Misc Cooper S Problems...
Discussion
Hi All
I'm new to the site, looks really good. As per some other comments I tried Mini2, but far too detailed.
I've got a 53 plate Cooper S and have a few (what I hope...) are minor niggles - any advice greatly appreciated.
1. Electric tilt/slide sunroof has given up the ghost. I think it's the motor, as it's slowly ground to a halt. I took it to the dealer and was told I needed a new sunroof unit... £1700 just for the part - no thanks, no warranty cover either. Anyone experienced this problem? Anyone know a new Mini specialist in South West London they can recommend?
2. I've seen comments that may relate to this, but not sure it's the same. A whine when pulling off in 1st gear - especially when under load (ie passengers in the car, hillstart etc). Any ideas? It sounds potentially expensive. I'd like to get a diagnosis from a dealer, but because I live in London I'm loathed to visit my nearest dealership (Battersea) because labour is £120 an hour....
I also have a ticking noise on acceleration, which was diagnosed as a corroded exhaust bracket by the dealer - but thanks to an old post on this forum I found a great site for sourcing parts, cheers.
Thanks in advance for any help offered! Great little car when everything works!
Will
PS Any tips for getting over sleeping policemen at anything above 15mph without the horrible graunch of the front spoiler much appreciated too.....!
I'm new to the site, looks really good. As per some other comments I tried Mini2, but far too detailed.
I've got a 53 plate Cooper S and have a few (what I hope...) are minor niggles - any advice greatly appreciated.
1. Electric tilt/slide sunroof has given up the ghost. I think it's the motor, as it's slowly ground to a halt. I took it to the dealer and was told I needed a new sunroof unit... £1700 just for the part - no thanks, no warranty cover either. Anyone experienced this problem? Anyone know a new Mini specialist in South West London they can recommend?
2. I've seen comments that may relate to this, but not sure it's the same. A whine when pulling off in 1st gear - especially when under load (ie passengers in the car, hillstart etc). Any ideas? It sounds potentially expensive. I'd like to get a diagnosis from a dealer, but because I live in London I'm loathed to visit my nearest dealership (Battersea) because labour is £120 an hour....
I also have a ticking noise on acceleration, which was diagnosed as a corroded exhaust bracket by the dealer - but thanks to an old post on this forum I found a great site for sourcing parts, cheers.
Thanks in advance for any help offered! Great little car when everything works!
Will
PS Any tips for getting over sleeping policemen at anything above 15mph without the horrible graunch of the front spoiler much appreciated too.....!
Hiya,
OOOO i had this problem up until a could of days ago - problems with sleeping policemen!!!
My otherhalf recently sliced my bottom spoiler in half, as thats the only thing that is scraping, i would suggest doing the same thing (unless you have different bumpers) and also when approaching the humps....don't break hard before you go over (nose dips) and also go over sidewards.
Chants x
OOOO i had this problem up until a could of days ago - problems with sleeping policemen!!!
My otherhalf recently sliced my bottom spoiler in half, as thats the only thing that is scraping, i would suggest doing the same thing (unless you have different bumpers) and also when approaching the humps....don't break hard before you go over (nose dips) and also go over sidewards.
Chants x
Cool, thanks Chants. Will have a look at the front spoiler tonight. It is so annoying when a white van man is right up behind you and you have to slow down to 10/15mph for the speed humps! They're really poorly thought out, as vans and 4x4s seem to be able to drive over them without any effect!
Anyone have ideas as to my other queries?
Thanks
Will
Anyone have ideas as to my other queries?
Thanks
Will
Sunroof Problem:
Go to BMW Heathrow - that are fab there and ask to speak to Tristan!!! He looks after me well
Or let me know what part you need and i'll ask the other half if he can get it cheap from anywhere (he is in motor trade)
Whining problem:
Hunni, not to sound patronising but i have a 2003 mini and it makes the whiney sounds too, its the PS pump motor and its a completely normal noise You'll learn to love it!!!!
Speed bumps are only made for going over at slow speeds :P, and as for the white van they can just learn to embrass the mini back side they should count thmselves honoured! Look at the bottom spolier and try to take off a good inch you don't see it when you look at th far straight on you need to do the kneeling on the floor pose!
Go to BMW Heathrow - that are fab there and ask to speak to Tristan!!! He looks after me well
Or let me know what part you need and i'll ask the other half if he can get it cheap from anywhere (he is in motor trade) Whining problem:
Hunni, not to sound patronising but i have a 2003 mini and it makes the whiney sounds too, its the PS pump motor and its a completely normal noise
You'll learn to love it!!!! Speed bumps are only made for going over at slow speeds :P, and as for the white van they can just learn to embrass the mini back side they should count thmselves honoured!
Look at the bottom spolier and try to take off a good inch you don't see it when you look at th far straight on you need to do the kneeling on the floor pose!
Cheers Slacker, that's the part I thought (and found the link to that site on an old post http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
However... Just rang the dealer, turns out I need a new cassette apparently (part no 54107039715) and the part alone is a cool £820..... Ticking noise may also be the catalytic converter, guy on the phone quoted £800 to fix that if it was... Depressing!
As for the whine noise, it's not the power steering (I have indeed learnt to enjoy that sound!) but I think something in the drivetrain; only happens when pulling away in first under heavy load and seems to improve when the car's warmed up. Again on an old post (January I think) I saw a comment saying this is does happen on older cars and it's nothing to worry about unless it gets worse. Hoping it doesn't!!!
However... Just rang the dealer, turns out I need a new cassette apparently (part no 54107039715) and the part alone is a cool £820..... Ticking noise may also be the catalytic converter, guy on the phone quoted £800 to fix that if it was... Depressing!
As for the whine noise, it's not the power steering (I have indeed learnt to enjoy that sound!) but I think something in the drivetrain; only happens when pulling away in first under heavy load and seems to improve when the car's warmed up. Again on an old post (January I think) I saw a comment saying this is does happen on older cars and it's nothing to worry about unless it gets worse. Hoping it doesn't!!!
Ston1 said:
Cheers Slacker, that's the part I thought (and found the link to that site on an old post http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
However... Just rang the dealer, turns out I need a new cassette apparently (part no 54107039715) and the part alone is a cool £820..... Ticking noise may also be the catalytic converter, guy on the phone quoted £800 to fix that if it was... Depressing!
As for the whine noise, it's not the power steering (I have indeed learnt to enjoy that sound!) but I think something in the drivetrain; only happens when pulling away in first under heavy load and seems to improve when the car's warmed up. Again on an old post (January I think) I saw a comment saying this is does happen on older cars and it's nothing to worry about unless it gets worse. Hoping it doesn't!!!
£800 for a cat??!! You can get a new Janspeed manifold and sports cat for £500 and then a few quid for fitting.However... Just rang the dealer, turns out I need a new cassette apparently (part no 54107039715) and the part alone is a cool £820..... Ticking noise may also be the catalytic converter, guy on the phone quoted £800 to fix that if it was... Depressing!
As for the whine noise, it's not the power steering (I have indeed learnt to enjoy that sound!) but I think something in the drivetrain; only happens when pulling away in first under heavy load and seems to improve when the car's warmed up. Again on an old post (January I think) I saw a comment saying this is does happen on older cars and it's nothing to worry about unless it gets worse. Hoping it doesn't!!!
As for the ticking noise, where abouts does it sound like it's coming from? The engine? Under the car?
Regarding the speed bumps...just slow down for them and then you wont have to cut any thing off or scrape your car. There's quite a difference in ride height between a 4x4/Van and your Cooper S...that's what lets them go over quicker!!
Yeah, £800 for new cat + fitting at a BMW dealer. Comedy prices indeed! Ticking noise was diagnosed as a corroded exhaust bracket by the BMW dealer too.
Re: flywheel = B*gger! Any ideas of how much to get the alignment sorted? Is it a job for a dealer or an ordinary garage? I've only just had a new clutch fitted (at approx 60k miles) so don't want to fork out for that again! I have been unfortunate with my Cooper S I believe; but went out for a drive today and it's a really fun car, so I almost forgive it's problems.
Thanks for advice all.
Anyone recommend a good specialist in the London area? Hope everyone is enjoying the bank holiday weekend...
Re: flywheel = B*gger! Any ideas of how much to get the alignment sorted? Is it a job for a dealer or an ordinary garage? I've only just had a new clutch fitted (at approx 60k miles) so don't want to fork out for that again! I have been unfortunate with my Cooper S I believe; but went out for a drive today and it's a really fun car, so I almost forgive it's problems.
Thanks for advice all.
Anyone recommend a good specialist in the London area? Hope everyone is enjoying the bank holiday weekend...
No idea with the sunroof issues I'm afraid but the noise is definately your flywheel. It's very common, when I had my S I had the garage change it as it was under warranty, they put on a new flywheel and clutch but after a couple of weeks the noise came back. I believe it's something to do with the flywheel being dual mass. I had the car booked in to have it looked at again but I sold it before the appointment.
I hope you manage to get your car sorted mate.
I hope you manage to get your car sorted mate.
The roof is/was a common issue and lies in the cassette...have changed many of these since the min was launched.
The cable dry out and snag inside the cassette this wears the casstte housing so cables wont fix the issue.
It takes about 6 hours to replace in total.
The clutch is down to friction materials used and the glazing of the dual mass flywheel.......Again both components need replacement, thoses being the clutch and flywheel...This almost always cures the problem, however sometimes the noise is actually coming from the diffential so make sure the diagnosis is correct before replacement.
The clutch and dual can be bought outside of the dealer network from a motor factors that sells LUK clutches.
The cable dry out and snag inside the cassette this wears the casstte housing so cables wont fix the issue.
It takes about 6 hours to replace in total.
The clutch is down to friction materials used and the glazing of the dual mass flywheel.......Again both components need replacement, thoses being the clutch and flywheel...This almost always cures the problem, however sometimes the noise is actually coming from the diffential so make sure the diagnosis is correct before replacement.
The clutch and dual can be bought outside of the dealer network from a motor factors that sells LUK clutches.
Edited by < FORZA WEST on Monday 4th May 09:24
Cheers guys, although my immediate reaction was 'Aaaaaarrgh!'! I actually had the clutch changed about 5k miles ago, but not by a main dealer (by a Mini specialist in Croydon, but probably specialising in mk1 Minis...). More expense on the horizon then. Also the 6 hrs to change the cassette sounds about right, as I remember BMW saying that it was easier to replace the whole thing. Great!
I beleive i need a new exhaust on my 04 cooper s the back box is def gone, Kwik fit quoted £950 for cooper s exhaust or £400 for a janspeed one (dont really want) but cant afford £1000 at the moment.
ITs going to BMW tomorrow to see how much they will quote me anyone know of any decent mini specialists that may be cheaper in leeds area ?
ITs going to BMW tomorrow to see how much they will quote me anyone know of any decent mini specialists that may be cheaper in leeds area ?
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