I just bought a 2006 mini cooper s w 66K miles british racing green. I would like to say I enjoy driving the car, but it's been in the shop almost every day since i bought it. I bought it wednesday night, noticed an oil leak on thursday, brought it back to the dealer to fix the leak and replace the tires. Got the car back last night. Had fun driving it. Took it to dicsount tires this morning to buy some rims. After leaving the lot it wouldn't do more than 10mph. Luckily my brother's shop was right around the corner. I had him pull up the code and it's a p1688 supercharger bypass valve sticking. Called up the dealer and had it towed in. Just waiting to find out what's wrong. I know it should be covered under warranty. I just hope I didn't by a lemmon. Are these cars problematic or am I just experiencing some bad luck?

 

Just took my 2006 Cooper in this week for its 40,000 mile service..car was 5 years old last month and have only had regular secheduled service since new and only one issue (small cooling system leak fixed under warranty) outside of regular service.

I had a 2002 Cooper b4 the '06 with similar experience, so I have to say the car has not be problematic for me, I only put 8,000 miles a year on my cars and give them better than normal care, and do not "beat up" on it, although I have yet to get over 20,000miles on a set of tires.

 

I think its just bad luck. Besides, everything that is being replaced is under warranty right? Sounds like a good deal to me if you are getting new parts put on and the labor is free.

I bought my 03S from a dealer in Tempe and a day later I noticed a hissing (or sucking) noise and brought it back to them. They said they did not hear anything so I went to the Mini dealer in Scottsdale and found out it was the supercharger that had gone bad. A week later the dealer paid Mini to have a new supercharger put in because Mini told them that they were not qualified and did not have the special tools needed to replace it. So, I got an 03S with a brand new supercharger and a few other things that needed to be replaced. No issues since....I do get a code when I get bad gas that says the o2 sensor needs replacement though.

My wife has an 03 and I had to replace the power steering unit. Other than that the cars are solid.

 

Well that's good to hear they are reliable. I just dont think the service techs at the toyota dealership really inspected it before they put it on the lot. I traded in my beloved subaru forester xt with over 300hp to the wheels for this mini. The forester was a beast, tons of fun to drive, but it was a gas hog. That's why I got the mini, for more mpg without too much compromise on performance. I'm looking forward to modifying the mini however, I have to know that i have a good car to start with. I know the dealiship will get it fixed. I will post some pix as soon as i get i back. I'm looking forward to tuning and driving the mini.

 

They are good cars. Keep rummaging around NAM especially the "How to" section. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-to-340-3.html

You will find lots of "needed" mods.


Many of the NAMers are great at getting back to you if you have any questions as to how they did their modifications.

 

The crank pulley came apart. The BMW dealership is replacing the pulley and the belt under warranty. I get to pick up my car tomorrow.

 

welome.. sorry abt the problem.. how long is yr warranty? any extended?

 

Glad the issues are being fixed under warranty!

 

the warranty is 3 years 36000 miles. Now I need to decide whether or not to purchase new wheels or do an intake and exhaust. I really do not like the look of the stock wheels. I'm thinking of doing the one ball mod and getting some wheels for now.

 

Stewpify, welcome. I'm sorry to hear of your problems. I'm glad that you are getting them resolved under warranty.

 

I got it back! and it's running great. I'm so excited now.

 

YEA!!!!!!!

 

Welcome, glad your problem is resolved.

 

 

Glad to hear about the warranty. Now you have a new crank pulley Get the intake. Worry about cosmetics later. Its whats under the hood that matters the most.

 

I put a K&N drop in filter and modified the stock intake. I made the hole that goes to the cowling about 3x's bigger. My first mod is going to be the 15% pulley. It seems to be the most bang for the buck.

 

Nice. I was thinking about a green one myself..decided on pure silver.