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MINI Cooper Electrical & Lighting Glitches

40 messages,  Last post on Feb 02, 2013 at 8:38 AM

You are in the MINI Cooper Forum.

What is this discussion about? MINI, Lights, Electrical, Convertible, Hatchback

Messages Page 2 of 5

#6 of 40 Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? by carla6

Jul 11, 2007 (1:22 pm)

I own a 2007 Cooper S that I got in April. I am currently shelling out big bucks every month for it to sit in the service shop....for the THIRD time since I got it. BIG DISSAPPOINTMENT is an understatement. After doing my research and talking with the mechanic at the shop, they are seeing a LOT of 2007s come back in with electrical problems. The kicker is they have no clue how to fix the problem(s) and he outright admitted that to me. I feel helpless in this situation and have no clue when I will get my car back. To date, it's been in the shop for a cumulative month. Has anyone successfully gotten some service out of Mini USA??????? All I have seen so far as unfortunate people in the same boat as myself and I am highly concerned about what I just bought with my money...

#7 of 40 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [carla6] by british_rover

Jul 11, 2007 (3:21 pm)

Replying to: carla6 (Jul 11, 2007 1:22 pm)
Get it lemon lawed then. Three times for the same problem is a lemon law in most states.
 
One of my clients is a sales manager for a MINI dealership and I haven't heard anything about this supposed huge electrical problem.

#8 of 40 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [british_rover] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 12, 2007 (9:16 am)

Replying to: british_rover (Jul 11, 2007 3:21 pm)
I was also curious and called a friend at the MINI dealership and he swears he hasn't heard much about any electrical issues aside from the "now and then" complaint every couple of weeks from a solitary owner.

#9 of 40 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [british_rover] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 12, 2007 (9:17 am)

Replying to: british_rover (Jul 11, 2007 3:21 pm)
I was also curious and called a friend at the MINI dealership and he swears he hasn't heard much about any electrical issues aside from the "now and then" complaint every couple of weeks from a solitary owner.
 
I'd be very suspicious of any mechanic who insists something 'cannot be fixed'. To me, this is just a lame excuse for not having the talent or the ambition to do so, or to call Europe and find out how to do it.

#10 of 40 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [Mr_Shiftright] by bodble2

Jul 18, 2007 (11:21 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 12, 2007 9:16 am)
Our '05 Cooper is now well into its 3rd year. So far, the only problems have been a burnt-out interior light, a burnt-out brake light, a bad O2 sensor, and a leaky hydralic engine mount which they detected during a regular service yesterday. The part will be in next week, and they will repair it under warranty. So, in summary, our MINI ownership has been quite painless. So much so that we are considering buying it at the end of the lease a year from now, especially after I drove an '07 Cooper auto service loaner, and didn't really like the higher cowl and beltline, to to mention the less-than-satisfying 6-speed steptronic. Even though the CVT in our '05 has the annoying lurchiness and sluggishness at low speed, in many other aspects it actually performs better than the new 6-speed. Also, even though the new MINI is no doubt more refined, somehow it feels more "generic", for lack of a better term. It lacks the unique character and quirkiness of the old one. Mind you, I have yet to drive the "S", nor one with the manual transmission. Those may be a whole different animal.

#11 of 40 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [bodble2] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 19, 2007 (7:27 am)

Replying to: bodble2 (Jul 18, 2007 11:21 pm)
The new S is a turbo not a SC, so you have to like turbo cars. I don't myself but some folks do.

#12 of 40 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [Mr_Shiftright] by british_rover

Jul 19, 2007 (7:42 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 19, 2007 7:27 am)
I haven't had a chance to drive the new S yet but I have a feeling I won't like it as much as my 2004 MINI Cooper S.
 
Maybe it will be ok though as I am interested in the Clubman when it comes out.

#13 of 40 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [british_rover] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 19, 2007 (6:27 pm)

Replying to: british_rover (Jul 19, 2007 7:42 am)
Clubman sounds great. If I bought a new MINI (I'm thinkin' about it) I think I'd get a base model 6 speed manual.

#14 of 40 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [Mr_Shiftright] by british_rover

Jul 19, 2007 (6:33 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 19, 2007 6:27 pm)
The old regular MINI didn't have nearly enough power for me and the 5 speed trans was rubbish. I never drove a regular Cooper after they put the same 6 speed from the S in it but I am sure it is better.
 
The New New MINI, R56 I think is the chassis code, has to be better in base form then the old one was.

#15 of 40 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [british_rover] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 19, 2007 (6:39 pm)

Replying to: british_rover (Jul 19, 2007 6:33 pm)
Yeah it is, definitely. The old base MINI has a very rough engine IMO and a clunky shifter...the new base MINI's engine is quite smooth and it shifts nicely. I don't think it is too much more powerful but it has BMWs variable valve timing so you can rev it up pretty good. Its an engine that requires driver attention but I'm up to the task. After all, I duke it out with the big boys in a puny 1.5L Scion most of the time and it works fine (if you pay attention).
 
I'd expect the new base MINI engine to be even easier to modulate. But a speed demon it ain't.

Messages Page 2 of 5

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