2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Bad Omen? (My very stressful and kind of long first week as a Mini owner)

Discussion in '2nd Generation: 2007+ R55 through R61' started by RedMamie, Mar 13, 2014.

  1. RedMamie

    RedMamie New Member

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    They have said they're going to fix it. It's been a weird experience because everything they've said has been very helpful, but thy haven't actually fixed the problem. I'm taking my Mini back in today, and the BMW dealership is supposed to do the work on it. I'll call Mini about the warranty, and try to find a customer service number for the Toyota warranty.

    Thanks again for all of the help!!
     
  2. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Good luck and may the force be with you. :Thumbsup:

    Let us know how everything works out.
     
  3. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Better yet..

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHw6KXbvazs]May the schwartz be with you - YouTube[/ame]
     
  4. RedMamie

    RedMamie New Member

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    :/

    So when I took my Mini back in they were supposed to take it to the BMW dealership.

    They didn't.

    Then they told me (after my poor mini had been there for 4 days) that they would be sending it to the Mini dealership in Houston (this was on a Thursday) I waited very patiently considering I was having major withdrawals.... And I called back on Wednesday (9 days!!) and was informed that they hadn't done ANYTHING with my car and it had just been SITTING THERE. NADA!

    I got a little cranky with the salesman at that point. He hung up on me. Haha..

    Then they called me the next day and informed me that the problem was fixed and I could come get it.

    The problem isn't fixed, in case anyone was wondering. It didn't show when I picked up my car on Thursday, but Friday morning it wouldn't start. Saturday morning after only sitting for 3 hours it wouldn't start.

    My BF is suspicious that they didn't actually do anything to my car. He's going to check out the fuel pump (this is what they said they replaced) to see if it's new, and dig around under the hood to check things out. I'm still getting all of the same error codes. It really is like they didn't do anything with it.

    I'm debating whether or not I should bring it back in to the Toyota dealership, or if I should just take it to Houston. My BF has graciously offered to let me drive his new truck while my mini is in the shop again ('89 Dodge Ram 50...no AC..no power steering...no radio...manual transmission...manual everything....0_0)

    Some people have suggested the lemon law? This will be the third time I have to take my car in for the same issue, so I guess I could use the lemon law...but I really like my car and unless they're going to give me a BRAND NEW MCS I don't want them to replace my car.
     
  5. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Not sure about where you live, but I don't think you can lemon law a used vehicle. You might want to contact your states Attorney Generals office to see what you can do. Lodging a complaint against the dealer may or may not help.

    Good luck.
     
  6. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #46 MCS02, Apr 8, 2014
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2014
    This has always worked for me. Call the BBB and see about filing a complaint. Then call the dealer ask to talk to the owner or the manager(get the highest person you can). Advise them that a complaint is being filed with the BBB and you except this matter to be taken care of in a timely manner. You want everything in righting and you want the old parts, unless it is taken to a MINI dealer to be fixed.
    Even if they are not part of the BBB they do not like complaints filed on them. Also call Toyota NA and lodge a complaint agents the dealer. This is really bad news for the dealer. To many complaints to toyota and they can loss the franchise.

    Be respectful but firm. keep them on the phone till you get a resolution. This has gone way to far. Make sure they know you have called Toyota NA to complain about your treatment.

    Good luck.
     
  7. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    One other thing. don't talk to the salesman he could careless. And don't talk to the service manager either. You need a general manager or higher.
     
  8. rkw

    rkw Well-Known Member

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  9. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    It maybe but companies still don't like their name on their list.
     
  10. RedMamie

    RedMamie New Member

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    I'm just going to take it to the Mini dealership and pay the damn deductible to get it fixed. The AC is leaking too. No point putting it in the shop two separate times, because the Toyota dealership is only going to fix (if they ever fix it) the not starting issue.
     
  11. Th3Stig

    Th3Stig New Member

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    What a frustrating situation! You realize that the Toyota dealership made a calculated decision to wait you out (aka jerk you around) until you got to this point. Nothing you can do about that, except write to Toyota Corporate. But it's not like they havent heard your story a thousand times. The only thing that has ever worked for me is to take your receipts and file a claim in small claims court and drag them into an appearance in front of a local authority. If your side is true, you have a sympathetic story and may get your deductible money back in a settlement once they are up against a deadline. They are probably figuring you won't put that much effort into it because who has time for all that.
     
  12. RedMamie

    RedMamie New Member

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    I haven't actually paid the Toyota dealership for any repairs. When the problem first appeared, I called them to check on when my extended warranty would be active and they asked me why so I told them about my car not starting. They then OFFERED to fix it free of charge. I have been suspicious that they're just waiting me out. That's why I've finally decided to just go to the Mini dealership.
     
  13. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Good luck let us know what happens!
     
  14. rum4

    rum4 Club Coordinator
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    Hopefully the Mini dealer can fix it for you.
     
  15. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

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    Before taking it to the Mini dealer I believe I would be standing tall in front of the dealerships owner and telling him/her what I thought about their pisspoor customer service and inform him/her of my intentions to pursue it in small claims court. Whether you chose to pursue it or not is up to you, but chances are the owner will honor the threat and possibly set things right. It cost nothing but a little of your time.
     
  16. buttonbag

    buttonbag Active Member

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    Oh man. I've been reading this thread here and there, I'm sorry you're having such bad luck right now. I hope the MINI dealer get it straightened out. A fun car like this should not be stuck in the service bay too long!
     

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