Warren, I seem to not have your number, but you're who I know who knows most about minis. I'm being asked by a friend to try and diagnose his daughter's partners 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman remotely while it is many states away from me. They have a quote for a little over $1000 to Replace the cam sensors, VVT solenoids etc, plus some other minor stuff like oil change and cabin filter. My first thought that on a 100k 15+ year old car that's not unreasonable, especially as google suggests its a known issue and the stumbling lack of performance adds up. Then they mentioned that it has had three sets of plugs, this work would include a fourth set, in about 30K miles. That set off some alarm bells, so I asked about oil usage. they don't know, so I told them where the dip stick is to check, and let me know how much oil has been used since the last oil change, but apparently the hood latch is broken and that's one of the things on the list. Obviously I'm concerned the real issue isn't (just) the VANOS stuff, but more likely it's burning oil and fouling everything up, in which case they are better punting and getting something else instead of pouring good money after bad.
Thoughts?
Eyes on it is not practical, I'm in Michigan, dad is in Chicago and the young women are in Connecticut.
TIA,
Adrian
Well, all of my knowledge of MINIs is based on the first generation cars and their issues. Your friend's is second gen. Does a $1000 seem out of line...Nope, the local MINI specialist in Detroit charges $140/hour , for example. Plugs shouldn't be changing that frequently, so there may be a problem , or an upselling mechanic. They don't know what's wrong with it, so trying to unload it with the hood stuck wouldn't help at all. I'd fork over the$1000 and then decide it's fate.
Edit: The second gen cars are reputed to burn oil at higher mileage because of higher than average ring wear. As is, the car isn't worth much...IF it can be improved for $1000 it might be worth that much extra and it would be easier to sell. Otherwise, the young lady may be spending some time just trying to get rid of it. Repaired it will still only be a $2500-$3000 car, assuming it's not an "S".
I don't know these cars at all. Is the oil issue a head/valve problem or piston rings? I would want a compression test done to get an idea of the health of the motor. While you are there you put plugs in. With compression tests results a plan for the car should be clearer.
Thanks, Warren. That's kind of what I figured.
Dean, I just don't know as I say I'm now trying to help third hand many states away.
Is it the same shop that has done all the work or do they bounce around to different shops? The number of plugs could be explained by a shop not knowing the history & quoting all maintenance to prevent repeat repairs. $1000 does not sound out of hand for shop rates for parts & labor
