Any updates?

 

Update... After a diagnostic, Mini of Louisville decided not to cover the repair because the timing chain slipped due to a faulty vacuum pump not allowing oil into the engine / chain. They quoted me over $8,000 for a new engine. Not worth it at all.

 

I am truly sorry to hear that!

Sadly, these cars are built like crap.
The only way I am ever buying another Mini, is if Toyota builds it.

 

Yeah. I'm so unbelievably sad. I thought about having it repaired just because I love the car so much, but I'm so worried it will just become a money pit and in the end, it will save me money to just buy a more reliable car now.

 

I hope you find a good deal.
Stay away from European cars. They are nice, but mostly money pits.
You can't go wrong with Made In Japan.

Good luck!

 

What are you getting? Is your Mini still alive and well?

 

Yes, it is, for now. But God knows for how long...

 

these are design issues, not build quality as far as I can tell, they all have the same problems

 

No check engine light now, but there is a half engine power light on the steering wheel cluster. Oil and antifreeze levels are good.

Edit: stupid iphone put me on wrong thread

 

Read the codes, might be a bad coil pack.

 

That is a check engine light

 

Took my '08 (owned since new) in for service and the death rattle last week. Annual service was fine. A few other minor things resolved. Then the call - "you have the Timing Chain issue"....

So I start digging into the class action case, reading all I can here and elsewhere, and figure I'm covered.

34k miles (it's driven, just not every day), flawless, never abused, and yearly service always done by selling dealer. I called MINU USA and discussed the case settlement to try to understand it. I'm told "the claims are covered for those issues related to this ONLY if claims are filed before July 1, 2016." Then I called the claims admin for the class action suit, basically same answer.

Well just great. I did not HAVE the problem until a week ago. What I can't understand is how a company admits to having flawed parts in the engine on a series of cars, and if it happens to you after said date, too bad for you.

Dealer will try to help, and did go to bat with Mini USA as well, but so far, no joy. Getting the fix handled now, and will likely have to eat it. Totally bummed. Love the car, no other major issues, and will likely keep it for a while longer, but this is just beyond rational that not even a % would be covered.

If anyone has had any luck with resolution past 7/1/16, please reach out. Thx.

 

I could've done the work for you for fraction of what the dealer will charge you.

 

I'm aware that indy's can handle this cheaper....I'm hopeful the relationship I have with the dealer through business channels will make this less than typical retail cost.

Thanks.

 

I hope so my friend....also keep in mind the other issues N14 engines have like thermostat, valve cover, water pump...etc

 

I thought chains were supposed to be better than belts?

 

I think they are. It is everything else that is built cheap!

 

Yea I watched some videos on how to replace it.. the parts that hold and guide the chain are made of plastic..which is extremely stupid

 

Just got Astro back from the dealer. All done and running fine. MINI USA refuses to participate in any way. Still frustrated about the deadline 7/1/16 and for the other owners who have similar models in the known-flaw group, but have not had the issue (yet). The other things is, every District Svc rep has a goodwill budget to throw a few bucks at things like this. Guess the one who services this region does not care about my future Mini purchases. Would have been nice to see a few bucks tossed at the repair total. Was not expecting full coverage on this, just some assist since Mini USA knows the parts are flawed. Glad my dealer went to bat for me, and appreciate their help on this one, but shame on MINI USA for not backing up their known flaw regardless of timetable.

 

i bought my Cooper S back in may with a complimentary 6 month/6,000 mile warranty. the test drive seemed fine, no issues. but, within weeks, it developed a rough idle/hesitation. took it to the dealer in july for a carbon cleaning and that didn't help at all. then a few weeks ago, the death rattle started. got the car to the dealer and they determined that it was the timing chain ( it stretched, broke piece of the guide rail, which landed into the oil pan and made contact with the valve cover )

i finally got my car back today, the warranty paid the dealer $2244 minus the liquids used ( loctite, brake cleaner and an oil/filter change) and i paid a deductible of $100, so my part was $185. it runs and sounds great, better than ever. new valve cover, sprocket, tensioner, bolts, chain, guide and slide rails. i am very stoked.