2007 MINI COOPER S Engine Problems

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY, WAS NOT STARTED AND WAS UNATTENDED, HAD NOT BEEN STARTED IN OVER A WEEK AND KEYS WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES WHICH BURNED THE ENGINE BAY AND FRONT END OF THE CAR BEFORE THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH FOAM. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING UNSTARTED FOR OVER A WEEK. I AM UNSURE OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE AND BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE BAY I COULD NOT DETERMINE WERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED. PERHAPS A PROFESSIONAL FIRE EXAMINER COULD DETERMINE THAT. I AM BLESSED THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE PARKED IN MY GARAGE BUT WAS SCARY. I JUST WANT THIS INCIDENT ON RECORD SO THAT OTHERS WHICH OWN THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF VEHICLE CAN BE WARNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DANGERS. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND HAD A COUPLE...

THE TURBOCHARGER HAD TO BE REPLACED, NEW TURBO GOT HOT AND MELTED THE VALVE COVER. THEN THE TURBOCHARGER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IN MOTION IN A RURAL NEIGHBORHOOD. ALL WITHIN 6 MONTHS.

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE AND MESSED UP THE 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!!

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.

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

TIMING CHAIN MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN STARTED

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

OIL FEED LINE LEAKING ON TURBO

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.

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.

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.

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...

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. *TR

IN 2013 MY MINI STARTED TO OVERHEAT. I HAD THE FLUIDS CHECKED AND EVERYTHING WAS OK. I DROVE APPROX., 10 MILES AND THE CAR COMPLETELY OVERHEATED, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SMOKED AND ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (MINI NORTHWEST IN FIFE WA,) THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR AND COOLING SYSTEM. I PAID 7500$$ FOR A NEW ENGINE INSTALLED BY THE MINI DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2013 AT MY OWN EXPENSE. ON DEC, 23RD 2014 I DROVE MY MINI APPROX. 12 MILES AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS NOT OVERHEATING, NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, 15 MINUTES LATER THE CAR HAD FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM THE HOOD. FIRE EXTINGUISHER WOULD NOT PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR THEN MOVED APPROX. 5 FEET FORWARD UP AGAINST THE HOUSE AND BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED....

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...

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...

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....

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. *TR

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..... *TR

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. *TR

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...

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...

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..

WAS DRIVING CAR DOWNTOWN AT A SPEED ON AVERAGE OF 15 MPH. TRIP ONLY LASTED 15 MINUTES WHEN I PARKED AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY HOOD. SMOKE QUICKLY ESCALATED INTO A FIRE. CALLED 911 TO HAVE FIRE TRUCKS OUT. GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM A NEARBY BUSINESS TO TRY TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO EVEN WHILE SPRAYING DIRECTLY AT THE FLAMES. FIREMEN HAD TO PRY OPEN THE HOOD TO GET TO THE ENGINE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. CAR ENGINE WAS TOTALED. *TR

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SUFFER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE CUSTOMER IS EXPECTED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A REPAIR EVEN THOUGH MINI HAS ADMITTED A POOR DESIGN AND ARE REPLACING TENSIONERS VIA A CAMPAIGN. THE CUSTOMER WILL NOT GET REIMBURSEMENT. *TR

I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND ONLY HEARD A SPINNING SOUND. FIRST I THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION OR STARTER WOULD NEED REPLACING BUT AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN. UPON FURTHER REVIEW I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BELT HAD SHATTERED AND BENT THE VALVES, AND NOW THE PISTONS ARE BLOCKED AND A PLETHORA OF OTHER THINGS. THE TOTAL TO REPAIR THIS DOMINO EFFECT OF DAMAGE IS ABOVE $8,000 AND JUST THE CHAIN ALONE IS 1500 BUT I WAS INFORMED WOULD BE A GRAND MISTAKE BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT RUN. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO IS FINANCIALLY CHALLENGED AND AM NOW IN TOO DEEP TO EVEN TRY AND FLOAT. *TR

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE SOUNDS AS IF PARTS ARE LOOSE IN THE ENGINE AREA. IT LESSENS UP AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP BUT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IT APPEARS IT MAY BE THE TIMING CHAIN/ TENSIONER. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON 580 CAR LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP FROZE UP, BOLT ON TIMING GEAR SHEARED OFF AND FELL INTO OIL PAN. OIL PUMP WAS DESTROYED AS A RESULT. ON 11/7/13 RECEIVED LETTER FROM MINI CORP. REGARDING A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER WITH PREMATURE WEAR, WHICH COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS. UPON REPLACEMENT OF TENSIONER ASSEMBLY, MECHANIC FOUND A FAULTY VACUUM PUMP WHICH FROZE WITHOUT WARNING. OIL DISTRIBUTION WAS COMPROMISED. THIS ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER PUT MY ENTIRE FAMILY IN JEOPARDY, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. BMW CORPORATION HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE VACUUM PUMP PROBLEM SINCE 2012. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 3/15/11 WITH 32K MILES. MINI CORP LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE BEEN DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE FOR A FAILED VACUUM PUMP ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE...

COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WHILE SURROUNDED BY SEMIS IN THE 3/4-MILE-LONG BIG WALKER MOUNTAIN TUNNEL WHILE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON I-77 (NEAR VIRGINIA EXIT 47). THANKFULLY THE ENGINE DIDN'T SEIZE AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ONCE THROUGH THE TUNNEL. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THE CAUSE WAS A CHECK VALVE IN THE VALVE COVER, WHICH MALFUNCTIONED IN A WAY THAT CREATED A VACUUM AND TRAPPED OIL IN THE TOP PART OF THE ENGINE. REPLACEMENT COVER HAD BEEN REDESIGNED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM, SO IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

THE CAR LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT RUN AT IDLE SPEED. AFTER MUCH EFFORT, MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO THE ONLY DEALER IN THE STATE. AFTER TWO FAILED DIAGNOSTICS AND TWO "REPAIRS," THE DEALER SAYS I NOW NEED THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED. THERE ARE KNOWN ISSUES ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE TENSIONER. BMW AND DEALER DENY RESPONSIBILITY AND NOW WISH TO CHARGE AN ADDITIONAL $1500 TO REPAIR. *TR

RATTLE AND OIL LEAK. LOSS OF FULL ENGINE POWER WHEN RESTARTED. DEALER SAYS ITS A TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY ISSUE. *TR

THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES AND TENSIONER IN THE MINI COOPER ARE MADE FROM PLASTIC. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN CREATED BY MINI USA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, BUT NO RECALL. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME, MAKING A TURN ACROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION, MY TENSIONER BROKE, WHICH CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND PUSH IT ACROSS THE INTERSECTION WHILE CARS WERE DRIVING BY. ALTHOUGH IT IS COMMON FOR VEHICLE ENGINES TO DIE OF DIFFERENT ISSUES, THIS IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM FOR MINI COOPERS, BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ENOUGH OF A PUBLIC OUTCRY FOR A RECALL. THE SITUATION IS DANGEROUS, AS IT CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE WHICH CAN RESULT IN A COLLISION. THE REMEDY IS A REPLACEMENT OF A MANUFACTURER-ACKNOWLEDGED FAULTY PART. *TR

DRIVING MINI COOPER S WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER TO THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE HWY. TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS 91,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. HAPPENED ON FREEWAY. COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, HAD TO BE TOWED. *TR

RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MINI ON 11/16/13 NOTIFYING ME OF POSSIBILITY OF FAULTY CHAIN TENSIONER, WHICH NEEDED TO BE "CHECKED FOR WEAR AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY," AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED MINI DEALER TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT. NO INDICATION THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. TWO DAYS LATER (11/18/13), JUST AS I WAS ABOUT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, THEN THE RED ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED FIRST TO THE IMPORT SHOP THAT NORMALLY SERVICES THE MINI THEN, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THAT MECHANIC ABOUT MINI'S RECALL LETTER, HAD IT TOWED TO A MINI DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT NOW SITS WAITING FOR DIAGNOSIS AND NEWS ABOUT WHAT ANY DAMAGE MIGHT COST TO REPAIR, WHETHER I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT, AND WHETHER I WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR TWO TOW CHARGES AND A CAR RENTAL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND OVER-HEATED, CAUSING SMOKE TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,562 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR INDICATORS, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I WAS STUCK IN A DANGEROUS PLACE, WITH HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC FOR SOMETIME. THE DEALER WHO AS MY CAR SAYS: "THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS THE LOCKING UP OF THE VACUUM PUMP. CONSEQUENTLY THIS CAUSED THE BOLT ON THE EXHAUST CAM SHAFT SPROCKET TO SHEER OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF TIME. THE PISTONS THEREFORE MADE CONTACT WITH BOTH INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES, VERIFIED WITH BOROSCOPE INSPECTION, THUS BENDING THE VALVES AND CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO THE ENGINE. $6850.00 MINUS DISCOUNT TO REPLACE ENGINE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I HAVE HAD A LOT ISSUES WITH VARIOUS MINI ENGINE PARTS DETERIORATING, DESPITE FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDED REGULAR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES ' CLUTCH, FLY-WHEEL, THERMOSTAT, INTAKE SILENCER, SPARK PLUGS, TIMING CHAIN TWICE, WATERPUMP, RADIO HEAD UNIT, DRIVE BELT, HI-LO HORN, BOOT...

RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THESE WARNINGS CAME UP - 2D52 SUPER KNOCKING 2DCD FUEL SHUT OFF DUE TO SUPER KNOCKING CYLINDER 3 2968 INLET CAMSHAFT SENSOR 2B64 INTAKE MANIFOLD, UNMETERED AIR BASED ON ALL OF THESE SOUND LIKE MY MINI COOPER HAS BAD FUEL AND/OR SERIOUS CARBON BUILD, I'VE JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP AND I AM EXPERIENCING DELAYS IN ACCELERATION, LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION.

UPON ACCELERATION WHEN THE TURBO CHARGER ENGAGES THERE IS A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL WHICH CHANGES TONE DEPENDING UPON THE ACCELERATION. AFTERWARDS SMOKES STARTS LEAKING FROM THE HOOD SCOOP AND SIDES OF THE HOOD ITSELF. IT SMELLS OF BURNED OIL. I NOTICED OIL POOLING AT A CONNECTION POINT NEAR THE TURBO CHARGER UNIT. IN MID-AUGUST THE CAR FAILED IT'S EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO A CRACKED VALVE COVER. I HAD THE MINI DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE VALVE COVER WHICH WAS ENOUGH TO PASS INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT I HAD AN OIL LEAK IN A LINE TO THE TURBO CHARGER THAT COULD START A FIRE AND TO WATCH MY OIL LEVEL CLOSELY. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS (AFTER NEARLY $900 ON THE VALVE COVER) IS SIMPLY BEYOND MY MEANS PRESENTLY. SINCE LEARNING ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DANGERS THE CAR IS NO LONGER PARKED IN THE GARAGE.

THIS VEHICLE HAS TWICE HAD A FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY TENSIONER, RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED FROM A DEAD STOP IN A PARKING LOT SO THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE SAFETY ISSUE. THE SECOND INCIDENT, OCCURRING 12/03/2012, MANIFESTED AS THE VEHICLE WAS DE-ACCELERATING COMING OFF A HIGHWAY EXIT WITH A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EXIT, IN A REMOTE AREA. MINI COOPER SENT THEIR TECHNICIANS IN 2007 A "SERVICE BULLETIN," SHORT OF A RECALL, WHEN THE TREND WAS DISCOVERED AMONG ITS "R56' MODEL ENGINES IN 2008. I HAD WARNED MINI OF SOUNDS WHICH LATER WERE DETERMINED BY INDEPENDENT EXPERTS TO BE THE TIMING CHAIN'S "DEATH RATTLE" PRIOR TO THE FIRST FAILURE, WHICH THEY ATTRIBUTED TO THE CAR'S "GO-KART LIKE START UP." AFTER 6 MONTHS OF STRUGGLING, MINI AGREED TO 80% OF THE REPAIR COSTS, WITH A...

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE CAUSED IMMEDIATE ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DAMAGED TIMING CHAIN HOUSING CRACKED CAUSING OIL TO SPRAY THE HOT ENGINE. SUBSEQUENT OIL STARTED A SMALL FIRE THAT WAS EXTINGUISHED BY DRIVER. *TR

ENGINE BAY STARTED SMOKING. PULLED THE CAR OVER AND NOTICE THE TURBO OIL LINE WAS LEAKING HOT OIL EVERYWHERE. COULD OF RESULTED IN A ENGINE BAY FIRE. *TR

I TOOK MY CAR INTO MY LOCAL SHOP AND HAD OIL CHANGE,NEW BATTERY,TIRES ROTATED AND ALIGNMENT .THEY COULD A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT. CALL ME TO INFORM ME THAT I HAD TO TAKE TO THE MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. I CALLED MINI COOPER AND SPOKE TO [XXX] AT THE HOUSTON DEALERSHIP MOMENTUM MINI. SHE INFORMED ME THAT THE COST WOULD BE ANYWHERE FROM 4000 TO 10,000 DOLLARS. I EXPLAINED TO HER I HAD THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR AND HAVE ANY DRIVEN 6000 MILES IN A YEAR. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I NOTICED THAT OTHER PEOPLE WHERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THERE MINI. I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 39,126 MILES ON IT AND MY DAILY DRIVE TO WORK IS A QUARTER MILE IF THAT. PLEASE HELP !!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5...

WHILE IN IDLE AND ANY RPM, A RATTLE/GROWLING SOUND COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE TIMING CHAIN HOUSING OF THE ENGINE. WHEN SHIFTING IT WAS HARDER TO PLACE INTO GEAR WITHOUT GRINDING AND VERY EASY TO MISS A GEAR WHEN SHIFTING. MASTER MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THIS HAS A FAILING/FAILED TIMING CHAIN. A NEW TIMING CHAIN WAS INSTALLED, COSTING ME $1,400. ONE WEEK AFTER BEING FIXED THE SAME SOUND IS ARISING FROM THE TIME CHAIN HOUSING AND NEED TO BE TAKEN BACK IN FOR A NEW CHAIN YET AGAIN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE TIMING CHAIN HAS BEEN REPLACED ON THIS MINI COOPER, IT IS JUST THE 1ST WHILE I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF THE CAR AND SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COOLANT HOUSING AND THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.