Cooper S first MOT (and other questions!)
Discussion
Only had my 53 reg MCS since March, so am hoping you longer-term owners can give me some assistance...
First MOT is due early September, and was wondering whether to take the beast to BMW or just any independent garage. Will there be any difference either way, or do I just want the certificate? (haven't had an MOT-age car for years so can't remember the score!
)
Also, did anyone manage to sort the 'power drop-off' issue that someone posted about a while ago? I'm one of the victims of said drop-off (very frustrating when you're wanting to give it some beans!) and wondered whether anyone found a cure or got Bimmer to sort it on warranty. Given that I'm within weeks of the end of my warranty, I'd want to get it sorted during the magic period.
And (finally, I promise!) I'm sure I heard that it's possible to buy an extended warranty. Have I heard correctly, and if so, is it worth the outlay? Oh, and what is the outlay?!
Thanks to anyone who can help!
First MOT is due early September, and was wondering whether to take the beast to BMW or just any independent garage. Will there be any difference either way, or do I just want the certificate? (haven't had an MOT-age car for years so can't remember the score!
) Also, did anyone manage to sort the 'power drop-off' issue that someone posted about a while ago? I'm one of the victims of said drop-off (very frustrating when you're wanting to give it some beans!) and wondered whether anyone found a cure or got Bimmer to sort it on warranty. Given that I'm within weeks of the end of my warranty, I'd want to get it sorted during the magic period.
And (finally, I promise!) I'm sure I heard that it's possible to buy an extended warranty. Have I heard correctly, and if so, is it worth the outlay? Oh, and what is the outlay?!
Thanks to anyone who can help!
Hello all!
Just joined PH so be gentle with me
I'd say get it MOTd anywhere, doesn't make a difference as long as you trust the place (same with any work).
Also interested in the power drop off issue! Only had the MCS nearly two weeks and we both (its SWIMBO's car) noticed it almost straight away. Thought it was us but glad to see here that TADTS. Not that I think that is good enough coz it can be downright dangerous if you're pulling on to a main road trying to nip into a gap and it almost die's on you! Suspect its the anti stall programming in the ECU that most cars have nowadays, but seems to be a little too keen to cut in.
Would love to know if anyone else has had any joy on this one from MINI but I'm probably gonna try going back to them on safety grounds and see how I get on. If they won't fix it then they can maintain the warranty and I'll get the BBR chip
Re the extended warranty - yes you can but make sure you contact the dealer to find out the details (can't remember off the top of my head) as you have to apply within a certain time frame.
Good luck!
Just joined PH so be gentle with me
I'd say get it MOTd anywhere, doesn't make a difference as long as you trust the place (same with any work).
Also interested in the power drop off issue! Only had the MCS nearly two weeks and we both (its SWIMBO's car) noticed it almost straight away. Thought it was us but glad to see here that TADTS. Not that I think that is good enough coz it can be downright dangerous if you're pulling on to a main road trying to nip into a gap and it almost die's on you! Suspect its the anti stall programming in the ECU that most cars have nowadays, but seems to be a little too keen to cut in.
Would love to know if anyone else has had any joy on this one from MINI but I'm probably gonna try going back to them on safety grounds and see how I get on. If they won't fix it then they can maintain the warranty and I'll get the BBR chip
Re the extended warranty - yes you can but make sure you contact the dealer to find out the details (can't remember off the top of my head) as you have to apply within a certain time frame.
Good luck!
IcklePete said:
Hello all!
Just joined PH so be gentle with me
I'd say get it MOTd anywhere, doesn't make a difference as long as you trust the place (same with any work).
Also interested in the power drop off issue! Only had the MCS nearly two weeks and we both (its SWIMBO's car) noticed it almost straight away. Thought it was us but glad to see here that TADTS. Not that I think that is good enough coz it can be downright dangerous if you're pulling on to a main road trying to nip into a gap and it almost die's on you! Suspect its the anti stall programming in the ECU that most cars have nowadays, but seems to be a little too keen to cut in.
Would love to know if anyone else has had any joy on this one from MINI but I'm probably gonna try going back to them on safety grounds and see how I get on. If they won't fix it then they can maintain the warranty and I'll get the BBR chip
Re the extended warranty - yes you can but make sure you contact the dealer to find out the details (can't remember off the top of my head) as you have to apply within a certain time frame.
Good luck!
Just joined PH so be gentle with me
I'd say get it MOTd anywhere, doesn't make a difference as long as you trust the place (same with any work).
Also interested in the power drop off issue! Only had the MCS nearly two weeks and we both (its SWIMBO's car) noticed it almost straight away. Thought it was us but glad to see here that TADTS. Not that I think that is good enough coz it can be downright dangerous if you're pulling on to a main road trying to nip into a gap and it almost die's on you! Suspect its the anti stall programming in the ECU that most cars have nowadays, but seems to be a little too keen to cut in.
Would love to know if anyone else has had any joy on this one from MINI but I'm probably gonna try going back to them on safety grounds and see how I get on. If they won't fix it then they can maintain the warranty and I'll get the BBR chip
Re the extended warranty - yes you can but make sure you contact the dealer to find out the details (can't remember off the top of my head) as you have to apply within a certain time frame.
Good luck!
If the car is dropping in power go into the BMW dealership and demand they do something about it, warranty or no warranty. If they get sniffy, say that you consider it to be a serious safety defect and they need to rectify it. If they still refuse, report the car to VOSA who investigate such claims on behalf of the VCA. Loss of power whilst overtaking is considered to be as serious a safety defect as the airbags failing to deploy in an accident and you should get it looked at.
Personally, the only drop in power i get from my MCS is when the traction control tells me to stop being a dick. This happens a lot though.
I had my first MOT recently, no problems with it at all. The best part was, Just MOT's in Burgess Hill (you may even be near it, chances are slim but it might happen) did it for £25. They were a bit rough around the edges in terms of personnel and facilities but who cares, they are certified and it was a bargain price. Had a good chat with the technicians there about amature motorsport and track days etc. Recommended basically.
i know how you feel 
Have just spoken to MINI about the power lag issues. Short version is that:
a) The MCS is well known for having this problem when cold. Deal with it.
b) If I take it to MINI and they stick it on the diagnostic machine and they can't find the fault (quite likely given that it's an intermittent fault) they'll charge me £58 for labour. If they do find the fault, however, there won't be any charge. However, if I can get the beast to them when it's having one of it's 'episodes' I can take a mechanic for a test drive to try and replicate the problem. Good news is that this course of action is FREE!!!
So, for the next couple of weeks I can see many of my journeys being within a short range of the MINI dealership so that I can nip it in when it's having a seizure!
As for the MOT issue I'm going to have it done a couple of weeks early at the dealership on this one occasion, simply because if there's anything that needs doing it will hopefully be covered by the warranty (lucky socks on standby!) and I won't have to pay a retest fee if I take it away from the independent garage, have the work done at MINI, and then have it retested. But for the future it'll be going to an independent (at least it gives me 12 months to search for a good un!)
a) The MCS is well known for having this problem when cold. Deal with it.
b) If I take it to MINI and they stick it on the diagnostic machine and they can't find the fault (quite likely given that it's an intermittent fault) they'll charge me £58 for labour. If they do find the fault, however, there won't be any charge. However, if I can get the beast to them when it's having one of it's 'episodes' I can take a mechanic for a test drive to try and replicate the problem. Good news is that this course of action is FREE!!!
So, for the next couple of weeks I can see many of my journeys being within a short range of the MINI dealership so that I can nip it in when it's having a seizure!
As for the MOT issue I'm going to have it done a couple of weeks early at the dealership on this one occasion, simply because if there's anything that needs doing it will hopefully be covered by the warranty (lucky socks on standby!) and I won't have to pay a retest fee if I take it away from the independent garage, have the work done at MINI, and then have it retested. But for the future it'll be going to an independent (at least it gives me 12 months to search for a good un!)
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