Being a very common problem BMW should show goodwill, but then it took 3-4 years and pressure from VOSA before VAG stopped trying to squirm their way out of injector failure problems. This engine was a joint venture with the PSA group, I wonder if Peugeot/Citroën have been suffering the same problems with their varient of the engine?

Would you be prepared to allow me to reference your details and the garage following your repair? I am having difficulties with my local dealer with an identical problem.

Thanks

Hey thank you for your post.

I also had the same problems with my Mini Cooper S 57 plate. My repair work was estimated at £1300, which was worrying as I am a student, who doesnt have that amount of money lying around.

As a good will gesture they reduced it by 50% and accepted it.

However I did my research online and found that the timing chain failure is a prolong problem with minis R56 engines.

I made an appointment with the manager and put forward my case. They tried to fob me off explaining how the warrenty is there for a reason and if your out then it isnt our problem. I explained to him that a existing problem in the engine, for a part, which should not fail at 30,000 miles, is not a customers problem it should be the manufactures who pick the bill up.

I also told him that BMW should be ashamed to expect individuals to fork out repairs of £1300 on engine problems for 4 year old cars. You spend premium to get quality service.

We said our good byes, and i though that would be the end of it. A few hours later i got a phone call, which stated that they have re evaluated the case and said that they would cover all the costs for free.

My agree with the point above, I believe they know it is an existing problem. Just not enought people know and complain about it.

If you know your stuff and kick up a fuss. You should get the same rewards.

I though i should share this with you, as this forum helped me save £1300. ;-)

We removed just over 2 litres and filled with over 4 litres of Mobil 1 ESP fully synthetic 5w-30 oil. The Cooper S dipstick is very hard to gauge so don't be fooled that you have full oil.gear

Firstly how do you know it was low grade oil have you a laboratory in your house and if you removed 2litres and replaced 4 litres its using oil somewhere do you ever check it.These engines owe there history to fact they have nothing to do with BMW they I believe are made by Chrysler in Brasil and a very common fault is the timing gear and oil useage see the many posts on this forum.The timing gear sound will be quieter in winter due to the oil being thicker and the fact you have filled it up whereas before it was running very low you will probably find the engine will not last much longer owing to its previous treatment but good luck.

Should've designed it with a decent belt.

Unfortunately, some people insist on advising that chains are superior to belts.

Timing chains are supposed to last the life of an engine and certainly should not be the cause of catastrophic failure. As your car is under 6 years old, you may be entitled to persue a claim against the manufacturer. You will have to demonstrate that your car has been serviced and maintained properly, i.e. service history. The least I would expect would be a goodwill contribution e.g. 50% or more discount on parts

The 6-year Sale of Goods Act rule (quoted in the DT a lot over the past fortnight) for replacement of faulty manufactured parts that should last as long as the overall engine could rightly as you say, be used here.

As was said above, some manufacturers (for some reason the Germans) seem IMO incapable of designing/manufacturing/sourcing parts like this to last as long as the engine, especially as their failure often destroys the engine in the process without any prior warning to the driver.

I'd rather pay for better engineering quality and slightly lower quality interior trim (though still perfectly acceptable) from a marque, hence why I have thus far resisted the urge to change from Japanese manufacturers (I always go for their chain cam driven cars), which as far as I know have never had such problems.

DomcO, worth doing as Brum suggests, but if you get any meaningful joy from BMW, and i wouldn't be holding my breath, 50% of parts contribution would still see you with umpteen hours @ goodness knows what ridiculous hourly rate they see fit to charge.

If it were mine, and the maker as they most likely will, wash their hands of responsibility, then i would find a suitable *recommended* indy workshops, and following an appraisal and advice from them decide to either get the present engine repaired in non monopoly joke money figures, or get them to source a good used engine and fit it instead...with a new timing kit.

Cars like this might well benefit from main dealer service history, but you don't want to be playing their games or paying their silly labour rates for repairs.

edit, i can only agree with Enginer Andy, i have friends who have owned three of these S type things from new, all have spent numerous times being fixed, timing and rattles featuring regularly, they dare not keep one out of makers warranty.

Edited by gordonbennet on 30/12/2014 at 12:43