2008 MINI Cooper S: won't start

Filed Sep 30, 2014 · Transmission · 111,000 miles · CA

Leading up to incident car wasn't shifting smoothly and would become stuck I third gear with yellow gear light with exclamation illuminated. If you stop and turn engine off then start again the light turns off and car drives normal. Yesterday the car slammed into park while driving 25mph. Gear selector was in drive the whole time. Yellow gear light came on with exclamation mark and trip computer said cruise control malfunction. Check engine light also came on. Car would not start. Had to be towed.

Filed May 30, 2013 · Engine · 55,450 miles · IN

I had been servicing my 2008 mini cooper s at the dreyer & reinbold bmw mini dealership for the life of the car, which I bought new. I just had it in the shop around 50k miles and was not told that I should consider changing my timing belt. One day I went to start my car and it wouldn't start. I towed it to the dealer and they told me my timing belt had broken and damaged my engine. I am no faced with replacing my engine and a bill of $6600+. This defect that was not brought to my attention has ruined my engine and after thorough research of fellow mini drivers, I am hesitant about what other defects may come about in the future for this car. This should be brought to the attention of the manufacturer and there should be a lawsuit or recall in place to compensate mini owners for this faulty part.

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 Feb 5, 2013 · Engine · 40,000 miles · TX

My car had been making a rattling sound off and on for a short time (mostly in the cold mornings) I drove from houston to dallas. When parked on the side road, my car would not start up. I had no service light or any other lights come on. Took it to the dealership and I was told my timing belt was broken. I have no means to pay for the repair. While searching the internet it appears this is a very common problem and mini cooper/bmw are aware of this and have done nothing about it.

Filed Oct 17, 2011 · Engine · 57,893 miles · CO

On august 15, 2011, I drove my vehicle to work as I do every morning. On the way, I stopped for gas. After filling up the vehicle would not start. It should also be noted that the engine was very, very hot and the coolant overflow tank was overflowing. The car was towed to the closest dealership and, after investigating, it was determined that the engine was starved of oil, had seized, and would need to be completely replaced. This vehicle has always received regular scheduled maintenance since it was purchased new from mini in 2008. The last service was performed by the dealership on a leaking oil pan gasket. Furthermore, there had been no warning signals whatsoever that the engine was in danger.

Filed Apr 28, 2009 · Electrical · 4,500 miles · VA

Car will not start, leaving you stranded. Pushing in clutch then start button, and nothing. First time was 5 weeks ago, towed to dealer, did tests, found no problem. Happened again on 4/23/2009, giggled dead man switch on clutch pedal and then started. Happened again 4/27/2009, tried giggle thing, nothing this time. Sat overnight, then started. Only common factor has been on warm spring days around 90 degrees. Will be taking back to dealer.