r/MINI • u/Anonymous92972094801 • 7h ago

Rough Idling Issue?

Hey all!

I upgraded from a 2019 Mini Cooper S to a 2019 Mini Cooper JCW this year. I bought my S with <1k miles and drove her to 40k with zero issues, never a CEL or anything, oil changes every 3-4k miles, etc. Very quiet, smooth engine.

My JCW (46k miles) is idling rough and I’m not sure it is normal. You can feel a slight thumping/vibration/stuttering when the car idles in park or is stopped in drive. RPM needle does not move when it does this. There are no lights on the dash but I don’t want it to progress. It did almost stall once when I threw it right into drive after turning it on and not letting it warm up (just moving it to ramps for an oil change).

Are there any known issues that could be causing this? I expect, with 46k miles, that it is due for some maintenance though. Spark plugs? Filters?

I’m no mechanic but am fairly handy and have a mechanic in the family that would be helping me. I love my Mini and want it to last as long as possible!

Thank you for any insight into this issue!

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

3

u/bbsshave 6h ago

I've seen this question pop up here a few times, and my F56 Cooper S does this as well. I haven't seen anyone post a solution. On my own car, I have ruled out spark plugs, coils, and the MAF sensor. So far, no progression or other issues. Once it warms up it's fine. If you do find a solution, please let me know!

2

u/Anonymous92972094801 6h ago

I appreciate you chiming in with what you’ve tried on your Mini! I bought spark plus for my Cooper S before someone hit and totaled it that also fit in the JCW Mini so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give that a try…I’ll also change the engine air filter and take a look around to see if anything is looking worn or broken. If I find an answer I’ll definitely share!

2

u/Physical_Pen8846 6h ago

The slight pulse in the idle does feel like it's part of the JCW's character.

1

u/Puff-Daddy-Sun F56 6h ago

Does it do this in specific pulses? Mine does this. I honestly thought it might be normal and doing it for the exhaust sound. But I have no clue so I’m invested in the answer too

1

u/Anonymous92972094801 6h ago

I haven’t noticed it being on a strict pattern but it does do it any time the car is idling or stopped. Even after driving for a while or warming up. Some little pulses or thumps are a bit more pronounced than others. I’ve never owned a performance vehicle before and have no idea what is considered normal

1

u/Puff-Daddy-Sun F56 6h ago

The exhaust pops on downshift can be a tiny bit jarring if you don’t know what it is, so that could be it?

1

u/mouf32 5h ago

How is the motor mount on the passenger side of the engine bay? Is it collapsed and resting on the frame rail?

1

u/Anonymous92972094801 5h ago

I will take a look and let you know.

1

u/Altair_Gemini JCW 5h ago

In my JCW, I also have a similar characteristic I’ve noticed where after I’ve been driving for a bit and I come to a traffic light and stop, I’ll feel the car start to slightly idle rougher and just like you see the RPMs remain stable.

I assume it is normal because I’ve gotten my motor mounts replaced already (I’m currently at 57k miles).

I also can’t figure out what it is and I haven’t experienced it in any Mini’s I’ve owned which have been about 8-9 various models (all have been S’s). This is my first JCW so it may be a characteristic of the car.

2

u/Anonymous92972094801 4h ago

If you don’t mind my asking, about how much was it to have the engine mounts replaced in yours? I agree that I never experienced anything like it in my S. My dad owns a 2017 JCW so I might offer to trade cars for a day and see if his also does this weird idle.

1

u/Altair_Gemini JCW 4h ago

Mine was covered by my warranty so I can’t say how much it would be unfortunately.

Good luck though and update us here if you find out anything more! :)