[hyperbluejames]

Hello everybody

This thread is simply for those people who have experienced handbrake failure (that was not part of the previous recall) to say who they are, and to say if they are willing to make themselves known to BMW/MINI. Apparently, MINI have said that they know nothing of this problem, but I've noticed quite a few people on here that have experienced a rolling MINI. So the more people who will tell BMW they have had this problem, the less chance there is for BMW simply to bury their heads in the sand.

Oh, and as much as I like discussion, please keep it to an absolute minimum, and no discussion about your own particular way of putting your handbrake on and leaving in gear etc etc there's been enough of that already!

Thanks!

James

[DaFlake]

This will be interesting so let's add some basic rules.

1. Post the year of the car.
2. Post a brief description of the failure.
3. No arguments on this thread in regards to the owners.

Lets use this thread to see how many have actually had this issue and keep the banter down.

So james, you can start this.

[DJC]

2002 Cooper - January build date.
Car rolled down drive, handbrake fully in the up/on position.

[hyperbluejames]

2006 Cooper - March Build
Car rolled down driveway, handbrake fully on

[zstkng]

Sept 2001 One.
Rolled down carpark at local pub.

[herbie hind]

04 cooper s car rolled with well engaged e brake
.

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Flakemeister

This will be interesting so let's add some basic rules.

1. Post the year of the car.
2. Post a brief description of the failure.
3. No arguments on this thread in regards to the owners.

Lets use this thread to see how many have actually had this issue and keep the banter down.

So james, you can start this.

discusion can be held in this various other threads as it has been before


http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...and+brake+roll

http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...and+brake+roll

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...and+brake+roll

A previous poll was done to see who leaves their car in gear.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...and+brake+roll

But also might be interesting to vote on a poll too with more detail of those that have had failures
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...d-problem.html

[Xena]

2004 MCS conv - rolled with handbrake fully engaged an wasn't even on a steep hill - p.s witness statement proves handbrake was on

[diverse]

Ditto, small incline in Dealer Carpark of all places, dealer employee confirmed he saw handbrake was on, Dealer settled claim for my time proving fault with car(eventually) after getting independant engineer and taking legal action against them and BMW and taking almost a week off work. They wanted me to pay for damage to their car which it rolled in to (mine was already rejected and awaiting replacement).

Mini know who i am already!

02 Cooper

[rellik666]

2003 Mini One,

Rolled backwards down Car Park into another car in the centre of Settle. Handbrake ON!

[Zipperblues]

2003 Cooper S (Jan. '03 build)

My car rolled backwards out of a fairly steep driveway with the handbrake fully engaged.

[Xena]

please can you all complete the poll vote as well - search handbrake failure.

Thanks

Xena

[iantowers]

6day old car 120 mls only ,mcs. rolled into house this morning damaged bumper. off to dealers in morning any tips?

[roni]

check e-brake adjustment

[matt.morrow]

My January 07 Cooper S rolled back and has serious damage. The dealership have said there is no malfunction and are advising me to approach my insurance company. I am currently disputing this. The handbrake was DEFINATLY ON as backed up by witness.

[Xena]

Hi Matt

Ive been in your situation - BMW/Mini don't give a damn and they wont admit or repair your car - you will also be consistanley told that you should of had the car in gear (thanks for the comments guys, but I don't expect to pay such a large amount of money for a car who has a handbrake that doesnt do the job its supposed to and needs back up with the gears) - £300 excess on mine, so the other 2 cars that mine rolled into have been repaired but mine has remained damaged and will do until it goes to the scrap heap (which won't be long the way things are going)

Oh, forgot to mention - BMW/Mini had collected the car for minor repair and they reversed it onto a main road 'smash' straight into another car!.. car was returned the next day but 3 (yes, only 3) days later it rolled! Im still waiting for an apology.

Good luck mate!

Xena

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by Xena (original)

- you will also be consistanley told that you should of had the car in gear (thanks for the comments guys, but I don't expect to pay such a large amount of money for a car who has a handbrake that doesnt do the job its supposed to and needs back up with the gears)

Actually, you have that backwards, the brake is there to backup the transmission. I highly recommend that you guys read your drivers handbook. I'm pretty sure that it states it in there as many here have quoted it. I know for a fact that in Texas it is in there as is probably in most of the US states.

You can argue the point all you want, but if you are not putting the car in gear and just relying on the emergency brake, you are asking for trouble as you have found.

Coming on here and bashing MINI for a drivers mistake is not right either. Everything that I searched on the WEB says to leave the car in 1st or reverse. Please show me or prove to me that it is not in your drivers handbook and I will leave you alone and apologize on the matter.

[hyperbluejames]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

Actually, you have that backwards, the brake is there to backup the transmission. I highly recommend that you guys read your drivers handbook. I'm pretty sure that it states it in there as many here have quoted it. I know for a fact that in Texas it is in there as is probably in most of the US states.

You can argue the point all you want, but if you are not putting the car in gear and just relying on the emergency brake, you are asking for trouble as you have found.

Coming on here and bashing MINI for a drivers mistake is not right either. Everything that I searched on the WEB says to leave the car in 1st or reverse. Please show me or prove to me that it is not in your drivers handbook and I will leave you alone and apologize on the matter.

Hi there Da Flake,

I've been involved in this argument before, but I think it is worth quoting the DVLA HIghway Code which is the UK driving handbook.

226: Parking on hills. If you park on a hill you should

• park close to the kerb and apply the handbrake firmly
• select a forward gear and turn your steering wheel away from the kerb when facing uphill
• select reverse gear and turn your steering wheel towards the kerb when facing downhill
• use 'park' if your car has an automatic gearbox.

As we can see, the Highway Code says that a gear should be selected in addition to the handbrake. However, it is also noteworthy that the primary suggestion is to select the handbrake and apply it firmly. Since this is the first item mentioned, I would argue that it is the primary system that is allocated to the prevention of the car rolling on an incline. Therefore, the car should hold steady with the handbrake on, and no other 'insurance' actions are required on behalf of the driver (i.e. engaging a gear), since they are exactly that, secondary measures . I do not believe that the list is mentioned in order of actions to be taken.

James

[DaFlake]

Thanks for posting that. Honestly I don't think that it really matters which order it is. The bottom line is that if the car was in gear as it should have been, it would not have rolled.

FYI, MINI is not the only car that this can happen too. I had a Ford Escort that I found at the end of my drive once because I forgot to put it in gear. On an automatic you have a "prown" that can fail easily which is why you have the e-brake. The e-brake is not designed to be the primary stopping on an auto, the tranny is so if the prown fails, the car will be held by the brakes.

It just gets old seeing people not owning up to their mistakes.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by hyperbluejames (original)

I do not believe that the list is mentioned in order of actions to be taken.

James

Me neither, it just says you should do both. It states neither as an extra, precautionary step.

This is a really difficult situation, but I honestly think any claim would have little or no chance of succeeding.

I would bet on any large forum for any other manufacturer you could start a "hand brake failure" list and get a decent amount of respondents, especially if they have a disk brakes all round, and a relatively high rear brake balance, which I believe makes heat all the more an issue (expanding and contracting).