2007 Mini Cooper S engine problems

ENGINE

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE AND MESSED UP THE ENGINE

NHTSA complaint #11153691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY @ BRAMAN BMW WPB (5612423210) FOR A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL. THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED ME AND NOTIFIED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE INSIDE THE ENGINE & COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE MOTOR. TE TIMING CHAIN JOB ALONE ESTIMATE IS $3800, BUT THEYVE NOTIFIED ME THAT THE ENGINE IS UNREPAIRABLE & MUST BE REPLACED! THEY ALSO FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS HAPPEN WHILST DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE, ALMOST CAUSING A HUGE ACCIDENT!! PLEASE HELP!! MINI APPARENTLY CARES MORE ABOUT MONEY THAN LIVES!!

NHTSA complaint #11114985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO BRAMAN MINI OF PALM BEACH (2815 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409, (561) 257-4774). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SERVICE CAMPAIGN WAS ONLY TO ADDRESS REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S GUIDELINES OF THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD APPROVE THE DEALER REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11114990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN, SO I HAD IT REPLACED IN THE RECALL PROGRAM THAT WAS OFFERED THROUGH MINI COOPER. LESS THEN 2 YEARS LATER, MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE AGAIN, AND HAS DAMAGED THE MOTOR OF MY CAR. IT WOULD NOT START

NHTSA complaint #11084013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TIMING CHAIN MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN STARTED

NHTSA complaint #11019830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THIS CAR HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT USER OF OIL. IT USES A QUART AT ABOUT 500 MILES. THIS ENGINE HAS A REPUTATION FOR PROBLEMS ON MINI COOPER S MODELS AND THE PEUGEOT MODELS WITH THAT SAME ENGINE. I'VE HEARD THAT LATER MODELS DON'T BURN OIL. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHY BMW HAS NOT RECALLED THEM. FIRST THE TIMING CHAIN, COOLING SYSTEM AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP., THEY PAID FOR THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA complaint #10969563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MINI COOPER S - NUMEROUS ISSUES FOUND HAVING PURCHASED A USED 2007 MINI COOPER S FROM A SMALL DEALER IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, WE DID OUR RESEARCH UP-FRONT WITH A 'CARFAX REPORT' WHICH SHOWED NO ISSUES, WE ALSO DID A VIN DATABASE SEARCH FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NO OPEN RECALLS AND ASSUMED THAT IT WAS SAFE TO PURCHASE WHICH WE DID FOR JUST OVER $5,000. NOW THAT WE ARE NEARING A YEAR INTO OUR 4-YEAR PAYMENT PLAN, ON JANUARY 17, 2016, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-75 IN GEORGIA AND AT APPROX. MILE MARKER 211, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND SHE REQUIRED A TOW OFF THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY- BUT IT SEEMS THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED OUR CASE' UPON ATTEMPTING REPAIRS, WE FIND NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE (2007 R56/N16 4 CYLINDER TURBOCHARGED) INCLUDING TIMING CHAIN, WATER PUMP, VACUUM PUMP, ETC' BELOW ARE PHOTOS OF REMOVED PARTS FROM THE ENGINE ' THE VACUUM PUMP SEIZED AND BENT THE METAL COMPONENTS ' SINCE THIS IS CONNECTED TO THE 'EXHAUST CAMSHAFT', WHEN IT SEIZED IT SEIZED THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT ' ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THIS CAMSHAFT IS A SPROCKET WHICH CONNECTS THE TIMING CHAIN (ANOTHER KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE) ' THE BOLT AND SPROCKET DROPPED INTO THE ENGINE AND TIMING CHAIN AREA, CREATING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHICH IT APPEARS WE ARE GOING TO BE 'LEFT HOLDING THE BAG' FOR

NHTSA complaint #10949916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE, THERMOSTAT, GASKET, RADIATOR, COOLANT TUBE, AND BATTERY WENT OUT ON THE V AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND JUST STOP RUNNING.

NHTSA complaint #10909978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WE ARE A SECOND OWNER OF THIS MINI COOPER HAD IT ABOUT A YEAR. TURN THE CAR ON AND HEAR A RATTLE IN MOTOR. WORSE WHEN IT'S COLD. TOOK IT IN TO BE CHECKED IT THE TIMING TENSIONER. APPARENTLY THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS FOR SOMETIME. REPAIR COST IS AROUND $2000. CAR ONLY HAS 76,000 MILES THIS PART SHOULD BE PROVIDED UNDER WARRANTY. BUT WHEN IT BREAKS IT AFFECTS THE MOTOR AS WELL BECAUSE IT IS METAL IT TEARS THE MOTOR UP. MAKING A 10 DOLLAR PART COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR REPAIR. I DON'T FEEL LIKE I AM LIABLE FOR THE EXPENSE THAT MINI KNEW WAS A PROBLEM AND NEVER RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10898458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE WAS RUNNING EXTREMELY ROUGH AND VERY LOUD ENGINE NOISE RATTLE. TOOK THE CAR TO MINI COOPER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN JACKSONVILLE FOR DIAGNOSTIC THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN, THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER 2,800. WHEN MY UNDERSTANDING THIS ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED BY A RECALL TO BE REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE.

NHTSA complaint #10854255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

OIL FEED LINE LEAKING ON TURBO

NHTSA complaint #10851522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I ARRIVED IN COUNTRY 2007 HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH THE CK ENGINE LIGHT AND NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, THE LARGE CHECK ENGINE OVER STERING WHEEL BLK AND ENGINE LIGHT IN HECTOR METER ORANGE. IVE HAD IN SHOP MANY TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM LATEST WAS SEPT 2015 SAID TO CARBIN $1232.00 DECEMBER 2015 $599.00 DRIVING MINIUM THE ENGINE RUN WHEN THE CAR IS ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO PK UP HILL THE WILL MOVE WHEN THE EMG BKS OR UP AND GEIR IN NUTURAL.

NHTSA complaint #10845811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING ON MAJOR FREEWAY AT POSTED SPEED LIMITED OF 75 MPH. PULLING OFF ON SLIP ROAD DUE TO ENGINE STOPPING. ONLY AFTER FULL STOP DID ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND FOUND COOLANT HAD EVACUATED THE SYSTEM. ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER HAD WORN THROUGH COOLANT HOSE DUE TO ENGINEERING DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10823578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TIMING CHAIN REPLACED AT 32K, JUST FAILED AGAIN AT 92K WITH MOBIL ONE OIL AND FILTER CHANGES EVERY 5K MILES. CHAIN JUMPED IN GARAGE DURING SHUT DOWN OF ENGINE. WOULD NOT RESTART. I CHECKED SPARK, FUSES FOR PRIMARY FUEL PUMP AND MADE A JUDGEMENT THAT IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND TOWED IT TO THE DEALER FOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENT. GOT THE CALL THE TIMING CHAIN JUMPED A LINK AND I WOULD NEED A REPLACEMENT AGAIN. CAN'T BELIEVE IT . THIRD CHAIN WITH GOOD LUBRICATION MAINTENANCE IN UNDER 92K.

NHTSA complaint #10809922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND HAD A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO THE NEAREST EXIT FOR SAFETY. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR I ATTEMPTED TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVELS BUT THE CAR WAS TOO HOT TO CHECK AND I WAITED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR TO COOL. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO CHECK ALL LEVELS DOWN, INCLUDING THE OIL, WHICH I JUST HAD A CHANGE IN LESS THAN A WEEK PREVIOUS TO THIS INDENT. THE OIL LEVEL WAS DOWN 2 1/2 QUARTS AND THE WATER LEVEL WAS BELOW THE SAFETY LEVEL. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED BMW MECHANIC, HE ADVISED THAT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED BMW AND MINI CORPORATE OFFICES AND THEY BOTH STATED THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY MAY BE ABLE TO FIX AT A REDUCE COST. UPON FURTHER QUESTIONING, AND THEM STATING THAT THEY MAY NOT ASSIST DUE TO AGE, I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE LIKELIHOOD OF THEM ASSISTING WAS ZERO. THEY STATE THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER COVERING AND THAT THE CAR HAD TOO MANY MILES, 85K. I PREVIOUSLY HAD THE THERMOSTAT REPLACED, THE AIR INTAKE VALVE REPLACED, THE OIL PUMP REPLACED, AND NOW THE TIMING BELT TO THE SUM OF $4300 IN THE PAST YEAR AND HALF. WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER AND WILL NEVER ENCOURAGE ANYONE ELSE TO PURCHASE A BMW OR MINI PRODUCT. I WILL PAY AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE, BUT WILL PUT A MESSAGE ON IT TO NOT ASK ME OR COMMENT ON THE "CUTENESS" OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS A PIECE OF JUNK! I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO GET AT LEAST 200K OUT OF IT BEFORE THESE MAJOR REPAIRS SHOULD HAVE EVER OCCURRED! VERY FRUSTRATED, NOT TO MENTION DISAPPOINTED IN THIS HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLE THAT SELLS ITSELF WITH A SIMPLE DRIVE, BUT MECHANICALLY IS NOT SUPPORTED BY ITS MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10767526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THIS IS A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER FOR THE MINI COOPER WHICH IS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY. THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BEGIN RATTLING AND WAS INSPECTED AT A MINI DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED THAT IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MINI. REPAIR FOR THIS JOB IS 3800 USD. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS PRICE TAG.THIS CAN LEAD TO A VERY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING TO WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10714422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

OIL FEED LINE GOING INTO TURBO IS LEAKING OIL DIRECTLY ONTO TURBO. MINI USES A RUBBER O RING THAT IS CONNECTED TO A VERY HOT TURBO AND O RING WILL FAIL ON ALL MINI COOPERS WITH A TURBO. WHEN THIS RUBBER O RING FAILS IT WILL LEAK OIL DIRECTLY ONTO HOT TURBO AND CAUSE A FIRE. I THINK IT'S IN THE SAFETY OF ALL THAT THIS BE LOOKED INTO AND RECALLED. I BELIEVE MINI COOPER IS VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS COVERING UP THE ISSUE BY INSTALLING A CHEAP HEAT SHIELD ON OIL LINE BUT THIS IS A BANDAID FIX AT BEST.

NHTSA complaint #10714082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THIS IS A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER FOR THE MINI COOPER WHICH IS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY. THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BEGIN RATTLING AND WAS INSPECTED AT A MINI DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED THAT IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MINI. REPAIR FOR THIS JOB IS 2000 USD. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS PRICE TAG.THIS CAN LEAD TO A VERY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING TO WORK. IMAGINE GOING 65 ON THE HIGHWAY THE CHAIN SNAP. LOST POWER AND CONTROL OF THE CAR. NOT ONLY THE DRIVER IS AT RISK BUT OTHER AS WELL. WHAT IF IT CAUSE A FAMILY IN THE CAR AN ACCIDENT. LET'S SAY 3 CAR WERE INVOLVED FILLED WITH FAMILIES BUT ONE PERSON DIED. YOU ARE CAUSING A LIFETIME OF HEARTACHE FOR NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE FAULT IN YOUR ENGINE. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT PEOPLE LIVES ARE AT STAKE. IT'S BETTER THAT MINI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. IS MONEY SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT TO MINI THAN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE. THE LIVES OF FAMILIES. IF FUTURE ACCIDENT CAN BE AVOIDED. IT MUST START NOW. DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE THIS RECALL HAPPEN. DON'T LET ME START ON CARBON BUILDUP. ENGINE DESIGN WASN'T TESTED THOROUGHLY. EVERYONE SHOULD BE GIVEN A COURTESY CLEAN EVERY 70000 MILES OR SO. ALREADY SHOW SIGN OF CARBON BUILDUP WITH 48K MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10664077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ON 27-OCT-2014, WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT GAVE A MESSAGE ABOUT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND THE MESSAGE JUST SAID TO SLOW DOWN WHICH I DID. I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY SINCE IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE.IT WAS REAL SHAKY AND DIDN'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS AND CHECKED EVERYTHING FROM THE COILS, SPARK PLUGS, RAN A COMPRESSION TEST WHICH SHOWED THAT CYLINDER 3 WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH POWER, ETC. THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS OR FLUIDS FOUND IN THAT AREA LIKE THEY HAD EXPECTED SINCE THAT WAS THE ONLY CYLINDER THAT WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. I CONTACTED MINIUSA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX THE VEHICLE OUT OF GOODWILL BECAUSE THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES/ENGINES (R56). NEEDLESS TO SAY, MINIUSA WOULD NOT FIX THE REPAIR NOR WOULD THEY RESPOND TO MY EMAILS. MINI OF CONCORD OFFERED TO COVER 25% OF THE COST LEAVING ME TO PAY $3600 OUT OF POCKET FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY KNOW IS FAULTY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10663208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MINI USA WAS WELL AWARE OF THE MASSIVE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM (AFFECTING 500,000 MINI COOPERS),BUT REFUSED TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I'VE COMPLAINED OF THE CANTANKEROUS RATTLE DURING A COLD START WHICH WAS CLEARLY RELATED TO THE FAILING TIMING CHAIN DUE TO A DEFECTIVE AND POORLY DESIGNED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. (APPARENTLY MINI HAS COME OUT WITH A NEW ONE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM). THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME $1800 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CHAIN ASSEMBLY. I ULTIMATELY TOOK IT AN INDEPENDENT MINI MECHANIC AND HAD IT REPLACED FOR LESS ($1144). NOW I AM HEARING THAT MINI DEALERSHIPS ARE REPLACING THIS DEFECTIVE PART BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOW A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE TENSIONER AND CHAIN. THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED IT WHEN THE PROBLEMS WERE OBVIOUS AND SHOULD NOW COMPENSATE THOSE WHO'VE PAID OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS FOR THIS POORLY DESIGNED PART.

NHTSA complaint #10649754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY CAR STARTED TO ACT FUNNY. ALMOST SOUNDING LIKE IT WAS SUFFOCATING. IT WOULD DIE ABOUT TEN TO FIFTEEN TIMES EVERY MORNING BEFORE I WOULD FINALLY GET THE CAR STARTED. IT WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN I STOPPED AT INTERSECTIONS. THE ONLY TIME IT RAN DECENT WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING HIGHWAYS SPEEDS FOR 20 MINUTES OR MORE. I CHANGED OUT FILTERS, SPARK PLUGS, AND FLUIDS BUT NONE OF IT CHANGED THE WAY IT WAS RUNNING. COME TO FIND OUT IT THAT THE CHAIN AND CHAIN TENSIONER HAD BROKEN. THIS DAMAGE CAUSED ROUGHLY $1000 TO FIX. LUCKILY I CAUGHT IT IN TIME BEFORE IT DID ADDITIONAL DAMAGES TO THE CRANK SHAFT. WITH LOW MILES THE MECHANIC EVEN TOLD ME ITS A FAULT PART AND BRAKES EASILY. HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE NUMEROUS AMERICAN MODEL MINIS IN ITALY. MY COUNTRY CODE IS 39 IF YOU CALL.

NHTSA complaint #10637939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

HAVE HAD A SEVERE RATTLING NOISE FROM ENGINE FOR SOME TIME NOW, RESEARCH SAYS THAT IT IS A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER PROBLEM. ALSO HAVE A LEAKING OIL SUPPLY LINE TO THE TURBO. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE MAJOR ISSUES FOR WHICH THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS FROM MINI. THESE ARE BOTH EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD.......THERE SHOULD BE RECALLS ON THESE PROBLEMS! PLEASE HELP.....

NHTSA complaint #10604671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE OIL LINE FEEDING THE TURBO CHARGING UNIT. OIL NOW LEAKS DIRECTLY ONTO THE TURBO CHARGER CAUSING LARGE DISCHARGES OF SMOKE AT LOWER (CITY) SPEEDS FROM THE HOOD. THE BURNED OIL SMOKE IS NOT VISIBLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALTHOUGH ONCE ONE SLOWS DOWN FOR A RAMP THE SMOKE POURS OUT AGAIN. DUE TO THE HIGH RISK OF FIRE THE CAR IS NO LONGER PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. IT IS PARKED TOWARDS THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY AS FAR FROM OUR HOUSE AS POSSIBLE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE AN URGENT SAFETY ISSUE SEEING THAT THE ENGINE COULD CATCH FIRE AT ANY TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10599184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR LOST PARTIAL POWER AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND BEGAN FLASHING. I PULLED OVER TO THE ROADSIDE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I LOOKED AT THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO SEE WHAT THE FLASHING ENGINE LIGHT INDICATES. NOTHING DEFINITIVE WAS STATED IN THE MANUAL, SO I STARTED THE ENGINE AND DROVE IT TO MY HOME ABOUT 10 MILES UNDER PARTIAL POWER. I CONTACTED A LOCAL GARAGE (MIENKE) AND LET THEM KNOW THE PROBLEM. THE GARAGE WAS ABOUT THREE MILES AWAY SO I DROVE IT TO THEM. THEY DIAGNOSED A LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN ONE OF THE VALVES THAT WOULD REQUIRE A VALVE JOB. I CONTACTED MINIUSA TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. THEY REQUESTED I TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT OCCURRED AND ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THE APPROXIMATE 20 MILES TO THEIR LOCATION WITH A COMPROMISED ENGINE. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE OKAY AND BRING IT IN. THEY DIAGNOSED IT THE NEXT DAY WITH A FAILED TIMING CHAIN ($1800), VACUUM PUMP ($600) AND VALVE COVER ASSEMBLY ($385). I LET THEM KNOW THE TIMING CHAIN WAS ALREADY REPLACED BY A MINI DEALERSHIP AT 40781 MILES AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE IT AT NO COST AS THIS IS SUPPOSED TO LAST 100,000 MILES. THE DEALER WOULD NOT. I CONTACTED MINIUSA AGAIN TO REPORT THE ISSUE AND REQUEST TO HAVE THIS REPLACED AT NO COST. THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK TO ME YET AND IT IS STILL PENDING THEIR DECISION. I BEGAN TO LOOK ONLINE FOR SIMILAR ISSUES AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. MINI/BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT STILL DOES NOT COVER THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND UNKNOWING MINI OWNERS ARE SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE THEIR CARS PUT BACK ON THE ROAD. THERE IS ALSO A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IN NEW JERSEY FOR THIS SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10597692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

AFTER MULTIPLE FRUSTRATING COMPLAINTS AND UNSUCCESSFUL SERVICE ATTEMPTS ON 8/17/11, 9/1/11, 9/6/11, 9/21/11 AND 9/28/11 FOR MY 2007 MINI COOPER S (PURCHASED ON 8/16/11) AT MAYORS AUTO MALL SAAB LOCATED AT 6001 NORTHERN BOULEVARD, WOODSIDE NY 11377 AND FAILING INSPECTION ON 9/1/12; I WAS FED UP AND BROUGHT MY VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO HASSEL BMW MINI OF FREEPORT LOCATED AT 100 CLEVELAND AVENUE, FREEPORT NY 11520 ON 10/31/11. AFTER A SERVICE BILL OF $3,546 (SERVICE) +$141.21 (EVALUATION FEE) = $3,688.03 FROM BMW MINI, THE PROBLEMS WERE STILL NOT RESOLVED. I THEN FILED A LEMON LAW CASE AGAINST MAYORS AUTO MALL AND WON ON. DESPITE WINNING THE CASE, MAYORS AUTO MALL REFUSED TO RETURN MY MONIES FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE OF VEHICLE. AFTER CONTACTING DMV WITH THE ISSUE AND HAVING THEM SUSPENDING THEIR BUSINESS LICENSE, MAYORS AUTO MALL FINALLY REFUNDED MY MONIES FOR VEHICLE PURCHASE BUT IT WAS EXCLUDING SERVICE BILLS OF $3,688.03 FROM BMW MINI SINCE LEMON LAW DID NOT COVER THIS AMOUNT. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST BMW MINI AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT POSSIBLE REMEDIES FOR GETTING A REFUND SERVICES PAID TOWARDS A VEHICLE THAT I NO LONGER HAVE DUE TO LEMON LAW CASE AND AM OUT OF $3,688.03 FOR NO REASON. I UNDERSTAND BMW MINI IS CURRENTLY BEING SUED FOR THESE SAME ISSUES BY MANY CONSUMERS. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY POSSIBLE INFORMATION YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE REGARDING MY CASE. I AM IN AWE SHOCK THAT I AM STILL DEALING WITH THIS AND IT HAS BEEN 3 YEARS ALREADY SINCE I HAD TO RETURN THE CAR TO MAYORS AUTO MALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN WITH THIS MATTER AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10582794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS... I WORKED MY A** OFF FOR A YEAR SAVING UP FOR ONE OF THESE CARS AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW THE TENSIONER GOES... MINI DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU OR THE CAR THEY SELL, ITS ALL ABOUT TAKING WHATS IN YOUR WALLET AND PUTTING IT IN THERES, DONT BUY ONE OF THESE CARS AND NOT EXPECT TO PAY FOR IT TWICE LITERALLY IN FIXING IT..

NHTSA complaint #10577491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.