Car's name - Mechanically Inept with Niggles Included
After 7 years of problematic ownership, I have reluctantly come to the end of the road with my car. Though I would share the experience and problems I have had over 7 years:
Mini Cooper S chilli pack delivered 18th May 2008. 2 owners, same driver. Was wife’s company car and I then bought it from the leasing company. R56 N14 engine. 76,000 miles.
2008 – Power steering failure – warranty repair.
2009 – Windscreen spontaneously cracked while stationary – warranty repair
2009 - Drivers side electric window fails – warranty repair
2010 – Timing chain failure - warranty repair – timing chain, pulleys and tensioner replaced
2011 – Leather coming off driver’s seat – warranty repair
2011 – Clutch and duel mass fly wheel fails – repair at a cost of £1,200 at an independent garage. – circa 40,000 miles
Other – ABS and hill start stops working – investigated
Car alarm goes off whilst driving - investigated
Heavy use of oil – investigated a number of times.
Loss of power investigated a number of times
Noise coming from windscreen after replacement investigated
2013 – Rocker head gasket replaced – oil leaking - independent garage
2014 April – Second timing chain failure – parts and 60% labour paid for by BMW - timing chain, pulleys and tensioner replaced. Warning light on and loss of power.
2014 April – Turbo oil feed pipes fail – Around £500 pounds to replace – I paid BWM to fir replacement pipes
2015 – Boot mechanism replaced
2015 -Thermostat replaced
2015 - Air conditioning pipes replaced
2015 - fuel pump replaced (BMW paid for parts and labour for fuel pump). Total of £1,400 paid for by customer in 2015 visit.
2015 - Two weeks later, engine warning light on, limp home mode engaged. BMW Found lose air intake pipe and fixed. No charge.
15 minutes after pick up from to the above investigation, engine warning light on again and limp home mode engaged. Being looked at as I type, but I have made the to call to end my relationship with my Mini and look elsewhere. Despite my love for her, it has been all one way...............
P.S. Over the years I have used around 50 litres of oil to keep levels correct between services.
P.P.S. Apart from one service at an independent garage around April 2013, all services conducted by BWM / Mini.
After 7 years of problematic ownership, I have reluctantly come to the end of the road with my car. Though I would share the experience and problems I have had over 7 years:
Mini Cooper S chilli pack delivered 18th May 2008. 2 owners, same driver. Was wife’s company car and I then bought it from the leasing company. R56 N14 engine. 76,000 miles.
2008 – Power steering failure – warranty repair.
2009 – Windscreen spontaneously cracked while stationary – warranty repair
2009 - Drivers side electric window fails – warranty repair
2010 – Timing chain failure - warranty repair – timing chain, pulleys and tensioner replaced
2011 – Leather coming off driver’s seat – warranty repair
2011 – Clutch and duel mass fly wheel fails – repair at a cost of £1,200 at an independent garage. – circa 40,000 miles
Other – ABS and hill start stops working – investigated
Car alarm goes off whilst driving - investigated
Heavy use of oil – investigated a number of times.
Loss of power investigated a number of times
Noise coming from windscreen after replacement investigated
2013 – Rocker head gasket replaced – oil leaking - independent garage
2014 April – Second timing chain failure – parts and 60% labour paid for by BMW - timing chain, pulleys and tensioner replaced. Warning light on and loss of power.
2014 April – Turbo oil feed pipes fail – Around £500 pounds to replace – I paid BWM to fir replacement pipes
2015 – Boot mechanism replaced
2015 -Thermostat replaced
2015 - Air conditioning pipes replaced
2015 - fuel pump replaced (BMW paid for parts and labour for fuel pump). Total of £1,400 paid for by customer in 2015 visit.
2015 - Two weeks later, engine warning light on, limp home mode engaged. BMW Found lose air intake pipe and fixed. No charge.
15 minutes after pick up from to the above investigation, engine warning light on again and limp home mode engaged. Being looked at as I type, but I have made the to call to end my relationship with my Mini and look elsewhere. Despite my love for her, it has been all one way...............
P.S. Over the years I have used around 50 litres of oil to keep levels correct between services.
P.P.S. Apart from one service at an independent garage around April 2013, all services conducted by BWM / Mini.
