2008 Mini Cooper complaints

I PURCHASED MY 2008 MINI COOPER 3 YEARS AGO AND IT'S CURRENTLY AROUND 78K MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TIMING CHAIN STRETCHED AND POSSIBLY ENGINE DAMAGE. HOWEVER MINI COOPER USA DOESN'T WANT TO REIMBURSE THE MONEY I'D PAY OUT OF POCKET MYSELF.

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 MINI COOPER FROM AUTOHAUS WEST/MINI OF ST LOUIS. THE MINI COOPER WAS DESIGNED, MANUFACTURED, ASSEMBLED, DISTRIBUTED AND SOLD BY BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, BMW (U.S.) HOLDING CORP., AND BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGELLSCHAFT. I EXPERIENCED A PROGRESSIVE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN, TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND RELATED TENSIONER RAIL, GUIDE RAIL AND SUPPORT RAIL. THE TIMING CHAIN HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPRESENTED TO HAVE A USEFUL LIFE EQUAL TO THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE TIMING CHAIN IS LOCATED WITHIN THE ENGINE, CONSISTS OF A METAL CHAIN, AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. I EXPERIENCED A PROGRESSIVE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN AS FOLLOWS: (A) DEATH RATTLE OR DIESEL NOISE FROM ENGINE UPON START UP & AT LOW SPEEDS, (B) ROUGH IDLING AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING, (C) POWER LOSS & ENGINE STALLS ON HIGHWAY EXIT RAMPS, (D) POWER LOSS & ENGINE STALLS ON HIGHWAY, & (E) CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE MINI COOPER WAS SERVICED BY AUTOHAUS WEST ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH REPAIRS//REPLACEMENT OF SPARK PLUGS, BATTERY, IGNITER COILS, THERMOSTAT COVER AND OTHER ITEMS TOTALING OVER $3,000. AUTOHAUS WEST FAILED TO IDENTIFY THE TIMING CHANGE AS A PROBLEM. AUTOHAUS WEST, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC, BMW (U.S.) HOLDING CORP., AND BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGELLSCHAFT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER DEFECT SINCE 2007 AND HAVE FAILED TO WARN CONSUMERS, ISSUE A RECALL OR PROVIDE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE.THE LOSS OF POWER & ENGINE STALLS ARE SERIOUS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

IN THE SPRING 2014 I PURCHASED A 2008 MINI COOPER 2D HATCH WITH AROUND 98,0000 MILES FOR $14,000 WITH WARRANTY IN IVRINGTON, NJ FROM SPRINGFIELD AUTO GROUP AUTO SALES. IN JANUARY 2015 I HAD A TUNE UP DONE AND THE MECHANIC REPORTED TO ME AFTER DOING A ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY WARRANTY COMPANY THAT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH MY THE CAR LOAN COMPANY CREDIT ACCEPTANCE. THE WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSED TO PAY FOR ENGINE TO BE DROPPED OUT OF THE CAR TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY ADVISE ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE ENGINE TO BE DROPPED OUT OF THE CAR TO BE AND CHECKED OUT BEFORE THEY PAY FOR ANYTHING. IN OCTOBER 2015 THE MINI COOPER ENGINE FINALLY BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING I HAD TO PULLED IT OVER WHILE DRIVING UP ROUTE 280. THE WRECKER SERVICE TOOK THE MINI TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND THERE WAS MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE AND THE REPAIR BILL WILL BE FROM 2K TO REBUILD THE ENGINE AND 8K FOR A NEW ONE AND I STILL OWN 11K TO BANK FOR THE CAR. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 106K MILES ON IT. I'VE HEARD OF A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THOSE MINIS WITH THOSE SAME ISSUES HAPPENING ANYWHERE FROM 30K MILES TO OVER 100K MILES FROM 2007-2010 MODELS. NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN SPENT ON THE CAR FOR REPAIR. I'M NOT WASTING ANYMORE MONEY ON THAT JUNK MINI COOPER. IT'S TO LATE FOR THE LEMON LAW TO BE APPLIED. CAN ANYTHING GET DONE SO THAT I CAN IMPLEMENT A LAWSUIT AND RECEIVE ANY MONEY FOR THAT FROM BMW OR AN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. WHEN SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR, THE VEHICLE EASILY SWITCHED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

ON 15 AUG 2015 I PURCHASED A 2008 MINI COOPER 2D HATC WITH 122,629 MILES FOR $6,325 WITH NO WARRANTY IN STANFORD, NC FROM KARAS AUTO SALES, INC. ON 27 OCT 2015 THE MINI COOPER BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND PULLED IT OVER BESIDE THE ROAD. THE WRECKER SERVICE TOOK THE MINI TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND THERE WAS MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE AND THE REPAIR BILL WILL BE FROM 8K TO 10K IN REPAIR COST. MINI HAD APPROXIMATELY 125K MILES ON IT. I'VE HEARD OF A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THOSE MINIS WITH THOSE SAME ISSUES HAPPENING ANYWHERE FROM 30K MILES TO OVER 100K MILES FROM 2007-2010 MODELS. NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN SPENT ON THE CAR FOR REPAIR. I'M NOT WASTING ANYMORE MONEY ON THAT JUNK MINI COOPER. IT'S TO LATE FOR THE LEMON LAW TO BE APPLIED. CAN ANYTHING GET DONE SO THAT I CAN IMPLEMENT A LAWSUIT AND RECEIVE ANY MONEY FOR THAT FROM BMW OR AND THE DEALER OR IS IT A WASTE OF TIME? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

I WANT TO KNOW WHEN RECALL 15V-205 IS GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED. MY CAR IS AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND I WAS NOTIFIED BY MINI USA IN JUNE. MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 5 MONTHS AND MINI SAYS IT STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A REASONABLE PERIOD OF IME.

THE WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THAT DETERMINES WHETHER TO DEACTIVATE THE AIRBAG WHEN A CHILD IS SEATED, OR IF THE SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED, IS BROKEN. THIS HAS CAUSED THE FRONTAL AIRBAG TO BECOME PERMANENTLY DEACTIVATED AT ALL TIMES. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF OTHER CARS FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT BMW REFUSES TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE DESPITE IT BEING THE SAME YEAR AND EXPERIENCING THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM.

WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START, CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. A FEW DAYS LATER IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE. WITH ONLY 69,000 MILES IT IS UNHEARD OF THAT A TIMING CHAIN BREAKS. THE REPAIR COST WAS $5159.60.

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY IN DICKSON, TN MY 2008 MINI COOPER LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS DURING AN ICE STORM. WE HAD TO WAIT HOURS ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY WITH NO HEAT, AND VEHICLES STRUGGLING TO STAY ON THE ROAD, UNTIL A TOW TRUCK DRIVER FROM AAA WAS ABLE TO PICK US UP, SAYING HOW LUCKY WE WERE TO HAVE NOT BEEN HIT. WHEN BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MINI DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DUE TO LOW OIL LEVEL. THE INCIDENT OCCURED IN FEBRUARY, MY OIL WAS CHANGED ON DECEMBER. UPON REPAIR FROM MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN THAT COLLAPSED. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THAT MINI COOPER IS AWARE OF THE TIMING CHAIN DEFECT, AND IN FACT SENT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ON BEHALF OF CURRENT MINI DRIVERS AND POTENTIAL BUYERS I URGE YOU TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE IN HOPES OF PREVENTING POTENTIAL INJURIES OR DEATHS.

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON SO I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MINI DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OC3 MAT SENSOR NEEDED REPLACED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR IT AND MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST TO REPLACE IS GOING TO BE $1,454.52. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE AT VARIOUS FORUMS, I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AT RANDOM MILEAGES, ANYWHERE FROM 30,000 - 150,000 MILES. IF THIS SENSOR, WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, KEEPS FAILING ON HUNDREDS OF VEHICLES, THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT THE MANUFACTURES EXPENSE. HOW CAN THEY EXPECT A CUSTOMER TO PAY OVER $1,400 TO REPLACE A SENSOR THAT IS JUST GOING TO FAIL AGAIN IN A SHORT TIME, NOT TO MENTION PUTTING LIVES AT RISK? THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW WITHOUT CORRECTION. PLEASE RECALL THIS PART.

AIR BAG SENSOR GOES OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR 2005-2008 MINI COOPERS, BUT NOT ALL MAKES. THE 2005-2006 MODELS ARE THE MINI COOPER, MINI COOPER S, MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE AND MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE S. THE RECALL IS EXTENDED THROUGH 2008 MODELS BUT THOSE MODELS ONLY INCLUDE THE CONVERTIBLE AND THE CONVERTIBLE S. THE 2007-2008 MINI COOPER AND MINI COOPER S ARE ALSO HAVING THIS AIR BAG ISSUE, AS NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED ON VARIOUS MINI FORUMS, AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ..UPDATED 09/03/15 *BF

LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2008 MINI COOPER (ATTN: JOSIAH MANZO) DOCUMENT IS HARD TO READ. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIMING CHAIN. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE TO FAIL.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V1205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE CLOSEST DEALER WAS EIGHTY MILES AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR, BUT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF THE LABOR FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE MADE FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ON. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WILL COST $2600 TO REPLACE THE PARTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, NOT WEAR OR TEAR. EXISTING RECALLS FOR AIR BAGS HAVE NOT INCLUDED MY VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL.

PASSENGER SIDE HEAD AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON AND CANNOT BE RESET. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THE DEALERSHIP (WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW) WILL NOT WARRANTY OR REFER TO MANUFACTURER, BUT WILL CHARGE OVER $1,200.00 TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG AND/OR SENSOR NOT KNOWING IF IT IS ACTUALLY DEFECTIVE. THE CAR (NOT EVEN SIX YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 47K MILES) SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. OTHER RECALLS FOR AIR BAGS HAVE NOT INCLUDED MY VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL...YET. *TR

8;30 AM THREE CAR INTERSECTION ACCIDENT. TRAFFIC LIGHT CONTROLLED 4 WAY INTERSECTION, AUTO TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND RAN RED LIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH TWO CARS TRAVELING EAST BOUND THROUGH INTERSECTION AT APPROX 35 MPH.. 1ST CAR IMPACTED TOYOTA MINI VAN DRIVERS SIDE. FORCE OF ACCIDENT SO SEVERE THAT IT FORCED MINI VAN INTO MY AUTO. THE MINI VAN IMPACTED MY MINI PRIMARILY INTO MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. ALL THREE VEHICLES HAD TO BE TOWED FROM SCENE OF ACCIDENT. MY MINI COOPERS DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DEMOLISHED. FORCE OF IMPACT SO GREAT THE IT BENT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS DOOR 3-4 INCHES ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR FACILITY IT WAS TOWED TO. VIP AUTO BODY. THE WINDOW THAT WAS APPROX 1/3 OPEN SHATTERED THE WINDOW. I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO NECK, BACK,SHOULDER AND RIGHT SIDE OF HEAD WHICH HIT THE DOOR PANEL UPON IMPACT. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH SINCE THIS ACCIDENT AND THERE ARE SEVERAL AIR BAGS AND SIDE DOOR IMPACT BAG CURTAINS IN THE MINI COOPER AND NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED. THERE IS AN ACTUAL SENSOR IN THE MIDDLE OF EACH DOOR TO ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGS, OBVIOUSLY THE ONE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS NOT WORKING. THIS CAR SUPPOSEDLY HAS A 5 STAR CRASH RATING ACCORDING TO MINI USA AND MY ORIGINAL WINDOW STICKER. I CONTACTED MINI USA THE DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AND THEY INSTRUCTED ME NOT TO HAVE ANY REPAIRS DONE UNTIL ONE OF THERE TECH'S CAME OUT TO INSPECT THE MINI AND DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. I DID SO. THE TECH CAME OUT 5 DAYS LATER, AND A WEEK AFTER THAT THE RESULTS CAME

I TOOK MY 2008 MINI COOPER IN FOR ITS ANNUAL SAFETY CHECK AND IT DID NOT PASS. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS FAULTY, IT DOES NOT DETECT THAT THERE IS IN FACT A PERSON OCCUPYING THE SEAT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MINI COOPER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE, AGAIN, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THE PART TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR RANGES FROM $1200-$1400 DEPENDING ON THE RETAILER. THE COST OF THIS PART IS OUTRAGEOUS. THE LABOR HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE 2-4 HOURS DEPENDING ON WHETHER OR NOT THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY RE-UPHOLSTERED. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS FAULTY SENSOR AND THAT MINI COOPER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THEIR VEHICLE IS SAFE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

"DEATH RATTLE" NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS REPORTED BY MANY OTHERS ON ONLINE FORUMS. NOW ENGINE IS THROWING CODES INDICATING CRANKSHAFT OUT OF POSITION. OBVIOUS RELATED ISSUE TO A DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT OR TENSIONER. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP NOT A COVERED REPAIR, ALTHOUGH I'VE READ THAT SIMILAR REPAIR HAS BEEN COVERED BY MANUFACTURER FOR OTHERS AND FOR OTHER MODELS. AS THIS VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN BY MY YOUNG DAUGHTER, OUT OF STATE, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILST SHE IS ON THE HIGHWAYS IN THE MOUNTAINS WHERE SHE LIVES, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS ISSUE AS A SERIOUS POTENTIAL LIFE SAFETY ISSUE, AS A FAILURE AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS COULD CERTAINLY ENDANGER NOT ONLY MY DAUGHTER, BUT THE LIVES OF OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY. THANK YOU.

LOW MILEAGE 2008 VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING LOUD NOISES FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DIAGNOSED AS TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER FAILURE. APPEARS TO A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OVER $2000. MECHANICS SAY NOT "IF" BUT "WHEN" THIS WILL HAPPEN TO ALL 2008 MCS. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED ON A RECALL. VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY UNTIL REPAIRED; DELAY WILL RESULT IN TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

I HAVE CONTACTED MINI USA OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS ON OUR PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING COMING ON AND NOT GOING OFF. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT MULTIPLE MINI OWNERS FROM 2006 ON UP AND BMW OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IN 2006 MINI DID A RECALL AND ALSO DID A RECALL ON THE BMW MODELS BUT ARE NOW PLAYING GAMES AND HAVE OFFERED TO DROP THE 1600 FEE TO 800 DOLLARS. I'M UPSET TO THINK THAT THEY FEEL MY SAFETY IS NOT THEIR CONCERN. *TR

AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON. IT DID GO OFF WHEN A PASSENGER SAT IN THE SEAT. SENSOR SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED, A COSTLY JOB. SEAT WAS REPLACED. THE ONLY WAY I RECOGNIZED THE ERROR WAS WHEN THERE WAS NO PASSENGER. I FEEL THAT IF I ALWAYS DROVE WITH A PASSENGER I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN OF THE MALFUNCTION. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNKNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURER AS IT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED ON WEBSITES AND WHEN MENTIONED TO NON MINI REPAIR SHOPS, THEY WERE AWARE OF IT. *TR

THE DEALER INFORMED ME MY OIL FEED LINES TO THE TURBO WERE LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH FOUND THE COUPLINGS THAT ATTACHES THESE LINES TO THE TURBO ARE DEFECTIVE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOT A RECALL AND WILL COST APPROX: $1500.00. THE DEALER INSTALLED A TURBO SHIELD TO HELP WITH THE HEAT THAT IS CAUSING THE LINE TO PREMATURELY FAIL. WITH SO MANY EFFECTIVE SHOULDN'T MINI BE FIXING THIS ISSUE. *TR

WAS DRIVING ON HWY, AT 55 OIL SUPPLY LINE TO TURBOLEAKING OIL ORDER REPLACEMENT LINE OIL LINE HAS DEFECTIVE RUBBER SEALS AFTER HEATING UP FAIL CO WAS AWARE OF THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED I MAY REPAIR WITH FACTORY PCS THAT DID NOT WORK CO SHOULD RECALL DO TO FIRE POSSIBILITY OIL POURS OUT OF ENGINE ON TO MUFFERS VERY UNHAPPY. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE ENGINE AND BEFORE SHE COULD SHIFT INTO GEAR, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD TAPPING NOISE BEFORE IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ UPDATED 10/27/16.*JB

STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL, BUT RECALL IS ONLY ON THE TYPE S MODELS. *TR

CAR HAS HAD ISSUES WITH CVT TRANSMISSION. YESTERDAY I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT URGING OF OTHER MINI OWNERS IN THE SAME SITUATION, I AM REPORTING PROBLEM TO YOUR AGENCY IN HOPES TO HAVE BMW RECALL THE CARS AND REPLACE THE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP AFTER I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FROM ONLINE DESCRIPTIONS, I SUSPECTED IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. I CONTACTED MINI CORPORATION AND OPENED A REPORT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT A WEEK LATER AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER NEEDED REPLACED. IT WAS A $3500 FIX. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED MINI TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR AND THEY REFUSED SAYING THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES. THEY CHANGED THE OIL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER MY SON WAS AT A RED LIGHT, STOPPED AND THE CARS STALLED. WE HAD IT FLAT-BEDDED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SNAPPED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5700. I JUST SAW WHERE MINI ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND I CONTACTED THEM BUT THEY HAVE NOT REPLIED. *TR

THE CAR STARTS VERY ROUGH ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER. I WAS TOLD BY A MINI DEALERSHIP THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO LACK OF OIL, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE AS THE OIL WAS JUST CHANGED. ALSO WHEN IN TRAFFIC COMING TO A STOP THE CAR WILL DROP IDLE AND STALL OUT. THE CAR WILL STALL IN NEUTRAL OR WITH CLUTCH FULLY PRESSED IN. RESEARCHING ONLINE AND WATCHING SOME VIDEOS, IT SEEMS MUCH LIKE THE TIMING TENSION/CHAIN ISSUES KNOWN BUT NOT YET HAVING MUCH DONE WITH THEM. IT WOULD BE NICE IF BMW/MINI WOULD SORT OUT THE ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF ITS A DESIGN FLAW. KINDA DISAPPOINTED AS ITS NOT THAT OLD AND HAS FEWER THEN 50K MILES ON THE ENGINE. *TR

THE SENSORS ON THIS CAR WERE NO GOOD. IT DID NOT INFORM ME THAT THERE WASN'T ANY OIL OR COOLANT I'M THE CAR. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AFTER WE DISCOVERED THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT INSPECT OR SERVICE THE CAR LIKE THEY PROMISED. ON 9/10, THE CAR TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WOULDN'T TURN BACK ON. TWO MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THE CAR IS NO GOOD AND I AM NOT AT FAULT FOR THE DEFECTS. THE ENTIRE TIME THE CAR WAS IN MY POSSESSION, THE SENSORS DID NOT WARN ME ABOUT ANY SERVICES THE CAR NEEDED. I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORWARD WITH THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE DEFECTS. I RETURNED THE CAR, ASKED FOR A FULL REFUND, AND THEY HAVE YET TO DO ANYTHING TO HONOR MY WISHES. *TR

THERMOSTAT HOUSING DEVELOPED A LEAK RESULTING IN LOSS OF COOLANT, ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WARPED THE HEAD AND BENT VALVES. *JB

AT LESS THAN 33,000 MILES THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD CRANKING NOISE. OIL WAS VERY RECENTLY CHANGED, BUT CHECKED THE LEVEL ANYWAY AND FOUND IT WAS DOWN ABOUT 2 QUARTS. ADDED OIL AND ENGINE NOISE WAS REDUCED. DROVE A FEW HUNDRED MORE MILES AND ENGINE NOISE RETURNED. OIL WAS AGAIN LOW. TOOK CAR TO OUR MECHANIC AND THEY DIAGNOSED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CRITICAL TIMING CHAIN FAILURE CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE FAILING TIMING CHAIN CAN ALSO CAUSE THE MOTOR TO FAIL. OUR MECHANIC IN CONSULTANT WITH THE MINI DEALER INDICATES THAT THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE IS TO REPLACE THE CURRENT ENGINE WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUES RESOLVED. WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE AND IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $7000 AS THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS IN THIS DATABASE AS WELL AS ACROSS MANY MINI OWNER FORUMS. IT APPEARS THAT A RECALL ORDER SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

DEAR [XXX], I AM WRITING TO YOU IN REGARDS TO MY MINI COOPER VIN# [XXX]. FIRSTLY, I AM AWARE OF TWO RECALL NOTICES, ID# [XXX] AND ID #[XXX]. I BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THESE RECALLS BUT TO DATE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A LETTER. SEVERAL TIMES I INDICATED THE SENSORY WARNING CAME ON WITH ENGINE MALFUNCTION. THIS CONCERNS ME, BECAUSE SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC FAILURES BEFORE 45,000MILES. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE MINI SERVICE CENTER FOR THESE FAILURES, INCLUDING: REPLACING SPARK PLUGS, FAULTY COIL PACK, FAULTY LATCH, BRAKE REPLACEMENT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE, ON-BOARD COMPUTER REPLACEMENT, TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CURRENTLY, THE SOLENOID VALVE REPLACEMENT WHICH IS NOT YET FIXED. I HAVE ENCLOSED COPIES OF MY INVOICES FOR THESE PROBLEMS AND SERVICE VISITS. [XXX], THE TECHNICIAN AT MINI OF CAMARILLO, STATED THIS LAST PROBLEM (THE SOLENOID VALVE) APPARENTLY IS RELATED TO THE VANOS ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON/OFF WITH CAUTION MESSAGE ENGINE MALFUNCTION CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I TOOK IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH HIM IT STILL HAD THE SAME EXACT JOLT THRASHING BACK AND FORTH MOTION HARD ENOUGH IT IS FELT ON THE SEAT. [XXX] AT MINI OF CAMARILLO INFORMED ME IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE IGNITION COIL AND REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AT THE CALABASAS SERVICE CENTER I HAVE TO PAY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY IN ORDER TO FIX THIS CURRENT PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS SINCE THE TIME I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE ON MAY 24TH THE

SOUND OF THE ENGINE RATTLE NOISE WHEN STARS IN THE MORNING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEACTIVATED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000. *TR

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE ON 2008 MINI COOPER LEADING TO LARGE OIL LEAK UNDER PRESSURE. LOSS OF ALL ENGINE OIL, OIL SPRAYING ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOSS AND OIL WARNING LIGHT. COULD EASILY LEAD TO COMPLETE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE/SEIZURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ACCIDENT. *TR

MINI COOPERS YEARS 2008 AND 2009 HAVE A ISSUE WHICH I BELIEVE IS KNOWN BY MINI USA, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO INITIATE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THESE VEHICLES HAVE A TIMING CHAIN THAT CAN PREMATURELY FAIL (IN MY CASE AT APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES). IF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SLOWLY COME TO A FULL STOP. IN THE EVENT THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN IN A HIGHWAY, THIS STOP COULD CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT THAT POTENTIALLY CAN INVOLVE MANY VEHICLES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE, BECAUSE MOST MINI OWNERS WOULD NOT EXPECT A TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL SO PREMATURELY. *TR

DEAR NHTSA, I NEARLY LOST MY LIFE 3WKS BACK, MY CAR IS FILLED WITH AFTERMARKET PRDT. MY CARS COMPUTER IS FAILED ALSO, WHICH WON'T ALERT OR RECORD ANY INCIDENT. I TRIED TALKING TO MINIUSA&CARMAX, THEY WONT LISTEN. I HAVE AN HEART CONDITION NOW COZ OF THE NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE. I DEVELOPED A LOW HIGH BP 80/103 & FAST HEARTBEAT, WHICH I AM TAKING MED. AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WROTE LETTERS&POSTED ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE NO RESPONSE. I NEED HELP! I USED TO BE A PROUD OWNER OF 2008 MINI COOPER! NOW MY CAR TURNED INTO A DEATH TRAP! ITS NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE, SO FAR 3 TIMES CAR WAS TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD & FREEWAY, WHEN IT HAPPENED I APPLIED MY (ALL THREE TIMES) BREAK WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR, DIDN'T WORK, BOUGHT THE CAR FROM CARMAX WITH A WARRANTY (EXTENDED), ALSO THE CAR HAS 53,100 MILES ONLY! CALLED CARMAX BURBANK OFFICE NO RESPONSE, THEN CALLED CARMAX OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AFTER A GREAT DEAL GOT RESPONSE FROM A REP. NOW THE CAR IS WITH UNIVERSAL CITY MINI OF NOHO! CARS BREAK SYS. IS AN AFTER MARKET PROD. MY CAR COMPUTER/DASH DISPLAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR SIGNAL COMES ON EVERY 3-4 MONTHS, WHEN IT DOES, THE LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A DAY OR TWO, THEN IT DISAPPEARS, WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO MINI DEALERSHIP, CAR KEY RECORDS ALL THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CARS ENGINE AND INCIDENTS, WHEN THE REP. AT DEALERSHIP DOWNLOADED THE CAR KEY, HE COULDN'T FIND A SINGLE INCIDENT, THEN I SHOWED HIM THE PIC I TOOK.. HE WAS SURPRISED... " THIS CAR IS NOTHING BUT A LEMON" POORLY HANDLED BY CAR

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE THAT BECAME INCREASINGLY STRONGER. AFTER I ARRIVED HOME I BEGAN LOOKING FOR THE SOURCE OF THE GASOLINE SMELL. WHAT I FOUND WAS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE THAT SUPPLIES FUEL TO THE INJECTOR RAIL WAS LEAKING. THE WAY THE HOSE WAS ROUTED ON THE BACK OF THE ENGINE, ALLOWED THE HOSE TO REST ON A RETAINING CLIP FOR ANOTHER HOSE. THE RETAINING CLIP HAD WORN A GROOVE INTO THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE AND GASOLINE WAS SPRAYING ACROSS THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AND DOWN ONTO THE ENGINE EXHAUST. *TR

MY WIFE AND I LIVE IN MUNICH, GERMANY, WHERE SHE WORKS FOR THE US GOVERNMENT. LAST WEDNESDAY, WHILE ON THE AUTOBAHN OUR CAR BEGAN TO MAKE SOUNDS AS IF IT WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OR THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF FLUID BEING SPLASHED ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR. BECAUSE IT WAS A SUNNY DAY, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND I WAS PREPARING TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE SOUND. BEFORE I COULD DO SO HOWEVER, I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND SUDDENLY THE CAR BECAME FLOODED WITH A THICK WHITE/GRAY SMOKE FROM THE VENTS AND DASH. I PULLED OVER AS QUICKLY AS I COULD AND BY THE TIME I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, THE ENTIRE HOOD AND INSIDE CABIN WAS ENGULFED IN SMOKE. RATHER THAN POP THE HOOD, I FIRST RAN TO THE TRUNK AND GRABBED A REFLECTOR (WHICH IS REQUIRED BY LAW HERE) AND RAN 20-25 FEET BEHIND THE CAR TO PLACE IT ON THE GROUND, TO WARN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO SOONER HAD I DONE THIS, WHEN I HEAD AN EXPLOSION, QUICKLY TURNED AROUND AND SAW THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF THE MINI WAS NOW ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I COULD DO NOTHING BUT SIT AND WATCH, AS WITHIN MOMENTS THE FIRE HAD SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE CAR AND SOON BECAME AN COMPLETE FIREBALL. GERMAN POLICE AND FIRE OFFICIALS SHOWED UP 15-20 MINUTES LATER AND BY THE TIME THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS A CHARRED FRAME OF METAL. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT PHYSICALLY HURT BY THE EXPLOSION OR THE FIRE. HOWEVER, MENTALLY I HAVE REPLAYED THE EXPERIENCE A HUNDRED TIMES AND EACH TIME I ASK MYSELF, WHAT IF I HAD POPP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S TEMPERATURE STARTED TO INCREASE AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITION WAS ON AND BEGAN TO BLOW OUT WARM AIR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SHAKE SO HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS OIL SPILLED EVERYWHERE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE CRITICAL TIMING CHAIN FAILURE CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE FAILING TIMING CHAIN CAN ALSO CAUSE THE MOTOR TO FAIL. THIS IN TURN LEADS TO A LACK OF POWER/ACCELERATION/MOVEMENT ENDANGERING THE DRIVER AND OTHER DRIVERS. CURRENTLY BMW/MINI HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS ISSUE HOWEVER HAS FAILED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE DEFECTED ITEM OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS ISSUE ALSO DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN ISSUE FROM CERTAIN DATE OR ASSEMBLY LINE. IT HAS BEEN AFFECTING A WIDE RANGE OF MINI COOPER S AND JOHN COOPER WORKS MODELS WITH A DATE RANGE BETWEEN 2007-CURRENT. MINI COOPER DRIVERS AROUND THE U.S. AND WORLD HAVE BEEN REPORTING A STRANGE KNOCKING/RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 2007+ MINI COOPER. FROM THE MISC DEALER REPAIR DETAILS IT APPEARS TO BE A ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM. IT ALSO APPEARS THE WITHOUT BEING FIXED THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AND POSSIBLE MOTOR DESTRUCTION. ON A GOOD NOTE BMW/MINI KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS HOWEVER IS FAILING TO COME UP WITH OR ACKNOWLEDGE A PERMANENT SOLUTION. HOW MANY CUSTOMERS ISSUES WILL IT TAKE BEFORE BMW/MINI WILL ISSUE A FULL RECALL? WE ALL HOPE NOT MANY MORE. I AM IN THE SECOND GENERATION MINI GROUP MYSELF. EVERY MORNING I CROSS MY FINGERS IN HOPE THAT WHEN I PUSH THE START BUTTON THE SOUND OF ENGINEERING FAILURE DOESN'T SING FROM UNDER MY HOOD! *TR

THE OIL LINES THAT SUPPLY THE TURBOCHARGER ARE LEAKING OIL AND IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE, STARVING THE TURBO OF COOLING OIL AND SPRAYING OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE. *TR

2008 MINI COOPER - MY TEMP LIGHT CAME ON/YELLOW AND THINKING JUST LOW AND ADDED MORE COOLANT. BUT IT KEEP GIVING ME THE LIGHT SIGNAL. I DIDN'T SEE ANY HOLE OR IS NOT DRIPPING ANY COOLANT. ON 01/06/12 I CALLED MINI COOPER OF LOVELAND COLORADO TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE MY TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON TO YELLOW AND THEN RED. I WAS TOLD BY THE MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP, I HAVE A HOLE IN MY COOLANT PIPE AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY. SO, ON THE WAY HOME, MY CAR STARTING TO SMOKE BAD AND MY CAR STOPPED RUNNING. IT OVER HEATED. THE LAST PEOPLE TOUCHED MY CAR WAS 6 MONTHS AGO TO GET MY OIL CHANGED FROM THE MINI COOPER DEALERSHIP. WHAT'S WEIRD ABOUT IT, HOW AND WHY DID I GET A HOLE AND WHY MY CAR OVER HEATED? PLEASE I NEED HELP WITH THIS BECAUSE NOW, IT'S COSTING ME OVER 2500 TO GET MY PROBLEM FIX.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

SHORTLY AFTER THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. I PULLED OVER ALMOST IMMEDIATELY ON THE SIDE OF THE BUSY HIGHWAY I WAS ON. HOWEVER, IN JUST THAT SHORT TIME, SMOKE WAS ALREADY COMING OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND OUT OF THE CAR VENTS. AT LEAST ONE BYSTANDER SAID HE SAW A FIRE BEFORE I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. HE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PARAMEDICS FOR FEAR THAT I MIGHT BE INJURED. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WAS NOT A MINI COOPER S. I AM REQUESTING THAT YOU EXPAND YOUR CURRENT INVESTIGATION OF MINI ENGINE FIRES TO INCLUDE THE STANDARD MODEL (MINI COOPER). *TR

I WAS DRIVING AROUND AND I BEGAN LOOSING POWER TO MY CAR, SO I STOPPED AND THEN I COULDN'T GET IT STARTED AGAIN. I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF CALLING A TOW COMPANY WHEN I POPPED THE HOOD AND WHEN I LIFTED IT UP I COULD SMELL GASOLINE AND NOTICED A CLOUD OF FUMES SO I BACKED UP AND IT CAUGHT FIRE SO I CALLED 911 AND NOW MY CARS VIRTUALLY GONE. I COME ACROSS SOME MINI COOPER OWNERS CLUB FORUM AND ITS APPARENTLY HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE AND ALSO ON YOUTUBE. OR IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS THE SAME THING SINCE THEY CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE FIRST TOO. I CALLED MINI AND THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE ME TOW IT THERE SO THEY CAN DIAGNOSE IT TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO THE VACCUUM PUMP FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 64,000.