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Bought a mini 4 weeks ago and having problems!

All your technical, mechanical, electrical, exterior, interior, I.C.E. and even baby seat questions go in here. We've a lot of Mini gurus on the forum who'll be glad to help out with whatever technical probllems your Mini is having, or if you'd like to upgrade/modify yours we'll try to help too.

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Bought a mini 4 weeks ago and having problems!

Postby mairenim90 » Sun Oct 30, 2016 11:01 pm

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the website and looking for advice! I bought my first car 4 weeks ago, a 07 mini one 1.4. I got it from a local garage which had imported it from the north. The reg was changed, it was serviced and NCT just before I paid for it. Three weeks later and I notice that the car wouldn't start. I had to push the start button a few times to get it going which I thought was strange. A few days later I start the car and hear a loud rattling from the engine (which I now know was the death rattle), I attempted to drive down the road when the engine light came on and the car lost power and conked 3/4 times in a few minutes before I drove it straight back home. i contacted the garage and they collected it two days later insisting that the problem was a sensor. Didn't hear anything for four days and then went to the garage to see what was happening, ended up finding the car in the mechanics beside the garage where I was told the problem was with the timing belt and it was being changed which would take at least a week. I was then meant to collect the car on Friday but the mechanic was sick and hadn't finished it; was told it would be ready Saturday. Went to collect it Saturday and he said the timing belt was done but he noticed that the water pump was leaking and had to order a part for that so it now won't be ready until next week.

At this stage I am convinced that I was sold a car that isn't fit for purpose. I intend on getting it checked by a mini specialist when I get it back and while its under guarantee. If anyone has any advice I would be so grateful. Thanks!
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Re: Bought a mini 4 weeks ago and having problems!

Postby MiniMpi » Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:51 pm

Hi and Welcome to the forum ;)

Sorry to hear of your problems with your MINI.
First thing to say is that the 1.4 MINI has a timing CHAIN not a belt.....so already bells are ringing over that.
Lots of garages just don't actually know how to work on MINIs also.
You haven't said where you are based but there is an excellent independent MINI specialist in Ballincollig in Cork that have full dealer spec diagnostics etc.
O'Leary's garage. 021-4877158
Ask for Ger.
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Re: Bought a mini 4 weeks ago and having problems!

Postby mairenim90 » Tue Nov 01, 2016 10:16 am

Thanks for the reply! Apologies, I meant to say timing chain not belt. I am based in Galway if anyone can recommend mini specialists in the area? I would be willing to travel to Cork but I don't feel confident driving the car on a long journey in its current condition unfortunately.
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Re: Bought a mini 4 weeks ago and having problems!

Postby irlmin » Tue Nov 01, 2016 8:00 pm

Hi , I can't recommend anyone to help as I just have no experience of anyone with specialist knowledge in your area but we have many customers in Galway that travel down to Cork for MINI repairs and service . give me a call on 086 8663828 Tomorrow and I can advise what you should be looking for in a resolution to your problems . MINI R56s can 'bite' if not correctly serviced and repaired and whatever MINI say about service intervals take no notice and change oil and filter at max 10000 km or indeed 7000 if a Cooper S .
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