetree mechanic with the right equipment.) I'd also have another mechanic look at the bushing - unless there is another issue I just can't see it being 'worn' in 26K miles. IIRC there was an issue with removing the driver's side strut which necessitated compressing it in place, but that may only be on the earlier cars.
It's definitely road hazard related, so I'd say don't waste your time trying to get warranty coverage.

Don't fret on the tires. I bought mine with 22K, and it already had one pair of new tires.

 

It sounds like your strut problem may be related to one of M7's products - strut reinforcement plate. It's purpose is to prevent "mushrooming" of the body work at the top of the strut tower.

 

Did you buy the car "as is" from the dealer? If not, you may (depending on elasped time) talk to the dealer and get them to pay for some, or part of the repair. In my mind, the reason for going to a used car dealer is to get some sort of assurance that the car is in good working order. A mushroomed strut mount is not in "good working order".

Although it's dissappointing, at least it's not $2000 worth of repairs. Good luck, and hopefully it won't be the much of a PITA.

 

OK, after reading these replies and searching the boards, it does seem like this 'mushrooming' is a common issue with the Minis. Sure seems like they would have fixed this by now with some sort of reinforcement on the tower, but cest la vie, and no chance of warranty. So I guess now the question is how to fix it.

There is a 30-day warranty from the dealer I bought it from, but it is "30 days or 1000 miles, whichever comes first." I bought it several states away, so I put nearly 900 miles on it just driving home that weekend, so the 1000 miles is already up, even though it's only been <2 weeks. I'm still going to try to see what I can do through that dealer, but I don't think I can technically hold them to anything, other than argue that it would be bad business/reputation for them to have sold a car (claiming to have "passed inspection" and be in "near perfect" condition) and then not pay for the repair.

If they don't want to pay for it (and I'm guessing they'll fight it), I may try to fix this myself with a friend of mine who helps me with my other cars. In which case I may be posting about how exactly to do that. The "guide support" piece doesn't look too difficult at all, but the bushings might be tougher. Man, I was looking forward to future mods on the Mini, but I was thinking about stuff I want to do for fun, not stuff I have to do to repair! And not right away. It's just disappointing more than anything.

Thanks for your help!