Wow, just tuned in. Y'all had an interesting day! I guess I'm not going to disconnect my battery! What's next? I'm testing some snake oil in my gas tank called RXP that is a "gas kicker", car runs smoother but still has a mild case of the hiccups. I also eliminated the clutch position switch as a suspect earlier in the week by fooling the ECU that the clutch was always in the down position. I had thought that the switch's change in state was causing the ECU to have a glitch. Not true. Back to the drawing board.

I guess it's back to harassing the folks at ASK MINI. Sheeess, is this a new kind of sport? Let's each get a different ASK MINI guy and compare scripts!

OK it's getting late. Lookong forward to tomorrow though! On page 24!

Graham

 

I'm not waiting for them to get their act together..or not. I have submited a Lemon Law request per the State of Ohio reguirements...

We'll see what happens.

 

Hello all how are you?

Anyway, I have a Nov 02 build MC. I too have some sort of stumbling problem. It first started only when the engine was cold but not now. Whether the engine is hot or cold, when I start off from a standstill at an average pace my Coops engine seems to stutter. Today, I left a junction and when I pressed the accelorator I started to move got to about 10mph then for about half a second the engine seemed to dye then suddenly come back to life and I could accelerate normally.

I have also noticed a similar problem in all of my gears. If I am travelling at speed and accelerate even more the power delivery seems to have a slight judder to it. I can't see anything noticeable when I watch the rev counter but I can deffintly feel it. It's damn annoying! :smile:

 

BMW 7 Series looked to have a similar problem.


http://www.cars.com/news/stories/091...p;aff=national

Scroll down to read the following "2002-03 BMW 745i, 745Li
Problem: Software error desynchronizes engine valves, causing stalling
Fix: Reprogram digital engine control management unit
Number: 5,500"

 

>>BMW 7 Series looked to have a similar problem.

I had my Mini in the shop due to the Service Engine Soon light staying on after I disconnected the battery to get rid of the stumble due to a bad recommendation on this site (only kidding chitown!).

The service dept were so swamped that it ended up in a big fight between me and the advisor and I ended up going through the owners secretary (well not literally, although I wouldn't have minded). I was told, on the quiet so I know it'll go no further than the few people who read this stuff, that they were having major problems with the 7 series and the Mini. They are having one technician spending an entire day working on the problems of the 7 series. I only hope that the 7 series problems are the same as ours and as soon as they figure out their problem WE are up and running again.

Ken

 

Ha ha...very funny...

So what's the prognosis on your problems post-battery-disconnect?

 

>>Ha ha...very funny...
>>
>>So what's the prognosis on your problems post-battery-disconnect?

Sorry again. Had to get a little dig in at ya.

Prognosis...Well it has not repeated. They re-set the "Service Engine Soon" light and said they'd order me a new cluster. Not sure I want the new cluster though as I really don't think it was the cluster's fault, it was something to do with the battery disconnect that I did.

Ken

 

Our 2003 Mini Cooper has the stumble, dating back to early May. Our car has been to the dealer multiple times. We have filed lemon law and the final repair attempt has come and gone. We are within our legal rights to file for repurchase by MiniUSA. In an effort to make one additional attempt to get our Mini repaired, we reached an agreement with MiniUSA to grant them an additional 60 days to repair the car, if they would agree to buy it back if not repaired in that time. The buy back date is Sept. 22. Erik Luchsinger, Regional Aftersales Operations Specialist of BMW of North America, Southern Region told me in writing on July 23, 2003 "we are currently awaiting test software, and when I can confirm it effectiveness I'll let you know immediately." The buy back agreement was also confirmed by Phil Kahler, National Customer Relations, MINI Executive Specialist (these are their titles, I did not make them up). Well I have heard nothing from anyone at my dealer or MiniUSA, so I contacted them this week to commence the buy back procedures. Note, I had to call them, they have never made ANY attempt to contact me since the buy back agreement was reached. Well it seems that it's good I called. According to Mr. Luchsinger and Mr. Kahler, miraculously, there is software so new that the dealer doesn't have it and the only way to get it is to have my DME sent to New Jersey and have it loaded. They have both ASSURED me this is NOT the older non stumble software, but brand new software that cures the problem. It sure seems odd that, Mr. Luchsinger, who had earlier claimed to notify me "immediately" when the new software was available just hadn't found the time to do so, but when I called to initiate buy back they had the magic fix. I'm not under any illusions that this will cure the stumble, but I will post after we get the car back and let everyone know. It's supposed to be ready Friday. Mr. Luchsinger & Mr. Kahler claim they have done this to other Cooper cars in the USA and Spain, and it works great. Has anyone else heard about this? They claim the new improved-it-fixes-the-stumble-software will be released the dealers in late September.

 

bobbiemartin,

How very nice of them to inform you of this up and coming fix in a timely manner.

Now that is what I call customer service :evil: Turned out what they were trying on me didn't work - They ended up using Graham for it instead - 2 weeks without his car and still stumbles.

If we are lucky they may even threaten to offer us a MINI coffee cup for putting up with their SOFTWARE FIASCO.

I really do hope it works out for you and they don't just disconnect your battery for a while.


_________________
'03 S DS

 

bobbiemartin: Thanks for the info... wasnt there someone else on this site that also posted that they supposiedly REALLY have the fix now... and will report back later with the software version? I really hope there is truely a fix... I LOVE my car but its dang annoying... and today making a left turn there was a gap in traffic so i can go for it... usually in my camry i can make it no problems... but in the MINI today it stumbled and I got a bit scared but power came back in time and no problems... but it scared me!

 

Bobbiemartin, here is the thread I think you were referring to. It says a dealer said there was a fix due in Oct.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ic=16281&8

We can only hope.

Think I'll call my dealer today and see what they have to say.

 

I took my MINI in yesterday for a window issue and asked them to look at the stumble. The service rep said we should try starting from a stop at 3K RPM's and that the car will 'learn' not to stumble. They also reset the chip so all my #'s were zereod out.

I told them they needed to put on my service ticket that I brought the car in for stumbling so I could have it noted 4 times (the law in Utah where I bought my car but not where I live) so if they don't get it right I can sell it back to MINI. They did put on the ticket that I brought it in for stumbling but they also said they didn;t experience it. Of course you won't get it to stumble if you feather the clutch and jack it up to 3K!

 

Just for kicks, my brothers' '01 Neon ES 5-speed with Chrysler engine management also has a 1st gear stumble. That engine controller is MUCH more ragged and awkward running than my March 9th build MCS ever was.

Just a bit of perspective

 

>>Our 2003 Mini Cooper has the stumble, dating back to early May. Our car has been to the dealer multiple times. We have filed lemon law and the final repair attempt has come and gone. We are within our legal rights to file for repurchase by MiniUSA. In an effort to make one additional attempt to get our Mini repaired, we reached an agreement with MiniUSA to grant them an additional 60 days to repair the car, if they would agree to buy it back if not repaired in that time. The buy back date is Sept. 22. Erik Luchsinger, Regional Aftersales Operations Specialist of BMW of North America, Southern Region told me in writing on July 23, 2003 "we are currently awaiting test software, and when I can confirm it effectiveness I'll let you know immediately." The buy back agreement was also confirmed by Phil Kahler, National Customer Relations, MINI Executive Specialist (these are their titles, I did not make them up). Well I have heard nothing from anyone at my dealer or MiniUSA, so I contacted them this week to commence the buy back procedures. Note, I had to call them, they have never made ANY attempt to contact me since the buy back agreement was reached. Well it seems that it's good I called. According to Mr. Luchsinger and Mr. Kahler, miraculously, there is software so new that the dealer doesn't have it and the only way to get it is to have my DME sent to New Jersey and have it loaded. They have both ASSURED me this is NOT the older non stumble software, but brand new software that cures the problem. It sure seems odd that, Mr. Luchsinger, who had earlier claimed to notify me "immediately" when the new software was available just hadn't found the time to do so, but when I called to initiate buy back they had the magic fix. I'm not under any illusions that this will cure the stumble, but I will post after we get the car back and let everyone know. It's supposed to be ready Friday. Mr. Luchsinger & Mr. Kahler claim they have done this to other Cooper cars in the USA and Spain, and it works great. Has anyone else heard about this? They claim the new improved-it-fixes-the-stumble-software will be released the dealers in late September.

Hello BobbieMartin,

I too have been speaking with Philip Kahler from BMWNA. He stated to me that they are testing the fix right now in Arizona and hope to have it out by the end of this month. I am very anxious to have this new software on my MINI to see if it fixes it. I'll keep everyone updated if I find anything out.

 

Well... I took my stumble to Portsmouth, NH this past weekend! It had a good time, and has expressed an interest in returning someday. In addition to my stumble, I also took some luggage, couple cans of Coke and, oh yeah, my boyfriend, who's told me repeatedly that he thinks I may be overreacting about my stumble--I think I've posted that before. Says creepy stuff like; "Well, all manuals have a little jerk at engagement."--you know, the same-old remarks we get from our dealers and MINIUSA as they sidestep the issue.

Well, I thought my boyfriend and my stumble should get to know each other a little better--bond, if you will, the two men in my life. So I made Leif (the boyfriend) drive around town all weekend. He believes me now. It was a personal triumph, of sorts, that I thought some of you might understand.

Thanks for letting me share

 

<< He believes me now. It was a personal triumph, of sorts, that I thought some of you might understand.
>>
>>Thanks for letting me share >>


Congratulations OmToast. It was almost time for you turn over a new leif.


Ken

 

I know this is bad, but they are leaving themselves wide open:

 

I think they meant to say, "Let's tell our customers to bend over. Let's go out of our way to avoid the issues."

See ya,
JS

 

Ken... that was too funny!

 

Hello, Everyone

I just felt that I needed to let everyone know what the stumble nearly did to me today.

I was sitting at a flashing red light waiting for the traffic to break, so I could cross. I was watching for a break in the building traffic when I spotted a break.

I moved up slightly waiting for the gap. When the gap arrived I started to pull out quickly, only to have the stumble attack me. I was now in the path of oncoming traffic and my car didn't feel like moving. I floored the gas to be greeted by NOTHING. the car just slowly moved forward.

One of the car baring down on me layed on the horn and had to slam on their brakes. With the other drivers reaction, I narrowly missed having my car totalled due to problem that MINI seems to think is not worth fixing.

When I got on the street I was turning onto, my heart was racing, and my hair was standing on end. I really thought that my cars stumble problem was going to get me killed.

This scared the sh** out of me.

I am going to have to seriously think about getting rid of my car, as this issue has really been driven home for me now.

I had always thought of the stumble as just an annoyance until today.

2003 Dark Silver Cooper S

Thanks for letting me vent.

94SwiftGT

PS: I never had anything like THIS happen to me in my old car. I may have to try to get that car back.

 

94SwiftGT,

Welcome to "Club BOG". Sorry to hear of your experience - Glad to hear nothing happened to you or your car.

The longer BMW bonk the dog on fixing this software problem the more chance there is that someone really will get hurt or worse.

No car should ever be sold with these issues - BMW know of the problem and they keep peddling these potential death traps to unsuspecting "customers". BMW prefer to call it a "characteristic" of the car.

Well this "characteristic" can kill!

To all MCS owners with the stumble - Be very carefull merging with haste - Your car may BOG!


_________________
'03 S DS

 

I don't want this post to come off as meanness, but I just want to make a couple of points:

1) I haven't ever had serious bog issues except when the DSC was on. I've never felt that my life was in danger with the stumble, I've only been extremely annoyed. The Stumble is a split second issue, and if you're cutting through gaps quickly in traffic, you've really got to get used to revving the engine to 3000+ before letting out the clutch and jumping...I'm not trying to say that anyone doesn't know how to drive his or her MINI here, I'm just saying that this is the conclusion that I've come to after driving it for a year and getting used to the feel of the thing.

2) Bog is different from Stumble. Stumble is quick, bog lasts and can be dangerous...if you really think that you have life-threatening problems with your MINI, then you should strongly consider driving with the DSC off except in more dangerous (i.e. slippery) situations.

3) Finally, and most importantly, do you really think that BMW *WANTS* to have automobiles (lots and LOTS of automobiles) that are a part of a very new and still very "fragile" brand to have a serious and perhaps life threatening engine management problem? Do you think that this issue doesn't worry them just as much, if not more than it bothers you and me? Do you really not think that they're working their tails off to fix it? They want to get this thing done, and they know that the sooner they do, the better it is for them. It is really too bad that they let this software get out before fully testing it and making sure that there were no remaining issues, but they screwed up badly and let it out. Now they have to fix it or risk ruining what was looking like a pretty healthy little brand.

All of this is coming from someone who has dealt with a very severe stumble ever since he got his S this June, and who has dealt with the bog since March of '02 when he got his first MINI. I'm not claiming to be an expert, and I'm not trying to preach here, but you've got to know that this Stumble is going to get fixed. It's too bad that BMW/MINI can't come out and say more about it than they have, but that's a communication issue, and it's probably not going to change.

Let's just all take a deep breath and either wait for a fix or proceed with Lemon Laws, OK?

Cheers, all; I hope this post isn't taken the wrong way. :smile:

 

Chitown,

I'm guessing that post was directed my way?

Bottom line is BMW sold me (and you) a car that does not work in my opinion - regular stumble, occasional bog and severe yoyo. I don't think anyone would expect this from a new car.

If BMW didn't want the bad press they should have just given my money back like I asked when the service manager drove my car @ 200 miles odo. He won't even admit to driving it now - any wonder I'm pizzed. I've been holding off on my planned performance mods waiting for the fix. BMW have effectively tied up the best part of $30,000 of my hard earned cash on a car they knew had issues.

I think BMW originally thought they could drag their feet on this one - evidenced by the fact that many dealers seem to be scripted in trying to convince customers that these are "characteristics" of the car. :smile:

_________________
'03 S DS

 

Just an update on our 2003 Cooper. You may remember the DME was sent off to have the "very latest software" loaded. The car was ready Friday afternoon. It seems to be better. It hasn't stumbled or had the bog yet. I say yet because it seemed to be better the first couple of days after the last software update. The idle is higher, around 900. When it's cold, it idles about 1500. So the idle is definitely different than it was. It seems to have more power as well. The most encouraging news is my wife, who is the primary driver, came home today and said it was fun to drive again. So maybe they really have fixed it. I'll keep you posted.

 

>>Just an update on our 2003 Cooper. You may remember the DME was sent off to have the "very latest software" loaded. The car was ready Friday afternoon. It seems to be better. It hasn't stumbled or had the bog yet. I say yet because it seemed to be better the first couple of days after the last software update. The idle is higher, around 900. When it's cold, it idles about 1500. So the idle is definitely different than it was. It seems to have more power as well. The most encouraging news is my wife, who is the primary driver, came home today and said it was fun to drive again. So maybe they really have fixed it. I'll keep you posted.


THAT'S GREAT NEWS! Keep us posted! :smile: