I had to remove the front wheels yesterday so opened the boot floor cover to get the locking wheel nut key.
The tool tray was quite full of water with about half an inch of water in the toolkit well. The carpet in the boot was dry but it looks as if the water is coming from just under the rear seat backs; there is a metal crossmember built into the floor under the seat backs, covered by carpet and the metal is wet. it seems like the water is coming in from this area and pooling in the tool tray area.
Whilst it has been very wet this week, I don't think it's a good idea to ignore it and hope it goes away!
Is this a common issue and where should I start to look for the leak...?
oh, by the way it is a 2008 mini cooper S with about 20k miles and the factory fitted roof spoiler...never been crashed or repaired either.
On earlier Minis it is often the seal around the high level brake light but not sure about later Minis, check hatch door seals and fold down rear seats to observe from inside while someone hoses the outside areas with water.
Had the same problem on a 2009 Clubman. There was water collecting in the spare wheel well in the back. The problem was with the sealing in the joints of the body panels on the underside of the car. Required re-sealing and a 24 hour drying period. Cost me about €200 for labour and sealant. Car smelled like a glue factory for about a week afterwards, but it's been bone dry back there since the dealership fixed it.
Surprised it cost you any money for that to be fixed when its obviously a production fault where the sealer was missed or not properly applied on the line, thought that would be a warranty fix?
I argued for warranty coverage but the warranty ran out in June 2011 and I noticed the water in the boot around September 2012 (even though I am sure it was leaking for some time as there were a few rust bubbles and dried mineral spots). Dealership wouldn't budge on it even though I tried the production fault route but according to BMW/Mini this isn't a known issue - which I thought strange given the number of other Clubman owners I've come across with the identical issue.
The more I read about BMW's service for mini owners, the more I am astounded by their total indifference and dreadful service. If the the leak is from failed body sealing, it has to be a production fault unless the car has been significantly repaired at some time.
I have a 20 year old Fiat coupe - that doesn't leak and neither does my 30 year old Porsche.....or my new Mercedes, so how does BMW think it can get away with this type of dismissal?
I've already suffered the failed cam chain tensioner on this car ( the one that BMW says is not a fault) and now this. Frankly this is the worst service I've ever had from any manufacturer!
I'm going to get the car checked over and we will see what we find...more later!
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