I have like 4 problems, I'm mainly concerned with the first because they said I'd likely have to pay for it if it's the clutch.



1. Sometimes when I press the clutch all the way to the floor the engine kinda stumbles like it's about to stall. The clutch doesn't seem to be slipping so I really don't think it's a clutch issue.


2. Start up seems to take a while. When I start the car, I have to hold the key longer than I've usually had to before. It's really warm here too. :s


3. Sunroof squeeks when opening and closing, I'm assuming it just needs a lube.


4. Wind noise from driver's side window or AC vent.


Thanks, for the help in advance, I'd just like an idea of what the problems could be before I go in tomorrow.

 

I only have problems 2 and 3. I have an oil change comming up, so I'll ask then. The start up is an issue that MINI has NO idea how to fix yet. Sorry. The sunroof, I dont know. Just get it fixed before you warranty expires. Yeah, you have a lot of time, but it very expensive if you wait!

 

'05MCS with 15,000 km. I have not noted any of these problems, except that the sunroof is perhaps slightly noisier on opening/closing than when new. No threatening to stall with clutch in or starting problems (not real hot here - most days never over 75F). Engine turns over first time, with no delay.

 

just # 2 in hot Los Angeles... no other issues

23,000 miles on my 05 MCS

 

Cherry Bomb's had the MINI flu.. Sim to #2. I used a half dose of Fuel Anti Freeze/ Iso Alcohol and it seems to be gone, presto, perfect!

 

None of the above in either my wife's '05 MCSa or my '06 MCS. Regarding #2, makes me wonder how different the fuel mixture is here in NJ as both of our MINIs pop right off with no problem (knock loudly on wood ). Sunroof sounds like a lube and/or alignment issue. My sunroof tended to creak in the cooler weather when I had it partially open.

 

I have an 05 MC cabrio 5 speed,and I (thankfully) have none of the listed problems. I don't understand why you would have to pay for the stumble problem, unless they trace it to your gas.

Are you using premium from a reputable gas station ?

Here in NJ LUKOIL was fined for watering down gas (and for price gouging)
during Huricane Katrina. If you're buying gas from Lukoil and you have performance issues, I'd get the gas tested by weights and measures.

Just my 2 cents...

 

Yeah, I use 92 from Chevron

 

Ther is a fix/TSB for the squealing sunroof and the wind noise through the a/c vent. The a/c vent fix has to be specifically detected by the techs because it takes 5 hours of labor to take out the dash. I've had almost everything in my MINI fixed by now.

 

I think I have all of those. Today I was stuck in a traffic jam and it just turned off on me too. The temps here in Texas were close to 100. I was going to roll forward and didn't move and when I looked down the SES, EML, and battery warning lights were on. I think the AC was still running and the radio was on, but I stepped on the throttle and there was nothing. So I turned it off, started it back up, and drove the rest of the way home with the AC off. The warning lights were gone after I restarted it. It was weird though cause there was no noise or warning that the engine shut off...it was just like the ignition had been turned off but with warning lights. I have no idea why it did that.

 

I haven't had any of those problems except 2. The car always starts though, and it has only done it since it has been REALLY hot. I'm in Phoenix and its been 112+ here the past week and when my car sits outside at work it seems to crank for a while before it starts. Doesn't really bother me as long as it starts fine and runs fine.

As to #4...what kind of noise are you talking about? My MINI makes a howling, whistling wind noise when I'm at high speeds. I think its coming from the front windshield window seals...but since it only happens sometimes at very high speeds, I really don't care about it. What am I going to say to my service guy? My car whistles going way over the speedlimit?? Haha, plus it gives me a reason to slow the f*** down!!

(Edited by Dave to remove excessive speed references per the NAM site guidelines )

 

Twice in the last two weeks My mini S has refused to start until I cranked it 5-6 times. Acts like no gas available. Then it starts fine after 5-6 turns of the ign switch. Also last Sunday it cutoff after hitting a bump and then came back on again before I could push the clutch in. The Service Engine soon light popped on then off again when it started back up again. I went into Global in Atlanta for my first service today and they couldn't find any fault codes, loose grounds or anything else. Not sure what to do next.

I intend to drive it like normal and see what happens. Kinda dissappointed in the response from the dealer. Service writer not a car person so I'm not sure what was communicated to the tech who worked on it. Any body have a similar situation????

Also neither of these events happened in hi heat, about 80F during both events. Like Weezer above just quit, then lights on dash came on, then engine started again, lights went off and no code set in computer ECM. Very Wierd.

 

I had to lube my sunroof after getting it back from the repair joint. It was pretty easy though. I used a zip tie and greese and now the roof doesn't talk to me anymore. Whatever...

 

I used this Teflon lubricant to take the squeal out of the sunroof, but it didn't work completely. I'm glad I had the MINI techs do it. They must be using a thick waterproof grease.

 

Mine makes the same howling sound, it's very loud but only occurs at HIGH speeds. Annoying and scared me the first time it happened. Sounds like it comes from the windshield area.

I have the stumbling at cold start up. It's worse when it's hot outside. It clears up after a coupel seconds, my Dad says it is a calibration problem and that it won't hurt anything.

My sunroof makes a groan when opening it, but only for a second and not that badly.

 

number 1: Do you use your AC all the time? If so try using it as little as possible, and see if that makes a difference in the car's behavior. My car does not seem to like hot weather; it apparently has to work too hard with the air on. If I come to a fairly quick stop (not a panic stop) with the air on, the revs will sometimes drop lower than usual momentarily.

There have also been alot of reports of almost stalling at stops. You might do a search foe more info. I believe this has been a software issue (good luck) rather than a mechanical (such as clutch) one.

 

I've got a '05 MCS w/31 kilomiles on it and so far it's only exhibited #3... On a rare occasion #2 after a lot of hard driving in hot weather (but not from a cold start on a hot day)...