Problems With My 2003 Mcs.....the List Goes On

[BimmerJustin]

Alright...
1./my cruise control was inop. Had a diode replaced. Works but varies by 4-6 mph. Needs fixing.
2./Window tint done poorly by BMW. Had it re-tinted.
3./AC is intermittent. Blows hot air for 20 minutes. Turn off then works fine.
4./Seat belt light flickers then airbag light comes on. I found the switch or wiring shorted in the seat belt receptacle.
5./Doors don't lock or car does not flash when locked. This is intermittent. If you try and lock it from the inside, it will only lock one door at a time if that. :dunno:
6./A major clunck from the right rear. Duplicated it with nothing in the trunck and my spare out. :mad:
7./The DSC and Runflat lights are on then go out together 10 minutes later.
I know there is more but can't think of everything. This is not the only BMW I have (2002 325ci). So I know there are always problems. But the car is only 2 months old. WHAT THE FU@K! By the way....It's still a sweet car.

[RKT BMR]

:wow:

[Mr. The Edge]

Darn, we've had NO issues with ours, a December build '03.

Which is a good thing, because the nearest dealership was 3 hours away when we first bought it. Now there's one "only" an hour or so away.

[emPoWaH]

"Window tint done poorly by BMW. Had it re-tinted."

Huh? I'm not aware of factory window tinting by BMW. Was this an aftermarket service performed by your dealer?

[BimmerJustin]

"Window tint done poorly by BMW. Had it re-tinted."

Huh? I'm not aware of factory window tinting by BMW. Was this an aftermarket service performed by your dealer?


Yes....BMW of North Scottsdale does aftermarket window tinting. And you know how some BMW dealerships are DINAN DEALERSHIPS.....WELL mine is an ACS DEALERSHIP! :bigpimp: :flipoff: .

Oh yeah...my front drivers side window has bubbles and will have to get replaced again. :mad:

[ZBB 325Ci]

Sorry to hear about your problems...

Our MCS is a June '02 build '02 model... Very few problems with it, but notihing serious thats been repetitive. Here's a list in order.

1) One-time Electrical Gremlin #1: first day we had it, the CD controls wouldn't work. Strangely, the steering wheel buttons worked, so we could change volume and switch stations, but it would not play a CD. Went back to dealer, and when they started the car back up, it was OK. Hasn't happened since
2) One-time Electrical Germlin #2: During the first month, while driving the car, the car just shut off. Threw clutch in and pulled over. It started up just fine, but all OBC settings were lost. Hasn't happened since
3) We had the cold-start problem where it took 2-3 tries to get it started on a cold morning. Had to live with this for a couple months until our dealer received the new software. Fixed.
4) One of the chrome exhaust attachments came off. Replaced under warranty.
5) Car overheated... Coolant was low due to a coolant leak in the coolant filler neck. Replaced under warranty with redesigned part.

[RKT BMR]

Homer moment http://pearly3000.tripod.com/homer/homer_doh1.jpg

What is "MCS"?

[Mr. The Edge]

Homer moment http://pearly3000.tripod.com/homer/homer_doh1.jpg

What is "MCS"?

MINI COOPER S

:D

[juniorlaw]

I just had to have my rear tint removed b/c BMW says it interferes with the antena? My car know looks horrible b/c all of the other windows are tint. I was never told about this problem but BMW had problems before mine?
BMW aftermarket tint by dealer
Yes....BMW of North Scottsdale does aftermarket window tinting. And you know how some BMW dealerships are DINAN DEALERSHIPS.....WELL mine is an ACS DEALERSHIP! :bigpimp: :flipoff: .

Oh yeah...my front drivers side window has bubbles and will have to get replaced again. :mad:

[Salvator]

I just had to have my rear tint removed b/c BMW says it interferes with the antena?
Metallic tint can interfere with antennas that are embedded in the glass (such as in my 325Ci)... The solution is to find a non-metallic tint, such as Huper Optik (it is ceramic)... There are others as well...


www.huperoptik.com (http://www.huperoptik.com/)

[rwg]

I realize that this is an old thread, but . . . I thought the MCS did not have a spare?

My 2004 MC has never been to the service department at 8100 miles. (*knocks on nearest wood*)

[Mr. The Edge]

I realize that this is an old thread, but . . . I thought the MCS did not have a spare?

My 2004 MC has never been to the service department at 8100 miles. (*knocks on nearest wood*)

correct...no spare with the MCS

[rwg]

6./A major clunck from the right rear. Duplicated it with nothing in the trunck and my spare out. :mad:

:dunno:

[ff]

correct...no spare with the MCS


No spare????? ahh, run-flats....

The first thing I'll do when I get mine, is swap the stock crappy whees/tires for aftermarket ones (non-runflat). I assume there's a spot for a spare in the trunk?

[rwg]

No spare????? ahh, run-flats....

The first thing I'll do when I get mine, is swap the stock crappy whees/tires for aftermarket ones (non-runflat). I assume there's a spot for a spare in the trunk?

I don't think so. The MC has a donut spare that drops down below the trunk (hope I never have to figure out how). The MCS has - the exhaust running through that spot. I know some people have modified the trunk, if you want to call it that, to secure a spare, but there won't be much storage space left.

[ff]

I don't think so. The MC has a donut spare that drops down below the trunk (hope I never have to figure out how). The MCS has - the exhaust running through that spot. I know some people have modified the trunk, if you want to call it that, to secure a spare, but there won't be much storage space left.

Huh, that's really crappy. You're basically forced into buying run-flats for the car, then. There doesn't appear to be much available in the performance tire segment for run-flats either. Not in the MCS's size range.

No way I'm going to stick with bottom-feeding Goodyear tires. Have to figure something out.

[KatanaPilot]

MCSs have the battery in the trunk. The exhaust actually goes around where the spare is supposed to go. Anyways, no room for spares.

[rwg]

Huh, that's really crappy. You're basically forced into buying run-flats for the car, then. There doesn't appear to be much available in the performance tire segment for run-flats either. Not in the MCS's size range.

No way I'm going to stick with bottom-feeding Goodyear tires. Have to figure something out.

You think that's crappy? My MC has a spare - and I still have frikin runflats!! If the whole purpose in buying the car wasn't to buy an inexpensive commuter car, I would have dumped them in week no. 1.

[rwg]

MCSs have the battery in the trunk. The exhaust actually goes around where the spare is supposed to go. Anyways, no room for spares.

Well now I am confused. If the exhaust goes around the spare spot, why don't they put one in? I thought it was removed b/c of the exhaust. Is the battery in that spot?

[Nick T.]

Huh, that's really crappy. You're basically forced into buying run-flats for the car, then. There doesn't appear to be much available in the performance tire segment for run-flats either. Not in the MCS's size range.

No way I'm going to stick with bottom-feeding Goodyear tires. Have to figure something out.
When you replace the run-flats there are several options:

The first is to use your cell phone and call MINI Roadside Assistance at 866-646-4772. They will deal with flat tires, out of fuel, lockouts, etc. at no cost. Not too good if you’re out of cell coverage.

A second option is to carry a 12V air compressor and a can of flat-fix goop. Good for punctures, but not so hot for a tear or major blowout.

Another choice is to buy a space-saver spare like comes with the non-S MINI and carry it with you. This will let you limp away at 50 mph.

A final choice is to carry a full-sized spare. In the event of a flat you don’t have to rely on a gas station Gomer to deal with your expensive after market wheel/tire.

The BagLady (http://www.millpondminis.com/) makes spare tire bags which will keep you from getting your interior dirty - - but her web site is down for upgrade today. Here are pics of my full-sized tire bag.

http://home.jps.net/~ntaylor/MINI/Cooper-S_sm.jpg
One side . . . . . .

http://home.jps.net/~ntaylor/MINI/Happy-Face_sm.jpg
. . . . . . and the other side.

[ff]

Wow, I'd be shot for having that bag in my trunk (er, I mean boot).

Something like that and donut spare is gonna have to be in order, though. No other legitimate option, AFAIK.

[KatanaPilot]

Well now I am confused. If the exhaust goes around the spare spot, why don't they put one in? I thought it was removed b/c of the exhaust. Is the battery in that spot?
Yes, the battery in the MCS is under the floor of the trunk, exactly where the spare would have been.