It's a nice ride, but. . . - MINI Cooper Forum

Hammer · #1 (**permalink**) Sep 15th, 2004, 01:13 AM

My '05 MCS is at the dealer for the third time, so they have given me a loaner until the problem is finally resolved. They gave me an '04 Cooper (non S) with auto tranny. It's a nice ride, but DOES NOT COMPARE with my S. All it's doing is making me miss my S even more! So in a way, it's kinda good that I am driving this loaner, gonna make my S feel even better when I get it back!

lukebuzzy · #2 (**permalink**) Sep 15th, 2004, 02:28 AM

What was wrong with it?

Mine went in the 3rd day I owned it for a few rattles, broken rear seat latch and grill re-installation. It's going in again soon for a few more rattles, buzzes and sqeaks but nothing major.

Luke

CooperSAZ · #3 (**permalink**) Sep 15th, 2004, 04:08 PM

Yes, please tell us what it went in for....

Hammer · #4 (**permalink**) Sep 15th, 2004, 09:46 PM

I bought the vehicle at a dealer 250 miles from my house because the local dealer was charging a $1500 premium. On my trip home from the dealer, about 40 miles or so into the trip, a squeal began to come from the engine. No warning lights are anything, and it just sounded like a loose belt, so I continued home. Took it to the local dealer the next day. Picked it up the day after - they had replaced the belt tensioner. Drove it the next day, the squeal is back. Took it in the following Monday, this time they replaced the vibration dampener. Drove out of the dealer, still squealing. Turned right back around and said "3rd time - Lemon Law". So they pulled it back in, removed the belt and the noise went away, thus they now say it is either the alternator or the Supercharger. So, they had me bring it back this past Monday and drop it off. Since it's the third time, they gave me a loaner and told me I would not be getting the car back until it's 100% fixed. They are going to replace the alternator first. If that doesn't do it, then it's a new Supercharger - which they can't find yet because it's a new design for '05!!!

CooperSAZ · #5 (**permalink**) Sep 15th, 2004, 09:53 PM

Oh boy, nice! Since it is an '05, there are probably not enough chargers running around? Makes sense, but if that is the problem, they had better get on their horse and have it overnighted from England! Best of luck to you!

Hammer · #6 (**permalink**) Sep 16th, 2004, 01:48 AM

This '04 Cooper I'm driving has the CVT tranny - it's weird. I don't care for it at all! I want my MCS back!!!

rockymountainpenguin · #7 (**permalink**) Sep 17th, 2004, 11:46 PM

well if it makes you feel any better i traded my MCS for my managers honda civic SI (i work for a mini/honda/bmw dealership) id never driven a civic..and the SI is suppose to be "badass" or somthing, so i figured why the hell not...........
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ill just stay that he had much more fun than i did...and i missed my mini horribly for the entire hour

Poisonedwell · #8 (**permalink**) Sep 18th, 2004, 12:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by rockymountainpenguin

well if it makes you feel any better i traded my MCS for my managers honda civic SI (i work for a mini/honda/bmw dealership) id never driven a civic..and the SI is suppose to be "badass" or somthing, so i figured why the hell not...........
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.....
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ill just stay that he had much more fun than i did...and i missed my mini horribly for the entire hour

Ouch...sorry to hear that...I really liked my SI

minimort · #9 (**permalink**) Sep 18th, 2004, 12:48 AM

How could you do that to your MINI? The SI looks like a scaled down Odessey...nowhere near the class of the MCS...

rockymountainpenguin · #10 (**permalink**) Sep 18th, 2004, 02:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Poisonedwell

Ouch...sorry to hear that...I really liked my SI

did you upgrade it...or was it stock?

Hammer · #11 (**permalink**) Sep 18th, 2004, 02:56 AM

Man, I DO NOT LIKE the CVT tranny in this Mini. It is funky and not smooth at all. My wife says it gives her a headache, and I believe her.

I talked to the dealer today, they replaced the alternator and said it took care of 95% of the noise, but the lower pulley is still making a slight noise and they want to make sure it's 100% noise free, so they are going to put a new lower pulley (I joked that he should just throw a smaller pulley on. . .), but he doesn't have one in stock, so it's been ordered and I'm stuck with this CVT Mini for the weekend and into the beginning of next week. Ugh!

CooperSAZ · #12 (**permalink**) Sep 18th, 2004, 05:15 AM

Does it get anymore painful than that? Ouch!

Poisonedwell · #13 (**permalink**) Sep 18th, 2004, 04:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rockymountainpenguin

did you upgrade it...or was it stock?

I had it for 2 years and mostly just fiddled with it. No major changes...just wheels/tires, springs, a rear spoiler, head unit, exhaust, etc...
The 04's and 05's look much better in stock form though

Here's 2 pics with the optional performance package

zodiac · #14 (**permalink**) Sep 18th, 2004, 08:35 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Hammer

I bought the vehicle at a dealer 250 miles from my house because the local dealer was charging a $1500 premium. On my trip home from the dealer, about 40 miles or so into the trip, a squeal began to come from the engine. No warning lights are anything, and it just sounded like a loose belt, so I continued home. Took it to the local dealer the next day. Picked it up the day after - they had replaced the belt tensioner. Drove it the next day, the squeal is back. Took it in the following Monday, this time they replaced the vibration dampener. Drove out of the dealer, still squealing. Turned right back around and said "3rd time - Lemon Law". So they pulled it back in, removed the belt and the noise went away, thus they now say it is either the alternator or the Supercharger. So, they had me bring it back this past Monday and drop it off. Since it's the third time, they gave me a loaner and told me I would not be getting the car back until it's 100% fixed. They are going to replace the alternator first. If that doesn't do it, then it's a new Supercharger - which they can't find yet because it's a new design for '05!!!

That is the problem with many of the current "factory trained" mechanics. They only know to use shot gun approach to fix a problem by replacing parts until it goes away, instead of analytical problem solving. They cannot find the problem is not because of the new design but their incompetence. The changes in the O5 is very minor and these changes are inmaterial to trouble shooting this kind of problem.

The other problem common with the service is they are unwilling to devote any time when the problem is illusive. They rather you waste time in retuning for another appointment. I have no insight on the billing scheme they do to Mini and if they come out ahead in way or not.

Hammer · #15 (**permalink**) Sep 19th, 2004, 04:53 PM

I have to agree with you there zodiac. People tell me "well, at least it's under warranty and not costing you anything". While that is true, the fact of the matter is I've been without my brand new car longer than I've been with it.