Table 1 shows one common unknown or other related problems of the 2007 Mini Cooper S.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other problems |
Vehicle serviced regularly for maintenance. Pre-incident zero warning via on-board sensors/indicator. Last maintenance performed at 52k. Vehicle had 56k miles at time of incident. Incident occurred in the morning: timing chain snapped upon start up. Due to this failure the engine was destroyed requiring a complete engine replacement. A serious issue requiring a recall.
I brought my Mini in for the electrial water pump recall issue and I explained there was a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment and to please let me know if there were any issues. They called and said it was the timing chain and the cost was substantial. This is a large problem with this vehicle as I now know after seeing numerous complaints. Please have a recall issued for this problem and not have other owners have to pay for a service that is a known problem and very dangerous to occupants and other drivers since this can cause a major accident and the potential to harm more than the vehicle operator.
Timing chain broke at 80000k after replacing tensioner at 60000k from oil leak. Also replaced water pump & thermostat due to car overheating. Now at 82000k have a burnt out valve. Big problems on my Mini Cooper S '07.
While driving in heavy traffic following extended highway speed, stopped at traffic light and engine died with no warning and would not restart. Car had to be towed a considerable distance to original dealership. Learned that the vacuum pump seized / locked up, causing a chain reaction of catastrophic results that totally destroyed engine. Car needs complete new engine at 74,000 miles (out of warranty)and Mini USA attitude is that such engine failure is not their responsibility even though this particular Mini was impeccably maintained beyond Mini servcie requirements, but to no avail as engine blew at a very young 74,000 miles of age and there are repeated instances of same engine failure on internet BMW/Mini blogs. Note: this catastrophic damage follows last year's large out of warranty expense of replacing the entire electronic steering lock system as vehicle could not be driven safely and again Mini felt no responsibility for equipment failure even though the problem was subsequently acknowledged by the fact that electronic steering lock is no longer installed in new Mini coopers!.
My mint condition 2007 Mini Cooper S was destroyed by fire on 3/31/11. I had just driven it 4. 5 miles to work, parked it, when approximately 12-15 minutes later I was alerted by the company security department that my car was on fire. The township police and fire department were already on the scene putting out the blaze. The cause of the fire appears to be electrical and started in the engine. My pristine car without a scratch or dent on it, had only been driven 15,000 miles -- and it was destroyed. The car had been faithfully maintained and I believed it to be in perfect running condition. Fortunately no one was hurt and no other cars were damaged. But what if this would have happened when the car was parked in my garage? I was shocked to read online that other owners have shared similar experiences and that you can find numerous video clips on you-tube showing Mini¿s on fire. What is BMW doing about this? updated 08/17/bf updated 02/02/2012.
The car has a loud rattle sound when started when cold , or the first time after sitting overnight. Noise will subside as engine comes up to running temperature. Has developed into a hard starting issue over time. At times it takes as many as ten attempts cranking the engine to get it to start. When researching online, I have found a forum on Mini cooper problems that describes the issue exactly and also has a video with sound that exactly matches my cars problem. They describe it as the timing chain and timing chain tensioner that could cause engine failure if not corrected.
One month after Mini of concord replaced my high pressure fuel pump for the gasoline leak and strong gas smell within the cabin, again the gas smell started up in the cabin (for all trips). I took it back to Mini of concord (this is 14 months after buying car), and they again found a leak in the high pressure fuel pump and line, and replaced the parts - again. This was the third of four replacements of the high pressure fuel pump on my car.
Dangerous level of heat in the driver's footwell after car is driver for a while.