larawalter1

Mini Cabrio rough cold starts and fuel consumption issues

So my 2016 Mini Cabrio is giving me grief. Cold starts are rough, engine runs poorly, and I'm getting a weird error code. Plus, I've noticed I'm burning more fuel than usual. Someone suggested it might be the PTC heater, like some electric auxiliary heater thingy? Could that be it? I'm dreading the repair bill; they're estimating around 350€. Any thoughts?

4 comment(s)

Sounds like the PTC heater to me. I had a similar issue with my Mini Clubman. Is the HVAC system blowing cold air when the engine is cold? My fuel consumption also went up a bit when mine went bad. Have you checked for any electrical faults in the heating system?

Yeah, the air is definitely colder than usual when I first start it up. Electrical faults, you say? Where exactly should I be looking? I'm no mechanic, but I can handle basic stuff.

Yep, sounds very similar to what I experienced. The PTC heater is basically an electric auxiliary heater that kicks in to help warm up the cabin faster when the engine is cold. If it fails, you'll get cold air and the engine might run rougher because it's working harder to get up to temperature. I'd suggest taking it to a workshop to confirm the diagnosis and get it replaced. Better safe than sorry.

It was indeed the PTC heater. 350€ later, and my Mini Cabrio is purring like a kitten, even on cold mornings. Thanks for the help!

Join the discussion now: