A year ago on this forum several of us were concerned about engine shut off in the MCSa. We learned from drivers of other MINIs, including the Cooper, that such things could happen to any MINI for various reasons.

I recall being impressed by Eval and Mdsbrain's technical discussions. Although I felt like a spectator eventually my car was recalled for a correction--perhaps the installation of a V42--even though I had not experienced any problems.

A friend just told me about a MINI accident in South Cal on Highway 101. The MINI driver is a friend of his and claims the engine shut off for no reason at highway speeds. Several vehicles were involved in the ensuing accident and all blame the MINI driver. I do not know the MINI driver but have learned that he is facing multiple lawsuits.

I imagined myself in such a mess. What would happen if my MINI's engine decided to stop in highway traffic. Scary. I told my friend about threads and discussions on NAM. I opined that both MINIUSA and BMWUSA must have records of such incidents throughout the country and could analyze the potential causes. I hoped he would share the information with his MINI friend in South Cal and make sure that person joins NAM.

I haven't seen threads about sudden engine shut off on NAM for a long time. Any NAMmer still experiencing similar problems or know of them happening? Opinions, recommendations, etc., most welcome. Thanks.

Happy motoring?

 

If I recall correctly my car wasn't cutting off. What was happening is a poorly designed wiring harness for the transmission was causing a fault. From a stop usually the tranny would cause the car to go into limp home mode and go no faster then 10mph. This occured once or twice while moving but thankfully @ low speeds and I could get off the road safely. I wonder if this is what happened here and the driver couldn't safely get out of traffic.

 

Hmmmmm.......I can't see how anyone could win a lawsuit against someone else for an accident caused by an engine failure. What about those folks who blow a tire? Would they be responsible for the damage to all the other cars? Sounds a bit like an urban myth.

It would be very unfortunate if true.

 

The only thing I could think of would be if the suit involved "neglegent liability"...Would be tough to prove in these type of events! ie: you did not set your parking break and your car rolled into a house or another car...still tough to prove!

 

Thanks for the reminder (and your excellent posts). Limp mode might have happened in the case of this accident. I reviewed "beneath the bonnet" threads through May 2005, when my car was delivered, and found only a few references to complete engine shut off. There were more about stumbles, shakes, and loss of power than complete shut down. At that time I was probably overeager for hyperbole because I was questioning my sanity for having purchased an MCSa.

 

Thanks for the post. As gizzer777 points out there is the matter of culpability for negligence--perhaps similar to having your tree fall on a neighbor's house. It does seem crazy, but it's true.

In case of an accident the victim wants redress from someone so the owner or operator is the first target. If the perpetrator can show that the blame ought to be placed elsewhere (BMW in the case of the car and God in the case of the tree) then attention may be diverted (although God is usually left alone).

There must be a better system. I don't enjoy thinking of liability whenever I drive.

Happy motoring.

 

Thanks for your input. Seems likely that "negligent liability" is the argument everyone is using. The accident happened either because the driver did something stupid (like what--turn off the ignition?) or did not maintain the car to ensure the well being of others.

By now others who were adversely affected by the MINI probably realize the driver did not do something stupid. Yet they have no recourse but to sue--otherwise they pay for their own damages or their insurance premiums rise. I don't know if anyone was injured.

When I got my MCSa I had heard about this friend of a friend who has a MINI in South Cal but we never met. I forgot about him until I got an email about the accident. Hard for me to picture an accident on 101. Too scary.

Best wishes.

 

The difficult part, is proving negligence. They have to prove that the driver was somehow negligent, and I think that's going to be impossible.

 

Interesting point. I'll post a follow-up if I learn more. Perhaps the MINI driver will join NAM and fill us in first hand--or maybe not if he is involved in a suit.