Posts
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- Category: FAQs/INFO
- Category: How To
- How to Reset Mini Cooper Flat Tire Warning Indicator
- Category: Generation 1 Mini Cooper 2001-2008 DIY
- 2001-2006 Mini Cooper Cabin Air Filter Replacement
- How to Change Your Mini Cooper Spark Plugs Generation 1 (3)
- How to Install Dension ICE Link Into Your Mini Cooper (1)
- How to Remove Mini Cooper S Bumper, Bumper Carrier, and the Modular Front End (2)
- How To Remove Your 2007 Mini Cooper Speedometer
- How to Reset Mini Cooper Flat Tire Warning Indicator
- Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S DIY Topside oil change
- Mini Cooper Boot Vinyl Stripe Install
- Mini Cooper Camshafts Installation R50 R53 Cam (1)
- Mini Cooper Door Panel Removal & Sound Proofing R50
- Mini Cooper How-To Fuel Filter Change (1)
- Mini Cooper Lowering Removing Sub-Frame R50-R53 (4)
- Mini Cooper Rear SwayBar Installation (1)
- Mini Cooper S Supercharged Intercooler Cleaning and Washing (1)
- Mini Cooper Strut Springs Or Lowering Spring Installation (4)
- The Winner of Free Mini Cooper Parts Announced
- Category: Generation 2 Mini Cooper 2007-Present DIY
- ALTA Cold Air Intake Mini Cooper S Installation
- ALTA Front Mount Intercooler Installation Mini Cooper Turbo
- How to Adjust Mini Cooper Front Camber (4)
- How To Remove Your 2007 Mini Cooper Speedometer
- How to Reset Mini Cooper Flat Tire Warning Indicator
- How to Reset The Mini Cooper Service and Indicator
- How-To Remove Carbon Buildup Mini Cooper Seafoam Treatment R55/R56 (3)
- Mini Cooper Boot Vinyl Stripe Install
- Mini Cooper DIY R56 Cooper S Oil Change (4)
- Mini Cooper R56/JCW Turbocharger Info and Upgrades (2)
- Mini Cooper Strut Springs Or Lowering Spring Installation (4)
- The Winner of Free Mini Cooper Parts Announced
- Category: News
- 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman R60 Photos Leaked!
- All New Alta R56 Mini Cooper Turbo Inlet Pipe
- Caution ChoicePoint Services: AAA Insurance utilizes the Unsecure Network
- Free Mini Cooper Parts! (1)
- Mini Cooper Cold Start Knocking Noise Issue 2007 2008 2009 2010 (20)
- Mini Cooper R56/JCW Turbocharger Info and Upgrades (2)
- Mini Cooper Speed Alive and Kicking
- Mini Mania R56 Mini Cooper Convertable Quad Light Bracket
- MiniMania - click for latest: Free, Club Member Discounts, Tech Articles, Specials, Contests, Community, Events etc.
- The Winner of Free Mini Cooper Parts Announced
- Top Gears The "Stig" Spotted on Google Maps (2)
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Keep up the good work! I have been following your progress on the Mini Cooper Speed Site! Great info!
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I have one new jcw turbo never installed, with new gaskets. yes it is bigger
reef_5@hotmail.com
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Thank you so much for the help… you saved me about $2000.00 now I don’t have to get a extend maintenance plan just to turn off the to Service Indicator
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Thats good news! Keep checking back on the site. We are adding stuff as fast as we can.
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2007, S model, 30k miles, Bought the car used in Oct ‘09, dealer replaced the timimg chain tensioner brackets & chain without having to be asked and under warranty when car was in for oil change and other unrelated electrical service.
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2008 Clubman S, 21K miles. While car was in for a different warranty issue, dealer said noise was normal.
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2008 MCS 07/08 build date. Issue immediately upon receipt of vehicle.
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07′ MCS, Identified, dealer stated I had to demonstrate. At about 36K I developed vacuum pump failure resulting in complete new head replacement. Dealer fixed cold start with addn of belt tensioner during the head replace. No issues since
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‘08 MCS w/ JCW dealer package. Last winter the dealer told me it wqs “normal operation” and did nothing. Two weeks ago they replaced the timing chain along with 10 other parts (tensioners, guide rails etc.) at 9100 miles.
This appears to be the fix, though the temperatures since the fix have been moderate: the rattle is most pronounced when the temps are in the 20’s or below. I will monitor this, of course.
Did the problem cause damage or premature wear to the engine??
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Wayne,
Its good to hear that your dealership has fixed your car. Keep an eye on it the fixes don’t seem to be permanent. The problem in your case did not cause any internal engine damage. That issue has only been seen when the timing chain system completely fails. Eventually if they did not fix this issue with your car you could have seen complete engine failure and destruction.
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I am in Australia, I have a 2007 R56 Cooper. I picked it up with 2500 km and it now has 60,000 km. The car has had the cold start problem since the day I picked it up. Its been to 2 dealers and I have had the car off the road for days at a time. Finally BMW rep has authorised the timing chain, belts and tensioners all be replaced! It seems to be a world wide issue that needs to be addressed.
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Great post! I’m looking to put together a list of links to useful information like this from my site http://www.usedminicooper.net. Thanks!
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Great video- so helpful! Where did you gain all of your expertise?
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Noticed it at about 9K. 2009 R56. Dealer fixed with no questions.
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After alignment, how much did you get?
How close is the spring to the inner fender bulges?
If one elongated the holes a tad, do you think -1.5 is possible?
(We did that in the “old” days, then welded a washer on top to hold it fixed)
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2008 Cooper S with 17K miles. Dealer said chain was stretched and is in process of replacing chain and guides.
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Same engine knock problem.. same exact noise. Tried to start up the car again, and it wouldn’t restart- had it towed to Mini. They say the timing chain jumped, took out the valves- engine shot. Now, they are saying that even though I had the car fully maintenanced 2 weeks ago and no problems whatso ever, that because at 25000-30000 miles (even though the service indicator didn’t indicate service needed at that time) I didn’t maintenance the vehicle for a “level 1 preventative maintenance” that its my negligence and they’ve voided the warranty. No help from Mini Corporate (called 3 times) and the dealership refusing to cover under warranty.
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Its only about an extra .5 of negative camber if I remember right. My alignment was almost dead on from factory after this mod. However I did have them put a more aggressive street/track alignment done while I was in the shop. I dont personally suggest cutting up the holes to get more camber. Camber plates are cheap enough for this car to do it right.
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On stock springs, about -.9 after stud removal. I do not recommend slotting the tower. Inexpensive IE fixed camber plates will provide – 1.8 degrees camber up front on 1.25 inch drop springs. With the stud removed and any setting less than -2 degrees, there is adequate clearance for stock and/or MegaMINI spec 127 springs. The neat thing about R56 strut support adjustability is it carries over to a fixed camber plate too, so you can set them to -1.5 if that’s what you desire.
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Thanks for piping in K-huevo. I wasnt positive on the total – camber.
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Hmmm, this doesn’t look like BBC HQ, so I have my doubts (as much as I love the Stig). I’ve also heard that the Stig doesn’t like candid photos. And that he needs his helmet for life-support. Cardboard cutout perhaps?
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Im guessing cardboard cutout as well. But you just never know
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44.7k miles. Engine rattling, Timing chain problem, finally blew a spark plug.
Inside 50k warranty. Dealer staed that it was a known problem and that the repair kit as updated parts. No charge.
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2007 Mini S 51666 miles. Had Chain Tenioner and slide rail replaced
at my expense. Dealer acted surprised at problem.
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Ouch Jim! I would have fought that one left and right. With so many people having the same problem! This is why I think they need to do a recall or a bring it in if it happens free repair.
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07 Cooper S. 50,200 told me the to first have them change the pulley then if it wasn’t resolved to do the timing service at a song of $1600. Well the pulley didn’t fix it and they say i’m gonna have to pay. Not very happy about this. MINI needs to do something!
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Thanks a ton for this how to process with photos. I was able to change my rear struts out but ran into an issue with the fronts. While trying to get the pinch bolt off of the left front, the head snapped off! I had sprayed it with a solvent the day before and again prior to trying to take it off. I did not hit it with anything, just applied pressure. I’m so bummed. I’m hoping the mechanic can get it out. Grrrrrrr….
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Jaime,
I would highly suggest contacting Mini directly for this problem. The dealers have been screwing the people out of the warranty period. They should resolve it due to it being a known issue. If not please let us know and we will attempt to help out also.
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Thanks! This was so helpful to get our Mini back on the road after some front end damage from an accident! You ROCK!!!
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Thank Werkin Mini. They where the ones who posted this great how-to. Im glad it helped out!
http://www.werkinmini.com/
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What brand of engine oil do you recommend for the mini cooper s 2007??? thanks
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I personally use the Mini Brand oil. It is usually cheaper than the rest of them. Surprise surprise!
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Hello
My 07 Mini Cooper S has stopped running with 79k on the motor. It has had issues for quite a while and a missfire problem as well. Have the timing chains skipped a tooth? I’m glad that I’m not the only disgruntled Mini owner. I HATE THIS CAR!!!!!
Dave
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Dave,
It is almost impossible to diagnose this from what you have described. Has your car made the noise that was in the videos? The missfire could possibly be a carbon buildup in the engine. The mini groups have also pointed out that this maybe another serious issue that is starting to come up. You could attempt to clean the carbon out using this method.
http://www.minicooperspeed.com/how-to-seafoam-treatment-r55r56-mini-cooper/
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ta mate very hepful have you done one how to remove the thermostat many thanks
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No not yet. However if you would like to write one up we would love to host it!
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From one post ago
I have sent the car to Ferman Mini hoping that a fuel pump is bad with it. I got a letter in this week stating that the warranty on the fuel pump has been extended to 120k. This letter acknowledges that this could result in a lack of power which has happened to me on many occasions. The motor also needs to be topped off with oil every 2k!!! I would bet that all these problems have been caused by a LEAN MIXTURE! That would mean that this car has been running 50k on lean mix and has caused major damage to the motor. A recall is a must. Mini is trying to bypass the situation to keep from a major motor recall and extreme damage to resale values and customer satisfaction ratings. There is no excuse for these issues at 78k!
Dave
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From two post ago.
I sent my cooper s to the dealer and they told me that the exhaust cam sprocket bolt came out and killed the motor. $6800.00 78K? Crazy.
Dave
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My 2007 mini Cooper was missing in cylinder three so I tried the seafoam it worked
thanks for the heads up I appreciate it
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Ouch not cool at all! Sorry to hear about that!
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THIS IS A GREAT INFO PACKAGE THANK YOU MUCH.
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