Went out and bought a German car.

I also have MINI and Miata. Mines an 07 Cooper S. So far I've had all the common issues of this MINI, including premature clutch wear-out, the steering wheel angle sensor going (disabling all the electronic traction add ons), and the timing chain death rattle. All were replaced by the Mini of Dallas, some after some discussion. I think they are doing a TSB to proactively fix the timing chain tensioner issue. The others are still out there.

OK, that is the bad. The good is its a great fun car on the street, autocrossing or on the track. The local club (MetroplexMINI) is large and has something for everyone (tech help, DIY days, track, happy hours, whatever).

We have an '07 S now, 64k miles. I can vouch for them being challenging to work on, but great driving. I had an '05 which was much more of a rattle trap. Both cars were lucky to be found with the mechanical LSD. The peugot motor on boost is a joy to drive, and the torque steer with the LSD feels like my old csp honda's, better use both hands. Will see how long it holds up :rolleyes:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/1...60e7429c2a.jpg

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Originally Posted by eliandi

I also have MINI and Miata. Mines an 07 Cooper S. So far I've had all the common issues of this MINI, including premature clutch wear-out, the steering wheel angle sensor going (disabling all the electronic traction add ons), and the timing chain death rattle. All were replaced by the Mini of Dallas, some after some discussion. I think they are doing a TSB to proactively fix the timing chain tensioner issue. The others are still out there.

OK, that is the bad. The good is its a great fun car on the street, autocrossing or on the track. The local club (MetroplexMINI) is large and has something for everyone (tech help, DIY days, track, happy hours, whatever).

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TCT is already a TSB/recall so you should be covered for that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eliandi

I also have MINI and Miata. Mines an 07 Cooper S. So far I've had all the common issues of this MINI, including premature clutch wear-out, the steering wheel angle sensor going (disabling all the electronic traction add ons), and the timing chain death rattle. All were replaced by the Mini of Dallas, some after some discussion. I think they are doing a TSB to proactively fix the timing chain tensioner issue. The others are still out there.

OK, that is the bad. The good is its a great fun car on the street, autocrossing or on the track. The local club (MetroplexMINI) is large and has something for everyone (tech help, DIY days, track, happy hours, whatever).

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Yea this one had the clutch issue and death rattle. Both were replaced 3000miles ago. Oddly enough after the tensioner replacement the engine still produces a "death rattle" or close to it. It's been gone over by the dealers a few times and they've given it the OK. I know injectors can make a diesel sound, and that's what it sounds like to me. I dunno, but i've got the clearance paperwork so doesn't bother me.

After a few days man this car is super fun. Having a mini and a miata isn't any redundancy, the two drive completely different, and least with my NA. I've got the miata set up more like a track car(that never gets tracked; lol) with the Monoflex, depowered steering rack, and light flywheel. So it's like driving a vintage british car, loud stiff, rattly, gurgley, and the engine is MUCH more lively than the mini, perfect for me really, though not an everyday car. The mini has the fun but it's quiet and easy driving, and alllll that POWAHHH. Steering is almost as sharp as the Miata, although it is powered so you don't develop carpal tunnel syndrome trying to park it. Seems a little more 'flickable' with the short wheelbase, but almost the same, the miata can still whip the back around since it's RWD. Being able to hear the radio is also a nice bonus, but the sunroof does have a lot of wind noise, still 90% quieter than a soft top.


Ans seriously on the power note, I don't think i'd ever want more power than this in a FWD car. When you get on it in 1st or 2nd all it does is spin the tires, definitley takes some getting used to for sure. Freeway speeds are a hell of a lot of fun though.

I read there's some adjustment that you can do for the sunroof noise, i'll wait till the weather evens out before messing with rubber seals.

Sunroof adjustment is simple, I can help with that. As for the death rattle, the tensioner replacement cannot resolve any plastic chain guide damage that may have already occurred. Mini is doing complete chain and guide replacements under a recent tsb, so it is worth having it diagnosed again. Ours pretty much went away once we got in a sequence of regurlar oil changes (4-5k) and kept the level up.