Advice please: MINI (ok its sort of BMW...)

[bigwinn]

Hi all

So this is the ongoing saga of my 58 plate mini clubman S-

about a month ago the car started running lumpy when idling and when not under acceleration- was like it was on kangaroo juice when at 30mph in 5th gear.

Went to local garage (sevenoaks mini) for fuel pump replacement and the usual checks

car back after 3 days- still the same issue present- dealer saying poor fuel probably to blame.

car with dealer for another week, more parts replaced like sensors- came back same issue, they agreed not poor fuel to blame

car back to dealer for two weeks, head stripped and decoked, brought back yesterday and fault is gone, drove for 15 minutes this morning until the engine management light came on.... and the engine feels a lot hotter than normal

so: with 3 months left on the warranty what should I do- I'm close to saying take the car back and settle the finance, or maybe writing to them and asking for an extended goodwill warranty- as I have no faith left in them or the car

and as for a two year old car needing the head de-coking, I'm speechless....

dont get me wrong, the dealer have provided loan cars etc, but I'm not sure if I've got a bad one or they are all like it

What would you do?



Cheers

Stu

[nickso]

sell it or burn it.

[daimlerman]

I would cut my losses and buy a car that I could maintain myself!

Snag is,cars are seen as a status symbol,get past that and just run cheap bangers that will do the job and use the cash saved for your next holiday.

Trawl ebay,do not buy anything that comes with less than 6 months MoT,if it fails to pass next time,weigh it in and buy another,this limits costs to the amount you pay for each turd.

If the mini is costing £200 a month on finance,a banger with 6 months test costs £250,well,use your calculator....

[jamesjohn318is]

To be honest if your faith in the car has gone, get shot of it and buy something you will enjoy.

I am sure that the newer "S" (2006 >) engine is made by BMW UK @ Hams Hall in agreement with Peugeot Citroen. The mention of Peugeot having anything to do with it would put me off straight away.

[jamesjohn318is]

Also, the standard Mini Warranty is 3 years.
So on your 58 plate you should have a minimum of 10 full months left (from now) on the warranty I would have thought....

[staley_turbo]

sell it or burn it.

I had a 54 JCW. Worst car i have ever had, nothing but trouble. I sold it just before i burnt it!

[bigwinn]

just written letter to dealership- gives me great pleasure to say

'and my 1989 BMW E30 is more reliable than this 2 year old Mini....'

and yes it is a peugeot engine

Its a shame as when its good, its great.

just hasnt been good for a month

[bigwinn]

and the mini forum is sh1te compared to E30Zone-

[B7]

and the mini forum is sh1te compared to E30Zone-

Stu, Drop Barry a PM. He may be able to help.

Trev

[DanThe]

Try for an extended warranty and use it as a sales pitch

[Raj_p]

I had a cooper S for about a year, and it was sh!t to run, but great when running.... so many issues..... What your issue sounds like is a blocked cat or exhaust.... I had the very same issue on my S3... i have put a new cat and its fine...

[Kos]

I would cut my losses and buy a car that I could maintain myself!

Snag is,cars are seen as a status symbol,get past that and just run cheap bangers that will do the job and use the cash saved for your next holiday.

Trawl ebay,do not buy anything that comes with less than 6 months MoT,if it fails to pass next time,weigh it in and buy another,this limits costs to the amount you pay for each turd.

If the mini is costing £200 a month on finance,a banger with 6 months test costs £250,well,use your calculator....

some people would like to drive a nice newer car a daily. i certainly. i've got an e46 touring, nothing special but its economical, reliable, has cold AC, great heaters and lots of space.

its not a matter of status it a mater of finances, personal choice, comfort and safety as well.


to the OP, if you are not happy with it take it back to the dealer and extend the warranty even in you have to pay for it. it adds to the re sale value and it piece of mind that you know your only cost is the warranty payment.