general problems of the 2008 Mini Cooper

While driving the car at aproximately 25mph, the engine and the car stopped running. All dashboard warning lamps were off prior to the engine failure the car rolled to the side of the road to get out of the way of other traffic. The service engine warning lamp was on after the engine shut off and stopped running. The car was towed to a service station, and they too could not get the car to start. The mechanic's troubleshooting ultimately found the engine's internal timing chain had broken, causing multiple of other internal engine components to become damaged. The engine required detailed repair to replace the damaged engine parts to get it to start operating again. The costs for the repairs were over $5000. 00.

Cvt transmission belt broke while driving and the car came to a. Stop . I could have been crushed by a big truck that was behind luckily he was able to swerve around me.

I purchased a new 2008 Mini Cooper from autohaus west/Mini of st louis. The Mini Cooper was designed, manufactured, assembled, distributed and sold by BMW of north America, BMW (u. S. ) holding corp. , and bayerische motoren werke aktiengellschaft. I experienced a progressive failure of the timing chain, timing chain tensioner and related tensioner rail, guide rail and support rail. The timing chain had previously been represented to have a useful life equal to the life of the car. The timing chain is located within the engine, consists of a metal chain, and is not subject to adjustment or routine maintenance. I experienced a progressive failure of the timing chain as follows: (a) death rattle or diesel noise from engine upon start up & at low speeds, (b) rough idling after highway driving, (c) power loss & engine stalls on highway exit ramps, (d) power loss & engine stalls on highway, & (e) catastrophic engine failure. The Mini Cooper was serviced by autohaus west on three separate occasions with repairs//replacement of spark plugs, battery, igniter coils, thermostat cover and other items totaling over $3,000. Autohaus west failed to identify the timing change as a problem. Autohaus west, BMW of north America, llc, BMW (u. S. ) holding corp. , and bayerische motoren werke aktiengellschaft have known about the timing chain tensioner defect since 2007 and have failed to warn consumers, issue a recall or provide extended warranty coverage. The loss of power & engine stalls are serious safety hazards & will eventually lead to accidents, injuries & even death. Technical service bulletin m110207 was issued in January, 2008. However, it is not widely known to consumers and fails to give consumers adequate warning. BMW settled class action re n14 engine used in Mini Cooper s. However, it has ignored same problem with n12 engine used in Mini Cooper. Same issues.

Car has had issues with cvt transmission. Yesterday I was told that it needed to be replaced. At urging of other Mini owners in the same situation, I am reporting problem to your agency in hopes to have BMW recall the cars and replace the faulty transmissions.

Stretched timing chain seems to be a common issue with this model, but recall is only on the type s models.

Sound of the engine rattle nosie when stars in the moring.

The critical timing chain failure can lead to premature engine failure. This is a safety issue because the failing timing chain can also cause the motor to fail. This in turn leads to a lack of power/acceleration/movement endangering the driver and other drivers. Currently BMW/Mini has acknowledged this issue however has failed to repair or replace the defected item outside of the warranty period. This issue also does not appear to be an issue from certain date or assembly line. It has been affecting a wide range of Mini Cooper s and john Cooper works models with a date range between 2007-current. Mini Cooper drivers around the u. S. And world have been reporting a strange knocking/rubbing noise coming from the engine compartment for the year 2007+ Mini Cooper. From the misc dealer repair details it appears to be a issue with the timing chain and tensioner system. It also appears the without being fixed the car will eventually have a timing chain failure and possible motor destruction. On a good note BMW/Mini know what the problem is however is failing to come up with or acknowledge a permanent solution. How many customers issues will it take before BMW/Mini will issue a full recall? we all hope not many more. I am in the second generation Mini group myself. Every morning I cross my fingers in hope that when I push the start button the sound of engineering failure doesn’t sing from under my hood!.

Here in oregon the electric vehicles are severely restricted to 20 miles per hour and one can not get a license to drive them on the streets. In light of global warming this is a disgrace. People will not buy vehicles that are so severely restricted yet the government is bragging about how much it is doing for the country. I intend to keep looking for proper agencies to respond to this serious breach of trust to the citizens of this nation. I request a response in regards to what steps you can take and what help you might need from me. Thank you, bruce burns I had to choose a vehicle and zap car was not on the list so please substitute zap car for Cooper (Mini).