Comments on: New Rear Latch Design

By: Slowride

Slowride — Fri, 09 Apr 2004 01:11:29 +0000

Does anyone have the part/bulletin #??? I had the Hood rub done and when I brought it in the Service Rep thought I was nuts. So a number would be great to speed things along :) On another note anyone have the Mini Car Cover? Any comments good and or bad???

Thanks, Slowride Indi Blue MCS

By: Noemi

Noemi — Wed, 17 Mar 2004 21:07:10 +0000

Thanks.... I've been thinking about this for awhile now.... or to make them into brake lamps.... I still need to see if it is worth doing (What kind of light you get).

Thank you for your response.

By: Elmor Fudwell

Elmor Fudwell — Tue, 16 Mar 2004 22:48:12 +0000

As I had also considered the addition of the back fog lamp, I checked into the price.

Where I'm located, one dealer quoted $150.00 for the entire set up: labor and new toggle control panel with rear fog toggle (it appeared they would not let me have the control panel with all of the toggles, I'd only get the full lineup once I got front fogs added). Seems silly that to save effort they would not go ahead and add the toggle control panel with all of the switches.

By: Noemi

Noemi — Tue, 16 Mar 2004 22:11:33 +0000

I have a B/W MC and I don't think I have the problem, I just thought if it was something to worry about in the future I would have them change it.....

Totally out of topic question!

Is the rear fog lamp also cover under warranty? and if not , does anybody know how much it is $$$$ (USA)

Thank you guys!

By: KenL

KenL — Tue, 16 Mar 2004 09:34:22 +0000

Did anyone have a loud bang/knocking noise going over bumps at low speed (not just a rattle) before having this done? If so has it now gone with the latch striker replaced with the black one?

Is that all they did or is there a new re-design of the lock also?

Thanks, Ken.

By: Elmor Fudwell

Elmor Fudwell — Mon, 15 Mar 2004 17:15:22 +0000

I'm just back from having the replacement performed on my '02 MCS. The replacement, wish I could've watched, is done though I'm not exactly sure what.

The car is quite. On the way home, I intentionally drove on a road with lot'sa bumps. AND I didn't hear the same ol' rattle coming from the boot area. WOW, nice...Though I hate to say on one our two dips in the road ( I mean this is a realy bad road it more resembles a street in NYC) a little squeak could be heard.

Had the car programmed with the 36 release. A couple of times pressing on the gas after making a turn, I literally thru my head back. The car has more spunk than before. I mentioned to the dealer that I'd found on the release 35 prior to having the car reprogrammed, that I'd found the optimal outside temperature in the 64Ã‚Â° range. Otherwise, the car would drive rough and generally felt like that I had to really press the pedal...whick felt lackluster.

As another aside, has anyone seen an issue with the rear latch sill on the bumper losing paint?

This spot would be near the bottom of the hatch opening and the top of the bumper. Mine has lost paint on the right hand side of about a 3 inch long strip and 1/2 inch or so wide.

By: R

Mon, 15 Mar 2004 15:56:07 +0000

Is there a part number for this new latch? When my dealer installed their last fix some months ago the upper right side of the hatch rain gutter no longer aligns with the roof gutter. So if this is something new maybe I can tell the dummies at Assael what the number is…………….R

By: Ron Ruggiero

Ron Ruggiero — Sun, 14 Mar 2004 17:02:25 +0000

Yes, it looks different–its black instead of silver. SA said it was a wee bit thicker too. And, Yes, its covered by the warranty. Just got mine done about a month ago–it definitely eliminates that dull “thud” or “clunk” sound coming from the rear of the car when going over all sized bumps! (If you're wondering what's causing the sound–have someone push down hard on your hatch when stationary–if you hear the same sound–its your latch!! :) )

By: cooprss

cooprss — Sun, 14 Mar 2004 16:25:05 +0000

The 04 models have the new latch plus 2 more rubber bumber stops mounted near the bottom to help stabilize the hatch.

By: Elmor Fudwell

Elmor Fudwell — Sat, 13 Mar 2004 20:57:33 +0000

It is my understanding that it is covered under the warranty for the hatch latch replacment.

By: Noemi

Noemi — Sat, 13 Mar 2004 19:20:56 +0000

Does it cost anithing to have this fix, or is it covered under warranty?

By: Elmor Fudwell

Elmor Fudwell — Sat, 13 Mar 2004 18:10:56 +0000

Thanks for posting this topic.

For a couple of months now I've noticed rattling from the back of the car. More noticeably for sure when I have the back seats folded down for my dog to ride. I thought the noise was coming from the shelf that was placed on the seats. Though I have not done much research, I've often thought that it was something of my doing: i.e., storgae of small plastic items in the back bin.

After reading this, I've come to recognize that it is the car and not something that I'd put into it making the noise.

I've made an appointment to have the latches replaced and at the same time have the computer updated so that some features previously programmed will now be functional again. I'd though about having the back fog lights programmed also, though from my conversation with the dealer, I'd be charged $150.00 for the programming and a new toggle plate that does not even have the front fog light switch.

Again, thanks for posting this topic, as it's relavancy has helped me with a warranty issue.

By: Maxwell H.

Maxwell H. — Sat, 13 Mar 2004 13:59:28 +0000

I've gotten my latch replaced twice in the past two months. The exhaust vibration (stock!) still makes it rattle nearly as often as before. I'm wondering when they began the new latch assembly. Any idea, Gabe?

By: Gilbert

Gilbert — Sat, 13 Mar 2004 00:13:50 +0000

My Mini have that problem, while driving and hitting a humps or pot hole you can hear rattle, I went to my fav. dealer and told them about this rattle issue, they said that it is the muffler shield. they align the shield but, still there, I think you guys are right, but will you please inform me what we can do to this issue? thanks

By: Gabriel Bridger

Gabriel Bridger — Fri, 12 Mar 2004 20:09:02 +0000

No it's not very new but I wanted verify that it does work. Like I said I've been meaning to get mine done for months.

I also noticed that there are lots out there still with hatch rattles - so I assumed it wasn't widely known.

By: Jason Livingood

Jason Livingood — Fri, 12 Mar 2004 19:31:49 +0000

Don't think this is new – the resdesigned latch was released in 2003. Got one on my 2002 and it solved the rattle and problems closing the hatch wonderfully.

By: andy

andy — Fri, 12 Mar 2004 19:14:34 +0000

also have the rattle, but not limited to the boot. Sunroof rattles quite often also. Anyone else having this problem. In addition to that i have the CVT transmission, and i am having a problem with it that the dealership just cant seem to fix. In warmer weather, when at a stop light, the idle suddenly jumps to almost 1500rpm, and the car tries to take off, have to put it in neutral to get it to stop. People at dealership said it was a common problem, but that there was no fix for it, so i “just had to deal with it” Anyone else having this problem, maybe even know of a fix. Car hasnt been to dealership in 6 months, so maybe they finally fixed it. Let me know.

By: Matt G.

Matt G. — Fri, 12 Mar 2004 17:12:44 +0000

My flat tire sensor kept coming on because I had two bent wheels that were leaking air. :-)

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 12 Mar 2004 17:05:14 +0000

I knocked my alignment out by a pothole. I cost $250 to fix and the flat tire sensor had to be recalibrated, it kept comming on because of the alignment.

By: Lucas

Lucas — Fri, 12 Mar 2004 09:35:40 +0000

This redesigned hatch — how different is it? Any visual differences? If so can someone provide photos?