Water Pump problems of the 2007 Mini Cooper S

Mini Cooper S - numerous issues found having purchased a used 2007 Mini Cooper S from a small dealer in tallahassee, florida, we did our research up-front with a �carfax report� which showed no issues, we also did a VIN database search for recalls and found no open recalls and assumed that it was safe to purchase which we did for just over $5,000. Now that we are nearing a year into our 4-year payment plan, on January 17, 2016, my wife was driving north on I-75 in georgia and at approx. Mile marker 211, the engine seized and she required a tow off the interstate. Luckily, there was no accident or injury- but it seems that would have helped our case� upon attempting repairs, we find numerous issues with the engine (2007 r56/n16 4 cylinder turbocharged) including timing chain, water pump, vacuum pump, etc� below are photos of removed parts from the engine � the vacuum pump seized and bent the metal components � since this is connected to the �exhaust camshaft�, when it seized it seized the exhaust camshaft � on the opposite end of this camshaft is a sprocket which connects the timing chain (another known issue with this vehicle) � the bolt and sprocket dropped into the engine and timing chain area, creating a catastrophic failure which it appears we are going to be �left holding the bag� for.

I was the one that reported the "death rattle" on my wife's Mini cooper a few weeks ago. I'm happy to report that the engine was not damaged and Mini fixed it for $1800, which was right in line with their estimate. They replaced the timing chain (it was stretched 70mm. . . 70!!), the tension pulley, the guide, changed the oil, replaced the aux water pump (was a recall so it cost $0), retimed the engine, washed the car, and cleaned the engine bay. The good news is that the car runs like new. The great news is that the service manager told me he called Mini on my behalf and they gave us a $500 discount on the repair since the car was "only a couple of years out of warranty". Perhaps that means Mini is finally waking up to this problem? I'll never understand how between the timing chain stretched 70mm, and the broken piece of guide rattling around for who knows how long, didn't destroy the engine. . . But I'm not complaining. Anyway, just wanted to let other Mini owners know that there's hope after all. And $1300 is better than $1800 any day of the week. Car runs great and neither my wife and I realized how much power the car had lost. We're still getting rid of it though. . . Enough is enough. . . Every time something goes wrong with this car, it's drama. And this was the last straw. Good luck everyone.

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.

6/2011, vehicle began making loud rattling noise after starting up in the morning and during acceleration while driving. Took it to local Mini service center and was told nothing was wrong with the car, noise was related to type of gas being used (if not chevron or shell, gas could cause noise is what I was told). 4/2011, noise began to get worse. Scheduled service appointment with same local service center for may 7th, 2012 (a month out for first appointment) as well as to address a recall issue related to recall campaign 12v-008 electric auxiliary water pump. Work not completed because on 4/13/12, check engine light came on while driving and then vehicle stalled out and would not restart. After local repair show diagnosed, failure was found to be with timing chain tensioner failing causing damage to engine. Solution=replacement of engine at a cost of $6,300. Mileage at time of failure was 62,218. Repairs not covered by Mini as vehicle is now out of warranty. Repairs not completed. Recall needs to be issued to have this common and known failure fixed.

Engine made excessive rattling on cold start up. Took to BMW and they told me that the timing chain tensioner, rails, and chain had to be replaced. The dealership charged me $2,031. 97. As I drove the car off the lot I noted that the engine did not feel nearly as smooth as before and was noisier. Brought the car in twice for them to fix. On the second trip to dealership, 7/18/11, they told me the water pump needed replaced. They charged me $980. 04 though a typical charge of for this job was $1315. 51. The car to this day at >70,000 still does not feel smooth and continues to sound loud. Obviously this is due to the "band aid fix" approach for the timing chain. I printed out all the complaints from NHTSA database regarding the noisey cold start of 2007 Mini Cooper S due to timing chain defect, 33 out of 110 (now 34). This is a pattern of defective engineering and not a randon quality problem that deserves a recall. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The check engine light has come on at 67k miles and I have brought the vehicle in to get checked at the dealer. The service department reports that the timing chain is beginning to fail and needs to be replaced, along with a water pump leak. The timing chain is a known failure and still has no recall.

The check engine light has come on at 55k miles and I have brought the vehicle in to get checked at the dealer. The service department reports that the timing chain is beginning to fail and needs to be replaced, along with a water pump leak. The timing chain is a known failure and still has no recall.

As with alot of other Mini Cooper S models for this year, my timing chain started to rattle, the dealer replaced it under warranty, not once, but twice, the water pump had been replaced, fuel pump replaced, throttle body replaced and the list could continue. Now the car has 98,234 miles on it and it is sitting at the dealership with a blown motor from bad #3 cylinder, leaking head gasket, and valve issues. This car has several design flaws that the manufacturer will not own up to. For a car with a price tag of over $32, 000 made from BMW, you wouldn't expect any of this.