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Author Topic: 2003 MINI Cooper Stalling  (Read 10831 times)

Offline Wetson

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2003 MINI Cooper Stalling
« on: January 28, 2003, 02:47:58 pm »
 I recently purchased a 2003 MINI Cooper and am wondering if anyone else is having trouble with intermitent stalling.  I had a demo vehicle for a couple of days while my car was being delivered and it stalled on me.  Thinking it was fluke I was not concerned at all.  My new MINI has done the same thing though.  The car was warmed up (I'd been driving for approx 45 minutes) and it stalled from a stop light while making a left turn.  It is equipped with an Automatic Shiftronic transmission.  I immediately phoned the dealership and the Service manager said not only did his do the same thing but one of the sales reps as well.  There is no fix so far.  Is anyone else having this problem?  I'm also noticing other problems as well.  
1.  The passenger side door has been adjusted as it wasn't closing properly.
2.  There is a rattling coming from the passenger side rear quarter panel
3.  The brakes squeal intermittently (particularly when the car has just been started)

All of this so far on a car with 1300 KM on it.  I deliberately waited for the next production year so I wouldn't have problems.  I've never had this many problems with any domestic car I have purchased.  I must give credit where it's due though.  The service at MINI has been admirable and accomodating and they've tried there best to rectify the problems.  

Now if the people at BMW would just keep a closer eye on quality control during the manufacturing process over at MINI they'd have a dynamite product.  

TJH.
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Offline kevlar

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2003 MINI Cooper Stalling
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2003, 05:36:01 pm »
 another person already posted here reporting multiple problems with his mini.   read it.  it is frightening.  i would be all over bmw for this.  these problems have been well documented in europe right from it's introduction.   the people at bmw/mini should be bending over backward to avoid a marketing disaster.  check some other auto web sites to stay on top of what other problems might arise.
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Offline inco

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2003 MINI Cooper Stalling
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2003, 05:43:00 pm »
 Yikes - this isn't good news and I'll bet that BMW is really sorry they invested in British Cars.

I hope the problems do go away and I feel your pain, but British cars have always been suspect even though they are way better today than they used to be.

I don't think BMW is very happy with this at all and it is something they have never had to do before - get on their knees that is, or whatever it's going to take, to brighten their now tarnished image.
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Offline c2chung

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« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2003, 06:32:04 pm »
Check it out, very informative. Be sure to visit the message boards. You might find your answers there. Best of luck.

http://www.roadfly.org/mini/
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Offline c2chung

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« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2003, 06:34:57 pm »
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Offline Wetson

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« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2003, 03:44:03 am »
 I posted a list of quality control/problems with my Mini earlier but discovered yet another problem today.  The roof mounted antenna bracket is loose.  I also took the car back to MINI today to have the passenger side door adjusted yet again.  When I asked about the brakes squealing as well as the loose antenna bracket, the service manager's reply was "They all do that".  What kind of response is that? I'm rapidly losing faith in MINI and BMW for the level of service.  I've had 5 new GM vehicles in the past 7 years and have never had any problems with them with the exception of a door seal on a 2000 Grand Am which GM replaced no questions asked.
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Offline kevlar

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2003 MINI Cooper Stalling
« Reply #6 on: January 31, 2003, 10:57:06 am »
 i would seriously be thinking of getting them to take your car off your hands.   there is a lemon law in canada.   imagine what this car is going to be like in four years??   remember you have to sell it eventually and that will cost you big time in resale.
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Offline Wetson

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« Reply #7 on: July 02, 2003, 08:32:47 am »
 An update on The MINI Saga!  It now has 7900 KM on it.  The car has been taken back to the dealer about the rattle and the dealer adjusted the lift gate but still.... rattle. <BR>Now the car is reving between 500rpm and 1500 rpm on it's own, stalling, every light on the dash board is lit up including the transmission light, service engine soon, EML light (Electronics), ASC light (Traction control) and it won't go above 40 KM.  The dealer has been notified and they seem to think it's the main computer that needs reprogramming or loose transmission wiring.  I'll keep you posted.
« Last Edit: October 17, 2005, 09:48:52 am by Wetson »
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Offline Giant Dwarf

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2003 MINI Cooper Stalling
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2003, 08:59:52 am »
 Yikes!  Please do keep us posted... and good luck!
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Offline inco

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« Reply #9 on: July 02, 2003, 10:09:20 am »
 Ah it's good to know the English still build wonderful cars. Makes me think back to my old MGB and the wonders (not) of Lucas.  

Every time it rained, got damp or cold it didn't want to start. Of course maybe it knew when it shouldn't go out and was trying to save me.

On the other hand though - the Mini Saga could just very well be the Brits revenge against it's German owners. Then again it does have a Chrysler motor. Mixed marriages not working?
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Offline Wetson

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2003 MINI Cooper Stalling
« Reply #10 on: July 02, 2003, 02:58:37 pm »
 The dealer has just called me and the parts that were causing the stalling are as follows.  ANyone know what these do?

1.  Faulty throttle box.
2.  Faulty main wire assembly.

The dealer has assured me the car is safe to drive meanwhile this morning it lost power on the Gardner Expressway and wouldn't go above 40KPH.
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Offline Giant Dwarf

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2003 MINI Cooper Stalling
« Reply #11 on: July 02, 2003, 05:43:28 pm »
 Hmm... when DOES the Lemon Law become a reality for you?
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17el

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2003 MINI Cooper Stalling
« Reply #12 on: July 02, 2003, 06:28:25 pm »
 You must really love the MINI.  I would have given the keys back to the dealer after 1500KM.  I don't know how the car is still safe if you can't go over 40KPH.  The cutsey car isn't worth all this trouble is it?
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Offline Wetson

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« Reply #13 on: July 02, 2003, 06:55:24 pm »
 Unfortunately I really do love the car.  I went to pick it up this evening and there is a strong possibility that the dealer is going to cut me a deal on a second vehicle for the household.  The car will go over 40 KM since the problem is intermitent.  Thank god!  MINI goes in for surgery on Monday for the neccessary repairs.  I hope it runs okay until then.
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Offline wing

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2003 MINI Cooper Stalling
« Reply #14 on: July 03, 2003, 08:30:53 am »
 I thought there was no lemon law in Canada.

Where is this outlined?  DAMN if only I knew I would have dumped my car LONG ago.
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Offline inco

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« Reply #15 on: July 03, 2003, 08:35:42 am »
 Well it's called Camvap and it isn't quite the same. A process of arbitration(binding on both parties) to determine the outcome.
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Kernzie

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2003 MINI Cooper Stalling
« Reply #16 on: August 10, 2003, 06:17:25 pm »
 It is a shame to hear of all these problems with the MINI.  I had high hopes for the car but if they can't get a handle on these quality issues the MINI could be dead in the water.

Inco, I used to own a Triumph Spitfire and understand British Cars as you do.  How about that old joke:  Why do the British drink warm beer??
Because Lucas builds their refrigerators...
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Offline redsi

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2003 MINI Cooper Stalling
« Reply #17 on: August 27, 2003, 12:11:20 pm »
Hello!
Just in case you don't know, mini and neon both use the same engine

http://www.tritecmotors.com.br/english/motors/16L.htm

I did not believe it before but now I do!
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Offline blappo

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« Reply #18 on: August 27, 2003, 01:46:10 pm »
It is only some export versions of the Neon that are using the 1.6L engine.  In North America the Neon and SX2.0 (gotta love the name change) use a 2.0L engine.

A link on Tritec Motors webpage indicates this.
http://www.tritecmotors.com.br/english/tritec/whois.htm
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Offline Wetson

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« Reply #19 on: November 13, 2003, 02:33:34 pm »
 Wanted to provide an update on my 2003 Mini.  Are you ready for the next set of problems?  At 13500 KM here they are.
1.The head lamp washer pumps stopped functioning
2.Car jerks hard when shifting from park to drive when the engine is cold
3.Trim around passenger side door tweeter is loose and needs tightening up. Vibration from passenger side door when radio is on.  
4.Steering wheel column is squeaking/rattling
5.Leather steering wheel cover is peeling on left side in the 2 o'clock position
6.The drivers side window doesn't always drop down when the door is being closed hence the door doesn't shut properly and the glass is wrenched
outwards over the upper trim
7.Sunroof squeals when opened in warm - hot weather.  Also rattles at times when opened and closed

The previous problems with stalling and no power were solved with a new main wire assembly harness and a new throttle body.  (Whatever those are).  I called the manager of the dealership and told him about the immense disappointment and that I would never buy another MINI or BMW vehicle again.  The next morning the head service manager at BMW for the region became involved and called me.  From what he said they are bringing some expert technician in from head office in Canada to have a look at the vehicle.  This will be next week as its due for it's "first official" service.  As far as a trade in value the most the dealer would budge was 22 000 for a vehicle plagued by problems, under a year old, and 13 500KM on the odometer.  The sticker price with all the options loaded on was around 30 000. SICK.

I do have to give MINI/BMW credit for their admirable service though.  They are trying to fix the problem.  What would fix it for me would be for them to replace the car with another one.  I've talked to 4 other MINI owners of the same year and they haven't had problems like this.  A couple had small rattles but that's about it.  I'll keep you updated.  BTW.  As far as the MINI having the same motor as a NEON?  Well... at least I know the engine block, and pistons aren't going to break.
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