[Vinnies' Mini]

I collected a Brand New Mini Cooper on Tuesday the 16/01/07.... all round...Could not wait to have my first Mini Adventure at the weekend........ But


Saturday morning at 9 am I was sitting in the drivers seat in the driveway about to set off on a 500km round trip in one day...(the km clock reading was only at 305km)....... Pushed the start button......A funny noise ensued and car started.....then stopped....... tried again.....engin warning light came on.....then started but light stayed on....Drove it to the garage.....they had a quick look at it and said they wouldn't recommend I drive it away.....errors regarding timing belt were showing.........I was handed the keys to an old mini one......no stripes or white roof......Went on the 500km trip anyhow as had been all built up for it....Hopefully I will have it back for the same run next weekend..... Hopefully its not going to be something too bad....but nervous about the fact that it is a new type engin......are people having probles with their New R56 models????

[minisoopercooper]

that doesn't sound good - hope they get it sorted soon.

[wiggis]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vinnies' Mini (original)

Saturday morning at 9 am I was sitting in the drivers seat in the driveway about to set off on a 500km round trip in one day...(the km clock reading was only at 305km)....... Pushed the start button......A funny noise ensued and car started.....then stopped....... tried again.....engin warning light came on.....then started but light stayed on....Drove it to the garage.....they had a quick look at it and said they wouldn't recommend I drive it away.....errors regarding timing belt were showing.........

Hmm. I thought these engines had a timing chain not a belt? Plus variable valve timing and variable valve lift?

Quote: Originally Posted by Vinnies' Mini (original)

Hopefully its not going to be something too bad....but nervous about the fact that it is a new type engin......are people having probles with their New R56 models????

I doubt it's anything very bad. BMW have put this new engine through millions of miles of testing on dyno's and fitted to test cars before it went to market. As with any engine, sometimes a 'bad' on will come off the production line. From what you've written, I would guess that it's part of the variable valve timing mechanisms which is not working properly.

BMW / MINI will fix it under warranty, and in the worst case, you get a new replacement engine fitted at no cost. I am not aware of any other reports of engine problems.

[Ryephile]

The Prince engine does have a timing chain, not a belt. That's according to the drawing attached.

[Vinnies' Mini]

Thanks wiggis.. As you said hopefully its nothing too bad....I'm not too well up on the workings of engines.....

They said they would ring me today to let me know.....they were only able to do a very brief inspection on Saturday due to fact they only had a skeleton staff in....

Hopefully Lightning Blue will be up for the same trip next weekend....

If it is more serious as you said "BMW / MINI will fix it under warranty, and in the worst case, you get a new replacement engine fitted at no cost. " I will have to be given a better temporary replacement car.... something to be on a similar par to mine.........at least have stripes....

But must look on the bright side......I will like mine more after driving the Mini One...( Which is also fun to drive but the cooper will be slightly faster and have the new car smell compared to the cigarette smell in the One)

[MiniMpi]

Any news on it Vinnie?
Fergal.

[Vinnies' Mini]

The service dept phoned me today at 15.30 to tell me they think they have sorted it...The engine fault light has gone off...they want to keep it tomorrow to test it more...so hopefully will know more then and will report their fingings...

[MiniMpi]

Good to hear that.
It must not have been a major problem so,possibly software update maybe?
Hopefully you'll know more tmro.
Fergal.

[Vinnies' Mini]

Just got call to say someting called a Vanit Bolt had come loose....The said new part arrived today so they are fitting it....The will call me later to let me know if this does the trick

[devaisl]

Sorry to hear about your car Vinnie!!
Hope all is fixed now and you're back motoring!!