[indimini]

I just had my first taste of "British automotive heritage" tonight. Went to show off the packaging of the Cooper engine but when I pulled on the hood release in the passenger compartment I heard a strange pop and then found there was a complete lack of tension on one of the cables. Closer examination showed that the cable pull had completely come off the release!

Has anybody else had this cable pop off? Is there a way to easily remount it without having to visit the dealer's service department?

[BruceK]

Sorry to hear about that. If it had happened on the hood latch end of the cable(s) the good news is there is a simple fix to prevent it:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...nnet+ release

Anyone else have this happen at the handle?

[BruceK]

Only one unfortunate occurrence of this fault?

Indimini, please let us know how you car fares at the dealer with this.

[huskersurf]

Hi, just joined mini2 and noticed this thread. The same happened to me on my MCS. The driver's side latch cable (cable on top in cab - white plastic) came out of the bracket that's designed to hold it in place. And, when it lost tension the ball also came out of the yoke (which is part of the pull lever). Fortunately I was able to reattach the cable... but it wasn't easy (not easily described). Now when I pull the bonnet release, unless I use a long thin screwdriver to keep this cable in its bracket while I pull the lever, it comes apart. I don't plan to make a special trip to the dealer for a fix this since I can open the bonnet (with the help of a screwdriver) and also I live somewhat far away.

BTW, when I took delivery of my car (~2 weeks ago) and the sales guy popped the hood I noticed he had to pull very hard on the lever. And I opened the bonnet just a handful of times thereafter (same hard pull) before it broke. There must be an issue with the cable or perhaps the latch needs adjusting because it requires too much force on the lever to release the bonnet latches.

[Dom mini cooper]

Quote:

I just had my first taste of "British automotive heritage" tonight.

For god's sake.

Bloody Americans

[indimini]

Just got back from the dealer this morning. They took a look and went ahead and ordered a whole new set of hood release cables. Before it broke, the release was very, very hard to pull open. Based on what the technician said, it sounded like there were new release assemblies that replace these rather faulty ones.

The technician at MINI of Sterling was pretty amusing. It seemed as if he wasn't quite sure the MINI was such a good idea. Said he's been working on BMW's for 14 years and that he'd never seen the kind of silly faults like the ones the MINI's producing.

Oh well. I've decided that the MINI gives me the best of all worlds. Seems I get the joy of owning a somewhat quirky car British autos are (in)famous for with the knowledge that for at least four years, BMW picks up the tab.

Before anybody on the right side of the pond gets too upset, let me state for the record that I'd much rather have ANY auto built in the UK than the bland vehicles the American car mfrs. put on the road.

[nosaj]

Yes the same thing happened to the latch inside the cockpit of my MCS. The sevice man had to remove the panel that covers the latch and reset the cable grommet back into its bracket. The problem arises because it is simply a friction fit in a open ended bracket. Each time one pulls the lever it causes the cable to be pulled on an angle which in turn lifts it right out of the seat. Poor design.... yes. A simple fix is to zap strap the cable in the bracket. A permanant one has yet to be seen. This happened in the first day that i had the car. It has yet to be a problem since.

[Marts]

Car was in for the linkage recall and the bonnet cable went on the mechanic.... oh well. At least I did n't get the pleasure.