Countryman Cooper S bonkers steering
Discussion
Hello, first post here and very much a car novice when it comes to faults or anything mechanical tbh so please be kind!
Purchased a 2013 Countryman Cooper S online from a reputable dealer on finance (I know many eyes rolling already at the online purchase - circumstances were very difficult at the time and really needed a vehicle without travelling to a dealer). The car has run flats, which after reading up on numerous posts here I understand are not great for mini's and often a cause for tramlining and general rough ride.
Upon first drive I noticed the steering was very erratic, like something was overriding and constantly jittery, pulling left or right randomly, against the natural camber of the road at times and not always when there's an obvious pot hole or dip/line in the road.
I've never owned a mini before but husband has had 2, he said there's something fundamentally wrong with it. I contacted the dealer, they agreed for a local garage to look at wheel alignment, which has happened over the last couple of days.
The garage tried wheel alignment but couldn't get the rear wheels done as the adjustors were broken, needed to order new nuts and adjustors. Parts came in and they took it for a test drive before and after but still said something is fundamentally wrong, steering didn't really feel any better. Also noticed an oil leak which looks to have been an issue for some time (I purchased car early Feb) - I noticed smoke in the car/coming from bonnet on a short 5 min drive to take kids to the park at the weekend, and garage said today it would be the oil on the exhaust that was burning off. They also noticed very poor sealant around the sump "not to factory standard", mismatched bolts added to the sump, basically lots of bits & bobs that make me very uncomfortable about the way it's been maintained and ultimately about keeping the car.
They checked bushes and shock absorbers, all fine. And they are convinced that the severity of the steering issue is not down to run flats. They have walls full of tyres so clearly change a lot of them and I had confidence in what they were telling me.
I called the dealer whilst I was at the garage, and they kept banging on about it must be down to the right flats, basically ignoring what the garage were saying. They had also told the garage to just clear up all the leaked oil, for me to drive it for a week or so and then book in again with the garage so that they can identify where the oil leak is coming from. Garage recommendation to me was to return the car, but I really wanted to get some advice from mini owners about how bad the run flats can really be, and advice on the oil issue too.
The dealer are paying for the wheel alignment and oil leak issue, but won't pay for non run flats, and I obv don't want to pay for them personally if it's not going to solve the problem because there's something more sinister going on.
I've checked up online about consumer rights and right to return, which I believe I am still legally entitled to do, arranged via the finance company and with a reduction for the amount of time I've had the car, which has been just over a month. But when I asked the dealer several times about what I need to do to get a refund, they just kept saying it'll be a problem we can fix, we're not sure we'd accept a refund on this basis yadda yadda...
Anyway, thanks for reading and any advice would be hugely appreciated.
Purchased a 2013 Countryman Cooper S online from a reputable dealer on finance (I know many eyes rolling already at the online purchase - circumstances were very difficult at the time and really needed a vehicle without travelling to a dealer). The car has run flats, which after reading up on numerous posts here I understand are not great for mini's and often a cause for tramlining and general rough ride.
Upon first drive I noticed the steering was very erratic, like something was overriding and constantly jittery, pulling left or right randomly, against the natural camber of the road at times and not always when there's an obvious pot hole or dip/line in the road.
I've never owned a mini before but husband has had 2, he said there's something fundamentally wrong with it. I contacted the dealer, they agreed for a local garage to look at wheel alignment, which has happened over the last couple of days.
The garage tried wheel alignment but couldn't get the rear wheels done as the adjustors were broken, needed to order new nuts and adjustors. Parts came in and they took it for a test drive before and after but still said something is fundamentally wrong, steering didn't really feel any better. Also noticed an oil leak which looks to have been an issue for some time (I purchased car early Feb) - I noticed smoke in the car/coming from bonnet on a short 5 min drive to take kids to the park at the weekend, and garage said today it would be the oil on the exhaust that was burning off. They also noticed very poor sealant around the sump "not to factory standard", mismatched bolts added to the sump, basically lots of bits & bobs that make me very uncomfortable about the way it's been maintained and ultimately about keeping the car.
They checked bushes and shock absorbers, all fine. And they are convinced that the severity of the steering issue is not down to run flats. They have walls full of tyres so clearly change a lot of them and I had confidence in what they were telling me.
I called the dealer whilst I was at the garage, and they kept banging on about it must be down to the right flats, basically ignoring what the garage were saying. They had also told the garage to just clear up all the leaked oil, for me to drive it for a week or so and then book in again with the garage so that they can identify where the oil leak is coming from. Garage recommendation to me was to return the car, but I really wanted to get some advice from mini owners about how bad the run flats can really be, and advice on the oil issue too.
The dealer are paying for the wheel alignment and oil leak issue, but won't pay for non run flats, and I obv don't want to pay for them personally if it's not going to solve the problem because there's something more sinister going on.
I've checked up online about consumer rights and right to return, which I believe I am still legally entitled to do, arranged via the finance company and with a reduction for the amount of time I've had the car, which has been just over a month. But when I asked the dealer several times about what I need to do to get a refund, they just kept saying it'll be a problem we can fix, we're not sure we'd accept a refund on this basis yadda yadda...
Anyway, thanks for reading and any advice would be hugely appreciated.
Certainly earlier minis were very prone to RFT tyres & alignment causing exactly what you describe.
There are also several well known oil leaks. Sump, oil sensor, oil filter housing and rocker cover spring to mind.
If I remember correctly you are entitled to reject if faults are unable to be fixed, but I am not sure if there is a timescale for this, I am sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon to tell you, but I think you have to give them the chance.
What has been told you about cleaning the engine oil off & driving it for a short while to see where it comes from is standard practice.
However what you were told by the dealer ref a refund is bullsh!t.
Don't ASK them what you need to do to get a refund, TELL them you are rejecting the car (if that is what you intend to do) take it back/arrange for collection & (primarily) deal through the Finance Company, as it is they that own the car currently.
There are also several well known oil leaks. Sump, oil sensor, oil filter housing and rocker cover spring to mind.
If I remember correctly you are entitled to reject if faults are unable to be fixed, but I am not sure if there is a timescale for this, I am sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon to tell you, but I think you have to give them the chance.
What has been told you about cleaning the engine oil off & driving it for a short while to see where it comes from is standard practice.
However what you were told by the dealer ref a refund is bullsh!t.
Don't ASK them what you need to do to get a refund, TELL them you are rejecting the car (if that is what you intend to do) take it back/arrange for collection & (primarily) deal through the Finance Company, as it is they that own the car currently.
Thanks @E-bmw. Good to know it’s standard practice about the oil issue. Looking at the MOT history, it was last done by the dealership in Nov when they presumably got the car ready to list - all passed. however the previous two MOT’s 2021 and 2020 both reported oil leaks. I’m dubious that an oil leak can suddenly develop whilst it’s sat on the forecourt not being driven (only 3 mile change in mileage between MOT and being sold), so I’m sure the leak was there at the time of sale (garage said it was covered in oil) and MOT should have flagged this too.
But I’ll definitely state I’m rejecting the vehicle - issue was reported within first week of me having the car and reading more, once raised, it stops the clock so to speak so dealers can’t run down the 30 day limit for right to full refund.
Still think it’s going to be a battle as finance company will have to send out someone to inspect, the inspection will presumably need to support what I/the independent garage are saying
But I’ll definitely state I’m rejecting the vehicle - issue was reported within first week of me having the car and reading more, once raised, it stops the clock so to speak so dealers can’t run down the 30 day limit for right to full refund.
Still think it’s going to be a battle as finance company will have to send out someone to inspect, the inspection will presumably need to support what I/the independent garage are saying
Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff