Re: Problems with 2011 R56 motor

[Jarv]

Hi Guys.
I haven't been in here for a while, just want to tell you guys what iv been through.
My 2011 MCS has given me nothing but problems the last few months.
Car has 46k on clock, bmw is replacing the engine.

I started feeling a misfire under hard acceleration, this lead to oil pressure to shoot up and so bmw replaced the oil housing, oil pump etc.
Got my car back drove it for another week and under hard acceleration again felt same problem but with a worseing noise , a misfire where all power lost and a metal klanking sound.
This has now lead to internal breakage, bmw cant confirm what parts.

Will hear from them on Monday.


Sent from my GT-I9500

 

[jcwdrop]

Hi Guys.
I haven't been in here for a while, just want to tell you guys what iv been through.
My 2011 MCS has given me nothing but problems the last few months.
Car has 46k on clock, bmw is replacing the engine.

I started feeling a misfire under hard acceleration, this lead to oil pressure to shoot up and so bmw replaced the oil housing, oil pump etc.
Got my car back drove it for another week and under hard acceleration again felt same problem but with a worseing noise , a misfire where all power lost and a metal klanking sound.
This has now lead to internal breakage, bmw cant confirm what parts.

Will hear from them on Monday.


Sent from my GT-I9500

Sorry to hear the troubles. My 2012 JCW had a funny flat spot (4.5k rpm, but intermittent) under acceleration from new. I can't quite say a misfire as it was almost not noticeable, but it might have been. I eventually got rid of the car at 10k on the clock because of other problems it gave like a broken water pump. But I do wonder if that might have developed into anything more as time went on.

 

[Willy]

This is really a sad chapter in the mini history, but the new ones can only be better.

Let them replace the motor and at least show you what they took out, a car with a new motor is as good as new.

 

[Jarv]

Yes i agree im so disappointed, cause iv always wanted a mini cooper S cause they look amazing and go like stink, il let you guys know how it goes will know on Monday.

Sent from my GT-I9500

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@jcwdrop think this was the same thing and your car would have probably got to where mine is atm

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[jcwdrop]

Yes i agree im so disappointed, cause iv always wanted a mini cooper S cause they look amazing and go like stink, il let you guys know how it goes will know on Monday.

Sent from my GT-I9500

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@jcwdrop think this was the same thing and your car would have probably got to where mine is atm

Sent from my GT-I9500

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I feel for the new owner. Fortunately I sold mine back to BMW so my conscience is clear.

 

[Jarv]

Im going to trade in my car when its fixed, luckily still on motorplan.


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[Cooper]

That's a shame. Was this car ever fixed? What all was done?

 

[littlejohnwhittle]

Hi guys,

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I could really do with some sound advice...

Just got back from Northcliff Auto and they've told me that the chances are I'll need a new engine for my '08 R56 Cooper S. Just passed 85 000 kms and extended motor plan has just ended. Low pressure in cylinder three has caused some "extensive damage" to the engine and they feel that a new engine (R80k -R120k) is the only fix.

I suspect that this has come about as a result of continuous super-knocking (which they haven't been able to fix after 4 visits to their workshop between November 2014 and February 2015, all covered by the extended plan) but they deny this and feel that I should fit the bill for the new engine. This isn't the first I've heard of sub-standard maintenance from Northcliff Auto.

Is it worth fighting them/ taking them to court or should I just take my car to a specialist such as Tune-Tech?

Any help or advice would be hugely appreciated. R50k I can handle, R120k...not so much.

Thanks!

 

[Willy]

It might be worth it to write a letter to BMW SA. They can be helpful some times.

If you get no pleasure out of them, then having a specialist rebuild the motor might be a good option.

Only thing you will gain by having BMW fit a new motor is a 1 year warranty on their work and parts.

Really sad that they would treat customers like this.

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O, and just remember that BMW don't fix engines, they are new part fitters not mechanics. That's why it costs so much. I am sure a rebuild would cost less than R50k in any case.

 

[littlejohnwhittle]

It might be worth it to write a letter to BMW SA. They can be helpful some times.

If you get no pleasure out of them, then having a specialist rebuild the motor might be a good option.

Only thing you will gain by having BMW fit a new motor is a 1 year warranty on their work and parts.

Really sad that they would treat customers like this.

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O, and just remember that BMW don't fix engines, they are new part fitters not mechanics. That's why it costs so much. I am sure a rebuild would cost less than R50k in any case.

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Okay, so I guess I'll be getting my pen and paper out. Thank you so much!

And yeah, the "mechanic" didn't even know what the PCV was...

One last thing, is Tune-Tech the place to go if I have to go to a specialist?

 

[Jarv]

Hi Guys.
So just some updates.
Iv still got my car...i dint think i will sell her just yet, driven Gti's etc and they just dint feel like a cooper S!
My car got given a few new new things from bmw sa but not a complete new engine.
Its been fine for about a month and car doing super knocking again.
Going in on Wednesday again.
I think these cars are really sensitive to quality of fuel.
Im itching to do a decat but this super knock really freaks me out.


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[Mac55]

This is a common problem with R56 MINI's when I got mine it also had the drop in power and metallic noise on acceleration... after reading tons of forums and speaking to many people it looks like this problem is here to stay due to bad design with the intake,PVC and our crap 95 Fuel quality even Peugeot GTI's and Citroën DS3's which share the engine have this problem, you just have to manage it correctly. I took my car to Auto Alpina BoksBurg where they fitted a modified Intake manifold and cleaned out all my boost pipes of oil ect, I have also started only using BP with an occasional octain booster and it has solved the problem significantly although not 100% hope this helps:coolShake:

 

[Willy]

Fit oil catch tank.
:chef:

 

[Jarv]

Thanks man!
I got a new N18 engine 2weeks ago!
I had to keep it below 4000rpm for the 1st 1000km now Saturday i opened her up and particularly when she is building boost in higher gears driving say 60km/h and put foot its got a slight struggle?

So will keep an eye on this

Will let you guys know!
It sounds awesome and drives amazingly!

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[BlueBeastie]

I still can't beleive how many issues you have had. In the 4 years I had my 2011 Cooper S, it only let me down once and I drove it HARD everyday.

The one major failure was the turbo impeller that killed the turbo at about 28000km. I drove it for another 10000km probem free before selling it.

The turbo and all piping, etc was replaced under motor plan.

 

[bimmer330]

Fuel Fuel Fuel.
Our 95 are on pair with US 91. My OPS had the same problem. Knock knock.
I melted one piston and had to replace all 4 with lower compression wossner pistons. Problem solved.

 

[Jarv]

@ bluebeestie, yes man iv had so many problems, but still very happy with Mini!New engine is going super awesomely have 2300km's on it. Il probably get a clubman S next love the look with same N18 engine. It feels better than the 2l to me.
What you driving now?

Our Fuel is a problem these days

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[BlueBeastie]

@ bluebeestie, yes man iv had so many problems, but still very happy with Mini!New engine is going super awesomely have 2300km's on it. Il probably get a clubman S next love the look with same N18 engine. It feels better than the 2l to me.
What you driving now?

Our Fuel is a problem these days

Sent from my GT-I9500

I also like the Clubman, love that suicide door which is now sadly gone in the new one.

I didn't like the 2l at first but you just have to adjust your driving style and its just as fun, in sport mode that car chatters and pops alot more that the R56.

Of the F56 range, I think I would go for the Cooper though, it felt more chuckable and more eager to get off the line.

I'm driving an A3 S-Tronic now. I wanted something more comfortable and auto. Loving the dual clutch gear box!

 

[Jarv]

@Bluebeestie thats awesome Audi is an excellent car! Dual clutch is amazing too those fart sound it makes is pure bliss!

Yes drove the cooper aswell and for a 1.5l 3 cylinder it moves and sound very nice.

I was at Forsdicks last week getting new wipers and a new 2l cooper S was already there getting a new engine on 12 000km , apparently worse than the super knock, its a crank proplem but only in the manual version that it happens this was the 10th one in.

Very interesting.



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[GPret]

Based on my recent experience, the R56 Mini (wife's car) is rubbish. 2009 model, 75 000KM, only been serviced at BMW dealerships, first 6 years of it under motorplan. The cost of extending the motor plan for another year is a bit steep, so my wife decided not to. If only she had known... Replaced the water pump two weeks ago, cost R5,000 with labour. Car also lacks power above 2500 r/min, especially going up hills on freeway. After second visit to dealership for this problem, I was told today that the catalytic converter is faulty, in that the "honeycomb" inside has come loose and is now partially blocking the exhaust gas flow at higher revs. Quoted R15600 to replace! Really!? What will it be next?
I will never buy a BMW product.