BMW Mini-Don't, Just don't!

Orionaut

Orionaut

Orionaut

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Joined
2 Aug 2012
Posts
7,809
Anything more than routine servicing is horrible!

(IE potentially very, very, expensive!)

The (So called) Engineers responsible for the design and layout of the power train should be subjected to "Saw" franchise style challenges servicing and repairing their own damn product! :mad:

(EG The turbo oil supply pipe is leaking, It is a single pipe with a Banjo connection at each end, you have 30 minutes to replace it, if you fail to do so within that time the workshop will be flooded with water full of starving Piranha fish!)

It actually takes more like six ****ing hours! Who can design crap like this and keep a straight ****ing face doing it really! :confused: :mad:

You have been warned!

:eek: :mad: :mad:
 
This is the case as a lot of it is all designed on computers for packaging reasons without any thought for servicing. I once had to remove half the scuttle on a friends renaultsport twingo just to change the spark plugs for him!
 
I hate small cars for this reason, great when it works but a nightmare to fix in such a compact space.

These days if I know the subframe has to come off for a clutch change then I've usually lost all interest in ever owning the car
 
adam cool dude said:
This is the case as a lot of it is all designed on computers for packaging reasons without any thought for servicing. I once had to remove half the scuttle on a friends renaultsport twingo just to change the spark plugs for him!
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That's a bit different though being a car designed to be as compact as possible.

It's like changing the cambelt on a friends 2.5 focus rs was a bit fiddly to get to the water pump etc, but in the 2.5 mondeo it's EASY beyond easy, as the engine bay is so much bigger.
 
Only expensive because of the BMW badge and their extortionate rates people seem willing to pay. I always took mine to a good independent and the prices were less than half the dealer prices. The only difference was not getting the free cup of coffee.
 
Lashout_UK said:
Same could be said of virtually any modern car. They're not really designed to be worked on.
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On my Corolla you had to either remove the bumper and the lights to change an indicator bulb on the front. Alternatively you could remove the battery, fuse box, and ABS pump instead.

This should not have taken 6 hours... I'm pretty sure some in-the-know mechanics could have the entire engine out, re-built and back in in that sort of time, if it was in their interests to do so. :p
 
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The S class workshop manual says you have to remove the bumper to change the xenons. Simply reached through from the arch liner and did it.....
 
Sounds about right. Maximize their service profits at £100/hour

I did the spark plugs in my RX8 - Jacked up the front end, axle stands underneath, removed the passenger wheel. Peer through 6" hole... Reach through 6" hole and change plug no1 by touch... Repeat 3 more times.

Fun fun fun.
 
JRS said:
As someone who has worked in the engine bay of a very large car, I can assure you that this problem is not limited to small cars ;)
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Apparently getting to the rear two spark plugs on an Ford F150 is a bit of a nightmare too. That said anything else looks pretty easy. There's about a foot clearance from the front of the engine to the radiator. You could probably fit another four cylinders in if needed.:p Some clever clogs designed the engine so it pretty much sits under the windscreen, making anything on the rear half a bit of a nightmare.

On the positive side you can pretty much sit upright underneath it so anything from the underside is easy.
 
Yea Ford tend to make things quite accessible (by modern car standards). It has been quite easy to do basic stuff on the STs I've owned.

German cars though, OMG!
 
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adam cool dude said:
I once had to remove half the scuttle on a friends renaultsport twingo just to change the spark plugs for him!
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All of the guides I found online that detailed how to change the spark plugs on my girlfriend's Auris said that you had to do this. My universal joint socket adaptor disagrees.
 
It takes about 5/6 hours if you're changing the flywheel on one of these, but I reckon this was just stretched out for the labour charge.
 
Unless under warranty I wouldn't touch BMW/Mini technicians. Smaller independent mini specialists such as Millsy's autos, Lohen and 1320 do a great job and prices are much more reasonable than dealerships.
 
Acme said:
On my Corolla you had to either remove the bumper and the lights to change an indicator bulb on the front. Alternatively you could remove the battery, fuse box, and ABS pump instead.

This should not have taken 6 hours... I'm pretty sure some in-the-know mechanics could have the entire engine out, re-built and back in in that sort of time, if it was in their interests to do so. :p
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For someone who couldn't change a water pump on his celica your quick to tell people what they can and can't do lol
 
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