OVER 3000 MZANSI MINIS AFFECTED BY GLOBAL RECALL

If you are a MINI owner or driver, or you know someone who drives these lovely little cars, you may want to read this carefully. It’s a press statement we received from BMW South Africa this morning regarding a global recall for pretty much the entire MINI range.

“MINI is conducting a worldwide technical recall of turbocharged MINI Cooper S (R55, R56, R57 and R60 body derivatives) and MINI John Cooper Works models (R55, R56, R57 body derivatives) built between March 2006 and October 2010 due to a potential fault with the additional water pump fitted in these models.

Approximately 3 350 local customers will be affected. These customers will be notified to arrange for the replacement of the additional water pump free of charge during January 2012. It is anticipated that it will take no longer that an hour to replace the affected part.

Under high operating temperatures an electro-migration can occur at the circuit board installed in the additional water pump, leading to a failure of the additional water pump. The potential exists for this failure to manifest itself in an overheating of the circuit board.  In very extreme cases, such overheating of the circuit board can lead to smouldering of the water pump. If smouldering does occur, the possibility of a fire may not be completely excluded.

MINI has not received any reports, nor is aware of any accidents or injuries relating to this matter, and owners are still able to drive their vehicles. However, we recommend that owners of affected vehicles, who receive a letter asking them to have this service performed by their authorized MINI Dealer, do so as soon as possible.”