Three problems related to gas recirculation valve (egr valve) have been reported for the 2007 Mini Cooper S. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
A car stopped short in my path causing me to brake hard and stall. Since I didn't apply the clutch during the emergency stop I pressed the clutch pedal to the floor in an attempt to restart the engine. When it failed after several attempts I had it towed to Mini of baltimore. They told me it had no compression and that the exhaust cam had jumped 180 degrees out of timing. This sounds like a timing belt tensioner problem the service manager gave me an estimate of $2800. After further research I found this is a common problem but Mini won't issue a recall for this common problem.
My Mini Cooper Spontaneous caught on fire. Thursday 8/25/11 before all this happen, I took the car in for service. I stated to the service advisor([xxx]) the car was not driving right and I'm sure some services needs to be looked at (oil change etc. . . . ). My service tech ([xxx] vista Mini coconut creek) puts the key into the card reader nope nothing showed up you good to go I exit with some doubt on my face never thinking twice, could be my mind playing car games. I'm really admit about funny noises, and since the dealer isn't far from my job. I'd just stop on by for a check up. I do have extended warranty service. Saturday 8/27/11 (10:30p) car sitting from a short drive to have dinner. Came home (10pm) parked the and didn't hear or notice anything. I usually take a quick walk around the car. Sunday 8/28/11 (4:00p) police came knocking " are you the owner of a black Mini cooper " your car was on fire and the plantation fire dept are in the process of putting out the fire/flames. As I walk out the shock of my car burning. After speaking with the firemen. He couldn't pin point where the fire started and the cause unknown but he said when they started to hose it down it looked as if the fire was coming from the driver side engine compartment another fire dept guy said from the looks of this incident, what's seems to cause this was electrical malfunction. Flames were shooting 8'ft in the air. The car is damaged and not repairable,there's no engine there's nothing left besides the some ashe, melted metal, there's no windshield, the headliner is completely gone, side glass are blown out. All I can think about is my baby daughter in the car while I was driving. BMW you have caused some damage, leaving me second guess you integrity of your craftsmanship/flagship auto. Someone please contact me about this situation. Updated09/07/11 [xxx] updated 2/23/12.
On 2007 Mini Cooper S, purchased new 12-2007, experiencing warped/melted/deformed scoops on bonnet(hood) due to extreme heat issue from turbo, scoop originally had zero cutouts, my cooper has 3 cutouts in scoop made by mfg, opening not large enough or fan does not run long enough to cool down the bonnet scoop or fan does not run at all, fan runs about 30% of the time only & warping occurs on the bonnet scoop which is painted plastic. If the bonnet scoop was metal, this would not be an issue. Heat can reach 235 degrees. Have been opening hood when re-parking in the garage to allow to vent/cool down. Opening hood not always possible ,obviously, when parking not at home. Would like Mini (BMW) to address this problem, needs to replace the painted to match hood scoop, addressing with BMW 12-19-2008.