Most liked posts in thread: Triple Threat: New Motorist. New MINI. New to driving manual!

  1. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #2 Crashton, Dec 21, 2010
    First off, welcome to M/A & congrats on the new MINI! :Thumbsup:

    No it does not sound right. Get your MINI back to the dealer asap & have them check it out. You have a warranty so it won't cost you. If you ignore it you may cause some real damage to the transmission. If you are smelling something that smells like coolant it probably is. Best mention that too.
     
  2. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    #3 Justa Jim, Dec 21, 2010
    Welcome aboard and I agree with Crashton. Take it back and have it checked out. I might also suggest that you ask to go along on the test drive, just in case the dreaded "could not duplicate" pops up. :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     
  3. Rae

    Rae Club Coordinator

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    #4 Rae, Dec 21, 2010
    Yep, what they said. Welcome aboard, and take her in! It has been known to happen that some MINIs just aren't quite right from the start. I'd nicely ask the dealer to look into your issues and do some research on lemon laws in your state at the same time. Good luck and keep us posted!
     
  4. jiminni

    jiminni Well-Known Member

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    #5 jiminni, Dec 21, 2010
    Hi! Welcome to Minis and MA! :cornut: Sorry to hear about your troubles, but it will work out. You didn't say what year your fiancée's car is? Hope it's new and under warranty also. Me and my wife also both have Minis :arf:
     
  5. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    #6 Mr. Jim, Dec 21, 2010
    Welcome and Congrats! Follow the wisdom of th others :Thumbsup:
     
  6. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #7 Steve, Dec 21, 2010
    I understand your reluctance to take the car to the dealer re the transmission issue. Without a frame of reference you don't know whether you're wasting your time and don't want to look like a noob by complaining. However, it definitely sounds like you have a real problem. You don't want to end up stranded somewhere if it fails on you, esp. in the cold season.

    In addition to actually getting the problems looked into, it's important to get your concerns on record in MINI's system. That way, if the dealer can't replicate or says one thing or another is ok as it is and then it gets worse later, you can pull out your copy of the service report to point out that you did, indeed, bring it up when the problem was new.

    Good luck and please let us know what happens. If you have questions about what the dealer says or how he treats your issues, post them here as well.

    Welcome to M/A!
     
  7. Friskie

    Friskie Well-Known Member

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    #8 Friskie, Dec 21, 2010
    Be sure you are getting the clutch pedal clear to the floor when shifting and keep your foot away from the pedal at all other times and never rest your foot on the pedal. Some may disagree but I always take it out of gear at traffic stops and put my left foot flat on the deck until needed.
     
  8. Rae

    Rae Club Coordinator

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    #9 Rae, Dec 21, 2010
    We have that debate in my house J. says it's fine to leave the clutch fully engaged at a light. I was trained to take it out of gear. I've replaced 0 clutches, J. has replaced 3.
    Just sayin'
     
  9. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #10 Crashton, Dec 22, 2010
    +1 That is how I was taught by dear old Dad. MINI's have a not so robust throw out bearing. Leaving ones foot on the clutch at lights adds wear & stress on a marginal part.
     
  10. Rigby2011Cooper

    Rigby2011Cooper New Member

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    #11 Rigby2011Cooper, Dec 23, 2010
    Thank you for all of the great information. My fiance's MINI is a 2010 Cooper S Automatic and mine is a 2011 Cooper Manual. We both drove the cars off the lot brand new this year. We are having major issues with her vehicle, unfortunately. We brought the car back to the deal this week, and they sent it back home with us last night with a "could not replicate ... scans came back clean". Guess what happened on the way home ... uhhh it happened to us again. Well, needless to say, we are bringing it back in for a second go.

    I'm not having nearly as many problems with mine. I just would like to have them do a once over. I got a coupon for a free car wash/detail in the mail, so I am going to use the coupon and ask all of my questions when I am there for that. This way, it is nice and casual (especially since we are putting the service department through some hoops with my fiance's car). I'd like to continue to have a good relationship with our dealer, but it becomes difficult when you bring a car in and they can't duplicate your problems. Then when you have questions, they just start to give you the cold shoulder.

    Anyway, I am having a grand ol' time, driving as much as I can. It is such a breath of fresh air to have a car that I don't dread getting into. I used to hate driving, but I am beginning to love it! Once I get the answers I need, I'll be even more psyched.

    Thanks again for all of your replies. I look forward to sharing more.
     
  11. Rigby2011Cooper

    Rigby2011Cooper New Member

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    #12 Rigby2011Cooper, Dec 23, 2010
    Also, I will have to get some photos of our cars and post them up. Soon enough!!
     
  12. Friskie

    Friskie Well-Known Member

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    #13 Friskie, Dec 24, 2010
    One way to make that really work for you is to accidently forget one or two items at the supermarket. You may discover several routes to the bakery you never dreamed existed. I'm speaking metaphorically of course.
     
  13. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #14 Crashton, Dec 24, 2010
    Rigby not to take the dealers side too much, but an intermittent problem can be very hard to find. If it did not set a code & it didn't do it when the dealer had it, well that really does complicate things. I'm sure they will nail it down eventually. What does worry me is the cold shoulder they are showing you. That is absolutely unacceptable. As far as free dealer car washes go most dealers are not noted for their detailing skills. Make sure to ask about their skills & procedures before letting them touch your new MINI.

    Enjoy driving your new MINI's! :Thumbsup:
     
  14. jiminni

    jiminni Well-Known Member

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    #15 jiminni, Dec 24, 2010
    Getting the "cold shoulder" after buying 2 new Minis there? That's BS! I would personally talk with the manager about it. Hopefully everything will get fixed and you can enjoy both your cars :D