Ten problems related to engine exhaust system have been reported for the 2007 Mini Cooper S. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Just wanted to report another case of the "death rattle". My wife has a 2007 Mini Cooper S we bought new in sept. 2007. She complained of a loud rattle when she started the car for about 5-10 minutes until warm. Thought it might be a loose exhaust component until it started having idle issues. We took it to a local shop and they "rebooted" the computer and the idle problems went away but the rattle persisted. Our closest Mini dealer is an hour away so we don't take it to them unless we have to. Early last week the oil light came on. Checked the oil and oil level was fine. . . Although the dipstick did not want to go back in the engine. Oil light would come and go over the next few days. She took it to the local shop again to have the rattle checked and the oil changed since it was almost due. They found the guide for the timing chain was broken and laying in the bottom of the cover. They called our closest Mini dealer, said it was a "common problem" with turbo Minis, and we shouldn't drive it. Had it towed to Mini and that's where it sits. They haven't worked on it yet and they will call me when they do, but an early estimate is ~$1800 to repair, as long as the engine isn't damaged (which it isn't as the car starts and runs fine). I asked Mini about it being covered under some sort of warranty after reading all the horror stories since it's a known problem but they said since the oil level was low, and low oil levels exacerbate the problem, there's nothing they can do. Had no idea the oil level was low until the light came on. Pretty sad that this "common problem" still hasn't been fixed after all these years. Wife is now a full-time student and her school is over an hour away. She makes that drive twice a day, three times a week. How that broken piece didn't get tangled in the timing chain and destroy the engine I'll never know.
Oil return line exiting turbocharger leaks engine oil, which drips directly onto hot engine exhaust downpipe, this leads to smoke from the engine bay and will eventually cause a fire if not remedied promptly. BMW should quickly recall and repair this design defect before a lot of private property goes up in flames.
2007 Mini cooper 52860 miles has been to the dealer 5 times in the last year with same problem a loud clanking noise during startup and the engine light comes on. They have changed everything but I still have th issue. I took the car to a different shop other than the dealer and he said I shouldn't be driving the car that it has serious flaw in the timing belt and the engine could malfunction at any time. I called Mini and they sadi they would try to fix the car again since its was still under warrently. This car is dangerous and I have seen thousands of posts for this same issue. When I talked ot the dealer about the thousands of posts about this issue he said they have serveral major engine problems with mins 2007,2008. 2009 and 2010 so they had to change the engine. The car is currently in the shop for the sixth time this year I told Mini I was scarred to drive because if the the engine stops while I am driving it I will be dangerours. The are going to replace the timing again he did suggest I get a 2011 Mini since the engine was changed. I think there should be a recall with this issue.
2007 Mini Cooper S spontaneously caught fire while turned off and parked in my garage. I had traveled less than two miles when I parked the car. Fire started under the hood and completely totaled the car by the time the fire department arrived and put it out.
I burned my lower front leg on the chrome tipped dual exhaust pipes of out 2007 Mini Cooper S (turbo version).
I own a 2007 Mini Cooper S hardtop. Last may, while taking some shopping packages out of the back ,through the hatch of my vehicle , I was burned on the side of my left calf by the exhaust pipe. A couple of weeks after, it happened again, just not as badly as the first time thankfully. The first burn did blister and today,sept. 30,2008, I still have a mark on my leg from this painful event.
Received blistering and permanent scaring burn from exhaust pipe while removing cargo from rear of vehicle.
Received blistering and permanent scaring burn from exhaust pipe while removing cargo from rear of vehicle.
Lower leg sustained burn resulting in scaring as result of coming into contact with edge of rear exhaust pipe(s). Exhaust pipes extend too far beyond rear bumper creating exposure to a person accessing trunk.
The tailpipes, when hot, apparently protrude enough to cause severe burns to the leg. My 7 year old daughter sustained a serious burn this way when getting something out of the hatchback.