general problems of the 2008 Mini Cooper S

Timing chain jumped out of timing and caused bent valves.

My car caught fire while driving. I had been driving for about an hour on the highway. There was no warning. No cel or errors on the dash display. Car was running normally. I noticed some smoke. After pulling to the side of the road flames started coming from under the hood. The car was still running normally. I shut off the motor and got out. Bystanders emptied an extinguisher through the front grille but within minutes the entire vehicle was engulfed. Car was almost completely destroyed. Fire burned through the firewall and consumed the interior.

My Mini cooper has a timing chain problem it rattles upon starting and I haven't driven it . . . . . I just found out about this recall.

The vehicle lost power while driving on the highway and a Mini dealership has confirmed that the timing chain is the problem along with the valves (possibly caused by the timing being off). Multiple conversations with Mini customer relations have gotten no where and the manufacturer refuses to take responsibility for the known issues with the timing chain in this vehicle. Despite a class action lawsuit specifically about the timing chain, no recall has been issued and the manufacturer refuses to assist customers with necessary repairs to this defective part (and other damage caused by the defect). These timing chain issues are not only an undue burden on the consumer, they can be potentially fatal if a timing chain fails at an unfortunate moment. Mini needs to issue a recall.

While traveling on I-10 in tallahassee, FL at highway speed of 70 mph the car suddenly lost power. Being I the center lane of eight (four each direction) it was almost impossible to get out of traffic. Several vehicles made abrupt maneuvers to avoid a crash. Also as I got out of the vehicle was nearly struck by other cars. I later found out this was due to a failed timing chain with numerous complaints and no recall. There was also a class action settlement and still no recall. This could have well been a fatal incident.

Car takes a while to "warm up" however after a very short drive the hood is hot to the touch. It also smells hot. I looked on line and seen several complaints and there is actually an after market 'deflector' to channel heat from the hood. I have noticed the plastic hood scoop is deformed from heat. I feel it is a matter of time before a fire or other reaction, e. G. , heat causes another part to fail and car wont stop, accelerate or other causing a crash. I also noticed the headlight wiring to be frayed as if it has been hot.

Engine rattle upon startup. Next thing I know is the timing chain guides broke and the valves bent. Thousands in repair and Mini won't cover a thing.

The contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle began to decelerate after the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was powered off and back on and was able to be driven; however, the vehicle would not accelerate past 55 mph on a 70 mph highway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that one of the cylinders failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

I own a 2008 Mini Cooper S and it has 38600 miles on it I have owned it for a year and have to replace the timing chain. This vehicle has had the timing chain changed once before at 13,485 by a Mini dealer. As for this time it is still drivable and has not caused any incidents.

Turbo charger fuel supply line is leaking on my 2008 Mini Cooper S. The dealer suggested a replacement cost of $750. There are many complaints online about this issue and the leak is happening due to poor design. The leak may cause fire damage and might cause extensive damage to the car.

Timing chain making terrible rattle. After research this seems to be a new and quite common problem. This needs to be recalled.

While turning at a highway intersection, the timing chain failed which, in turn, destroyed the engine. I was stranded in the middle of the intersection. I have been given a quote of 7,200. 00 to replace the engine with a new one.

I change my oil every 3k on the dot. I check it regularly. Fully synthetic every time. I was told when I bought my Mini with 42k that the rattle under the hood was normal. At approx. 50k I heard the same metal rattle that sounded like a chain smacking plastic, so I brought it in to be checked. Now I'm stuck with a timing chain replacement that's going to cost upwards of $2,000. Now I'm not one to complain of normal wear and tear parts but who has a timing chain go out at 50k? if you google timing chain issues you will see. There are tons of people who are having the same issue. Luckily mine was caught in my driveway. If this chain goes out on a highway. . . This can easily cause a fatal accident. . . Please don't wait for an accident to happen. Get these chains replaced with ones that have been quality controlled. This is a true safety hazard.

The timing chain has locked up. I notice that this is a commom complaint.

Vehicle was brought in for warranty repairs just before warranty expired (6/9/12). Service department was asked to inspect 'turbo oil supply line' as this was TSB (sim-11-03-08) for clogs/blockage caused by the deterioration of the rubber o-ring in line that when heat cycled falls apart and clogs the line causing damage to the turbocharger. Service department stated a inspection was performed and noted there was no blockage. Turbocharger oil supply line is now broken and no longer supplying oil to turbocharger. Diminished performance and the smell of oil was the reason for discontinued driving of the vehicle. Upon inspection it was discovered the oil supply line has broken. I do not know the extent of the damage until repaired. Turbocharger may need replacing as a result of this known failing part.

As I was driving my car started chugging. I pulled over and kept chugging. I stopped the car, looked under the hood and saw if something was wrong. Did not see anything. Started it up again and once I accelerated it stopped chugging. Drove it very scarcely and brought it into the dealership. Was told it was a timing chain. Very lucky that it has not snapped or skipped because you would have possibly lose control. The car only has 36000 miles on it and has had the oil level topped off every few fill ups. They do not look at this as a manufacturing defect, even though it has happened on quite a few cars. My local mechanic said he has never heard of a timing chain snapping or stretching to where it needs to be replaced at 36000 miles. It is dangerous and also very costly to pay for.

Timing chain cover broke apart and spread throughout the engine. I feel this is a defect. Mini & the company that handles the extended warranty is refusing to cover.

Housing for the timing chain came loose and caused damage that will cost $1800 to repair. The service guy knew exactly what the problem was. He said he has been seeing a lot of them in the past two years and its a 10 hour job. While I was signing for the loaner, someone else was on the phone saying they replaced the timing chain on another car. This appears to be a design flaw where Mini is making a ton of money on repairs. The service guy also said, "it appears to be a problem with the housing, because once we replace it they never have the problem again. And I some of the cars had this done two years ago. ".

Tl-the contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, smoke started to come from the engine. The vehicle was unable to cool down so the contact towed the vehicle to a dealer for diagnosis. After diagnosis they were unable to reenact or diagnose the failure. They advised the contact that they would hold the vehicle longer to road test it at a later time. The vehicle was never repaired. The contact stated that the failure re occurred and he was unable to drive the vehicle for no more than a few miles without it over heating. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 7,400. The current mileage was approximately 8,234. The VIN was unavailable. Tb.

2008 Mini Cooper S spontaneous engine fire 10/02. I had just returned home from work and I had driven the car for about 45mins and then 10mins after shutting the car down a fire had started in the engine compartment.

2008 Mini Cooper S engine knocking.

Engine compartment of 08 Mini Cooper S gets so hot it has melt the hood scoop. My hood scooping is bowing down and the car has 2700 miles on it. I suggest a recall and a heat shield to resolve this issue. Too many complaints on the forums.

I bought car new in Nov 2007. Car was used as transportation every day to and from work (~100 mi total). Car was well cared for, service was performed as required, etc. In sept 2008 after sitting undriven for 10 days while I was away on vacation, I drove 50 mi to work and there were no signs of trouble except that an indicator for a blown headlamp came on when I initially started up. When I arrived at work and pulled into a parking space I noticed wisps of smoke coming from the grill and intake and suspected overheating. I peered into the intake and saw glowing orange, and smelled the smoke and realized this was a fire not an overheating. I had a colleague call 911 and grabbed a fire extinguisher. When I got back to the car smoke was pouring out of the hood. Not wanting to open the hood I aimed the fire extinguisher into the grill, intake, and gaps but it didn't do much. At that point I grabbed valuables from car and walked away. Flames began coming out of the hood over the windshield. Car was completely engulfed within 10 minutes. There were no injuries or property damage except for the car itself. Insurance declared it a total loss. Mini was notified. I have photos of in-progress and aftermath. Having seen the recent publicity about the investigation into the engine fires I thought I should log my very relevant experience.