Cooper S/JCW Recall

[Pongobongo]

So its all over the press... fires due to electrical failure. Recalling all models 2006-11 (some convertibles too) to replace water pump.

What are your thoughts on this?

A little cheesed I must admit... only got an 08 MCS 4 days ago!!!

Grrrr...

...But boy is it fun to drive!!

[Snead]

Any Idea how mini intend to contact people who bought from independent dealers?

I have a 08 JCW but am guessing only the DVLA are aware of this.

I don't feel like calling my local dealer following my 'death rattle' conversation a few weeks ago

thanks anyways

[Nezquick]

You beat me to it with this post.

I've just phoned my local dealer as my 2007 MCS was in with them anyway for timing chain issues. I asked if they could just keep hold of it and sort it out. I was told "no, you'll have to wait until you get a letter about it and then bring it in".

Great!!

It would be interesting to see what happened if it caught fire in the meantime in terms of insurance etc!!

[Czar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pongobongo (original)

So its all over the press... fires due to electrical failure. Recalling all models 2006-11 (some convertibles too) to replace water pump.

What are your thoughts on this?

A little cheesed I must admit... only got an 08 MCS 4 days ago!!!

Grrrr...

...But boy is it fun to drive!!

I can't understand why your cheesed off, your going to be getting a new auxiliary cooling pump for the turbo for FREE, to prevent a rare but potential fire risk! I am sure you would be really cheesed off, if you didn't get this free part, and you suffered from the possible rare chance of a fire!!

[Pongobongo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Czar (original)

I can't understand why your cheesed off, your going to be getting a new auxiliary cooling pump for the turbo for FREE, to prevent a rare but potential fire risk! I am sure you would be really cheesed off, if you didn't get this free part, and you suffered from the possible rare chance of a fire!!

No the free part is good news - cheesed off that the issue hadn't been addressed sooner by BMW - and it's only 4 days old (to me anyway).

Spoke to dealer - everyone will have to wait for the letter. They will gain contact through the DVLA database.

Did ask "if our cars catch fire before the new part is fitted will BMW cover the cost of a new car??". The issue would have to be discussed with our insurance companies. Wonder if premiums will sky rocket?

Anyway, letters are being sent out mid feb.

[karlos9191]

Yay, another reason to take it to the garage ! I love my mini but damn I can't stand going to the garage 4 times in the past 4 months !
wheel bearing / service + MOT / "death rattle" timing change issue / Climate control panel died / water pump next....
I want to spend money improving and customising my mini, not making it safe and road worthy ! BMW engineering at its worst here
Can't wait to get the letter and book it in...

[hammo18]

wow i saw a lot of ''timing chain/death rattle'' so this is my sort of post!

I have returned my 07 MCS back to dealership no less than 3 times within 10 days as they cannot fix the damn death rattle...so much for German engineering! :|

[Pongobongo]

Quote: Originally Posted by hammo18 (original)

wow i saw a lot of ''timing chain/death rattle'' so this is my sort of post!

I have returned my 07 MCS back to dealership no less than 3 times within 10 days as they cannot fix the damn death rattle...so much for German engineering! :|

How common is the death rattle?

[karlos9191]

Very common ! But they won't admit that, I have had arguements with the dealership who still swear blind there is no common fault....they are blind and stupid at BMW apparantly.
You will know if you have the rattle, as when it gets cold your car sounds like a deisel. Mine coudn't be driven and sounds horrible !
Anyway lets focus on the fact at least they finally agreed there is a real fault with the water pumps

[Snead]

[quote=
Spoke to dealer - everyone will have to wait for the letter. They will gain contact through the DVLA database.


Anyway, letters are being sent out mid feb.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for that!

[AlunR]

Quote: Originally Posted by karlos9191 (original)

Very common ! But they won't admit that, I have had arguements with the dealership who still swear blind there is no common fault....they are blind and stupid at BMW apparantly.
You will know if you have the rattle, as when it gets cold your car sounds like a deisel. Mine coudn't be driven and sounds horrible !
Anyway lets focus on the fact at least they finally agreed there is a real fault with the water pumps

My MINI dealer admitted there was a problem, replaced the parts FOC and told me there was a better kit coming which they've called me to fit on the 31st of Jan. It is annoying but they've been more than helpful and given me a courtesy car etc on every visit for a car I didn't even buy from that garage.

[Snead]

Quote: Originally Posted by AlunR (original)

My MINI dealer admitted there was a problem, replaced the parts FOC and told me there was a better kit coming which they've called me to fit on the 31st of Jan. It is annoying but they've been more than helpful and given me a courtesy car etc on every visit for a car I didn't even buy from that garage.

Result! if only more dealer feedback was similar. If you dont mind me asking which branch? I predict long queue's there soon

[tallon]

The morning after I heard it on the TV, I raised it with the service guy at Hexagon London when I was there with a coolant problem - I was hoping they could do it at the same time. He went off to discuss with his boss then came back and said it was as much of a surprise to them, and that they had no instructions yet, or parts, so I'd have to wait till they contacted me about it.

So, I'm guessing that someone leaked it to the media before they had time to advise dealers and get the parts/instructions etc out to them, so BMW then had to scramble to get a warning out so they didn't look stupid/negligent.

[hammo18]

Quote: Originally Posted by AlunR (original)

My MINI dealer admitted there was a problem, replaced the parts FOC and told me there was a better kit coming which they've called me to fit on the 31st of Jan. It is annoying but they've been more than helpful and given me a courtesy car etc on every visit for a car I didn't even buy from that garage.

AlunR - could you tell us which dealership told you there is a better kit coming out? I would like to contact them after the Stevenage Specialist Cars Dealership have had my car come in no less than 3 times thi year alone with timing chain death rattle issues and they swear they can see/hear no problem!

[Pongobongo]

Quote: Originally Posted by karlos9191 (original)

Very common ! But they won't admit that, I have had arguements with the dealership who still swear blind there is no common fault....they are blind and stupid at BMW apparantly.
You will know if you have the rattle, as when it gets cold your car sounds like a deisel. Mine coudn't be driven and sounds horrible !
Anyway lets focus on the fact at least they finally agreed there is a real fault with the water pumps

Is a timing chain covered under TLC? Obviously worried now. Car is an 08 MCS so out of warranty - 1yr and a bit left of tlc tho.

I do have 6mths RAC however - wonder if they'd cover this.

If not, what's the general cost? I understand that most MCS will develop this fault at some stage.

Bring on the new pump!