general problems of the 2003 Mini Cooper S

8/13/2014- I was stopped at a stop sign in a mall parking lot and smoke started billowing out from under the right front side of the car and at the same time started coming through the vents into the cabin of the car. I tried to shut off the car, but it would not turn off. A bystander came running and opened the hood, smoke poured out, told me to call roadside assistance as he was opening hood and then told me to hang up and call 911 that my car was on fire. Flames were coming out of the engine area but there was too much smoke. The engine fan was still running. Another passerby had an commercial extinguisher and emptied it on my vehicle. The fire dept. Was pulling up as they were trying to push it aside, the car re-ignited and it took the fire department approx. 15 to make douse the fire without it re-igniting. All of these people looked my vehicle over and could find no reason for it to ignite. I purchased the car used about 4 weeks ago and have put about 3000 miles on it without any issues. My insurance company had it towed to a mechanic down the road and they are to contact me tomorrow to see if they can see why this occurred. Luckily, my daughter and I were able to exit the car and be in an area close to the fire department and good samaritans.

On February 6, 2014 my Mini Cooper S was serviced at the dealership Mini cooper of concord for a recall in the power steering pump. Shortly, after in March my car started to smoke from the engine and my car bursted into flames. The fire department came and turned down the fire, however my car is a complete loss. I called Mini cooper of concord, however no one could provide help. I also emailed the head of the dealership and there was no response. I investigated online and noticed that many people had similar problems with the water pump leaking and catching fire in the engine. I called Mini USA and filed a case,and they promised to respond within 3 days. However, they did not only until I called various times and finally was able to reach a representative. James informed me that there was no way to evaluate the Mini cooper was as at fault and only tried to sell me a new car. I am very disappointed with Mini cooper's customer service and lack of support. My car is now a complete loss.