Comments on: Ask a MINI Service Advisor: Answers

By: Tony P

Tony P — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:27:48 +0000

Funny, i just purchased a 2005 Mini S with 30,000.miles and love it. Manuel, funny the 2nd day i had it the Service Engine Soon light came on. Funny, i read and read about this light having problems, why haven’t they recalled this for a proper repair. Great awsome fun car to drive.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:32:41 +0000

Hello Aleks: I have a grinding reverse gear on my 2004 MINI Cooper. I had Service on it about 4 times now from both Vista and Lauderdale MINI. Any suggestions where I can have a trustworthy technician correct this? Still grinding. : ( My extended GE Capital Administative Services warranty is going to expire this July. :-0

By: Jim H-Chicago

Jim H-Chicago — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:08:17 +0000

I have a question regarding my 2005 Cooper. Is there any factory issued TSB on restoring camber to the front suspension after a collision? I’m looking for something like an issued offset upper strut mount replacement part or spindle replacement part. I’m interested in obtaining more camber for the front of my car as seocified by the factory service manual or issued TSB.

By: Justin Brown

Justin Brown — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:53:44 +0000

I need an extended warranty - or do I need an extended warranty on my 03 Mini Cooper? Have you heard of WarranyDirect?

Thanks, Justin

By: Fred Seagust

Fred Seagust — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:38:56 +0000

Mini One D Startup problems I have a 2003 Mini One Diesel which has no problems when starting cold but after running to normal temperature it takes two attempts to start and runs like a bag of nails for about five seconds before the engine starts to run smoothly. BMW have recently fitted a new Engine anagement relay but to no avail.Please help before it causes damage to the engine.

By: lia

lia — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 05:16:58 +0000

Thanks a lot! The window info was very helpful. I occasionaly have a problem because the driver's side window doeasn't drop down when I close it. Of course, when I bring it in, it works fine!

The other day, my passenger side window would not roll down. I restarted the car, still no go. I parked the car for a few hours, and then it worked.

The biggest and most surprising problem that I've had was 2 defective transmissions. The were replaced, but the hassle of bringing it in etc. Again, the 1st time I brought it in for the problem, they took it for a long test drive and no problem.

One more question Aleks, why is it that 85% of problems don't present themselves when at the service department? lol

By: Steve J

Steve J — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 04:13:49 +0000

FYI…Buster’s clock was fast too and the dealer replaced it with no questions asked…

By: Jake

Jake — Thu, 18 May 2006 16:22:38 +0000

Hi Aleks,

Great responses! This is all very insightful. I am trying to decide between a 2006 Checkmate MCSa or wait until the 2007s come out early next year. The details on the new engine are very intriguing (aluminum engine, more torque).

Do you expect the JCWs auto package to be available in North America within the next year or so?

Cheers,

Jake

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:34:34 +0000

Aleks, You’re awesome, thank you … I’ve had my ‘05 MCSc in for a few fixes but have yet to mention the fast clock because I thought I was being too “obsessive compulsive.” I have a new problem which just started: the back passenger-side Harmon Karmon speaker makes a very bad vibration noise when the bass increases sharply but only when the car is in motion. Sounds almost like the speaker is “shot” though if I listen to the stereo while the car is still (i.e. in the garage), the problem does not occur. There is also a strange “ticking” type of noise that emanates from that same area (again, while driving only–sounds about ear level) that really isn’t horrible but I’d love to get rid of it. Any thoughts or suggestions to give “my” service department (I really don’t have a lot of faith in them, they seem afraid of touching anything when it comes to noises)? Does anyone have a recommendation for a service dept. in the So. California/LA area? Chris

By: Aleks

Aleks — Sun, 05 Mar 2006 15:38:39 +0000

Answering questions and solving problems are what makes my job interesting. Helping people is what makes it rewarding. I am always open to help.

By: Albert

Albert — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 19:36:34 +0000

Great great job, Aleks!! Now does this mean I can’t call you anymore to ask questions? : )

By: Todd

Todd — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 13:01:41 +0000

oh jeez, my clock runs fast too, but now that I know that its not me - I feel I must get it replaced.

Problem is my dealer has broken at least one item for every item fixed and I am without a car for days.

By: Duni

Duni — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 23:09:46 +0000

Great work Aleks. I’ve had most of the problems you discussed on my 05 S. Fortunately I have a kick a@@ service advisor and most of them have been fixed. It still rattles and ticks, but I love the damn thing. Last time I took my car in, I had them program my car with the auto unlock feature. Although it’s funny to watch other people’s dumbfounded looks when they pull the door handle and the door doesn’t open, I found it very annoying :)

By: Aleks

Aleks — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 21:50:37 +0000

David, stick it out if you can, I am sure you will enjoy the MINI. Hopefully they can correct the issue for you and get you rolling again.

By: David

David — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 19:13:13 +0000

Thanks Aleks,

I posed an SES light question for your article. My MCS is now in the shop for the 7TH TIME to fix it. I've decided to proceed with implementing the Lemon Law statute. As sad as it is for me to say, I think I'm going to get a refund and look at another car. The new GTI seems to fit my needs for both sportiness and rear passenger and cargo room (my family will grow before too long). It drives great too.

I have maybe three months for it all to play out, so we'll see if I change my mind.

By: blalor

blalor — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 16:12:31 +0000

Regarding the startup procedure, is there anything in the thought that it’s best to let the car go through its complete startup procedure (ie. waiting ’til the low fuel light goes out) before cranking the engine? I saw that in a thread on NAM recently. I’ve recently adopted this just for kicks, but it takes a good 4 seconds, and that seems like an age, especially when the guy in the passenger seat’s looking at you funny. :-)

By: Gottoon

Gottoon — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 14:30:07 +0000

I have a '04 MCS. The time in mine has been perfect from day one. Almost two years now with out even touching the clock.(no daylight savings time here) My wife's '05 MC gains about 10 mins a month. Haven't had my '06 MCS long enough to tell yet.(1 week on Sunday)

Moving the clock to the speedo was a bad idea. Keeping it as a separate independently powered clock seems to be the better choice for a more accurate clock.

By: Aleks

Aleks — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 13:43:51 +0000

Matthew,

if the car sits idle it usually will take longer to warm up than if you drive away moderately. Wear and tear is greatest before the engine and fluids are up to temp. so more likely to do harm while at idle.

everybody has there own preference, but I have been taught to believe that a long warm up period is worse for the car. If you drive away like a bat out of hell when the car is cold you will probably do more harm than just idling for a few minutes though.

By: Joe K.

Joe K. — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 07:36:52 +0000

When I brought my 07/04 build ‘05 MCS for first service (13 mo @ 2800 mi), I pointed out the “chattering” noise and mentioned the TSB. They kept the car for three days to have someone from Mini come out to the dealer to make a determination for fly wheel replacement. Their verdict was that the noise was within acceptable limits. I suppose it’s OK, and at least the issue has been noted if something goes south later on.

By: R50

R50 — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 02:18:43 +0000

Thanks for the window info