Problem starting NEW 2012 MinicooperS
 

I purchased a MinicooperS in September. In November, the car wouldn't start right away. Probably about 5 minutes to start. Brought to dealer on my way for Thanksgiving trip (about 250 miles one-way). This was a Wednesday. Told to bring back on my way home on Friday. I had continual problems starting, but made it to dealer. The dealer had the car for almost 2 weeks. They couldn't find anything wrong. Could only come up with 'bad gas' as the problem. They sent fuel sample to lab and it was fine. I got the car back and the problem reoccurred again just around Xmas for 2 days straight. It seems to me that it must be a problem with the fuel injection system or something like it. I've driven manual transmission cars for 30 years and never had any problems like this before. 3 new cars in 30 years. Anybody have any suggestions? Thanks.

I had an intermittent issue myself with a 2012 Mini Cooper S with a manual transmission, they looked at it on 4 separate occasions couldn't figure it out. Finally they stopped relying on the computer and did some good old fashion mechanic work and it was the neutral safety switch / clutch switch. Apparently it had come loose over the first few months of owning the car. All along the dealer mechanic thought it was one of the car's computers, but it was a simple switch. Not sure if that's the solution for you, but it's definitely worth looking into. It's something that most mechanics take for granted and look over easily. Then again it could be the starter or something in the ignition system. Best of luck!

We have had our 2012 since Dec 2011 (three months). This week The car started to have problems starting and staying on. The temperature was about 40F.
Definitely a fueling issue. Not very encouraging from a new car ;o(.

That's kinda discouraging!! this might be a isolated case ?

It could also be if you're in an area where they switch from summer to winter gas.

Problem solved - The car had a faulty thermostat which indicated hot where the engine was actually cold. The dealer replaced the thermostat the same day and now the car runs very well.