2022 Cooper SE brake problem

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dmaxwell

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Just wanting to document a problem with my car in case someone else winds up with the same issue.

Drove my car all weekend with no issues. Yesterday I got in it to run some errands and had a brake system error message displayed on both displays. It said driving was still possible and my errand only a mile away so I tried it out. The brake pedal felt hard and the brakes did very little. I'm thankful the regenerative braking is so strong. It felt like what typically happens when the brake booster goes out to me. Obviously, this is not a vacuum brake booster, so I'm guessing it has an electric motor of some sort to actuate the booster. (If anyone knows what they are doing here, I would love to hear it.)

I dropped it off at my dealer yesterday with 485 miles on it. Neither the advisor nor the shop foreman was aware of any known issues and said they'll be contacting the engineers in Germany. I'm in a loaner for now, but I don't exactly have a warm fuzzy feeling right now. Especially with gas prices on the rise in my area and that is one of the main reasons I went electric in the first place.

I'll update this post as I receive communications from Mini.
 
To be fair, this model became available much earlier than normal and there may not be much in the way of diagnostic information for the technicians yet. Hence my desire to document this for others. I originally placed my order for a 2021 model back in December and then found out in March 2021 I'll be receiving a 2022 model. Production was likely rushed when they switched year models on the production floor. Honestly, I'm not entirely surprised to have run into problems. I just hoped it wouldn't be with a safety critical system.

All this being said, I care far more how Mini handles the situation going forward. Another reason to document this. I am a relatively new Mini customer and have heard far more good things than bad about the brand. I guess this experience will tell me everything I need to know.
 
I really doubt the braking system has changed between MY2021 and MY2022, and most likely the system has been proven in the i3 for years before that.

Just relax, the sky is not falling. Don't confuse your dealer's confusion with anything more than it is. Remember, even if a booster fails, you just adapt and press harder--think base 1980s Ford Escort--no power steering, no power brakes and no radio!
 
If I have to get my 2022 serviced, I'm actually kind of glad my local Mini dealer has moved into the BMW building next door. I would hope they have access to techs who have dealt with i3s and could likely help out with Mini diagnostics. Or even do the work themselves.
 
This is the only thing that worries me about owning the SE. My closest dealer is 178 miles away, and I'd probably take the 198-mile route so I could stop to charge twice. If I had the same problem as the OP, I wouldn't be able to make that trip, so would probably have to pay to have the car towed/flatbed. Does anyone know if the MINI 4 Year/Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance Program would cover moving the car to the nearest dealer for repairs (in my case, 178 miles)?
 
Newkirk said:
This is the only thing that worries me about owning the SE. My closest dealer is 178 miles away, and I'd probably take the 198-mile route so I could stop to charge twice. If I had the same problem as the OP, I wouldn't be able to make that trip, so would probably have to pay to have the car towed/flatbed. Does anyone know if the MINI 4 Year/Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance Program would cover moving the car to the nearest dealer for repairs (in my case, 178 miles)?
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Yikes! This may be worth a call to Mini to clarify in your situation.

For me, the SE's mileage range was only acceptable because I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area and have no plans of taking it out of town. We'll take my wife's Countryman for that. I will try and remember to ask the advisor about the towing as we are planning a road trip this summer.
 
dmaxwell said:
Just received an update from the advisor at Mini. Apparently, they are using a vacuum brake booster on these. It is the vacuum pump that is faulty. A new one is in route and the car should be ready by 5PM tomorrow.
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The continued reliance on ancient vacuum technology for the brakes shows what a transitional vehicle the MINI Electric is. I wonder if the new electric BMW i4 has vacuum brakes, too?
 
Newkirk said:
This is the only thing that worries me about owning the SE. My closest dealer is 178 miles away, and I'd probably take the 198-mile route so I could stop to charge twice. If I had the same problem as the OP, I wouldn't be able to make that trip, so would probably have to pay to have the car towed/flatbed. Does anyone know if the MINI 4 Year/Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance Program would cover moving the car to the nearest dealer for repairs (in my case, 178 miles)?
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This is a great question! I will be in a similar situation with the closest dealership ~100 miles away from our home. I know it’s not BMW/Mini’s fault for us not living in a major city, but it’s also not our fault if their car doesn’t operate as advertised. So, it sure would ease my mind if they’d cover for towing for the first four years.

We should have our Mini by the end of the first week in June. I will be sure to ask about the towing when taking delivery.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
Newkirk said:
Does anyone know if the MINI 4 Year/Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance Program would cover moving the car to the nearest dealer for repairs (in my case, 178 miles)?
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Yes, you get a free tow to the nearest dealer, whether it be 3 miles or 300 miles.
 
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