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Mini Clubman Cooper S - the paranoia begins!
#1526509
20/02/2015 15:35
20/02/2015 15:35
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603 Corridor of Uncertainty
Jim_Clennell
OP
Forum veteran
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OP
Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
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Every car has one (or more in some cases) - the signature issue that every owner dreads.
Having had our Mini just under a week and in that time driven it in most conditions, I thought I could feel an intermittent misfire, often when beginning to pick up mid-range pace (but that might be because it's easier to detect when accelerating smoothly on a DC or motorway). Anyway, I obviously went on a quest on the Internet and Mini forums.
Turns out, there is a fairly significant and serious issue with coking on the N14 1.6 turbo engine, which can lead to major loss of performance, economy and potentially damage.
Because it is a direct injection engine, procedures like Terraclean don't touch the relevant areas and until quite recently, it was a major strip-down job to remove the nasty crud from the valves and intake ports.
For quite some time, Mini/BMW did not acknowledge that there was an issue and were routinely charging £1000 for a strip down and decoke (yikes!).
Apparently now it has been recognised and there has been a wave of so-called "walnut shell" decoking machines installed at BMW (and other) garages. The reason for the name is that it transpires that walnut shell granules are the bees knees for leaving your engine sparkling clean without damaging any parts. The new treatment can be had for between £190 and £300, depending on who's bending you over.
The next step, following a decoke is to fit a "catch can" to filter the nasty oily vapour, leaving the gunk to condense into the bottom of the can, which then needs regular emptying.
Many Mini owners are pretty pissed off about the situation (it can become a problem from as little as 10,000 miles) and I must admit I'm a little concerned myself, even though I've not yet identified a definite problem. I don't think there is a snowball's chance in hell of claiming anything either on warranty or from the garage. If I were to get it diagnosed by a specialist and there was a significant problem, does the panel think I would have a case under Sale of Goods legislation?
So, I'm now adjusting to a new set of paranoia rules, wishing I had a budget of more than £zero to investigate.
It is still a great little car, though!
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Re: Mini Clubman Cooper S - the paranoia begins!
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1526620
21/02/2015 09:49
21/02/2015 09:49
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603 Corridor of Uncertainty
Jim_Clennell
OP
Forum veteran
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OP
Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
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Thanks everyone. I don't think it's anything to do with the timing chain/tensioners - there is certainly no chatter or rattle at any revs. Unfortunately, although I have the stamped service book (the car had the 5-year "TLC" package), there is no paperwork to accompany it, so I've no idea if any additional work has been done (recalls, etc). As far as I am aware, there hasn't been a general recall on anything engine-related, but I may be wrong. As I understand it, the warranty would cover a failure related to a component like a timing chain, but not a gradual decline caused by coking. Part of the problem is that I'm still new to the car and our local roads are so twisty, bumpy and narrow that it is impossible to be certain that I'm not imagining the misfire. Especially coming from the Merc; I can hardly imagine 2 more different driving experiences! I did tell the garage that I suspected there was a misfire before I had looked into it, and the guy was adamant that if it became problem I should bring the car back. Remains to be seen if he's as good as his word...
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Re: Mini Clubman Cooper S - the paranoia begins!
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1526710
21/02/2015 18:38
21/02/2015 18:38
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603 Corridor of Uncertainty
Jim_Clennell
OP
Forum veteran
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OP
Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
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MRS, I spoke to Dick Lovett (where the Mini originally came from) and they said they can send me the records of the services that have been done, but nothing else. I said I'd got the service book and they said they wouldn't be able to send me anything to add to that. Bit disappointing... I spoke to the garage we bought it from today and they agreed to phone the previous owners to ask for the manual and any bills, etc. Fingers crossed... The ride is ridiculously harsh, especially after the E320!, and it is on the run-flats. Unfortunately, as it has no spare wheel, despite having the full well in the boot (you can buy one with a fitting kit for £100-ish), I can't change away from them yet. The fronts are looking a bit second hand on the shoulders, but the rears are pretty new, sadly. If I can find a way to ditch them for something more compliant I will. Anyway, here's a couple of pics I took in between sleet showers today (like you've never seen one...!)
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Re: Mini Clubman Cooper S - the paranoia begins!
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1526732
21/02/2015 20:00
21/02/2015 20:00
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TbirdX
Unregistered
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TbirdX
Unregistered
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When I enquired about print outs from the OPC where my Boxster was serviced, they gave them to me, but had to chop off the top off each one as it had the previous owners name and address on it, despite me buying it from and picking it up from, the previous owners home address.
All very daft but data protection kicks in I'm afraid.
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Re: Mini Clubman Cooper S - the paranoia begins!
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1526755
21/02/2015 21:47
21/02/2015 21:47
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Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
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Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
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Sadly I believe all minis are riddled with problems, early ones had electric power steering issues and I believe they liked to get warm. Later ones I know of a myriad of little niggles that alfa would be proud of. I hope it's a bit of nothingness Jim as your luck with cars seems to be pants!
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Re: Mini Clubman Cooper S - the paranoia begins!
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1526827
22/02/2015 13:55
22/02/2015 13:55
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Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
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Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
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Cheers, Big Muzzie, for those optimistic words! It was a bit negative, sorry! I do seriously hope it's ok for you. Have you tried running on super unleaded?
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Re: Mini Clubman Cooper S - the paranoia begins!
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1526833
22/02/2015 14:34
22/02/2015 14:34
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603 Corridor of Uncertainty
Jim_Clennell
OP
Forum veteran
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OP
Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
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We will look back on the E320 with nothing but fondness and respect - for not that much money it got us (and a shed-load of stuff) home from Spain so effortlessly and comfortably. Since then it has carted furniture around Stroud and made 2 return trips to Cambridge and one to Leeds. I gave it new tyres and had a faff with the brakes at the beginning but other than that it was awesome. Most of the kit, trim and bodywork was in great nick and - remember it had done 214,000 miles when we got it and 220,000 12 weeks later - we got a grand back for it on trade-in without spending a penny on the massive and essential repairs.
Brilly1uk - you know what, with the seats down we got a 80x80x100cm chest of drawers in it yesterday, so it's not bad, even if it's nae f***in' Tardis!
Big Muzzie - virtually all of our vehicle woes can be put down to a lack of money - either in terms of buying cheap and suffering the inevitable consequences as other people's neglect or old age runs its course or not having enough to spend on preventive work and contributing our own neglect. We try to strike a balance, but the truth is, you don't get owt for nowt. Hopefully, with this car we can afford to maintain it properly (I'm not as scared of it as I was of the Merc!) and maybe our "luck" will improve... I'm sure it won't be perfect, but hopefully it will do the job AND put a smile on our faces!
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Re: Mini Clubman Cooper S - the paranoia begins!
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1526854
22/02/2015 16:06
22/02/2015 16:06
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162 Glos
Brilly1uk
Club member 1034
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Club member 1034
Competition Level
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
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It IS a tardis! Hopefully it will serve you well and the go kart handling should put a smile on your face.
Fiat Coupe 20VT Alfa Romeo Spider BMW X3
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Re: Mini Clubman Cooper S - the paranoia begins!
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1526877
22/02/2015 18:05
22/02/2015 18:05
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Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
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Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
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I'm sure you'll enjoy it Jim, If you haven't already are you going for a warranty?
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Re: Mini Clubman Cooper S - the paranoia begins!
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1527910
02/03/2015 10:11
02/03/2015 10:11
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 756 West Cheshire
bilbo
Enjoying the ride
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Enjoying the ride
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 756
West Cheshire
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Jim, I had a 57 plate cooper S with similar problems. I feared the dreaded coke issues but took a punt on fitting a new set of plugs myself and the issue disappeared. Good luck.
Ex LE #41 Ex Sprinty Plus Ex Moon Plus Ex Punto Esseesse Ex ink Plus Ex Panda
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