Just to share with all NAM friends. These are the number(S) of major fault I encountered with my MCS since 2007 till today. I hope only to provide some guidance to fellow owner of faults I encountered and the resolution.

Problem 1:
Clutch slip and grinding sound with burnt smell when engaging first or second gear.
Solution:
Sent to dealer, was told pre 07 batch has foul designed clutch. Replaced the whole clutch system. Warranty covered, Lost of usage: 2Week

Problem 2:
Radiator Leakage, No pre-warning from vehicle.
Solution:
Sent in my car to dealer. Replaced coolant pump and seal. Warranty Covered. lost of usage: 1 Week

Problem 2:
Turbo power cut. Engine critically loss in power. Hesitating acceleration initially. After awhile, turbo totally cut with no boost. CEL light up.
Solution:
Sent in to dealer again. Replaced high pressure fuel pump. Warranty Covered, Lost of usage: 1.5 Week

Problem 3:
Engine oil leakage. Sent to dealer, asked to monitor as it is not critical. Continue to drive and leak worsen. I lose half engine oil in 1 week. No warning light at all as it hasnt hit the critical level.
Solution:
Sent in to dealer. Replaced oil pan gasket. No warranty. Lost of usuage: 1 Week. Total cost: 500+USD

Problem 3+:
Continue oil leak. Problem 3 not solved. This time Engine lost power when accelerating, the car feel sluggish during all rpm with strange howling sound at high rev. Idling sound is loud with slight knocking, turbo did not cut. No warning.
Solution:
Sent in to dealer for further investigation. Found that Engine top gasket leak, Cylinder seal leak. over Hauled engine, replaced all engine gaskets, piston seal, cylinder seal, high tensioner. BMW covered all parts. I paid 50% labour. around 500+USD. Lost of usage: 7 Week.

Problem 4:
knocking and hesitating acceleration at 2-3krpm. worst when on load. high Rev is good. No power loss. When idling after car is hot, heard soft single intermittent chipping sound. sounds very short screeching sound. I heard the water pump problem, but it doesnt sound like that. Unknown what is the problem.
Solution:
No solution yet, I changed the spark plug and belt and it improved abit. problem persist. yet to send in to dealer.

No high performance mod on car. I am very scared of driving the car now. problem seems to float very often. I bought the car at around 95-100k USD in Singapore. Yes car over here is expensive and yet I am constantly having problem with the car. MINI is enjoyable if it doesnt have so much problem. There's still some small problem I did not list. I will subsequently update the problem if it comes to my mind.

 

thanks for all the great info!

 

Wow. That's quite the list!

Thankfully mine is very short. A fog light bulb that got water in it, and a faulty engine temperature switch. (3 years, 64K miles.)

I'd like to get another Mini, but reading some of the problem posts here on the forum makes me a little hesitant. I've had very good luck with my Mini, yet still......

 

Got ya beat! The sons 07 MCS is having a motor replacement at 80K miles even after being maintained well above what MINI suggests. Carbon buildup and stretched timing chain are part of the issues. Also had the high pressure fuel pump and well as a complete sun roof replacement.

Just wondering if I have this to look forward to on my 09 Clubman S.

Good luck!

 

Yea, it's luck thou. I doubt late 09 and above model will have such a list of problems as 07 model is the pioneer model for R56. I just hope MINI owners have a better view of most common problems which happened to me and attend to theirs when early syntom arises.

Yea, it's not easy to upgrade our vehicle here in Singapore as most of our vehicle is on finance, giving that our MCS R56 cost almost 100k USD.
I envy you guys. =)

 

List of problems with my bought new off the lot 07-S

needed new tires at 30,000 miles . . .

service done by the book / computer up to now . . .

 

Hint: Don't let your oil get below the dipstick minimum.,,,

 

Very helpful--thanks. I have an 09 MCS and just had another CEL issue that I'm going to have the car towed to the dealer for (I posted in another thread).

Do the MCSs ever get to a point at which they're fairly care free???

 

yes

both of mine have been since I drove them off the lot . . .

they went to the dealer when the computer said ....

 

^ and it's an S??

 

Why wouldn't the oil pan gasket failure be covered under the warranty?