Hello all. I am posting on behalf of Amanda

[Amanda]

Hello all,
Firstly I would like to say hello to everyone.

I am Amanda's better half Steve. I have asked Amanda if I can use her log in to gain some help on a annoying issue we have with her car since we bought her.

As I believe Amanda has voiced before that we had to call the BMW Customer Service Engineer out after only 2 days of ownership due to a faulty alternator bearing causing the car to act irregular. Car went in then fixed by dealer.

I've driven this car a couple of times and I have to say how impressed I am with it's handling and driver friendly driving position (great compared to her old car Clio Sport 172).The Sports suspension upgrade with the 17" CooperS alloys really do it some justice . I myself drive a Subaru Impreza tuned by GRD (Greenwood Racing Development) and have owned hot hatches in the past R5 GTT,Punto GT and Punto HGT. Even though the Cooper is not the quickest car it by a long shot is a mile stone over its competitors.

Being a tall chap I was worried that the space for me was not going to be enough and this was also worrying me after I've just had a major knee op too. But again what a shock.....

Anyway.....let me get to my gripe.
We went away for the weekend to the coast and on the way back after pulling in to a service station for a break we got back onto the m25 and the "engine warning light" came back up on the dash. Being a tad worried I told Amanda to take it easy and at the next available moment to pull over (just to be on the safe side). When we did this I got out and the car was running very lean. I asked Amanda what fuel she used last time and she said "same as you" (Tesco 99 minus my Octane Booster). When we got home we called the BMW Customer Service for them to send another engineer out just to check it over and make sure its ok. I haven't read the manual as of yet but does it state anywhere that the limit for the mini is 98ron? The Engineer ran a diagnostic test and stated the "car was running too lean and this was due to a faulty sensor (Lambda)". He said "some dirty deposits have gone on the sensor and caused the trip on the ECU and is now running lean" (I did not tell him that Amanda put 99ron in by mistake). He reset the ECU for us and car was now running fine.

However.....after a day of Amanda using 97ron fuel the ECU has now chucked up another "engine warning light" and has almost gone in to limp/safe mode. Amanda is of course upset as she has wanted a Mini for so long and now she is getting problems. Three issues in 3 weeks is not good.

Amanda is going to call the Dealers up again tomorrow to get them to sort it out but my concern would be is this a known issue? Anyone can reset an ECU to stop it flagging a malfunction in the system and send you on your way but will the problem just come back? What if it is a fuelling issue? Not everywhere can you get the right fuel at the right time etc.
On the first visit I spoke with the Manager and I voice my frustration that the car was off the road after only two days. He was good at the time and gave Amanda a big bunch of flowers as an apology and said how sorry he was. This time I hope he can swallow his pride and give us more than just a bunch of flowers as a good will gesture. I may sound like I am taking the michael and in honesty he is a nice fellow however I feel it is his duty to make sure all his customers are happy not only with the product but customer after care too? We shall see.

Sorry for the long winded write up.

Please can someone enlighten me.

Steve (Amanda's better half)

[ratherbewindsurfing]

Buy yourself a fault code reader or better still a PC based system so that your can look at the live readings from the engine as it is running.

http://www.gendan.co.uk/index.php

Warning lights usually come on for a good reason, just resetting them and sending you on your way sounds dodgy.

I doubt if the grade of petrol was cause a warning light.
Modern ECU system are pretty clever, I don't think you have a fueling problem other than that instigated by the ECU to protect the engine after detecting a fault (limp home/safe mode).

How do you know it was running lean? (the first thing most people notice is a melted piston!)

[Rakey]

I really don't see anything odd here, there is something wrong, so the car goes to the dealership, they find out what it is, and fix it.

Its nice to hear they gave you flowers for having to return it last time, I've never had any and my car must have been in the dealership about 10 times in the 18mths of ownership So don't think you should get used to the complimentry gifts everytime it goes in, as there are bound to be a few more visits over the next few years

[Amanda]

Quote: Originally Posted by ratherbewindsurfing

Buy yourself a fault code reader or better still a PC based system so that your can look at the live readings from the engine as it is running.

http://www.gendan.co.uk/index.php

Warning lights usually come on for a good reason, just resetting them and sending you on your way sounds dodgy.

I doubt if the grade of petrol was cause a warning light.
Modern ECU system are pretty clever, I don't think you have a fueling problem other than that instigated by the ECU to protect the engine after detecting a fault (limp home/safe mode).

How do you know it was running lean? (the first thing most people notice is a melted piston!)

Hi mate,

Thanks for the reply.

I don't really want to buy a fault code reader as at the end of the day I don't see why a new car should have such issues? Maybe I am stubborn but just my view.

The way I could tell it was running lean/rich was first of all the smell. It's a rich burning smell. I know what I mean.

Steve

[Amanda]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

I really don't see anything odd here, there is something wrong, so the car goes to the dealership, they find out what it is, and fix it.

Its nice to hear they gave you flowers for having to return it last time, I've never had any and my car must have been in the dealership about 10 times in the 18mths of ownership So don't think you should get used to the complimentry gifts everytime it goes in, as there are bound to be a few more visits over the next few years

Hey,

10 times in 18 months!!! It doesn't say Fiat on the badge does it? I have to admit I am a tad jammy when it comes to dealers. I have never walked out of a dealership empty handed or out of pocket if something has gone wrong with mine,Amanda's,my mum's or one of my sisters cars. At the end of the day "you are the customer" and they wouldn't have a job if it wasn't for your business and sales.

This 10 times in 18months is worrying me I have to say. Is there a common issue with 51-52 (UK) cars and cell light problems?

Was there never a recall?

Regards
Steve

[Amanda]

Oh also......forgot to add that Amanda's drivers side window will not go down now.

Good job it's going into the dealers in the morning. Hope they've had breakfast before I come in.

Steve

[binchybabes]

Good luck!

Let's hope your dealers better than mine!

[AndyH_MCS]

The dealer will be fine!

Using 99ron wouldn't cause a problem.


Good luck