Most liked posts in thread: Buyer Beware!

Sorry to hear that you had problems. On the other side of this subject...I had an '04 MCS fully modded, tracked, and driven everyday on rough Ohio roads. At 106,000 miles I traded it for a new '09 JCW. The '04 still had the original clutch, original Power Steering Pump, Original Supercharger, original Water Pump, and yes, the original ball joints, steering arms and hubs. I replaced two sets of brake pads, changed the oil and never had a warranty claim other than a stressed cracked windshield at 85,000 miles which MINI replaced free of charge.

My '09 JCW has 26,000 miles, not a single warranty claim, no cold start rattle and is still as tight as the day I drove it off the showroom floor. With the good luck I've experienced with MINI, if it shoots craps tomorrow I wouldn't get overly upset.

There are good cars and bad cars with every OEM. I've been fortunate over that past 35 years of driving BMW's and now MINI's, to have had all good cars and good experiences with BMW and MINI.

I'm happy to hear that you're back to a car company that you enjoy...I'm with one that I enjoy as well.

 

How did you manage to have it covered at 85K miles? Extended warranty?

 

No. I took it in and a BMW District Service Mgr. found a slight exposed piece of metal inside the windshield framework. They replaced it as a policy adjustment. I suspect that being a BMW customer for over 30 years helped in some way.

 

Best reply I've seen yet to the OP's tale of woe on different sites.

 

They weren't very nice to him over on the sewing site

 

The OP was not happy and wanted to get the word around. Shows to me the M/A is place where people will think they will be heard. Tis a good thing.

Tis a better thing we all listen, state our thoughts in a reasonable and civil manner and get on with our lives.

 

So what did he move on to?

P.S. I fee his pain. My passenger seat butt warmer just died.

 

"Sewing site"?

 

Well, if I were to guess from his name alone (and his perception of "the other side"), perhaps a Mercedes with a "Kompressor" (supercharger).

 

And his support of Schumi..........boy is he in for a surprise. LOL

 

Let me just chime in here for a second. He's actually a SHE and she's one of our members at Hampton Roads Club MINI. (HR MINI) Several of our members have had less than stellar service with our local dealer. Mine have been mostly positive, though I am awaiting a return phone call on one item. Not real sure of this is an occasion of them taking advantage of a woman or not. She is fairly car aware I think. It seems to me her original issue is with the dealer which soured her opinion of the brand in general. Shame too, she was fairly active within the club, just not a big poster online.

And Nathan, I think it's a testament to the quality of responses here at MA versus the "sewing site".

 

I've been a Mini owner since April. I was coming up on a lease end and was looking for my next car. I wanted 3 things out of my next car 1. fun to drive 2. uses less fuel 3. something less common (I had 3 Honda Accords in a row). My quest was rewarded with an '09 MCS, Chili Red, white top and bonnet stripes. After purchasing my car i got into the forums and started reading all the issues people have had... cold start rattle, fuel pump issues with ethanol.etc..etc..etc... i became worried... Oh no.. did I just get myself into a maintenance nightmare??

I have had one warranty claim for a loose rocker arm bolt. Fixed with no questions asked.. Actually the dealership (Global Imports) has been pretty good to me when I have been in. I went one other time for a spa treatment for my mini. I went on a monday morning and they were pretty backed up. I ended up having to go back the next day because I couldn't wait for them to process me and get my loaner. lesson Learned? Yes, monday is not a good day to schedule service...everyone does that.

So what have i learned from my experiences and those of my fellow Mini owners? most of the issues people have had with their Minis has been a product of bad customer service at the dealership level. Not all dealerships are managed well. Mine is pretty good. they focus on getting good customer service ratings. Others...not so much.

However, BMW/MINI needs to own up to a few things as well.... better QA for one. And how about monitoring the dealerships a little better? Yes, of course.

In the end however, I recommend to all people looking to purchase a car. Research the dealership as much, or more, then you research the car. As with all products, it's not just the manufacturer that can be the problem.

 

Well said. That seems to be the root on many MINI issues

Theres a trade-off in cars it would appear. Trusty, reliable and boring or fun to drive and issues.

Mines had it's issues thats for sure but I don't regret a one.

I am really blessed by a pretty good service dept.

I also think that BMW/MINI gets in the way of many of the dealers being even better.

As an example I had a wind noise in my sun roof, they adjusted it, glass between front and rear panes rubbed up against one another, they adjusted, fell out of adjustment, took it in again and had a conversation with SA, they replaced the seal all the way around, works great.

Point is I talked to the mechanic and on warranty work MINI USA gives the dealer a play book on warranty issues and on this one it is basically adjust, adjust, customer complaint, replace.

Not sure if this is all that different from allot of other car companies

 

Of course I know you! I wasn't sure what the "Sewing Site" is, though.

I've had several similar experiences...and I'm very "car aware" as Dale, put it.

We'll have to get together so I can check out the new ride!

 

Holy cr@p!! :eek6: I bet they didn't ask any questions. Let's hope somebody else assembled the block...

 

is sewing site the "nickname"bimmer people use for mini dealerships??
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