Mini Cooper Service and Product Quality Issues

Hi all.

I'm a new member trying to find some information on my 2007 Mini Cooper S. The car was purchased new in January 2008 and my wife and I have enjoyed this car thoroughly.

About 7 weeks ago, we had a low brake fluid light come on that we took to the dealership to resolve. Since the front tires were pretty much worn out, we had them replaced along with a wheel alignment (about $840!). We took the car back a day or so later when we started hearing some unusually high squealing, which the dealership repaired.

A few days after that, while accelerating onto the freeway, we suddenly lost power and noticed the check engine light had appeared. We parked the car at home for a few days and took it in on March 22. That is the last time we saw the car. The initial diagnosis was unusually dirty fuel injectors which they said they could clean in a few days. A week later, the dealership called to tell us the car door was damaged and they needed more time for the body shop to fix. A week after that, they told us that a piece of the cylinder had broken off and that they had sent one of the valves out for repair. The last I heard, the cylinder heads were being worked.

I'm not a mechanic, but this sounds pretty serious. It seems like the dealership is hiding issues.

Has anyone had a similar problem like this? I have read about fuel injector problems in Mini's on other forums, but not with something as significant as a broken cylinder. I'm still trying to decide if the problem is with the quality of the Mini or the dealership that is working the problem. There doesn't seem to be any urgency on their part to fix the car or let me know what is happening. Is this the same experience others have had when dealing with issues? Is BMW usually more responsive in addressing these kinds of issues?

I have contacted BMW/Mini corporate to discuss options, but they have not gotten back to me after initial contact. I am close to contacting a lemon lawyer to address the issue.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

Riffler

Originally Posted by Riffler

Hi all.
A week later, the dealership called to tell us the car door was damaged and they needed more time for the body shop to fix. A week after that, they told us that a piece of the cylinder had broken off and that they had sent one of the valves out for repair. The last I heard, the cylinder heads were being worked.

Riffler

Damaged door? Sounds like someone was driving your Mini or took it home. Any excessive mileage since they took possession?

Originally Posted by WHITEX

Damaged door? Sounds like someone was driving your Mini or took it home. Any excessive mileage since they took possession?

Agree...this doesn't sound right at all. If they are working on the car...it should be in the shop on the rack, right? How can someone wreck it there...

I definitely feel something is not right. The original problem was determined to be a fuel injector problem, then a week or so later it turned into a broken cylinder problem. I have not seen the car since I took it in, so I'm not sure what the damage to the 'door' was. It just seems like they are stalling.

I spoke with the Mini Rep yesterday and all he did was have the service department contact me. Nothing else.

The latest status from Tuesday was that another cylinder part was ordered after they determined there was a factory defect within the cylinder, so i'm guessing another week at least. It would have been faster and probably cheaper to just drop in a new engine.



Thanks for your comments. I'll try to keep my whining down...

Originally Posted by Riffler

I definitely feel something is not right. The original problem was determined to be a fuel injector problem, then a week or so later it turned into a broken cylinder problem. I have not seen the car since I took it in, so I'm not sure what the damage to the 'door' was. It just seems like they are stalling.

I spoke with the Mini Rep yesterday and all he did was have the service department contact me. Nothing else.

The latest status from Tuesday was that another cylinder part was ordered after they determined there was a factory defect within the cylinder, so i'm guessing another week at least. It would have been faster and probably cheaper to just drop in a new engine.



Thanks for your comments. I'll try to keep my whining down...

After 6 1/2 weeks, I wouldn't call it whining. The dealer should be more accountable to explaining everything in detail to you so that you can properly evaluate your options. Good luck.