2008 MINI Cooper S: engine failure

Filed Mar 28, 2019 · Engine · 70,674 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mini cooper s. While driving 60 MPH, the timing chain fractured, causing a complete engine failure. All the valves and cylinder heads were bent. The contact was able to coast the vehicle over to the shoulder even after the vehicle lost all power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (midwestern auto group, 6335 perimeter loop rd, dublin, oh 43017, (614) 889-2571 where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced at a cost of over $8,000. The contact notified the manufacturer and was provided a claim number. The manufacturer did not assist with the warranty or recall,s but offered to pay $2,000 towards the repair cost. The offer was good for six months. The failure mileage was 70,674.

Filed Mar 28, 2019 · Engine · 70,674 miles · OH

While driving at highway speed on I-71 n & n. Broadway exit in columbus, ohio on march 1, 2019 the timing chain broke and caused complete engine failure and bent all valves and cylinder head and valves resulting in $8821.97 in damage to my engine. The cause of the timing chain failure is due to the prince/psa engine design and manufacturing defect admitted to in the class action lawsuit know as joshua skeen and laurie freeman v. Bmw of north america, l.lc. United states district court district of new jersey civ. No. 2:13-cv-1531-whw-clw. Bmw declined to replace my engine under the extended warranty agreed to in the settlement agreement of the above cited action. All affected vehicles should have been recalled and my engine failure could have easily caused loss of life. My vehicle is one of the class vehicles, r56 n14 engine produced between 2006 thru 2010. This is a product liability safety claim that is not subject to any statutory/warranty time limitation. All class vehicles should be recalled due to the loss of life and safety risks. Do not wait for loss of life to enforce the liability of bmw for their failure to self report the design defect and failure to voluntarily recall all affected vehicles.

Filed Oct 6, 2016 · Engine · 34,400 miles · NC

Pristine condition, low mileage, dealer serviced mini cooper s (owned since new) began exhibiting a rattling noise from engine at 34k miles. Dealer diagnosed it as a timing chain defect and timing chain tensioner defect. This is a known engine defect. Reference class action suit and settlement 338403. This settlement by bmw/mini USA covers this flaw and bmw/mini knows that vehicles produced within the 2007-2010 timeframe have this flaw. This flaw can result in catastrophic engine failure. In my case, it was noisy under acceleration, and was into the dealer for service within days of first issue. This is a known flaw. However, bmw/mini settled the class action lawsuit and set aside millions of dollars for claims....but those claims must be filed by 7/1/16. I did not have the issue before that date, I had it happen in september 2016 - two months later. I have requested some accommodation from bmw/mini, however they are refusing to participate at any level, even though they know this was a flawed part and could have caused significant damage. I am not expecting full reimbursement, but if they know the car has a major flaw, they should have some coverage in place for any of these vehicles with the flaw. Thus far the regional service manager and mini USA have indicated because this happened after 7/1/16 they will not accommodate.

Filed Nov 30, 2015 · Engine · 90,000 miles · TX

As many others have posted here, my engine began rattling loudly when I would start it up. To alleviate this, I would top off the oil and get frequent oil changes, in fact, more often than mini/bmw suggested it should get an oil change. This would usually take care of the rattle. One night, the engine rattle kept increasing and suddenly the car stopped in the middle of a busy street just 20 feet from railroad tracks without any warning lights or indications whatsoever. I had it towed to a nearby mechanics shop I trust (not the dealership). The timing chain had broken and bent the valves and I'm in the process of having a new engine put in (with the same faulty timing chain) to the tune of $6,500. I called mini/bmw USA because my mechanic said he's seen this problem frequently in my model. Mini said they would not do anything for me unless the car was diagnosed by the mini dealership, and even then there would be no guarantee they would cover anything because of "my vehicle's age." mini/bmw USA wouldn't even acknowledge that there have been frequent reports of timing tensioner/chains having problems. I'm even more surprised how frequent this problem is now that I'm looking on the federal safety agency website. This needs to be a recall and something that mini/bmw should cover and respond to, since there have been several class action lawsuits against the company because of this.

Filed Jun 3, 2014 · Engine · 92,000 miles · PA

I was driving in a three lane highway when the engine stopped suddenly and would not restart. The 2008 mini cooper s was towed to a local mini dealer. I was informed that the timing chain had broken because the timing chain tensioner had collapsed. Mini USA informed me that there was a recall for the tensioner which my car qualified for and if the dealer could state that was the cause the engine would be replaced free of charge. The dealer refused to make the connection and refuses to tell me after a tear-down what caused the failure. Mini is taking no responsibility and I'm left with a $12000 repair bill, beyond what the car is worth. It is well documented that the failure of the tensioner causes engine failure.

Filed Jan 3, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 65,000 miles · KS

Driving my 2008 mini cooper s at 70mph on the highway, the vehicle lost power and died. The timing chain tensioner failed causing the motor to blow up and the timing chain popping through the valve cover, the timing chain tensioner is under a factory inspection notice, I never received a notice to inform me of the part failure. Now the engine needs replaced.

Filed Aug 23, 2013 · Engine · 44,000 miles · IA

While turning at a highway intersection, the timing chain failed which, in turn, destroyed the engine. I was stranded in the middle of the intersection. I have been given a quote of 7,200.00 to replace the engine with a new one.

Filed Apr 8, 2013 · Engine · 73,000 miles · NC

There is a leak at the oil supply line leading into to the turbo housing. This is a major oil leak and safety hazard. Oil leaking onto the hot turbo can potentially cause a fire. Aside from the potential fire hazard, the leak, had it gone unnoticed, could have caused an engine failure. The local mini dealership said the replacement would cost around $1,000 with oem parts.

Filed Apr 1, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 49,200 miles · TX

I have owned the mini since new. Always regularly serviced at the mini dealer. Recently I started the engine and it sounded more like a diesel engine, very noisy and unusual. Took it to the mini dealer and as I explained what the symptoms were, the front desk person that took my details diagnosed the problem. The preliminary diagnosis was confirmed later through an inspection by a trained technician. Like many, many mini owners I have had a timing chain problem. That the front desk staff can diagnose a problem like this made me curious, it must be such a common problem that the dealer sees it regularly. Some research confirmed this was a widespread problem with minis. Owners have had terminal engine damage with engines that are low mileage and simply should not have any problems. This issue with the engine is serious and can lead to a major accident because of a catastrophic engine failure while driving at highways speeds. Although I was lucky, and do not have a huge out of pocket expense as I have extended warranty coverage, I still believe this is an important safety matter that bmw/mini appear to be ignoring. It should be the subject of a vehicle safety recall. It is poor engineering and design on their part, that should be rectified.

Filed Mar 26, 2013 · Engine · 35,900 miles · MN

We purchased this car in late sept./early oct. 2012 with 29k miles on the car. My wife drives this car, and while traveling on the interstate, as she was entering the off ramp in forest lake, mn her car started to jerk/run like crap (late january 2013). She was able to drive the car home, I tried to figure out the issue, but everything I checked test good, so I brought it to a local import tech, and he diagnosed the failure to be the timing chain tensioner, allowing the timing to jump. He says he started up the motor to test further, it idled for less than a minute before the motor died and now will not start. I now, after owning the car for 3-4 months, have a major engine failure. I do not care to think what would have happened if this happened while my wife was traveling down the interstate at high speeds.... Thankx

Filed Jul 29, 2012 · Transmission · 70,138 miles · MA

Loud sudden diesel like rattle (commonly known as "the death rattle" by impacted mini owners) from engine compartment on a meticulously well maintained 2008 mini cooper s turbo. Diagnosed by mechanic as defective timing belt tensioner and if left unattended would result in a catastrophic engine failure and possible serious injury. Cost of repair is $1,800. Bmw/mini is well aware of this common and systemic tensioner defect (defective original part). They should "do the right thing" and recall and/or reimburse good faith purchasers for this defective part.

Filed May 7, 2012 · Engine · 55,000 miles · VA

My mini cooper s has less than 60000 miles on it with proper maintenance and has had failure of the friction wheel (aka timing chain or tensioner system). The first signs of the issue are a very loud, rattling noise during acceleration and as the problem gets worse, it continues to rattle during idling. The mini corporation is very aware of this problem and while the dealership itself worked with me to lower the cost because they say it happens frequently even with proper maintenance on the car and while the vehicle is still under warranty, the corporation wouldn't acknowledge or help with the cost to fix it. Also, if the problem isn't fixed immediately, it will lead to a blown engine. Furthermore, I have read that several mini owners have replaced the friction wheel only to have the same problem reappear not long afterwards. This is an issue of faulty manufacturing and mini needs to stand up and absorb the cost to fix it and/or recall the minis affected to ensure it no longer happens.