I was driving on the freeway when the oil light came on, I called the dealer within seconds and asked them if this was a concern. They said to drive it in it was probably just the oil level needing topped out. I continued for about a mile when the engine light came on. I pulled off at the next exit and called them back. The again said to bring it in. I walked around the car before proceeding and noted that the front wheel well, tire and wheel were all soaked with oil( passenger side). I called them back and requested a tow truck as when I started it up it made an exceptionally loud hammering noise. I I knew that the engine was going to let go if I continued. The dealer took the car in and called me a day or so later to inform that the timing chain broke a, flattening the valves, messing up the valves and engine block. The told me that it was approx 7,000miles out of warranty. I told them that I had an extended 100,000 service warranty sold to me by the dealer in charleston South Carolina. I was sold this by the "finance manager" and he made me believe that I was covered. The dealer where I live in dublin Ohio, has serviced the car for every required service since it was purchased. They are trying to get MINIto cover the repairs. I had informed them that the odometer always reads about 7 to 8 mph faster than my gps and that the warranty per their instruments would be shorted. The indicated that they would not cut me off in a close situation. The actual power train warranty is 50,000. I have never heard of a timing chain breaking with even a 100,000 miles on it. I have serviced the car at all appropriate intervals as noted in the service records and I pamper the car. I am 61 yrs old and have had many, many cars and do not drive irresponsibly. I believe that this is a known problem by BMW. The mid West auto group has always been exceptional and I have no problems w/them.

- Lewis Center, OH, USA

Shift mechanism froze on several occasions before going in for service on 1/6/12. Upon inspection I was told that repair is not considered under warranty. Dealer claims that some coffee was spilled inside of cup holder and leaked below which resulted in shorting out of a "wire connector" and requires the replacement of the "shifter assembly." Reviewing several complaints from various web sights I determined that this is an ongoing problem with a number of MINIowners. In fact an owner reported the exact same complaint back in 2003 where the reported leak was from a screw fastening the cup holder to its supporting unit. This is obviously a safety issue: If the wires can "short out" they then may cause a dangerous situation to develop and if the shifter freezes, this could result in an even more serious situation. Since the apparent leaking through these holders was evident to MINIfor a number of years - why haven't they either fixed the potential leak source or printed a warning within their manual: "don't put any cup, or other such container into the cup holders as this may result in serious damage to electrical components." Aren't "cup" holders supposed to be designed to hold cups safely. Shouldn't there be an expectation that some liquid will spill out during usual driving conditions" if so, why was this design flaw not corrected with consumer complaints occurring for at least eight years"

- New Fairfield, CT, USA