My MCS Adventure keeps getting more interesting...

Today I decided while doing my first oil change (2000 miles) to see what it would take to install factory foglights (see my other post regarding this in another part of this forum) as well as an overall check underneath the car. While I had the right-side inner wheelhouse removed to access the area where the foglights are to be mounted, I noticed that the lower subframe bolts joining the somewhat tubular sections of the subframe were not right. One bolt was completely missing, and the other was held up only by the plastic underbelly pan below it.

Sheesh.

I saw that the captive nuts on the upper portion had not even been tapped. The bolt that was there can be twiddled around with finger pressure, the other bolt not ever being installed. The location of the belly pan would have held both bolts in place had they both been there and had loosened.

I am going to contact my dealer and see what they say. It's not a major job at all, I have everything necessary except for one missing bolt to do the repair myself in about 20 minutes. I am just curious to see if this is an isolated problem or something widespread.

While changing the oil I found the filter housing to be hand-tight and the drain plug to be loose as well, though neither were leaking.

Even though I still think it's an awesome little car I have been really put off by the lack of quality control. It's been back to the dealer twice for nagging little problems that seem to be endemic to the MINI as well as one factory recall. This in just two-and-a-half week's time. The last new car I got before this was a (don't laugh now) 2000 Dodge Stratus for my mom and there were no defects when I took delivery and has been defect-free since. Anything else prior to that car had little or no trouble during the warrantee period.

It's this sort of thing that takes a bit of the shine off the apple for me. Being the detail freak that I am, I notice when things are not right, more so than many enthusiasts. I wasn't expecting a defect-free MINI given the fact the line has had only a two year run so far. I have worked on hundreds if not thousands of cars through the years, and have seen quite a bit. I just hope this does not end up being a real headache.

On a lighter note, the car has been a joy to drive, the oil change was easy with not a single drop of oil being spilled, and the performance and handling is first-rate. The scope of features and technology in such a diminutive car is amazing. All this, plus good fuel economy and lots of turning heads add up to a wonderful behind-the-wheel experience. I hope it continues to get better, and not become dogged with problems.

Just my $0.02 and a warning to others to be on the lookout.

PS: I have pics of this problem if any are interested.

 

Can you post those picks here? Please? Thanks.

 

okay, here goes, First time posting pics on this forum, so be patient if I bollix it up.



As you can see, one is held in soley by the plastic shield below (the bolt spins by hand), and the other bolt was never there. You can see that the nut on top has not been tapped (sorry for the bad pics. I thought I had the macro enabled, but didnt.)

 

Thanks for the pics Greatbear; they're perfect; they say at least 1000 words.

This will be added to my list of "must check" items when I take delivery of my MCS in June; and we'll all be anxiously awaiting your report back on the dealer's response/remedy.

Thanks again,

James

 

Thanks for the heads up Greatbear. I will add this to the list of things to check when I take delivery of my MCS. I hope you don't find any more QC problems with your car and can just enjoy it.

 

This post is a bummer for all mini owners and a "must check" problem. What is the build date of this car :evil:

 

Hummmm. Can someone actually comment upon what would happen if these bolts were not on your car? It certainly LOOKS dangerous, but is it really?

Also, it would help if we could all check and see if our cars do or do not have this problem (I'm unfortunately about 2000 miles from my car now, and can't check until Friday). If it is dangerous and it's common, this is a serious problem. I hope not...

 

I'll go ahead and make the comment seeing that I am the one who started bumming out the MINI-ites with this post. )

I'll keep y'all posted!



_________________
'03 MCS, Dk Silver, 17" wheels NAV, DSC, Premium #1 and #3, Rally lights, etc, etc. Fulton, MD. FRS 7-21

 

BTW, the OTHER (left) side of the car was fine. Both bolts in place and tight. I did not find any other obvious nasties like this in the time that I had the car apart and was doing the checks and service. Believe me, I was pretty thorough after finding this.