Hello,

I recently took my 2003 Mini to the dealer for repair. I purchased the extended warranty (Millenium) when I bought the car new in 2003. I was bringing it in to have the AC repaired since my air compressor died. My "Service Engine Soon" light was on also. My car has approximately 91,000 miles on it.

In inspecting my car, they found some serious issues with my engine and indicated that it might need to be replaced and expected the warranty company to cover it. They have had my car for about a month waiting for the reps from the warranty company to look at it. I just found out early this week, that the warranty company has declined my claim and will not cover the cost.

They state that the issue is that carbon build up occurred on the valve and that the #4 piston rings need to be replaced, the exhaust valve is burnt and a valve job is required. I do not think this is normal wear and tear. The dealership recommends replacing the motor with a factory rebuilt motor. This would cost approx 9,000 bucks - which my car isnt even worth.

Has anyone experience such an issue? I have been very happy with the car to this point and this is very dissappointing. An engine should not fail at 91 K.

Fred

 

Did you get the exended warranty through the MINI dealership. If you don't mind, what is the name of the extended warranty company?

Perhaps the repairs the warranty company suggested would be OK, had you noticed anything wrong except the "service engine light" before being told your engine was shot? It's shouldn't just be worn out at 91,000 miles.

In today's world the fix for anything broken is often "replace it" rather than fix just what's broken.

I'd probably take it to an independant garage and have it fixed.

Let us know what you decide.

 

Thanks for your reply.

The name of the warranty company is Millenium. Besides the Service Engine light, I noticed that oil went down more quickly. Thanks

Fred

 

Could I ask what you paid for the Miliminum policy, how long is the coverage, and what is it supposed to cover.

I would have called the president of the warranty company to find out why it took 30 days to look at you car. How good is the Mini dealer? Maybe they slowrolled you by not calling the warranty company for a few weeks. I would ask the warranty company when they got the call. The warranty company is working for you. you are their customer, not the dealer.

If the dealer did not call them immediately, I would contact the president of the dealership and Mini USA and complain then follow-up in writing. Did you have to rent a car?

 

I second the idea of taking it to an independent.
The dealer may be the best place for MINI parts, but rarely is the best place for real service.
An independent may see a way to repair with less than a short block, I would hope so anyway. Even then MINI may be quoting more than a short block at $9,000.

 

this is a gift . have it brought to an independent at no cost to you . have them call your warranty company with an estimate to have it honed / or bored and (you can go .020 over) new pistons and the rings etc. and the head rebuilt. this should be resonable compromize . the inde. will be cheaper and you won't be forced to go to the attorney general. and you'll get a bitchen overbored monster .

 

there was an article on the local newspaper some months ago about the "Millenium Warranty Inc." in which the customers bought extended car warranties and never got approved for anything or would have to pay for the repair oput of pocket and never get a check from the company. the owner of the company was sued by the customers and it was all goingt to court.

This is in Ohio and hopefully is not the same company you are dealing with. call the company and ask them why they declined the reapir. good luck!

 

Thanks for all your replies.

The warranty company is Millenium and I paid about $1650 for the policy which covers up to 100,000 miles (I dont remember the number of years but I am up to 91,000 in less than 4 years anyway).

I did speak with the warranty company and they still indicate that it is carbon build up and not the malfunction of a particluar part - which then it would be covered. I believe that something must have malfunctioned to cause all this carbon build up and burned valves.

I spoke with the service manager at the dealership and he said they can fix my existing motor for under $3500. I would take it to an independent but I am already $1300 bucks into it due to having them tear down the motor for the warranty company and it will cost at lease another 1,000 to have them put it together without even doing anything. I did ask Millenium about reparing the motor instead of replacing it and they said it would not make a difference since the problem was do to carbon build up.

The service manager at the dealership believes the problem is from a failed piston seal and he is bringing a rep from the warranty company back in to re-evaluate. There are not guarantees but hopefully something good will come out of this.

 

I think they are trying to get you on this one.

Carbon buildup doesnt cause a head to not be rebuildable. Nor does a burnt valve.

Rings are an easy fix. If the car is merely a daily driver, you can drop the oil pan, pull the piston and rod from said cylinder, hone it out with a power drill hone, drop in a new piston with new rings, bolt it up, have the valve seats remachined and a new valve put in.

Probably under a $1000 job.

 

The scum-bags at the warranty company are claiming that carbon build-up is indicative of an uncovered fault, not that it makes the head un-rebuildable.

The argument to make is, "What caused the carbon build-up?" The answer will be failed rings/valve seats (or vale seals).

Those parts are (or should be) covered by any comprehensive warranty.

Tell the warranty company AND the dealer that you'll be reporting both of them to your state's AG's office.

That will make them point the finger at each other and pay your claim (fix your MINI).

Good luck.

 

This job sounds completely doable for even a semi-competent mechanic.


One more thing:

Would one of those total fuel system cleaners used every 3k miles on after break in help prevent this sort of thing? Its Valvoline SYN power complete fuel system treatment, designed to clean fuel injectors, intake valves, manifolds, ports, and combustion chambers. I relize it may have been a waste when the car was new, but I want this engine to last.

 

sorry to hear of this issue....first thing that came to my mind was that
Sea-Foam brand engine cleaner. Supposed to very effective at removing all the carbon buildup engines tend to accumilate.
The condition sounds pretty extreme, but I think I'd give it shot....the Sea Foam can be added to the oil, intake path via a vacuum line and to the fuel.

btw, do you ever open the engine up to 6000 rpm?? My theory is that by doing so...the engine will burn or blow the crap outta there and keep the carbon from building up like that.

James

 

Sorry to bring this up, but following Mini's forever oil change intervals played a big part in this nasty deed.

YD

 

Sorry to hear about the problem. This is the exact same treatment we received on my wifes car with an aftermarket warranty company. I'm sure it's common practice among these companies to refuse coverage.

 

I wonder if the guy that headed up the health insurance company in the movie The Rainmaker started a auto warranty company...

 

Again - Thanks everyone for your replies and advice.

I have contacted both the sales manager where I purchased the car and BMW of North America and still they state that there is nothing they can do for me. I can't even speak to a BMW rep regarding this issue - only customer service. The most they can do is send the rep my information and he can contact me if he chooses to. Both the sales manager and the customer service rep say they are sorry and wish they can do more - but the BMW rep has the final say. They say the mileage at 91,000 is too high.

This is incredibly dissappointing that BMW does not back up their vehicles. I know the manufacturer's warranty is up but I did get the extended warranty with the car. I do not plan to purchase any Mini or BMW products in the future. I understand that things can malfunction but without customer service - what do you have?

I will pursue more with the warranty company and see what happens but now I will have to pay for the engine repair.

 

As far as I understand, the extended warranty is NOT with MINIUSA nor BMW, it's with a third party. I didn't - and don't - expect you to get any help from them. The most they would do is, when it's time to review Millenium's contract with them, is bring up these issues..

 

Douchebag extended warranty companies...
I got suckered into one for my MINI, just think if you would have saved that 1650, it could have gone to your repair...
Lesson to all...DONT BUY THE THIRD PARTY WARRANTY, they will try to do whatever they can to get out of paying for anything (it's just like insurance companies)...
I wish nothing but bad Karma to Millenium....