2007 MINI Cooper S: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 22, 2015 · Engine · 85,000 miles · CA

When driving down the highway at 60 MPH, the engine lost power and had a hard time getting it to the nearest exit for safety. When I stopped the car I attempted to check the fluid levels but the car was too hot to check and I waited for about an hour to cool. When I was able to check all levels down, including the oil, which I just had a change in less than a week previous to this indent. The oil level was down 2 1/2 quarts and the water level was below the safety level. When I took it to my independent certified bmw mechanic, he advised that the timing belt needed to be replaced. I called bmw and mini corporate offices and they both stated that I should take it to the dealership and they may be able to fix at a reduce cost. Upon further questioning, and them stating that they may not assist due to age, I came to the conclusion that the likelihood of them assisting was zero. They state that the warranty was no longer covering and that the car had too many miles, 85k. I previously had the thermostat replaced, the air intake valve replaced, the oil pump replaced, and now the timing belt to the sum of $4300 in the past year and half. Will never purchase another and will never encourage anyone else to purchase a bmw or mini product. I will pay and continue to drive, but will put a message on it to not ask me or comment on the "cuteness" of the car because it is a piece of junk! I would have expected to get at least 200k out of it before these major repairs should have ever occurred! Very frustrated, not to mention disappointed in this high performance vehicle that sells itself with a simple drive, but mechanically is not supported by its manufacturer.

Filed Dec 13, 2014 · Engine · 48,000 miles · TX

This is a complaint against the timing chain and tensioner for the mini cooper which is known to be faulty. The timing chain had begin rattling and was inspected at a mini dealership. They stated that it's a known issue with mini. Repair for this job is 2000 usd. This is a tremendous price tag.this can lead to a very very dangerous situation on the highway heading to work. Imagine going 65 on the highway the chain snap. Lost power and control of the car. Not only the driver is at risk but other as well. What if it cause a family in the car an accident. Let's say 3 car were involved filled with families but one person died. You are causing a lifetime of heartache for not acknowledging the fault in your engine. Please be aware that people lives are at stake. It's better that mini should take responsibility. Is money so much more important to mini than the lives of people. The lives of families. If future accident can be avoided. It must start now. Do the right thing and make this recall happen. Don't let me start on carbon buildup. Engine design wasn't tested thoroughly. Everyone should be given a courtesy clean every 70000 miles or so. Already show sign of carbon buildup with 48k miles.

Filed Jan 28, 2014 · Engine · 92,000 miles · HI

While driving on 580 car lost all power without warning. Upon further investigation it was determined that the vacuum pump froze up, bolt on timing gear sheared off and fell into oil pan. Oil pump was destroyed as a result. On 11/7/13 received letter from mini corp. Regarding a faulty timing chain tensioner with premature wear, which could cause problems. Upon replacement of tensioner assembly, mechanic found a faulty vacuum pump which froze without warning. Oil distribution was compromised. This abrupt loss of power put my entire family in jeopardy, which could have caused bodily injury or death. Bmw corporation has been aware of the vacuum pump problem since 2012. Vehicle was purchased used in 3/15/11 with 32k miles. Mini corp lead me to believe that financial assistance may be made available for repairs. I have been declined any assistance for a failed vacuum pump assembly which caused catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle has had reports of similar failure. Highway speed, loss of power, putting vehicle and occupants in peril circumstance, bmw is aware of this issue and refuses to acknowledge design or manufacture/mechanical flaws in the engineering of this motor.

Filed Jan 20, 2014 · Engine · 107,000 miles · IN

The car lost power and would not run at idle speed. After much effort, managed to get the car to the only dealer in the state. After two failed diagnostics and two "repairs," the dealer says I now need the timing chain replaced. There are known issues about the timing chain and the tensioner. Bmw and dealer deny responsibility and now wish to charge an additional $1500 to repair.

Filed Dec 7, 2013 · Engine · 91,000 miles · TN

Driving mini cooper s when all of a sudden I lost power to the car and was able to get it off the hwy. Timing chain broke and damaged the engine. The car has 91,000 miles on it.

Filed Dec 3, 2013 · Engine · 48,161 miles · CA

Timing chain failure. Happened on freeway. Complete loss of power, had to be towed.

Filed Aug 29, 2013 · Engine · 77,000 miles · NC

This vehicle has twice had a failure of the timing chain as a result of a faulty tensioner, resulting in catastrophic engine failure. The first incident occurred from a dead stop in a parking lot so there was no immediate safety issue. The second incident, occurring 12/03/2012, manifested as the vehicle was de-accelerating coming off a highway exit with a total loss of power at the bottom of the exit, in a remote area. Mini cooper sent their technicians in 2007 a "service bulletin," short of a recall, when the trend was discovered among its "r56' model engines in 2008. I had warned mini of sounds which later were determined by independent experts to be the timing chain's "death rattle" prior to the first failure, which they attributed to the car's "go-kart like start up." after 6 months of struggling, mini agreed to 80% of the repair costs, with a new timing chain under a one year warranty. Other failures sidelined the vehicle for months in the intervening time, and due to the incredible cost of repair the vehicle had to be garaged until repaired. So although over a year passed between timing chain failures, about only about 39k miles were driven in that time. As of now, mini is only offering 50% culpability, this after starting a vocal twitter campaign. I still owe $10k on a vehicle that requires up to $5k in repairs- a repair which will only replace a defective part with the same defective part.

Filed Jun 24, 2013 · Engine · 98,000 miles · CA

While driving west on 580 highway, my car lost power and was unable to accelerate out of the lane. I was able to coast off of the freeway out of the way of moving traffic. Highway patrol was able to assist with warning other drivers of a mechanical failure. Due to a mechanical vacuum pump failure, car lost all power, and the engine was a total loss. Also failed on the engine was a cam shaft failure, timing chain failure. This is considered a total loss. Repairs cost more than the car is worth. Cost of repairs provided by dealer is estimated at 9,700.00 dollars manufacture aware of oil issues with the vacuum pump, which could lead to a catastrophic engine breakdown. Oil feed hole on the pump can become clogged on the pump. Vacuum pump will inadequately supply oil to the vital moving parts on the engine.we had just completed an oil change a week before this failure. Manufacture intervals for oil changes, put failure of pump a reality, not a possibility.

Filed Mar 1, 2012 · Engine · 65,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 mini cooper s. The contact stated that the vehicle would lose power abnormally and would sporadically stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the spark plugs failed. The failure recurred and the contact discovered that the failure was caused by a failure with the timing chain assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 65,000.