R56 Mini Cooper S issues

[Spyder3400]

Afternoon all,

Just chatting to a relative who I helped find a MCS for....its a 2008 model and has done very light 25-30k miles

In the last year or so its had major faults (replacement) on:
- twin sunroof
- clutch
- steering rack/column
- top end of engine/chain/valvegear (several times)
- some sort of oil leak behind engine
- started using several litres of oil/1000miles - 'fixed' under above top end work
- started overheating
- wouldn't start on occasion
the list goes on.....

My reli has basically paid for all these bits to be done at at a stealer. I didn't realise the issues were anywhere near this bad until recently.

Will I get anywhere with BMW if I ask for some retrospective goodwill gesture for said reli as totting the bits up comes to more than half teh cars cost new and its only 4 years old. Really I can't believe how badly engineered this car is, its shocking.

[Loui]

It's worth asking. But as your reli has paid and the car is out of warranty I'd imagine you will get no where. It sounds like your reli has been very unlucky

[mike9009]

I would be interested in how they solved the high oil consumption.

Other than that, I don't think you will get much joy from BMW.

Mike

[Loui]

mike9009 said:

I would be interested in how they solved the high oil consumption.

Other than that, I don't think you will get much joy from BMW.

Mike

Quite possibly a rebuild. The bores in the blocks on the r56 can go oval leading to more oil usage. Other than that check for cracked oil filter housings and that the filter is on correctly

[adsvx220]

My mini cooper s clubman has had a number of faults since we bought it last November. it's also a 2008.
We've had to have these replaced: gearbox mount, coolant thermostat, timing chain tensioner, steering lock and ignition coils. We've also had the rear doors re-sprayed due to rust spots!!!!
Some things are minor, but all this in 9 months was a real PITA.
Thankfully we got a years warranty as we brought from a Mini dealer. Who were excellent in repairing the faults, and for free.

But I still complained to MINI, I wrote a lengthy email explaining all the faults, and how I was very disappointed in the car.
I did also compliment the service I had received from the dealer, I didn't want to be a complete moaner!

They looked into the history from the dealer, and offered me a free TLC XL pack, or 50% off of the next years warranty. I had asked for completely free warranty, but I still think its a fair offer.

I would definitely say its worth complaining....in a nice way. You might get something out of it, it certainly can't do any harm.

Good luck

Adam

[Spyder3400]

Thanks for all the replies.

I've not had a chance to act on this but will write to BMW.

Re: oil usage. No idea what was done but it seems to be better I'm told.

[Justin S]

My boss's 2011 Cooper S , has a love of the dealers. Probably once every couple of months. Is proving to be very unreliable. So far, as I can remember
1/ Fuel injection pump fail ( Took at least 5 conking outs before dealer found it)
2/ Thermostat replaced
3/ Crankshaft oil seal failed
4/ Rear discs at 16k miles !!
5/ Countless smaller issues with trim and bits
He was thinking when he got it, to buy it from the company for his wife, but I think in 20 months time, when its life is up, he will be glad to see the back of it.

[Mini Cooper Bust]

Just had the Timing Chain Tensioner fail on my Mini Cooper S R56 whist on the Motor Way. It has destroyed the engine! Purchased the car from new 5 years ago for over £20,000 and now it's worth NOTHING! She had only done 43k! I have been contacted by other owners from other forums who also have had major issues with the Timing Chain Tensioner and the Chain Guide. Taken legal advice and going to fight this all the way. Please get in contact if you would like to provide additional stories to support the case against MINI UK.

Steve - [e-mail]

[SB10]

Mini Cooper Bust said:

Just had the Timing Chain Tensioner fail on my Mini Cooper S R56 whist on the Motor Way. It has destroyed the engine! Purchased the car from new 5 years ago for over £20,000 and now it's worth NOTHING! She had only done 43k! I have been contacted by other owners from other forums who also have had major issues with the Timing Chain Tensioner and the Chain Guide. Taken legal advice and going to fight this all the way. Please get in contact if you would like to provide additional stories to support the case against MINI UK.

Steve - [e-mail]

May I suggest a visit to the Pug forums. There are LOTS of 207 GTI owners (same engine I believe is in your Cooper S) that have had timing chain issues and/or failures.

[va1o]

What can be done to prevent the chain from failing? Is there a cheap-ish fix that can be put in place before to avoid this from occurring?

[D_G]

Not much apart from keeping the oil level correct and changed on time. Unfortunately BMW has cut quality so much expect big bills whichever model you buy, I certainly won't be buying one.

[rigga]

va1o said:

What can be done to prevent the chain from failing? Is there a cheap-ish fix that can be put in place before to avoid this from occurring?

Fit the latest tensioner that has a longer plunger and stronger spring,its only £32 and keep the oil level at its Max limit, which is a job in itself as BMW are happy if it drinks a liter every 1k.

[Siko]

rigga said:

Fit the latest tensioner that has a longer plunger and stronger spring,its only £32 and keep the oil level at its Max limit, which is a job in itself as BMW are happy if it drinks a liter every 1k.

I have a 2012 MCS which is quite tappety at low rpms, would this be helped by the new tensioner? I heard it was fitted from I think 2011 onwards anyway...? It has just returned from the dealers who diagnosed low oil (even though it was full when I checked 150miles before) and filled it with a litre, making naff all difference. To be fair they've been good about bringing it back but I'd rather do a little digging first.....

[rigga]

Its a noisy engine in operation anyway, the latest tensioner which I should think would be already fitted at your age of car helps on cold start when pressure needs building up, its not a fix for normal engine clatter.

[Siko]

Ok, thanks mate. Shame it's noisy as otherwise the car is perfect, guess I'd better learn to love the tappers then

[Maracus]

Would the latest tensioner have been fitted with the engine output change from 175 to 184BHP in mid 2010?

[rigga]

No idea but when I enquired at the dealer's if my 10 plate jcw would have had the latest tensioner they didn't think it would have.

[va1o]

Well I went to have a look at one and it was indeed running like a dog and sounded like the chain is on the way out. Previous owner had only kept for 6-months wonder why. Guess this is why they've got so cheap of late. Also had a quote for a warranty from www.miniwarranty.co.uk and comes out at about £800 for Driveline, £1100 Named Component and £1300 comprehensive which would make sense if they can chuck up such expensive bills.

Edited by va1o on Saturday 21st December 15:38

[va1o]

Oh and it also had a problem with the gearshift in that it wouldn't sit centrally when in Neutral, anyone else ever had that? Made gearchange like a lucky dip! Similar to described here http://www.mini2.com/forum/second-generation-fault...