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Mini Cooper

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Arturo of Larkspur, CA November 15, 2008

Arturo of Larkspur CA (11/15/08)
I own a 2003 Mini Cooper that I almost got into an accident because the power steering pump stops working while driving. After doing some research, I found that it is a very common complaint from other Mini owners. This is a very serious issue, since one can easily loose control of the car. I would urge MINI USA to recall the power steering pump in all MINIs, since it is defective by design and will fail without warning.

I almost got into a very serious accident and it has cost me 1000 to repair.

Eun of St. Paul, MN November 5, 2008

Eun of St. Paul MN (11/05/08)
I bought a brand new Mini-Cooper 2007 last December 2007. It has only around 15,000 miles and the warranty is still applied for 4 years or 40,000 miles. My car broke down last week due to engine overheat. Before the car broke down, I had called the dealer to inform so problems that occurred with my car, however, they schedule me for a week later saying that they are all booked up. I asked them if it was alright to drive, and they told me its okay and could be driven till the service date. However, the next day my car broke down on the highway and had to be towed to the dealer.

When I contacted the dealer, they say its 100% under warranty and I do not have to pay a dime. After two days, I received a call saying that the dealer is only willing to cover 80% of the cost and I will have to pay the 20%. The total cost was around 9000 to replace the engine. The reason they gave was that it was my carelessness that I did not take the warning lights more carefully and better inform them of the problem, therefore, causing the expense to fix the car higher. Therefore, I had to take part of the responsibility in the cost to fix the car.

This is really a bad experience and I bought it brand new so that I do not have to encounter any problems which I will face with used cars. But this seems worse than used cars. I hate Mini now and I would not recommend to anyone. I do not know what to do now and they are forcing me to fix it or they will start to charge for the inventory and car rental fees.

Eun of St. Paul, MN November 5, 2008

Eun of St. Paul MN (11/05/08)
I bought a brand new Mini-Cooper 2007 last December 2007. It has only around 15,000 miles and the warranty is still applied for 5 years or 50,000 miles. My car broke down last week due to engine overheat.

Before the car broke down, I had called the dealer to inform so problems that occurred with my car, however, they schedule me for a week later saying that they are all booked up. I asked them if it was alright to drive, and they told me its okay and could be driven till the service date.

However, the next day my car broke down on the highway and had to be towed to the dealer. When I contacted the dealer, they say its 100% under warranty and I do not have to pay a dime.

After two days, I received a call saying that the dealer is only willing to cover 80% of the cost and I will have to pay the 20%. The total cost was around 9000 to replace the engine.

The reason they gave was that it was my carelessness that I did not take the warning lights more carefully and better inform them of the problem, therefore, causing the expense to fix the car higher. Therefore, I had to take part of the responsibility in the cost to fix the car.

William of Mt Pleasant, SC October 30, 2008

William of Mt Pleasant SC (10/30/08)
Purchased 08 Clubman 3 weeks ago, plastic piece over passenger door fell of on my way home from dealership. In car wash, touchless only, rear right door came open on its own while carwash was circling blowing water in. Was in ohio, took it to dealership, they new of a bulletin, said to keep it locked and avoid pressure washes. Took the car to local dealer when I got home, they didn't know about bulletin, found it, ordered parts 2 weeks ago, still not in. Engine noise noticed, from pulley. Tech cleaned belt and it still is making noise and is getting louder. Called today, 10/30 and said parts weren't in, they would take them from new vehicle but no loaner available for 2 weeks. Noise from engine getting louder, cant wash car. I'm a car freak and this is very upsetting.

rear of Mini Clubman was filled with water. I cant wash car by hand. I am waiting for heart and lung transplant so I can't wash it like i usually do. really disgusted with my new car.

M of Arlington, TX October 29, 2008

M of Arlington TX (10/29/08)
I bought a 2007 Mini in May '07. Two weeks ago, as usual, I'd depress the brake and press the Start Engine button to start the car. The starter would engage but the engine wouldn't hold the charge after seven attempts. As it only has 33K+ miles on it, it was still under warranty so I called MINI Roadside assistance, which was very helpful and expeditious. The dealer tells me that the problem is due to bad gas, the ethanol content is too high, even though I always put premium in it; they further told me that because of our gasoline and ethanol combination here in the US, this is a design issue and not covered under warranty. They flushed the fuel system and charged me 360.

It happened again today, and again, I had to take time off from work to tow it in. The dealer again attributed it to bad gas and sent me a list of Top Tier Detergent Gasoline Retailers and Technical Service Information bulletin SI M 13 02 06 dated April 2006 and copyrighted 2006 affecting MINI Model R50, R52, R53, with W10 and W11 that says NEW WARRANTY INFORMATION Because carbon deposit build-up is related to fuel quality, it cannot be considered as a defect in vehicle's materials and workmanship. Consequently, usage of BMW Group Fuel System Cleaner is not covered under the terms of the MINI New Vehicle Limited Warranty or maintenance plan.

I was not made aware of this information when I endeavored to purchase a reliable car; in fact, I was told that I could use premium and regular interchangeable. I am sharing this infromation in hopes that it will not cost others the same grief and expense. If you or someone you know also experience this problem, please advise me. Perhaps we can get a class-action suit started. It will cost me another 360 dollar not to mention time from work and anxiety.

Economically, this has cost me 720 dollars for this specific problem alone olus time off from work. I have also had to pay for over 300 front brake pads at 27K miles.

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