What the hell have BMW done to my MINI!

[Volte]

A week or so ago I had the inspection II service carried out at Williams BMW in Bolton, and apart from not being very impressed with the experience, our MINI is now driving terribly. It's a post facelift, 04 plate Cooper with 50k miles on the clock.

There are hesitations around 2000rpm as you accelerate and this causes jerky progress.(It's getting worse). Also, the engine is now rather rough sounding in the lower gears. The performance doesn't appear to be too affected.

The MINI was fine before it went in! Also, rather worryingly, the BMW service guy (non-technical) asked me if I'd experienced and problems as they had some errors reported. I said no cos I had no problems and they told me not to worry then!

I guess I need to go back to them, but what could they have stuffed up during the Inspection II service to cause these issues?

[Volte]

Any one?

[DaFlake]

I wonder f they updated your ECU software? If they did, things might be off as it resets and has to re-learn how you drive. RichJackson also has a point, check you fluids and make sure they are topped off.

I would also call to find out what they did and explain it to them.

[ALD0]

Go to a different dealership, Williams I think crop up a lot in unsatisfied customer service issues!

[..Blackadder..]

^^^^ I'll second that Williams at Bolton don't know there a**e from there elbow, and there parts dept are even worse, if i need any work carring out by the dealers i'd take it to Derek Woodman's in Blackpool great service and a great bunch of people who work there, hope you get it sorted soon.

[smit-one]

this was happening to my car around the 2000 rpm mark i needed to get a new coil

[Volte]

Quote: Originally Posted by smit-one (original)

this was happening to my car around the 2000 rpm mark i needed to get a new coil

Was it expensive? Does the mini have 1 ignition coil per plug like VWs?

The problem seems to be getting worse!

But it was fine before the Service!

Cheers

[DaFlake]

I wouldn't think that the coil pack was going bad but things like this can happen. There is only one coil pack and it sits on top of the engine (all the plug wires go to it). The cost for the MSD coil pack seems to be about 127...

IGNITION COIL UPGRADE MSD MINI COOPER & S

[jaypoole]

Hi, the hesitation on acceleration sounds more like a spark plug problem, i believe these are renewed in a inspection 2, if it is i would get them chenged and refitted asap.

[Capsaisin]

My money is on an ECU update. Go back and ask if they flashed the ECU with the latest firmware.

[bubblegoose]

dirt in the coil/sparkplug connections...
ECU may need updating with new software..
Faulty set of ignition coils..
air flow issue ie filter housing not put back together properly..

All of the above can have an effect on your issues that you are experiencing. You'll have to go back to the dealer to allow them to have a go to sort it. If they don't put it right the next time its in, then you've got grounds for a reasonable complaint to their service department.

Dave.

[Volte]

Williams has the car today and said that they had found a faulty spark plug. Not sure if it has solved the misfire though - will have to give it a bit more of a run to test.

Still not a pleasant experience dealing with Williams Bolton.

[Volte]

Quote: Originally Posted by Volte (original)

Williams has the car today and said that they had found a faulty spark plug. Not sure if it has solved the misfire though - will have to give it a bit more of a run to test.

Still not a pleasant experience dealing with Williams Bolton.

Well, I didn't think it was sorted - set off to Witney today 350 mile 'round trip.

Straight away the fault appeared to still be there, but the further I went the worse it got, stuttering under any acceleration, and then on the way back the Engine management light came on!

Anyway, to their credit, Williams told me to bring the car straight back, and even though the M6 was stuffed, and I didn't get there til 5, they had a look and replaced all the spark plugs.

They had said they thought the HT leads may be suspect, but I'd have to pay as these are not under warranty, so I said I'd try the car over the weekend and buy some HT leads if it wasn't cured.

It ran great, for about 200 yards, then the engine light came on and the stuttering started again.

Oh well, hoping buying new leads tomorrow will cure it.

[ALD0]

Hope you get it sorted, would think the dealer as good will gesture may of given you the leads for free as I feel a problem like this may need a good test drive by them seeming it's been in there a few times now...

[Volte]

Quote: Originally Posted by ALD0 (original)

Hope you get it sorted, would think the dealer as good will gesture may of given you the leads for free as I feel a problem like this may need a good test drive by them seeming it's been in there a few times now...

Well I couldn't get hold of any Ignition leads, but the parts guy at Wilmslow BMW told me they had NEVER sold any ignition leads, which suggests they very rarely go wrong . They are a special order. They had only sold 3 ignition coils in 3 years too. Interestingly, leads and coils are a LOT cheaper from BMW than places like Halfords, Europarts and other motorfactors! But no one has them in stock anyway.

Anyway, I've got a mate of a mate who's a car electrician and has a lot of mini experience, so hopefully he's coming around to get it sorted today.