So I have been cursed with the dreaded P2096 along with a P2270 & P0301 for good measure.

P0301 - Cylinder One Misfire.
P2096 - Post CAT O2 Sensor detects lean.
P2270 - Post CAT O2 Sensor stuck lean.

I have searched and read dozens of articles and postings on this topic and there are lot's of horror shows. I also have a copy of a TSB as well as a letter from MiniUSA about the warranty extension on the O2 sensors: 10 years / 100k mies.

I am crossing my fingers that I do not get any grief from the dealership and it is a simple transaction & fix. I am just returning back to Mini ownership after three years away. My previous 05 R53 MCS was problem free, and I do not want to start this ownership off wrangling with the dealership about a known issue that can sometimes be tricky to resolve. (At least that is the impression I got from reading the many postings.) I hope all of the simple fixes did not bother to post and they far out weigh the people that had big problems. My R52 JCW has 75k miles on it, and that seems to be a point where O2 sensors start to go bad (according to my reading).

Fingers crossed!

 

Have you done anything yet to diagnose the issue on your own? Do you have any symptoms other than the codes?

 

Fair question, and the answer is no, as there are no symptom(s) other than the codes. I just drove 1,200 miles from Nashville TN to New Hampshire straight through. I averaged 79mph and got 29 MPG and the car ran like a top. I used 91+ gas the entire time and dumped two bottles of cleaner in along the way.

If I could clear the codes myself, I would play with it. I would need to buy a BavTec or equivalent to clear the codes.

Since the car is going into the dealer for the Airbag recall, I will see what they have to say. If they fix a sensor under warranty that's great. If they tell me it needs "X" for a cost of "Y", then I will decide if I am going to do the work on my own.

It is kind of hard to chase an issue like this without being able to clear the codes. This is not like finding and fixing a leak which is a bit more obvious. (At least to a shade tree mechanic like myself). I may have to buy the BavTec to do that work and chock it's cost up to the repair...

 

The misfire could be a plug issue (can swap them around to see if the misfire follows the plug) or maybe even related to the other faults. I know you've done your research on the codes, but some additional links for P0301 here, P2096 here, P2270 here. That makes sense though. If you don't have the proper tools to diagnose and work on the issue, then it can be a bit more difficult. If you do decide to purchase a scan tool look into the AutoEnginuity tool here. It's the tool we use and it gives you a lot of wide range of options. That link has lots more information of what it's capable of doing along with an article that shows you more. Otherwise, be sure to report back and let us know what they find.

 

Thanks for the followup and additional information. I forgot to mention that I just replaced the plugs with new NGK JCW plugs and have not driven it since. The car is a "garage queen" and spends New England winters tucked away. It will have to come out on Monday to go to the dealership.

When I changed the plugs, #1 was a little sooty and 3-4 brownish. They looked like they might have been the original plugs.

I will keep this thread posted on the progress.

Thanks again.

 

O2 sensors, bad cat ? Bad Injector in cyl #1 . Let us know what you find. On the O2 going bad , you will see a shape decrease in MPG. That's what mine did before the CEL.

 

Post mortem:

Brought the car to the dealer this morning:

Address recall of passenger seat airbag sensor.
Address CEL/P2096
State inspection

Got a call back in 60 minutes:

Passenger airbag done.
Warranty replacement of Post CAT O2 sensor. Will need to drive 150 miles for light to clear so that I can get my permanent inspection sticker.

They also diagnosed two oil leaks:

Power steering hose
Crank position sensor

I will address those on my own.

However:

I was failed on the inspection for Front Control Arm bushings more than 50% torn. $800 to fix the problem.

Hmmm - Do some quick research on YouTube and watched the Mod Mini video and determined that I do not have the tools and the space to do that project in the next several days to get my sticker.

Move on to the Indy shop to get a quote. Will not save all that much after parts, labor and getting a front end alignment.

I can tell by the smirk on the guys face that he knows he has me over a barrel, and I beg him to not make it hurt so much, so he knocks $100 bucks off. I told him I had two kids to feed, and he told me he had 3 kids to feed. Seems he has heard this all before...

Moral of the story is to not show up at the dealership in a vulnerable position.

I am looking at the bright side: I got an O2 sensor under warranty.

 

Look on the MINI dealership site, most have coupons on site and mailer coupons / specials if you have to go to the dealership. Some put the coupons on the bottom of the invoice.

At least you got the cat and recall.

 

Since you'll be needing to replace the bushings I'd highly recommend using the Powerflex bushings HERE. They will provide prolonged tire life, improved performance, better handling and they are more cost-effective than OEM bushings. If you want to shop around for quotes at different indy shops try this site out here as well. Glad you got that under warranty and good luck with the rest of your repairs. I'm here if you need anything.

 

Sounds like the O2 heater circuit probably shorted out to the O2 signal circuit and was giving you a false reading, I've seen it in a couple of cars.

We do control arm bushings for:
Powerflex control arm bushings $86.99
$450 labor to install the bushings, break the tie rods loose and clean the threads as well as apply anti-seize to them to ease in future alignments.
$125 alignment

All in all you'd be about $670ish if we had done it, you should be able to find a Euro specialist within driving range to do the job for you.

Worst case scenario, you make the drive to beautiful Philly and visit the boys at Helix, they're only a couple states away.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. All good stuff.

My takeaway from this issue, and I hope it helps others down the road is: Try not to tie warranty work at the dealership in with getting your inspection sticker at the same time. You are over a barrel at that point. That may seem obvious to some, but others that have a hectic lifestyle might find it convenient to wait and combine the work/trips. If that is the case you may have to pay a premium for the convenience.

My $.02

Cheers

 

You can get the power flex bushings pre-pressed into arms from Detroittuned.com. Then your Indy shop can do a very easy install and you return your arms to vendor for core charge refund.

 

Welcome.