F56 Mini Cooper S JCW - Parting with my JCW :(

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  1. #1
    Theory Test Pass
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Car
    2015 F56 JCW
    Posts
    11
    Hey guys, I know some of you probably saw my post on the facebook group recently. Unfortunately, the outcome hasn't been a good one and I've reluctantly decided to part with my JCW for good. I'll be repairing it first so watch out for it in the for sale section in the coming weeks...

    It's a 2015 F56 JCW Mini Cooper S and I've unfortunately had a lot of issues with it over the years but, as it's been covered under warranty, I was hopeful once I got the last set of major repairs out of the way last November it'd finally be a sorted and I could get on with enjoying the car.
    It's had everything it could ever want done since I got it and I only very recently (less than 300 miles ago) dumped a load of money on a full set of brake discs and pads all 'round and was looking forward to a winter of fun with it :( However, it looks like it just isn't to be. The car just turned 6 years old and unfortunately recently developed some issues, including errors for:

    - Reverse Parking Camera failure
    - Headlight vertical aim failure
    - Lighting System - Control lights, turn indicator, dipped beam, fog light, high beam and headlight flasher not functioning
    - Lighting system - Front right cluster failure

    I took it down to a MINI specialist (KSA in East Calder) and they quickly identified a CAN communications issue. Upon investigation, they discovered that a design flaw with the car has resulted in water running down behind the scuttle, soaking onto the wiring harness and drenching the wires. The wiring is severely swollen and these errors are the start of massive electrical failures. I spoke with BMW parts and they confirmed they're aware of the issue and sell a specially made part which is designed to replace the area of the wiring commonly affected. Additionally, they told me the fault is so common that they sell 70+ of these repair parts per month. The new part has been redesigned to allow water to drain away from the wiring when it gets wet.

    However, due to the amount of work required to access the wiring to replace it, the repair is 2-3 days of labour and, even without dealership prices, I've been quoted upwards of £1500+VAT to make the repair. I spoke with MINI and Peter Vardy Edinburgh regarding the issue and they told me that as the car is out of warranty they won't do anything and quoted me £2584+VAT to repair it at their centre.
    I spoke with MINI customer services and their executive complaints team to ask if there's anything they can do to help, as the issue has clearly taken years to develop and there's no way a 6 year old car should have a full wiring failure of this nature, but they've refused to offer any help whatsoever and told me it's my problem, despite it being a well known issue due to the way the car has been designed.
    I can't afford the repairs, or the risk of future issues with this kind of cost attached, so unfortunately I'm faced with no other option than to finance the repair and sell the car to recoup the costs.

    As far as I can tell, this issue can affect any F56 mini from 2014 through to at least 2018 and was only recently rectified, thus the need for this specific replacement part that BMW have created. In some cases, the washer fluid bottle directly above can leak onto the wiring and in other instances it's just a case of rain water slowly leaking down over a sustained period of time, eventually resulting in complete electrical failure. If the issue is left undiagnosed for too long then in some cases it can result in the entire wiring harness requiring replacement. It's still unclear if mine is damaged beyond the scope of the replacement part or if that part will be enough - the garage currently working on the car have left the bill open ended as they're unsure how long it's going to take to fix or if a full wiring harness will be needed.

    I wanted to make sure anyone with an F56 of this era checks their wiring - don't end up like me with an eye watering repair bill and an undrivable car. If you find you have this issue or you've had this issue previously and didn't know it was a common fault, please feel free to get in touch, as I plan on continuing to pursue BMW UK for the cost of the repairs and hopefully help out other owners who've had to shoulder this cost themselves too. I know from a brief search online that I'm definitely not the only one. The wiring flaw is so severe it should've resulted in a recall, but because it only causes financial woe for customers and isn't a safety issue, BMW clearly decided not to bother taking any responsibility.

    I've attached some photos of my wiring so you know where to look if you need to check yours.

    My boyfriend and I met through our love of MINIs and we only recently sold his Cooper S Seven Edition on the assumption we'd keep the JCW as our fun car, so pretty gutted this has happened and even more upset that MINI and BMW have been so dismissive and rude in their response to my request for their help. I was very polite about it but as soon as I mentioned it's a common fault they got very defensive and told me I don't qualify for any help. Very upset it's come to this as I've had MINIs throughout my driving career and this has left me feeling like I can't trust MINI or BMW anymore and has soured my enthusiasm for them :(
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails SW15RZZ_Water_Ingress_03.jpg   SW15RZZ_Water_Ingress_02.jpg   SW15RZZ_Water_Ingress_01.jpg  

  2. #2
    Site Owner badwolf340's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Scottish Borders
    Car
    X3 M competition,F56 GP ,F54 JCW white silver edtionTrafic Formula Edition
    Posts
    4,246
    A Very unfortunate set of circumstance that you have been left made worse by a well known problem,but your experience and your post may help others.
    The cars in front are New MINI Scotland

  3. #3
    Pantomime Villain & Car Plan Ambassador Crombers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    G76 South
    Car
    R50 Cooper & F55 SD
    Posts
    7,851
    I would have thought that MINI would be open to a goodwill gesture in this instance re sharing the cost.

    My 2004 R50 steering pump failed in 2008/9 out of warranty. My independent garage owner said that these things rarely fail on most cars and advised me to get back onto MINI. At the time MINI however had bad press re the pumps. I went via MINI customer services and they agreed to waive the labour to fit a new one if I paid for the part. Saved a good few hundred quid.

    I'd persevere if it were me.


    R50 Cooper ..... Mini Plant Oxford

    19 years of MINIfascination

  4. #4
    Super Moderator Track Ali's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Driver's Seat
    Car
    F56 GP
    Posts
    432
    Hi Sarie, sorry to hear of your troubles. From a quick Google it seems there’s definitely been a few other cars with this issue but it looks like most folks have been able to get some sort of relief from MINI.

    Now it may be that MINI aren’t as willing to play ball with an independent, so you may need to bite the bullet and take it to a dealership. And if the dealership you’ve dealt with isn’t willing to fight your corner then I’d have a chat with some others.

    The issues has been encountered and resolved for others so there’s evidence to support your claim.

    Best of luck
    F56 GP with some JCW Pro goodies.

  5. #5
    Super Moderator matsarm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Car
    F54 Clubman JCW 306bhp
    Posts
    230
    Quote Originally Posted by Alasdair JCW View Post
    Hi Sarie, sorry to hear of your troubles. From a quick Google it seems there’s definitely been a few other cars with this issue but it looks like most folks have been able to get some sort of relief from MINI.

    Now it may be that MINI aren’t as willing to play ball with an independent, so you may need to bite the bullet and take it to a dealership. And if the dealership you’ve dealt with isn’t willing to fight your corner then I’d have a chat with some others.

    The issues has been encountered and resolved for others so there’s evidence to support your claim.

    Best of luck
    I’d definitely agree with Ali on this - I’ve had very mixed experiences with the dealers around Edinburgh with Peter Vardy being at the bottom of my list over the years.

    Might be worth trying another to see if they have a differing view.

  6. #6
    Site Owner MINI William's Avatar
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    Sep 2006
    Location
    Midlothian
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    F56 JCW GP, R55 Clubvan
    Posts
    11,685
    As the above have said. I never knew about this issue but after a quick search it seems to be fairly common with the majority having some sort of goodwill from MINI, maybe need to keep going with it and see if you can resolve it that way
    Racing Grey F56 JCW GP 0370 - Chilli Red Mirror Caps, Custom OHC Alcantara Steering Wheel, Motech Performance By PiperCross Panel Filter, Custom GP Steering Wheel Spoke, Custom GP Stitched Carbon Side Scuttles, JCW Pro Mats, RSI C6 Carbonfibre Scoop, JCW Pro Stitched Carbon Boot Handle

    Ice Blue R55 Clubvan - JCW Shiftlight, JCW Carbon Fibe Handbrake, JCW Carbon Fibre Dash, JCW Steering Wheel, Recaro JCW Sportster CS, CoolerWorx ShortShifter, BC Racing Coilovers, JCW Brembo 4pots, HEL Braided Lines, JCW Front Bumper, MINI Challenge Splitter, White Rota Blitz

  7. #7
    Mini Mad nobbyclark's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Perth
    Car
    2017 F56 JCW & 2016 R60
    Posts
    144
    Are the wires really exposed like that? Looks like a huge design flaw, not unlike the exposed wiring on my old Disco3 that suffered similarly in wet weather.

    How is it fixed in later cars? Mine's a 2017, so a bit worried. Would nip outside and look but it's dark, cold and wet.
    2017 F56 JCW Cooper S
    2016 R60 All4 Cooper S: All boxes ticked.

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