Equipment Problems of Mini Cooper S - part 2

Started to hear a knocking noise coming from the engine compartment. Issue with the time chain. So bent out of shape that the chain almost broke. I have always kept on top of changing my oil and getting my car serviced everytime it need it so I dont understand why this would even happen. When researching my problem I saw that its extremely common for models since 2007+ to experience this. This needs to be recalled. Theres no reason for a owner to have to pay 200-2000 dollars when they have done everything right with servicing and oil changes etc. Im just glad I wasnt on the highway when this happened to me because having your engine belt break in a busy highway doesnt sound safe.

See all problems of the 2009 Mini Cooper S 🔎.

Check engine light came on. Checked it and its the thermostat. I had replaced the thermostat 1 year ago and now again. Went to the dealership here in san antonio, TX and they told me their on back order. Apparently 17,000 on backorder! its almost been a month and a half and my car is still in my garage with no definite answer from Mini. There has to be a bigger issue that is being covered up by Mini.

Fan is barely blowing out of the front vents, the air is all flowing through the bottom vents. This happens intermittently. Heat and air-conditioning works fine. Only the air flow is limited regardless of adjustments to air flow settings or temperatures.

While driving I noticed that my right foot was getting hot. I moved my hand down to the gas pedal area and felt a lot heat which I later determined to be coming from the plastic panel to the right of the gas pedal. It was so hot that it was difficult to touch with my bare hands.

See all problems of the 2007 Mini Cooper S 🔎.

I purchased the vehicle as is from a small local lot January of 2013, everything checked out as perfect. I love the car. Was driving home from work and luckily I was about 10 miles from home and at the speed of 35 mph when it felt like it was stuck in a gear (car is automatic) then I noticed my check engine light came on. I remained at the speed of 35mph or lower because I didn't want to take any chances. Then my brake light came on which made me think I had brake issues. I parked it lifted the hood and it was extremely hot and you could hear the fans running extra hard. We took it to a local guy to look at it as he told us he just had a Mini in with same issue weeks before and aaa came to tow it to hendrick Mini in charlotte. They thought it was value stems and etc find out a few hours later not the case I need a whole new transmission. The car is a '07 with only 54k miles on it in perfect condition. Makes no sense. Mini/BMW us has heard of my complaint and has told me there is nothing they will do to make it right. If you ask me from everything I've read online this needs to be a recall as everyone has had the same issue. This is very unsafe and I can't afford $9k to pay for a new transmission. I loved my Mini cooper but as it stands right now I'm car less and left making payments on a car I cannot even drive and it is sitting in the shop on hold for the time being. Mini/BMW needs to realize all of the customers they are losing over this.

I currently have an oil leak developing from the turbo oil line that has resulted from a failed o-ring within the line itself. Due to a design flaw, the heat from the turbo wears away the o-ring, which results in oil leaking from where the line is bolted to the turbo via a banjo bolt. This is a serious problem because if the line fails, the turbo becomes starved of oil and burns up, which ultimately causes the whole turbo unit to be replaced. Also, the oil leaking onto the turbo has a potential to catch fire, since the turbo becomes very hot during normal driving. Also if any oil leaks down to the exhaust piping underneath the turbo, those places also pose a fire hazard. Mini recognizes this to be an issue, but refuses to do anything other than add a heat shield around the connection to the turbo. The line still has a rubber o-ring in it that will fail over repeated heat cycles, and the line needs to be redesigned.

See all problems of the 2008 Mini Cooper S 🔎.

Driving to work in the am. I smell something in the car. When I look at my passenger side seat I saw smoke. Pull over and got a better look at it. I have a holes in my car seat and the two vest that I place on the seat. It appears the heated seat had a electrical failure. Took car to Mini dealer. They said it real odd this happen. They also nice to say I would have to paid to fix it. Look at many site on internet and seen BMW/Mini and other company have issues with heated seats. It do not seem to odd to me. I did not even had the heated seat on because no one was seating there.

See all problems of the 2005 Mini Cooper S 🔎.

My Mini Cooper S was purchased brand new, and had all regular maintenance done at the dealership. However, once the warranty expired I took the car to my regular mechanic who has performed work for myself and family for twelve years. After reading this website, and it's complaints the same problems have occurred to me. The oil lines began to leak because there was a clog, and it caused the turbo to burn out. Parts and labor for a used turbo came out to be around $1,800. A new turbo alone would have cost roughly 2,000. Now several thousand miles later, there was an oil leak noticed under the car. I took it to the dealership this time, to see what the exact problem was and an estimate before taking it to my mechanic. They found "several leaks" of which they replaced the water pump, the water pump gasket, valve cover gasket, and finally the oil filter gasket. After the $1,800 bill for that was paid, a call was received declaring that the crank case now has a leak in it as well and needs to be resealed. With the oil leaking from that, the clutch could also be burning out and need to be replaced costing an additional $5,400. The repair bill on this alone would be enough to bring normal hard working people to tears. Also, the cold start rattle identifying the timing belt issues has begun on my car. There are thousands upon thousands of complaints about this on the internet. Glad to know BMW takes care of it's customers and ignores the complaints.

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.

Turbo oil feed piping fails at connector. Banjo type fitting on tubing fails on connection above turbo, spilling oil on turbo unit. Produces smoke and a potential fire hazard.

The timing chain failed, found to be sheared through.

Defect initially occurred at night time in rush hour traffic: dash-lights went out, turn indicator not functional, heater blower stopped working (causing fogging of windshield/windows), air bag lights went on, seat belt light on consequently had to pull on the side of road (limited visibility, no speed indicator, could not operate vehicle safely). A couple of attempts at ignition cycling partially restored functionality. After initial defect, problem could be reproduced intermittently (all/some of the component listed above failed during course of normal operation of vehicle). Vehicle inspected by Mini/BMW dealer, root cause: interference on k-bus of one of the audio component, resulting in failure/malfunction of other components on the bus. Ultimately component (Mini I-pod interface) had to be removed -- part is available if needed. Request to have repairs covered was rejected by Mini/BMW customer relations on grounds there was no recall (vehicle is 5 months out of warranty --- 41k miles).