My "babied" (4 extra oil changes) 2007 MCS has just died (52,800). I have been tracking oil consumption since the last oil change/service at 49,300 miles (MINI warranty expired at 50,000 in April 2011), have put in 5 full quarts (so 1 qrt./800 miles) since then. The problem has only been made obvious by several consecutive long trips (Toronto, Montreal from Western MA).

I had the vacuum pump/engine destruction failure in March 2010 at 36K - repaired under warranty by MINI - I am going to call the dealer (New Country MINI) later today and ask them to repair the engine under the "repair warranty of the 36K repair".

I have set up a blog, YouTube Channel and Twitter account to both document the oil consumption and follow the "warranty repair process" by MINI.

I know that MINI response to engine issues has been "erratic" (sometime good and sometimes bad) based on posts in this forum. I am hoping that:

a) the use of social media will help MINI to make the right decision;
b) to help others on this Forum also use social media to help resolve their issues (i.e., if we all posted video to YouTube of our problems, or sent out Tweets read by thousands) it would improve relations between MINI and MINI customers.

If you believe in social action, please follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/MINIEngineFails (@minienginefails) or visit the YouTube Channel I have set up (for now it is private so you will need to use the link: http://www.youtube.com/user/mcsengine?feature=mhee).

If you follow me on Twitter and have issues of your own, I will be happy to "retweet" them. I am following MINI, BMW and many Auto News people - usually they reciprocate (and follow followers) so hopefully the message will fall on "open ears".

Best,

PS. I am being careful to be diplomatic with MINI - assertive without being aggressive as I think this is only fair - it is a great car idea and great car - when it operates properly.