So, I have one of many thousands of bad thermostats. None of the parts houses have them in stock. Mini of Bedford NH said that there are 17,000 of them on backorder worldwide. 17,000!

This appears to affect Minis from 2007 through 2010. So, ours sits in the driveway for an indeterminable amount of time. Nobody actually knows when (if) they will be available. There are guesses from September 12th to October 10th. Mostly just shots in the dark, so they can at least tell you something!

These parts have been failing prematurely for 6 years, and now look at the mess. Mini is not exactly pro-active. Certainly our first and last Mini.

Just thought people should know.

Thanks for the instructions on replacement NAM members. If I get the part, I'll use your help in the replacement process.

 

Are you still under warranty?

 

Nope. 63K miles. If it were under warranty, it would be collecting dust in back of their shop, instead of my driveway. So disappointed.

 

Just ordered one from Pelican Parts. In my hand in 3 days. No back order there.

 

for your 2006 or 2008?

 

08

 

Product Information: 11-53-7-534-521-M26

Looking at it right now. "Out of Stock"

 

Maybe I should say,

for the S models. It has a complete housing and sensor and looks like a metal cardiac pump.

Thanks for the heads up though

Cheers

 

Don't know if they are different for S/non S. I just know they had them just a few weeks ago. Might call them and double check.

 

Was the one you ordered S or non S?

 

Non S

 

Yup. I am certain there are none available anywhere in the world right now. I mean that literally. Dealers have these cars sitting in back of the service departments awaiting parts with no "honest" date to tell the car owners of when the part will be available.

Dumb design, crap support. Black eye on Mini. They sent me a post that said they had switched their ordering system over to be more streamlined so there was a backlog on parts. I said, "OH? Just on the thermostat for the 2007-2010 S Coopers? Because the dealer didn't say that, and he can get every other part!" They haven't gotten back with a response..

I also submitted a complaint to the NHTSA.

 

This is true and it's actually a worldwide issue. SAP (I'm guessing) strikes again.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...96608520130707

 

Yes it's true, I've got three MINIs waiting here for thermostats.

 

That's BMW. The two Mini dealers I have spoken with said that they were not having issues with other parts, but this thermostat, the one notorious for failure is on world wide backorder. He quoted 17,000 units on backorder.

Reuters reports 1200 BMWs awaiting parts. I believe this to be a different issue, and Mini is using it to cover their butts, and weasle out of a recall.

JMHO.

 

We have a 2012 Cooper Countryman that was diagnosed with a bad thermostat. We've been told the part is on back order as well. Looks like the problem wasn't solved in the 2011 engine update.....

 

It's sad to say, but I'll never buy another new Mini. These types of things are just inexcusable. If this happens to me, I guess I'll be riding my motorcyle this Winter. When they become available again, I'll definitely be getting one as a spare. How many people can afford to have their car sitting there idle for who knows how long due to a POS part?

 

I can also confirm this problem. My 2010 MCS has been at the dealer for more than three weeks now. They at least got me a rental car since they have no ETA on a new part. I was considering getting a new 2014 JCW, but this is depressing.

 

Found a dealer in NY that had 6 yesterday and wouldn't sell any of them.

 

Thank goodness my thermostat housing went out as soon as it did a few months ago or I'd be doomed!

 

I know you're not, but you certainly can't blame him for wanting to take care of his customers first.

 

Any more news on it?

 

Thermostat housing? Really?

Ms B's 50,000mi '09 R55 developed a real thirst around the first to the summer. I have to completely refill the coolant recovery bottle about every tank of gas. It seems to piddle on the driveway after a drive so its a leak when hot and under pressure.

It this the symptom we're talking about here?

 

I used to have a 2004 non-s and had 5 speed trans problems. Heard the 07 and up was a better car but was skeptical. I love to drive these things though so I purchased an o7 S a few nights ago. It leaked a little when we pulled it onto the trailer to bring it home and they assured me it was just some water left over from the detailing as it had just been done. Well here I am 4 days later and still leaks, so I took the air intake and tubes off and broke out the mirror and flashlight and low and behold there it is, a tiny leak seeping from a seam on the t-stat housing. Not to mention the apparent rear seal leak, and the graciously noisy (possibly) timing chain rattle. Car had 36K miles I thought what could possibly go wrong? Great, now I have a $300 payment on a car that probably wont last till I get it paid off.

 

Anybody hear anything about them yet?