1. Heating or AC whistles at speeds over 50 mph (M51 200 04)[/FONT]
2. AC is broken and AC light blinks constantly when on. (SI M 64 02 04) (M64 200 03)
3. Sunroof squeals (SI M 54 01 04)[/FONT]
4. Change fuse on ABS from 40 to 30 amp per service bulletin[/FONT]
5. Replace foam in cowl vents with new plastic vents[/FONT]
6. Difficult to shift into first and reverse; change bushings per service bulletin
7. Driver door release cable seems slack and doesn’t open door properly8. Car stalls and hesitates when started in the morning (cold start)[/FONT]
9. Loss of low end power, and it feels like something is holding the car back
10. Engine speed and tac dips when coasting to a stop after exiting 1-95, and engine stalls. (S.I. M12 02 03) (S.I. M12 03 02) 11. Glove box pops open when car hits bumps (m51 200 04
12. Check radiator hose chaffing on alternator (SI M17 01 03)[/FONT]
13. Replace rear lower spring strut bolts (SI M33 01 03) (I’m not sure if this was already done.)
14. Check battery vent tube (SI M61 03 02)[/FONT]
15. Trim is popping off driver’s side pillar along windshield.

 

WOW! Thats quite a list. Do you have really rough roads or something? It sounds like the car has been put in a martini shaker for a year! lol Hope its all covered by warranty!

William

 

Most of those are service bulletins...............did you check for rust?

Seems like they are catching onto the ABS fire issue - wonder why we haven't all been notified that they are downsizing the fuse?

 

I just got mine back, she spent several days down at Irvine MINI.

They had to fix the drivers seat, it was locked up and would not recline. Had to fix a rattle in the dash, that little plastic plug in the center of the dash at the base of the windshield fell into the defrost vent, they had to take the entire dash apart to get it. They also had to replace an oxygen sensor and a fuel gauge sensor. Had them also do some touch up painting.

Good luck on your repairs joedude99.

 

Are service bullitens similar to recalls where there'd be no out of pocket expense for me? I wonder what the fuse is in my 2003 MCS?

 

I hear ya brother. I'm at 48k and change and just replaced my upper suspension bushings all around. Went poly in the rear, stockers up front. Guess there are just some things that BMW has designed for periodic replacement.

 

I read these service bulletins, and I am suspicious that MINI will perform the service unless you really complain. I'm thinking about having an independent mechanic look it over before it's last appointment. Whataya think? Am I being too paranoid?

 

I wouldn't think you are being too paranoid about the independant, he won't have the bias of the warranty hanging over him. It couldn't hurt. I have had a bad experience with the dealership I bought my MINI off of (just service dept) so given my experience there, I would definately do that.

 

I've also noticed the trim above the windshield on my '02 is loose and sometimes pops off (especially towards the boot). Anyone know where the water goes once it gets under that trim?

 

Lot of manufacturers do that. Ford ball joints for instance do hot have grease nipples on them, but moog aftermarket lifetime guaranteed do. So if you go stock, you will have to replace them, as they will dry out with no grease nipples.

J

 

3, 6, 8 are the same with my 04 Cooper, but when asked, they said nothing about the service bulletins. Where can I get these? Our copy of Mitchell does not have TSB's just one recall for the 2004, Low Tire Alarm.

Also, where can I get the actual B-Day of Betty? I have month and year, but how do I get day?

I am also getting a whine/whirl that seems to be from the ALT. or A/C compressor. Booked that in, it is worse now after returning from the dragon, just ask KRUT what it sounded like.

J

 

Wow, sounds like your mini is posessed!

 

Does Lucas have a ghost

 

May be a dumb question, but where is that fuse located? Anyone have a picture of it? Is it in the fuse box under the bonnet? I have a Sept 03 build 2004 MCS and I think I should check that fuse out with all the talk that's been rumblin' through NAM...

 

Well now I wouldn't worry - if it was really life threatening BMW would have issued a recall - right?

I like how they are swapping fuses on a frigging TSB. I called our local dealer today and he said they have been instructed to swap out all of these fuses - but mentioned nothing about the infamous fires or the reason for the swap.

 

Wow #9 seems like quite a bad problem...replace the spark plugs maybe?

9. Loss of low end power, and it feels like something is holding the car back

 

Another option if the plugs don't help would be to replace the coil.

 

i got the same whistle sound on my 05 but not from the A/C was caused by the wiper on the driverside at frist i thought that MINI put a speed alarm on my car it happend at first at 85mph and now at 55-70mph hope that MINI UK will fix free of charge

 

The underside of the cover shows which fuses are what. Mine was built July 03 and had a 30 amp. I put in a 20.

 

Absolutely!

We've always done this with our cars before they go out of warranty. Tell the independent that you want the car to have a good going over so you can have the stuff fixed under warranty before it goes out of warranty. I tell the independent that if I'm happy I'll let them service the car after that--and I actually do it. Many independents are staffed by mechanics/technicians who left dealerships, so they tend to know what the dealers are going to try to avoid.

Once you have the list of items (along with whatever you've observed on your own), make sure the service writer does not "translate" when they write it up. Even if they cannot duplicate the problem, you need an accurate record that it was reported before the warranty expired. You might try finding the language from the service bulletins (secret warranties) and actually use that language.

A systemic problem with car dealer service departments is that they make less money on warranty work than if the owner pays for it. There is no financial incentive for them to find problems when your car is still in warranty, especially when the warranty is about to expire.

 

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I decided to spend the entire day at the dealership waiting while my car is being serviced. Usually, what they do is call me to pick the car up after all the mechanics have left, and after I've turned thew rental car in, at which point I have no recourse and they essentially have screwed me. At the 50k mark, I need to hold their feet to the fire and be the squeaky wheel. I'll let you know how it goes. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]

• [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Brakes were measured at 1/32 of an inch. Can they be serviced?[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]

• [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Check suspension bushings for replacement; suspension bangs over bumps. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Driver door release cable seems slack and doesn’t unlock the door [/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Heating or AC whistles at speeds over 50 mph (M51 200 04)[/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]2. AC is broken and AC light blinks constantly when on. (SI M 64 02 04) (M64 200 03)[/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Sunroof squeals (SI M 54 01 04)[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Replace lights: white light in front bumper on passenger side, and both side position lights in rear bumper do not work.[/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Change fuse on ABS from 40 to 30 amp per service bulletin[/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Replace foam in cowl vents with new plastic vents[/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Difficult to shift into first and reverse; change bushings per service bulletin[/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Car stalls and hesitates when started in the morning (cold start)[/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Loss of low end power, and it feels like something is holding the car back.[/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Engine speed and tac dips when coasting to a stop after exiting 1-95, and engine stalls. (S.I. M12 02 03) (S.I. M12 03 02) [/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Glove box pops open when car hits bumps (m51 200 04)[/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] Check radiator hose chaffing on alternator (SI M17 01 03)[/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Replace rear lower spring strut bolts (SI M33 01 03) (I’m not sure if this was already done.)[/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Check brake master cylinder for sound of rushing air. Hole in cylinder? [/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Check battery vent tube (SI M61 03 02)[/FONT][/SIZE]

 

I've decided to camp out at my dealer while they do the 50K maintenance. Usually, what happens is they put my car last and call me to come in at 5 pm when all of the mechanics have left and I have turned in the rental car. I'm going to breathe down their necks tomorrow, and not leave till it's right.

 

I didn't make the dealer fix the a/c whistling at over 50 mph because it requires pulling out the entire dash , but they are giving me free brakes, and the cars been up on the lift for hours now.

From here I'm off to Helix to upgrade the pulley, sway bars, and air intake.

 

Thats the spirit Now that the warranty is totally gone

 

Camping out at the dealer was a great idea yesterday. Almost everything was fixed. I have to go back for the glove box lock, and I forgot to have them fix the trim that's popping off the A pillar. The dealer also covered servicing my brakes.

The extended 4yr 50K warranty was a smart move for $300 at purchase! Now I can take the brake money and spend it at Helix!