2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman Transmission and drivetrain Problems

“Vehicle failed due to issue with the timing chain tensioner. This caused the timing chain guides to break and drop into the oil pan. Entire engine may need to be replaced. Engine failed as I was pulling out onto a very busy street (7th street in phoenix az) leaving me stranded and unable to move in traffic. The car had to be pushed onto a side street.”

“My 2009 Mini cooper clubman s will not accelerate when I step on the gas pedal if I am coasting. There is an initial delay, then the engine speeds up but the transmission will not engage. Several times I have almost been in an accident when trying to change lanes or making a left turn. The dealer says the car operates as designed...”

“Took in for oil change, burning smell, and rattling sound when engine cold. I was given a list after they had a few days of: material failure of oil pan gasket, oil filter housing leak, turbo oil feed line leak, material failure of thermostat housing, material failure of water pump, and material failure of timing chain, timing chain guides, tensioner. I ended with a total repair cost of $4,666.30. Two weeks later I again have a burning smell and the trim covering the turbo charger cracks. …”

“I live where the weather gets into the teens regularly this time of year. My car started making a weird noise when I started in one morning. Then when I tried to drive it, it had no power. I took it in and had to have the throttle body and new intake manifold put in for the cost of over $1100. I was told by the service technician that they have only had to do this repair on Mini's that live in cold climates and that it was no fault of mine. However there is no recall on this defect and I'm curious as to why?”

“Both the tensioner and the timing chain went on this car with in a few days. We were lucky that it did not tear apart the engine. We called Mini cooper, and new country Mini where we bought the car brand new, and were told that there were no issues with these items. However, every Mini chat room it was a hot topic. We ordered the parts and my husband installed them. In october we received a service bulletin on the same parts, and called the 800 number. I spoke with the advisor and even they could not give me a straight answer on repairing this car. …”