Returned the 14 Equinox to dealer for the 5th time, check light for module fail, not a P code. They gave me a 2019 Equinox, nice car, at least at the 600 mile mark. This should handle my need of that new car feeling, for the rest of my life.
I believe that new car smell is actually the smell of dollars evaporating as the car depreciates, it's quite strong in the beginning.

I think this is what I said as well. Just helped my 90 year old pops buy a 2014 Chevy equinox, also has been a car from hell. Purchased from a Chevy dealer, Chevy certified, 120 points of inspection, 80,000 miles. 3 days in check e light, needed crank, rod, exhaust manifold, 3 days later needed o2’s feed gas and cat efficiency, 3 days later needed mass air sensor, 3 days later wipers stop in the middle of a major downpour, damn near killed my dad and his girlfriend. All work covered free, but damn!!! Now it’s my car until this crap stops or I sell it. Should have bought him a classic mini for better safety, reliability.

Spank is correct ...You need to speak to the service manager. I know it can be hard to diagnose an issue sometimes. This was my career for many years. but this is now past to point of ridiculousness. If there is a sane way to work this out, then that is the best course of action. I know otherwise good mechanics who have been frustrated to the "Let's see what replacing this will do" becomes an option. Usually at this point they have forgotten some guy is footing the bill for their experiments. I think the dealership ought to be prepared to suck up some labour here. There is a chance a lot of things were wrong, but seriously.. this is a tad ridiculous.

spank.. BMW Binis is NOT my hobby.. classic mini is my hobby.. I could go back to trashing you buddy the miserable THIEF..in LA.. later bc

I'd second Spank's recommendation.
One of my first questions would be "Please explain why the coolant ended up on the floor? I brought it in for emissions certification." The cooling system was working when you drove it in (presumably). It should not have been touched except maybe to change a defective thermostat or sensor.

I'd also heed what Alex and the werewolf said about the gearbox. If the car has been abused or even worked hard, you might be facing transmission repairs/replacement, which could make the current bill seem cheap. The bottom line is "a cheap older car is cheap because...". In this case, BMW MINIs cost BMW rates to fix. Even if you have the equipment and ability to do major repairs yourself, the parts are not cheap.

wow, everyone just pile on here. Someone comes on here asking for help and the peanut gallery just can't stop themselves.

I'm sad for our hobby.


To the OP, it seems very well that you are past the point of no return in terms of repair. Replacing the water pump is not extremely difficult and there are a lot of helpful videos on youtube for many things MINI (or BINI).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtTThjWW3mk

To get to "front end service mode"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk6julH42oc

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/stock-problems-issues/242950-diy-water-pump-replacement-in-2-5-hrs-mcs-only.html


I would respectfully discuss with the service manager that you brought the car in for a problem that was not fixed until the water pump was installed. Kindly ask them to return your system to the parts (presumably hoses) that were on there when you brought it in, and simply replace the water pump. $1600 seems quite excessive. If it is $3300 of unnecessary repairs, seems like you were handed a new or poorly trained technician and you should be able to request some recourse and not have to pay for his mistakes / training.

Yup, the 5-speed Midland gearbox is garbage.

dr mini.. the early BIMIS were the ones with all the tranny problems also?/ dido what you said. you have to be Stoned or STUPID to buy a BMW mini. later bc

this does not help you now, but here is where the 16 year old problem began:

"Purchased Used 2002 Mini Cooper S 2-Door Hatchback w/ 130K miles for $3,500.00"

Friends don't let friends buy BMW MINIS...

There are two choices, you can calmly make your case with the manager and hope to have the bill reduced, or scream at them with lots of foul language, and get no discount. Depends on you, sorry but parts changing until the problem is solved is back yard mechanics, not professionals.

well. DUH. you should have bought a classic mini..btw NEVER ever take car in to unknown person /dealership until you get a WRITTEN estimate on repairs.. this way if is 10% over the estimate you have legal recourse.. later bc

I'm sorry to hear of your experience - I would have expected better from a MINI dealership....

I recently advised a customer having overheat problems to check the following - may not be a complete list but things to check:

air pockets in the cooling system
clogged radiator
defective thermostat
blown head gasket
defective radiator cap
defective water pump
defective temp sensor

As for your situation, it would be good to know exactly what items have been replaced. 

Whether you continue with the repairs is a difficult decision.  If you are in love with the car, you may want to get it fixed and enjoy the car.  If your MINI ownership experience has soured and you plan to sell the car after fixing, then you might want to abandon the repairs and cut your losses....

ADVICE PLEASE:

My 1st Mini Cooper: I am at the "POINT OF NO RETURN"!?!

Date: June 22
Purchased Used 2002 Mini Cooper S 2-Door Hatchback w/ 130K miles for $3,500.00
Went to get the smog cert 3 days later and the coolant ended up on the shop floor.
Mini Dealarship has had the car for over a week now and the repairs have now reached $3,300.00
I was supposed to be picking it up yesterday when the car overheated before he took it out for a test drive.
He said ha has replaced nearly ALL of coolant systems parts except for the water pump.
By process of eliimation ....a new water pump r/r is roughly another $1,600.00 in addition to the money already spent.

3500 + 3300 + 1600 =
$8,400.00

What would you do at this point?