2008 MINI COOPER S Engine Problems

TIMING CHAIN JUMPED OUT OF TIMING AND CAUSED BENT VALVES.

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NO CEL OR ERRORS ON THE DASH DISPLAY. CAR WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. I NOTICED SOME SMOKE. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING NORMALLY. I SHUT OFF THE MOTOR AND GOT OUT. BYSTANDERS EMPTIED AN EXTINGUISHER THROUGH THE FRONT GRILLE BUT WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED. CAR WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DESTROYED. FIRE BURNED THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND CONSUMED THE INTERIOR.

AT 32000 MILES AN OIL LEAK WAS NOTED ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE FOREIGN CAR REPAIR SHOP TROUBLESHOT THE LEAK. FINAL OUTCOME: REPLACE SUPERCHARGER ASSEMBLY, VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. TOTAL COST $3,014.78 FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAS A TRADE-IN VALUE OF LESS THAN $5,000. THE FOREIGN CAR EXPERT WAS AMAZED THAT THE TURBO HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED, CAUSING A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. ALL THE VALVES AND CYLINDER HEADS WERE BENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MIDWESTERN AUTO GROUP, 6335 PERIMETER LOOP RD, DUBLIN, OH 43017, (614) 889-2571 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $8,000. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED A CLAIM NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST WITH THE WARRANTY OR RECALL,S BUT OFFERED TO PAY $2,000 TOWARDS THE REPAIR COST. THE OFFER WAS GOOD FOR SIX MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,674.

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON I-71 N & N. BROADWAY EXIT IN COLUMBUS, OHIO ON MARCH 1, 2019 THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND BENT ALL VALVES AND CYLINDER HEAD AND VALVES RESULTING IN $8821.97 IN DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IS DUE TO THE PRINCE/PSA ENGINE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING DEFECT ADMITTED TO IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT KNOW AS JOSHUA SKEEN AND LAURIE FREEMAN V. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, L.LC. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY CIV. NO. 2:13-CV-1531-WHW-CLW. BMW DECLINED TO REPLACE MY ENGINE UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AGREED TO IN THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT OF THE ABOVE CITED ACTION. ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND MY ENGINE FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED LOSS OF LIFE. MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE CLASS VEHICLES, R56 N14 ENGINE PRODUCED BETWEEN 2006 THRU 2010. THIS IS...

MY MINI COOPER HAS A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM IT RATTLES UPON STARTING AND I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT .....I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS RECALL

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND A MINI DEALERSHIP HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS THE PROBLEM ALONG WITH THE VALVES (POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THE TIMING BEING OFF). MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS WITH MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE TIMING CHAIN IN THIS VEHICLE. DESPITE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS WITH NECESSARY REPAIRS TO THIS DEFECTIVE PART (AND OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE DEFECT). THESE TIMING CHAIN ISSUES ARE NOT ONLY AN UNDUE BURDEN ON THE CONSUMER, THEY CAN BE POTENTIALLY FATAL IF A TIMING CHAIN FAILS AT AN UNFORTUNATE MOMENT. MINI NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL.

WHILE TRAVELING ON I-10 IN TALLAHASSEE, FL AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. BEING I THE CENTER LANE OF EIGHT (FOUR EACH DIRECTION) IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. SEVERAL VEHICLES MADE ABRUPT MANEUVERS TO AVOID A CRASH. ALSO AS I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY STRUCK BY OTHER CARS. I LATER FOUND OUT THIS WAS DUE TO A FAILED TIMING CHAIN WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND NO RECALL. THERE WAS ALSO A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AND STILL NO RECALL. THIS COULD HAVE WELL BEEN A FATAL INCIDENT.

CAR TAKES A WHILE TO "WARM UP" HOWEVER AFTER A VERY SHORT DRIVE THE HOOD IS HOT TO THE TOUCH. IT ALSO SMELLS HOT. I LOOKED ON LINE AND SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND THERE IS ACTUALLY AN AFTER MARKET 'DEFLECTOR' TO CHANNEL HEAT FROM THE HOOD. I HAVE NOTICED THE PLASTIC HOOD SCOOP IS DEFORMED FROM HEAT. I FEEL IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A FIRE OR OTHER REACTION, E.G., HEAT CAUSES ANOTHER PART TO FAIL AND CAR WONT STOP, ACCELERATE OR OTHER CAUSING A CRASH. I ALSO NOTICED THE HEADLIGHT WIRING TO BE FRAYED AS IF IT HAS BEEN HOT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V657000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COMPLETED BEFORE THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE CONCERNING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V008000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO PROVIDED AN OIL CHANGE AND CLEARED A DTC. THE CONTACT LATER EXPERIENCED EXTREME SMOKE EMITTING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP LEAKED, THE ENGINE OVER HEATED, THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS WARPED, AND THE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET WAS LEAKY. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER...

THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE IS INHERENTLY FLAWED AND PREMATURELY FAILS BECAUSE OF A BAD DESIGN. THIS FAILURE CAUSES HOT OIL TO LEAK ALL OVER A HOT TURBO. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE MY ENGINE CATCH FIRE WITH THE FAILED O-RING ON MINE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN LARGE CLOUDS OF SMOKE BEGIN TO FLOW FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER AND GET TOWED HOME. I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT STILL VERY LOW MILEAGE (48K) WHEN MINE FAILED. *TR

PRISTINE CONDITION, LOW MILEAGE, DEALER SERVICED MINI COOPER S (OWNED SINCE NEW) BEGAN EXHIBITING A RATTLING NOISE FROM ENGINE AT 34K MILES. DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A TIMING CHAIN DEFECT AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER DEFECT. THIS IS A KNOWN ENGINE DEFECT. REFERENCE CLASS ACTION SUIT AND SETTLEMENT 338403. THIS SETTLEMENT BY BMW/MINI USA COVERS THIS FLAW AND BMW/MINI KNOWS THAT VEHICLES PRODUCED WITHIN THE 2007-2010 TIMEFRAME HAVE THIS FLAW. THIS FLAW CAN RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. IN MY CASE, IT WAS NOISY UNDER ACCELERATION, AND WAS INTO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE WITHIN DAYS OF FIRST ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN FLAW. HOWEVER, BMW/MINI SETTLED THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND SET ASIDE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR CLAIMS....BUT THOSE CLAIMS MUST BE FILED BY 7/1/16. I DID NOT HAVE THE ISSUE BEFORE THAT DATE, I HAD IT HAPPEN IN SEPTEMBER 2016 - TWO MONTHS LATER. I HAVE REQUESTED SOME ACCOMMODATION FROM...

FUEL SMELL STARTED TO GET STRONGER IN THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKS ON THE FLOOR TILL TODAY. I ALSO NOTICE THE GREEN TEMPERATURE NOTIFICATION COME ON TODAY. I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AT THE BMW/MINI DEALER IN ONTARIO LAST MONTH.

TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKEN AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE AT MILE 48544 - 48552

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THICK, GREY SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V008000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,777.

I OWN A 2008 MINI COOPER S AND IT HAS 62000 MILES ON IT. AS MANY OTHER MINI OWNERS, I HAVE " RATTLE NOISE" ISSUE WHEN COLD START AND POPPED UP "ENGINE OIL PRESSURE TOO LOW" WARNING YESTERDAY WHEN DROVE HOME ON CITY STREET. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER/GUIDE CHANGED ONCE BEFORE AT 18,942 BY A MINI DEALER.

ENGINE RATTLE UPON STARTUP. NEXT THING I KNOW IS THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES BROKE AND THE VALVES BENT. THOUSANDS IN REPAIR AND MINI WON'T COVER A THING.

AS MANY OTHERS HAVE POSTED HERE, MY ENGINE BEGAN RATTLING LOUDLY WHEN I WOULD START IT UP. TO ALLEVIATE THIS, I WOULD TOP OFF THE OIL AND GET FREQUENT OIL CHANGES, IN FACT, MORE OFTEN THAN MINI/BMW SUGGESTED IT SHOULD GET AN OIL CHANGE. THIS WOULD USUALLY TAKE CARE OF THE RATTLE. ONE NIGHT, THE ENGINE RATTLE KEPT INCREASING AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET JUST 20 FEET FROM RAILROAD TRACKS WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATIONS WHATSOEVER. I HAD IT TOWED TO A NEARBY MECHANICS SHOP I TRUST (NOT THE DEALERSHIP). THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND BENT THE VALVES AND I'M IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING A NEW ENGINE PUT IN (WITH THE SAME FAULTY TIMING CHAIN) TO THE TUNE OF $6,500. I CALLED MINI/BMW USA BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID HE'S SEEN THIS PROBLEM FREQUENTLY IN MY MODEL. MINI SAID THEY WOULD...

AFTER MINI/BMW REPAIRED THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND THE TIMING CHAIN, MY TURBO OIL SUPPLY LINE DEVELOPED A SIGNIFICANT LEAK (WITHIN A WEEK/ WITHIN 200 MILES OF MINI SERVICE) CAUSING SMOKE TO ESCAPE FROM THE BONNET, OIL TO COVER THE FRONT ENGINE/TURBO/EXHAUST. OIL NOW PUDDLES BENEATH THE CAR WHEN PARKED. THE CAR HAS 89,XXX MILES. I FIRST NOTICED THE SMELL OF BURNING OIL WHEN DRIVING ACROSS TOWN AT A SPEED OF 40MPH. WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE, UPON IDLE THE SMOKE BILLOWED FROM THE BONNET OF THE CAR. ACCORDING TO MINI FORUMS, THIS PROBLEM OF A FAILED O-RING IN THE TURBO OIL SUPPLY LINE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM RESULTING IN NUMEROUS FAILURES THAT CAN LEAD TO CATASTROHIC DAMAGE TO THE TURBO, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND ENGINE.

WHEN STARTING CAR, I GET A GRINDING, RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS THE CHAIN TENSIONER ON THE CAR

PURCHASED AT 61,000 MILES 9/9/14; HAD SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE 5/15; 9/29/15 CAR BEGAN TO HAVE A RATTLE BUT UNSURE IF IT WAS FRONT OF CAR OR BACK OF CAR. RATTLING STOPPED ON ACCELERATION. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. 10/4/15 CAR DIED AT 69,362 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD ON A CURVE. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO GETTING HALF THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. BYPASSERS PUSHED ME OFF THE REST OF THE WAY. TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN GUARD THAT SPLIT OFF. CALLED MINI THEY SAID THEIR DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT HAD TO LOOK AT IT. HAD IT TOWED TO OH 70 MILES AWAY. THEY TOLD ME I HAD AN OIL LEAK WHICH CAUSED THE FOLLOWING TO BE DAMAGED - CRANK SHAFT, HARMONIC BALANCER, CYLINDER HEAD, TIMING CHAIN AND GUARD AND MAYBE OTHER STUFF BUT THEY COULDN'T TELL WITHOUT FURTHER EXAMINATION. TOLD $5,000 PLUS...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING OIL ODOR FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED OIL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 55 MPH ON A 70 MPH HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF THE CYLINDERS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

THE TURBO OIL FEED LINE IS A KNOWN FAILURE POINT ON THE ENGINES PUT IN THIS GENERATION OF MINI COOPER S MODELS. THE OIL LINE USES A "O" RING GASKET BEHIND A PINCH/CRIMP CONNECTION. THIS CONNECTION IS DIRECTLY IN CONTACT WITH THE HOT SIDE OF THE TURBO AND FAILS DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THIS ALLOWS ENGINE OIL TO LEAK OUT OVER THE TURBO AND DOWN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO RUN LOW ON OIL AT BEST. AT THE WORST IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF THE TURBO GETS HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE OIL THAT IS LEAKING OUT. *TR

TURBOCHARGER OIL FEED LINE LEAKING. THE PART IS POORLY DESIGNED AND ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE DEALER WANTS $1200 TO REPLACE IT. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE PERSON ABOUT THE HEAT SHIELD RECALL FROM JUST LAST YEAR TO PREVENT THIS ISSUE FROM OCCURRING, HE REASSURED ME THAT THE HEAT SHIELD RECALL WAS BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF PAINT JOBS THEY HAD TO DO ON HOODS FROM THE HEAT OFF THE TURBO DAMAGING THE HOOD PAINT. I THINK MINI SHOULD COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE OIL SUPPLY LINE SINCE THEY ARE WELL AWARE THAT THIS PART IS FAULTY, IT GETS TOO HOT AND LEAKS. THE HEAT SHIELD RECALL DOESN'T STOP THE DAMAGE ALREADY DONE. IT SEEMS MY 2008 MINI IS NOT IMMUNE TO ANY OF THE "KNOWN" ISSUES THIS CAR HAS. EVERYTIME I VISIT THE MINI DEALERSHIP IT'S ANOTHER WELL KNOWN ISSUE/REPAIR. WHILE THE DEALERSHIP...

WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATING ON THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, THERE WAS A SMALL JERKING MOTION. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. ONE THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT DATE, 01/08, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE CAR HAVE A LOUD ENGINE SOUND, SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR IS CHOCKING FOR AIR. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH THE RPM POINTER RUNNING UP AND DOWN (GAS PADDLE IS UNTOUCHED). TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE NEXT DAY AND THEY FOUND THERE IS OIL LEAKING FROM THE OIL FEED LINE TO THE TURBO. $1200 TO REPLACE THE PART. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND MANY MINI OWNER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I OWN A 2008 MINI COOPER S AND IT HAS 38600 MILES ON IT I HAVE OWNED IT FOR A YEAR AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE TIMING CHAIN CHANGED ONCE BEFORE AT 13,485 BY A MINI DEALER. AS FOR THIS TIME IT IS STILL DRIVABLE AND HAS NOT CAUSED ANY INCIDENTS. *TR

THE DEALER INFORMED ME MY OIL FEED LINES TO THE TURBO WERE LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH FOUND THE COUPLINGS THAT ATTACHES THESE LINES TO THE TURBO ARE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT A RECALL AND WILL COST APPROX: $1200.00. THE DEALER INSTALLED A TURBO SHIELD TO HELP WITH THE HEAT THAT IS CAUSING THE LINE TO PREMATURELY FAIL. WITH SO MANY AFFECTED SHOULDN'T MINI BE FIXING THIS ISSUE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND CAR JUST STALLED. I MADE IT TO SIDE OF FREEWAY. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BEING ON FREEWAY IN SMALL CAR THAT STALLED. LUCKILY, I WAS DRIVING IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE SO I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER. REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THAT TIMING CHAIN BROKE. THERE WAS ADDITIONAL SERIOUS COLLATERAL ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO TIMING CHAIN BREAKING. CAR IS PERFECTLY MAINTAINED AND REGULARLY SERVICED. *TR

THE FOLLOWING REPORTS ARE FROM: ORLANDO MINI 350 S. LAKE DESTINY DRIVE ORLANDO, FL 32810 (407) 835-2727 INCIDENT 1 @ 47,603 MILES: SERVICE ADVISOR [XXX]. [XXX] FOUND TIMING CHAIN RATTLE "NOISE AT IDLE UP TO 2,100 RPM. NOISE IS A RATTLE UNDER VALVE COVER NEAR CYL 1. INTERROGATED FAULT MEMORY, NO FAULTS. FOUND NOISE TO BE RELATED TO VALVE-TRAIN. PERFORMED STEPS OUTLINED IN BULLETIN 110207. MEASURED TIMING CHAIN SLACK AT 71.5MM. NEEDS COMPLETED REPLACEMENT TIMING CHAIN CASSETTE." REPLACED TENSIONERS (PART # 11-31-7-598-956, PART # 11-31-7-534-833), AND MANY OTHER PARTS. INCIDENT 2 @ 96,125 MILES: 100% CLIENT GOODWILL PROVIDED. [XXX] FOUND THAT THE "TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED, FOUND VEHICLE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER TO HAVE FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME OUT OF TIMING, REPLACED TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER AT THIS TIME, CLEARED FAULTS FROM SYSTEM AND TEST DROVE VEHICLE, ALL OK..." REPLACED TENSIONERS (PART # 11-31-7-609-483 [ALREADY UPDATED FROM THE ONE USED...

I WAS DRIVING IN A THREE LANE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED SUDDENLY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE 2008 MINI COOPER S WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MINI DEALER. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD COLLAPSED. MINI USA INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE TENSIONER WHICH MY CAR QUALIFIED FOR AND IF THE DEALER COULD STATE THAT WAS THE CAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE THE CONNECTION AND REFUSES TO TELL ME AFTER A TEAR-DOWN WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. MINI IS TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY AND I'M LEFT WITH A $12000 REPAIR BILL, BEYOND WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE TENSIONER CAUSES ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, THE HOOD IN THE FRONT STARTED TO RELEASE SMOKE. THERE WAS ALSO A SMOKING SMELL. THIS CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE RIDE. BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO INDICATES THAT THE CAR IS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE ENGINE, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO EXIST AFTER I REPLACE THE OIL PIPE. *TT

I HAVE NOW EXPERIENCED MY SECOND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE WITHIN A THREE YEAR PERIOD. COUNTLESS REPORTS ARE SURFACING AROUND THE GLOBE OF THE FAULTY DESIGN, AND THE MANUFACTURER (BMW) HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A DESIGN FLAW. THEY HAVE YET TO ISSUE A RECALL AS THE FEDERAL GOVT HAS NOT YET MANDATED THE REPAIR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION (AND EXPENSIVE ~ $2K) SHOULD THE SYSTEM FAIL. THE ONLY NOTICE IS A RATTLING SOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PRIOR TO FAILURE. BMW CLAIMS THE TENSIONER SHOULD BE GOOD FOR UPWARDS OF 120K MILES. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50K AND THIS IS THE 2ND FAILURE I'VE EXPERIENCED IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF MINI COOPER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, A NATIONWIDE RECALL IS THE ONLY MEASURE TO ENSURE THIS PROBLEM IS ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED. *TR

THE 2008 MINI COOPER S STARTED MAKING THE INFAMOUS "DEATH RATTLE" NOISE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN IMPORTS. HE CHANGED THE OIL, WHICH WASN'T DUE FOR ANOTHER 2,000 MILES, AND HE CHANGED THE OIL FILTER. THE NOISE CONTINUED SO HE ADDED OIL STABILIZER TO ENSURE THAT OIL WAS BEING FILTERED. THE NOISE STILL PERSISTS AT START-UP, AND GOES AWAY AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP FOR A COUPLE MINUTES. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I'D HAVE TO GET THE TIME CHANGING BELT REPLACED TO FIX THE "DEATH RATTLE," WHICH IS A COMMON THING IN MINI CARS. *TR

FOUND LARGE OILY MARK UNDER PARKED CAR. TURNS OUT TO BE THE THERMOSTAT HOSE LEAKING DUE TO CRACKS BECAUSE OF BEING MADE OF PLASTIC. THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN ISSUE BY MINI/BMW THAT COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE TO OVERHEAT PRODUCING A FILE OR BLOWING THE ENGINE. THIS SHOULD COME UNDER A RECALL. CHECKING ONLINE, YOU CAN SEE THAT IT WAS SUCH AN ISSUE LAST YEAR, THAT DEALERS WERE NOT EVEN ABLE TO GET PARTS FOR WEEKS DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAILURES. CALLING THE DEALER, THEY READILY ADMIT IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE TO REPLACE LOTS OF THEM. OF COURSE, IT IS $600 A POP FOR THE FIX. DUE TO THE LARGE COST AND ADMITTED DESIGN FLAW, THESE SHOULD ALL BE PLACED UNDER A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS BADLY HURT. ALSO ANYONE THAT HAS HAD TO HAVE THIS FIXED SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THAT EXPENSE. *TR

WHEN YOU START THE CAR IN THE MORNING WHILE ITS COLD AND START DRIVING, YOU HEAR A RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE WHICH COMING OUT OF THE TIMING-BELT AREA. IT STARTED 5 DAYS AGO. *TR

MY MINI HAS A FAULTY OIL SUPPLY LINE GOING TO THE TURBO CHARGER. THE DEALERSHIP HAS KNOWN ABOUT THESE FAULTY LINES FOR SOMETIME. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE LINE WITH A BETTER DESIGN THEY HAVE INSTALLED HEAT SHIELDS TO PREVENT THE HEAT FROM BURNING UP THE O-RING IN THE FITTING ON THE LINE. THEY INSTALLED ANOTHER HEAT SHIELD ON 2/21/14 OVER TOP OF THE OIL LINE TO PREVENT THE HEAT FROM BURNING UP THE O-RING THAT IS ALREADY BAD. NOW THEY INFORM ME THAT SINCE THE HEAT SHIELDS ARE IN PLACE I NEED TO PAY TO HAVE THE OIL LINE REPLACED WHICH COST $805.00. I THINK THAT MINI COOPER SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL THESE VEHICLES AND REPAIRED THE FAULTY OIL LINES SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FROM 2007 MODELS TO 2011 MODELS. THIS IS A BAD SAFETY PROBLEM UNDER THE HOOD BECAUSE WHEN THE OIL GOES TO LEAKING ON THE...

TURBO CHARGER FUEL SUPPLY LINE IS LEAKING ON MY 2008 MINI COOPER S. THE DEALER SUGGESTED A REPLACEMENT COST OF $750. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE LEAK IS HAPPENING DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THE LEAK MAY CAUSE FIRE DAMAGE AND MIGHT CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *TR

TURBOCHARGER OIL FEED LINE LEAKING. THE PART IS POORLY DESIGNED AND ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE PART IS NOT COVERED BY THE CPO WARRANTY AND THE DEALER WANTED $1400 TO REPLACE IT. I REPLACED IT MYSELF WITH A BETTER DESIGNED AFTERMARKET PART. I THINK MINI SHOULD COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE PART WITH A BETTER DESIGN. *TR

LOUD ENGINE NOISE COMING FROM CHAIN TENSIONER AT STARTUP. SOUNDS LIKE DIESEL ENGINE. ALSO HAPPENS DURING COLD ENGINE START. *TR

TURBO OIL SUPPLY LINE IS LEAKING OIL ON MY 2008 COOPER S, THE DEALER HAS RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $900. I INITIALLY TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A RECALL TO INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD ON THE SAME OIL LINE, SOME ONLINE RESEARCH (INCLUDING MANY OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS HERE) HAS SUGGESTED THAT THE LACK OF A HEAT SHIELD HAS CAUSED THIS FAILURE, YET IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. YET ANOTHER UNFORTUNATE DEFECT IN THE MINI DESIGN, I'VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THE TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER DEBACLE. *TR

BOUGHT CAR FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER A LOT OF RESEARCH ON ISSUES WITH THESE CARS AN COMPLAINTS. BROUGHT VARRO MINI DEALERSHIP AND ASKED ABOUT TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER AND WAS TOLD MINE WAS FINE EVEN THOUGH THEY NEVER OPENED UP COVER TO INSPECT CHAIN OR TENSIONER. HAVE BEEN BACK THREE DIFFERENT TIMES WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER HORRIBLE RATTLE. MINI SAYS THERE IS NO KNOWN DEFECTS WITH TIMING CHAIN/ TENSIONERS EVER BROUGHT UP. I THEN WAS TOLD BY MY BROTHER THAT HE I TAKING HIS MINI IN FOR A SERVICE ACTION ON THE TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER, TURBO HEAT SHIELD, THERMOSTAT HOUSING. WE HAVE EXACT SAME CAR, SAME BUILD DATE, AND ROLLED OUT FROM SAME FACTORY BUT MINI STATES OURS ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE SERVICE ACTION EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THE EXACT SAME CAR AND EVERYTHING. AND MY BROTHER IS ALSO OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THEIRS IS GETTING FIXED FREE. PLEASE HELP....

IT HAS OIL LEAKS AROUND TURBO LINE WHICH THE OILS MAKE SMOKES AS THE OIL DRIP CONTACTS WITH DOWN PIPE. THIS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY MINI THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN MINI'S. THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE CRANKCASE VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS BUILT INTO THE VALVE COVER. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED MY TIMING CHAIN IS ALMOST RUINED ALSO. I HAVE BEEN HEARING THE TIMING CHAIN RATTLE UPON START UP. *TR

TIMING CHAIN MAKING TERRIBLE RATTLE. AFTER RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A NEW AND QUITE COMMON PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

ENGINE RATTLE ON COLD START INDICATED A LOOSE OR STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN. REQUIRED A PREMATURE REPLACEMENT OF TIMING CHAIN, GUIDES AND TENSIONER

TIMING CHAIN MECHANISM (TENSIONER SEEMED TO BE MAIN CULPRIT) FAILING AND SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST $2500. CAR HAD 33,000 EASY MILES ON IT. MECHANIC SAID TIMING SYSTEM WAS ON THE VERGE OF FAILING TRAUMATICALLY AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE. REPORTED IT TO MINI, WHO ADMITTED THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THOSE BUT THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALL SO THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE DIFFERENT SERIAL NUMBERS THAN THE ORIGINALS INDICATING, PER MY MECHANIC, THEY HAD REDESIGNED THE PARTS.

WHILE TURNING AT A HIGHWAY INTERSECTION, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHICH, IN TURN, DESTROYED THE ENGINE. I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A QUOTE OF 7,200.00 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A NEW ONE. *TR

I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3K ON THE DOT. I CHECK IT REGULARLY. FULLY SYNTHETIC EVERY TIME. I WAS TOLD WHEN I BOUGHT MY MINI WITH 42K THAT THE RATTLE UNDER THE HOOD WAS NORMAL. AT APPROX. 50K I HEARD THE SAME METAL RATTLE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A CHAIN SMACKING PLASTIC, SO I BROUGHT IT IN TO BE CHECKED. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT THAT'S GOING TO COST UPWARDS OF $2,000. NOW I'M NOT ONE TO COMPLAIN OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR PARTS BUT WHO HAS A TIMING CHAIN GO OUT AT 50K? IF YOU GOOGLE TIMING CHAIN ISSUES YOU WILL SEE. THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. LUCKILY MINE WAS CAUGHT IN MY DRIVEWAY. IF THIS CHAIN GOES OUT ON A HIGHWAY... THIS CAN EASILY CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT... PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR AN ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN. GET THESE CHAINS REPLACED...

MY MINI HAS HAD REGULAR SERVICE AT HABBERSTAD MINI SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE NOISE IN NOVEMBER 2011 AND THEY FOUND THE OIL WAS LOW AND REFILLED IT. AT EACH SERVICE I MENTIONED THE NOISE AND NOTHING WAS FOUND EXCEPT TO TELL ME I NEED INDUCTION SERVICE, REPLACE LEAKING WATER PUMP (EVEN AFTER THE RECALL FOR THIS PART WAS DONE ALREADY) AND COOLANT EXCHANGE FOR $1300. THE LOUD RATTLING ENGINE NOISE PERSISTED AND CAR BECAME ALMOST UNDRIVEABLE. IT TOOK THEM 3 DAYS TO FIND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN ETC. NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I HAD ALREADY FOUND TO BE THE PROBLEM. OF COURSE MY WARRANTY WAS NOW UP SO I HAD TO PAY $3000. AND MY CAR ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE!! I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THIS AND...