To check does the seal just pull straight off? Mine wasn't coming off nicely and I didn't want to tear anything. 06 MCC.

 

It's kind of funny that this was posted on the same day I finally got around to painting it myself. My dealer wouldn't do anything so I took it upon myself to get it done. I went the Por-15 route. Hopefully, I won't have any regrets!

 

Glad to be of help ! I found this document while searching Alldata website for Mini airbag tsb,s (technical service bullitins) as my warning light has come on & BMW won,t cover this outside warranty in England despite covering the same issue in the USA! I know about the door seal rust problem so when I saw it I posted on both Mini2 & of course NAM as I know you guys have also been having problems. (The document was posted 12 Jan 2007 so some dealers may not yet be aware). I guess we should extract /index all the Mini tsb's from the alldata BMW list & archive them, could they ever get removed from free public access? I know some of the site is for trade /diy subscription only.
Alldata Index

Alldata Home

 

Thanks for posting this info. I knew about the alldata website and have checked it from time to time, but it is a relief to see this posted. To me it shows that MINI is aware of this issue and is taking action to correct the problem, but only if the customer asks to do it . I wonder what else there is that owners should be asking about?!? Windshields maybe?

I went ahead and printed both pages of this TSB. The rust perforation warranty is for 6 years/unlimited miles, so as I get closer to 6 years I'll have it repaired at the dealer. Supposedly, my rust spots have already been documented with my dealer, since I brought it to their attention last September when I first noticed it. Until I have the dealer fix it, I'll just keep an eye on it myself and continue to pull the seal and wipe the seam area dry whenever I wash the car or whenever I drive thru heavy rain.

On another note, how can we access TSB's from 2002-2005? Do these TSB's "expire" and disappear from our view ? I'd like to see the TSB on the power steering fan/coolant fan split for early model MINI's.

 

Do I look under BMW and check for mini cooper posts, I'm not sure where to find info on minis.

 

Frankly, I think the POR-15 route is the better "long-term" solution. MINI is only concerned with getting past the warranty period.

 

I agree. My dealer "fixed" mine but I really don't see how a new seal is going to prevent water from getting in when the old one didn't. They didn't re-design it. I'll be keeping tabs on mine (I've already noticed water getting up to the small air holes in the seal). If the rust comes back, I'll sand it and do the POR-15 treatment. I've used their fuel tank sealer and if the paint is anything like it, there won't be any more problems.

 

Look under BMW the Mini posts all have TSB numbers starting with the letter 'M'
Alldata BMW TSBs

 

I just checked mine, no rust on either side. There was some water so I dried it off, but it would have gotten wet before. Maybe the conditions here aren't exactly right for rust to form. 09/02 build '03 MCS

 

not exactly... the warranty period is an amazing 12 years unlimited mileage rust warranty...

if you aren't getting the results that you like... call MINI after speaking with the dealer. They are obligated to fix the rust issues under warranty

 

...but I believe it has to be a perforating rust-through to qualify for warranty repair under the rust warranty.

 

No. See http://www.alldata.com/tsb/BMW/11676...6/4102061.html for the TSB

 

great website

 

Ok, am I the only one who can't find it ???
All I get is the Alldata home page.
Can anyone cut and paste it. I'm going to the dealer in a few days and I would love to have that info at hand.
Thanks a million

 

Well dammit.....!

Looks like they have pulled public access to the records. It is a subscription service now and it looks like there is no BMW or MINI info available anymore.

Anyone else have these TSB's available?

edit.....Just pulled this off of the site

* Currently, information is available for Model Years 1982 to 2004. 2005 Model Year information is scheduled to be released this spring. Unfortunately, information for Honda, Acura and BMW is not available to consumers through ALLDATA DIY by request of the manufacturers.

 

I just checked out a friend's 2004 MC (PS/B), 9/03 build. The door sill seam was wet on both sides, but had no rust. Amazing considering our salty conditions. It did have the unpainted spot near the rear of the door opening though.

 

Luckily the "Miniac" Jan 17th posting on page 3 of "Faults & Fixes"/"Post your Recall/Service bulletin here" on Mini2.com has the 2 sheets of the BMW rust TSB document scanned in before public access was pulled:-
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...in-here-3.html

 

This time they have gone even further. A NAM member was kind enough to send me an invoice showing replacement of the brown coolant issue under a TSB. MiniUSA refused to acknowledge the TSB was ever issued...When I sent a copy of the invoice showing the warranty flush under the TSB...they refused to even respond!!!

it is because of these type behaviours that I sadly sold my MCS....BMW can kiss my grits!

 

Hi folks just checked the door sills on my 2004 MCS ( March 04 build ) nothing on passanger side and just 2 very tiny pin hole rust spots on drivers side and my sills are painted not bare metal like earlier MCS im surprised they were even there considering my car is 3 years old and never driven in rain or snow since i got it new ( well drove it once in the rain to Washington DC ) and its always GARAGED ! i only washed it 2 times in the past 3 years once when new and after my trip to DC i have treated it now so should be ok

 

I just bought an 06' new and Im wondering how long I shopuld wait to treat the area? I live in Boston so i have a lot of salt and rain. Besides treating the area, is there a better way to prevent the sill from getting water to stay in the rubber trim?

 

I took my 04 (10/03 build) in for it's schedule maintenance (Inspection II) on Wednesday. I mentioned that I wanted the door sills to be checked for rust. Sure enough there was some. Towards the rear of the car on the sill there is a small section where there is no paint and there was rust there.

Dealership is taking care of the issue under the rust warrenty, and a 3rd party is doing the actual repairs. A reputable shop nearby that I have used before.

 

Almost hate to ask, but does anyone know if the rust issues discussed here are affecting the new R56's yet??

Did BMW re-design the R56's to avoid these problems??

Thanks,

Mark
Was Thinking of R56, but maybe will get Classic instead as they're 'Rust Free' (no charge for rust...)

 

Got my R53 rust fixed via dealer service, under warranty. JB/JB 03 MCS. I assume it's to the TSB spec and no better.

We'll see if they did a good job in the next 12-24 months.

 

MINI ABUSE!

 

I have a July 2005 build. The rust is only on top of the flange. I was surprised the entire area was still wet. The last time the car was exposed to rain was a little over a week ago.

I guess I'll bring it up during the next service.