F55/F56 Week 27 build -- this is your status thread!
#576
What's actually going to happen to the cars that are already built and here at the ports? Are they going to be tested or run in any way? Or re-tuned or re-flashed?
What I especially don't want is some kind of modification that negatively impacts power or drivability - even if the mpg numbers are somewhat improved.
And what's the big secret? Why doesn't Mini clearly explain what happened and what's going to be done about it?
What I especially don't want is some kind of modification that negatively impacts power or drivability - even if the mpg numbers are somewhat improved.
And what's the big secret? Why doesn't Mini clearly explain what happened and what's going to be done about it?
#577
The testing this "EPA hold" will require is 3 cars ,is what I have read and I dont believe they are going to use the ones that have been ordered by customers and then expect us to consider this a new car. These would be Test cars that would be sold as such IMO.
I dont see any reason the Minis will need a reflash or any modification. There is no problem with the cars. The only question I have heard centers around what is the EPA sticker going to list as the MPG
I dont see any reason the Minis will need a reflash or any modification. There is no problem with the cars. The only question I have heard centers around what is the EPA sticker going to list as the MPG
Last edited by BRP27; 08-12-2014 at 02:42 PM. Reason: ADD mpg
#578
Which MINI did you order? My 2015 MCS is:
Engine: B46M - 2,00l (141kW)
per the BMW VIN-Decoder.
I spoke to my MA again about all this and he is either very optimistic that "this will get resolved soon" or he is stringing me along so I don't walk. It's hard to tell which. He claimed that any car company in this position would hurt the economy to a small degree so the government testing will surely be sped along. I think if it was a US company that may be more of the case but we are talking about our government who blew a billion dollars on camouflage clothing which didn't hide the soldiers.
These aren't rocket scientists or Rhode scholars, they are bureaucrats. Nothing will move on this until these big fish of little ponds say so.
I'm not being anti-government, just keeping a realistic perspective.
Engine: B46M - 2,00l (141kW)
per the BMW VIN-Decoder.
I spoke to my MA again about all this and he is either very optimistic that "this will get resolved soon" or he is stringing me along so I don't walk. It's hard to tell which. He claimed that any car company in this position would hurt the economy to a small degree so the government testing will surely be sped along. I think if it was a US company that may be more of the case but we are talking about our government who blew a billion dollars on camouflage clothing which didn't hide the soldiers.
These aren't rocket scientists or Rhode scholars, they are bureaucrats. Nothing will move on this until these big fish of little ponds say so.
I'm not being anti-government, just keeping a realistic perspective.
for those of you that have already sold your cars and are car-less because of this delay: get in touch with Mini USA and/or your dealership!!
i sent a polite email saying how we were buying a car for my wife because i don't trust the reliability of her current car which she uses all-day, everyday for her job. They were both very understanding and we will be picking up a dealer loaner car that she will drive until her Mini arrives. I didn't have to be mean or even persistent. heck, they suggested it before i did.
i sent a polite email saying how we were buying a car for my wife because i don't trust the reliability of her current car which she uses all-day, everyday for her job. They were both very understanding and we will be picking up a dealer loaner car that she will drive until her Mini arrives. I didn't have to be mean or even persistent. heck, they suggested it before i did.
We are new to the Mini brand and had a positive experience early on, but this issue has turned me completely negative to the brand and the way they are treating us. My wife isn't there yet but she is very frustrated. Maybe in another week she will give up too.
#579
Where did you get your information from re: the August 25th test start date? I spoke to MINI USA, worthless as they are, and was told the test would be complete by then, not just beginning....??? I continue to question my MA, but only get a-lot of useless B.S.
#580
We did get in touch with Mini USA senior managers listed earlier in this thread. They did write back and said they would call but that was about a week ago and no call. The dealer offered to sell us a 2014 but obviously that is not what we wanted. This is my wife's car and she is trying to be patient, but I'm getting increasingly frustrated by being strung along with no information at all. Meanwhile our new car that we paid MSRP (-$250) is sitting at the VDC with the Sun beating on it, sea spray on it, engine oil going bad, interior material aging in the Sun, the battery going dead... if it were me I'd cancel the order and order a new one in a month or so. Mini has offered us no reason why we should accept this car. If we're going to wait until Oct anyway why not get a Sept build car that won't have sat idle for 2 months in the sun and heat? We are new to the Mini brand and had a positive experience early on, but this issue has turned me completely negative to the brand and the way they are treating us. My wife isn't there yet but she is very frustrated. Maybe in another week she will give up too.
#581
Meanwhile our new car that we paid MSRP (-$250) is sitting at the VDC with the Sun beating on it, sea spray on it, engine oil going bad, interior material aging in the Sun, the battery going dead... if it were me I'd cancel the order and order a new one in a month or so. Mini has offered us no reason why we should accept this car. If we're going to wait until Oct anyway why not get a Sept build car that won't have sat idle for 2 months in the sun and heat?
But if you are that unhappy, cancel.
I'm not thrilled about the delay, but in terms of life's problems, it's gnat sized.
#582
I just had a representative from BMW/Mini call me. He was just making sure that we got the loaner car as planned, which we did.
I asked him about the status of the situation and got the same October 1 that we've heard a hundred times already. Just making sure there weren't any changes or unexpected delays.
Then he asked if there was anything else he could do, so I asked if Mini would be doing to appease the rest of the upset customers, including myself of course. I asked if I would be compensated in some way for my troubles
what the heck, why not? maybe they'll give me a couple hundred bucks off or some free accessories or something. I'll keep you guys updated, he said he'd look into it.
I asked him about the status of the situation and got the same October 1 that we've heard a hundred times already. Just making sure there weren't any changes or unexpected delays.
Then he asked if there was anything else he could do, so I asked if Mini would be doing to appease the rest of the upset customers, including myself of course. I asked if I would be compensated in some way for my troubles
what the heck, why not? maybe they'll give me a couple hundred bucks off or some free accessories or something. I'll keep you guys updated, he said he'd look into it.
#584
You would never intentionally store your car for 2 months outside like this. seals can dry out, the oil should be replaced, the battery will certainly be dead, it is near the coast and moisture can accumulate in places you really don't want it to. Like I said, it is my wife's car and she seems to be attached to it already. If it were me and Mini was doing nothing while all this was happening, I would cancel and maybe never come back. This is the first new car my wife has ever bought, so it is not a gnat sized event. Knowing that the car she is about to pay more for than anything she has ever bought in her life is not going to be 'perfect' when she gets it and Mini doesn't seem to care about it is frustrating beyond words.
#585
This was posted earlier in this thread and someone from Mini was the source.
You would never intentionally store your car for 2 months outside like this. seals can dry out, the oil should be replaced, the battery will certainly be dead, it is near the coast and moisture can accumulate in places you really don't want it to. Like I said, it is my wife's car and she seems to be attached to it already. If it were me and Mini was doing nothing while all this was happening, I would cancel and maybe never come back. This is the first new car my wife has ever bought, so it is not a gnat sized event. Knowing that the car she is about to pay more for than anything she has ever bought in her life is not going to be 'perfect' when she gets it and Mini doesn't seem to care about it is frustrating beyond words.
You would never intentionally store your car for 2 months outside like this. seals can dry out, the oil should be replaced, the battery will certainly be dead, it is near the coast and moisture can accumulate in places you really don't want it to. Like I said, it is my wife's car and she seems to be attached to it already. If it were me and Mini was doing nothing while all this was happening, I would cancel and maybe never come back. This is the first new car my wife has ever bought, so it is not a gnat sized event. Knowing that the car she is about to pay more for than anything she has ever bought in her life is not going to be 'perfect' when she gets it and Mini doesn't seem to care about it is frustrating beyond words.
#586
This was posted earlier in this thread and someone from Mini was the source.
We did, he said he would contact us but has not after 11 days.
You would never intentionally store your car for 2 months outside like this. seals can dry out, the oil should be replaced, the battery will certainly be dead, it is near the coast and moisture can accumulate in places you really don't want it to. Like I said, it is my wife's car and she seems to be attached to it already. If it were me and Mini was doing nothing while all this was happening, I would cancel and maybe never come back. This is the first new car my wife has ever bought, so it is not a gnat sized event. Knowing that the car she is about to pay more for than anything she has ever bought in her life is not going to be 'perfect' when she gets it and Mini doesn't seem to care about it is frustrating beyond words.
We did, he said he would contact us but has not after 11 days.
You would never intentionally store your car for 2 months outside like this. seals can dry out, the oil should be replaced, the battery will certainly be dead, it is near the coast and moisture can accumulate in places you really don't want it to. Like I said, it is my wife's car and she seems to be attached to it already. If it were me and Mini was doing nothing while all this was happening, I would cancel and maybe never come back. This is the first new car my wife has ever bought, so it is not a gnat sized event. Knowing that the car she is about to pay more for than anything she has ever bought in her life is not going to be 'perfect' when she gets it and Mini doesn't seem to care about it is frustrating beyond words.
Damn you and your wifey are picky. I thought i was picky lol.
But anyways, I am famous with all my mishaps with my brand new F56 on this forum already.
My dealership where i purchased the car, wouldnt offer me any sort of help / assistance with any of my problems i have asked upon them.
To which the mis aligned hood i have, messed up bolts and nuts under the hood from the realiging of my hood.
They pretty much told me, u have bad luck and got a $h!!ttier Mini.
I work for Volkswagen which is right next door to where i bought my Mini Cooper. There are 3 Mini Dealers in Houston, the other 2 is about an hour or more drive to get to.
Working 6 days a week from 6am-6pm, i have no time to bring my car to other dealers to get help.
Now besides the hood issue. My interior pillar piece on the driver side is unclip and will not stay in place.
Im debating if i should take a day off just to bring it to a different dealer to seek help.
Honestly I like the car very much, but the dealer service is JUNK
#587
I have seen some of the cars at my dealer lot before they are on the front lot and they have a lot of contact paper ( don't if that is what is called) on the car to protect the car during shipping. Rocket_man I would call them back and tell them you are very disappoint that they have not called you back yet I have do this a lot in my business if there is something I want. It your choice but in today society you can not sit back and wait for them. You can be mad and upset and do nothing and even cancel the order but it seems like your wife really wants this car.
#588
Your car will still look like a brand new car when you get it. Sitting for two months is not going to ruin and it and the oil does not go bad after that short of a time period.
As others have said, if the wait bothers you cancel your car or figure out what it'd take to make it up to you and make a proposal to Mini USA.
As others have said, if the wait bothers you cancel your car or figure out what it'd take to make it up to you and make a proposal to Mini USA.
#589
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
Posts: 4,743
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As for oil, it's not being used, so I see no problem at all. When you get your car, run it for 1000 miles, then change the oil--I'll be doing that to mine. And would have done that even if it didn't have to sit. The battery might be down, but since that's a service/warranty issue, I wouldn't worry about it. I got 7 years out of the original battery, and it would have been okay for longer, but I chose not to tempt fate through the winter.
The cars are shipped with a coating. I don't know if it's still called Cosmoline, or if it has another name--it's waxy. That should be enough protection from bird poop.
I'm not really worried about the car sitting there. I AM worried about getting it in time for MINIs In The Ozarks (Oct 23-26), and I want to get my graphics before then if at all possible. The shop is working on the design now, and will be ready to spring as soon as the car has been sprung.
#590
#591
i'm sure BMW/Mini realizes that customers will not take delivery if they try giving them cars with bird poop baked into the paint. i do not know how they will handle this, but i am confident that my new car will look like a new car when it finally shows up.
if it doesn't, i won't buy it and you can bet i'll throw a tantrum over it! :p
if it doesn't, i won't buy it and you can bet i'll throw a tantrum over it! :p
#592
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
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And as a few others have said, a new car is a new car. If it doesn't look like that when it gets to the dealer, kill the sale. I'm not worried. Irritated, yes.
#593
EPA reponse
I asked the EPA via a email when we can expect our minis to be released from import jail using the email address provided in this thread. I just got this response
Imports
9:06 AM (38 minutes ago)
to me
As background information, before a vehicle can be introduced into commerce in the U.S., it must receive a Certificate of Conformity (certificate) from the EPA which certifies that the vehicle meets all applicable emissions and fuel economy regulations. All manufacturers must submit an Application for Certification (application) to the EPA in order to receive a certificate. The reason that this model of BMW is being held at the port is because EPA has not received BMW’s completed application for this particular model, and therefore it is illegal for that vehicle to be released to customers if it does not have a certificate. Because we have not yet received the application, we cannot commit to a specific time frame as to when the certificate will be issued.
It is also important to note that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and other government agencies have their own regulations that may apply to this importation. While the vehicle may be legally introduced into commerce from EPA’s perspective once the certificate is issued, there may be other requirements beyond EPA’s purview that need to be met before the vehicle can be released.
David C. Hurlin
EPA Imports Line
Exemptions & Exclusions
Managed by Jacobs, Contractor
Phone: (734) 214-4098 or 4100
Fax: (734) 214-4676
So the EPA says they are not the hold up, BMW is the hold up. I provided my MA with a copy of this email from the EPA
Imports
9:06 AM (38 minutes ago)
to me
As background information, before a vehicle can be introduced into commerce in the U.S., it must receive a Certificate of Conformity (certificate) from the EPA which certifies that the vehicle meets all applicable emissions and fuel economy regulations. All manufacturers must submit an Application for Certification (application) to the EPA in order to receive a certificate. The reason that this model of BMW is being held at the port is because EPA has not received BMW’s completed application for this particular model, and therefore it is illegal for that vehicle to be released to customers if it does not have a certificate. Because we have not yet received the application, we cannot commit to a specific time frame as to when the certificate will be issued.
It is also important to note that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and other government agencies have their own regulations that may apply to this importation. While the vehicle may be legally introduced into commerce from EPA’s perspective once the certificate is issued, there may be other requirements beyond EPA’s purview that need to be met before the vehicle can be released.
David C. Hurlin
EPA Imports Line
Exemptions & Exclusions
Managed by Jacobs, Contractor
Phone: (734) 214-4098 or 4100
Fax: (734) 214-4676
So the EPA says they are not the hold up, BMW is the hold up. I provided my MA with a copy of this email from the EPA
Last edited by BRP27; 08-18-2014 at 08:08 AM. Reason: add that I contacted my MA
#594
#595
There has got to be more to the story than that EPA letter. Does anybody think BMW hasn't gotten around to filling out the application yet? I can understand them screwing up and neglecting to do someone once which caused this but to lose millions in sales and still not correct the problem is unlikely. It's not quite so simple as that letter would indicate.
#596
#597
I asked the EPA via a email when we can expect our minis to be released from import jail using the email address provided in this thread. I just got this response
Imports
9:06 AM (38 minutes ago)
to me
As background information, before a vehicle can be introduced into commerce in the U.S., it must receive a Certificate of Conformity (certificate) from the EPA which certifies that the vehicle meets all applicable emissions and fuel economy regulations. All manufacturers must submit an Application for Certification (application) to the EPA in order to receive a certificate. The reason that this model of BMW is being held at the port is because EPA has not received BMW’s completed application for this particular model, and therefore it is illegal for that vehicle to be released to customers if it does not have a certificate. Because we have not yet received the application, we cannot commit to a specific time frame as to when the certificate will be issued.
It is also important to note that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and other government agencies have their own regulations that may apply to this importation. While the vehicle may be legally introduced into commerce from EPA’s perspective once the certificate is issued, there may be other requirements beyond EPA’s purview that need to be met before the vehicle can be released.
David C. Hurlin
EPA Imports Line
Exemptions & Exclusions
Managed by Jacobs, Contractor
Phone: (734) 214-4098 or 4100
Fax: (734) 214-4676
So the EPA says they are not the hold up, BMW is the hold up. I provided my MA with a copy of this email from the EPA
Imports
9:06 AM (38 minutes ago)
to me
As background information, before a vehicle can be introduced into commerce in the U.S., it must receive a Certificate of Conformity (certificate) from the EPA which certifies that the vehicle meets all applicable emissions and fuel economy regulations. All manufacturers must submit an Application for Certification (application) to the EPA in order to receive a certificate. The reason that this model of BMW is being held at the port is because EPA has not received BMW’s completed application for this particular model, and therefore it is illegal for that vehicle to be released to customers if it does not have a certificate. Because we have not yet received the application, we cannot commit to a specific time frame as to when the certificate will be issued.
It is also important to note that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and other government agencies have their own regulations that may apply to this importation. While the vehicle may be legally introduced into commerce from EPA’s perspective once the certificate is issued, there may be other requirements beyond EPA’s purview that need to be met before the vehicle can be released.
David C. Hurlin
EPA Imports Line
Exemptions & Exclusions
Managed by Jacobs, Contractor
Phone: (734) 214-4098 or 4100
Fax: (734) 214-4676
So the EPA says they are not the hold up, BMW is the hold up. I provided my MA with a copy of this email from the EPA
I don't suspect that all of our inquires hurt, but from the response it's not necessarily going to help either.
All we can hope for is that when BMW gets their paperwork submitted that the EPA wheels can move at turbo speed to approve said input.
I am writing a reply to the EPA guy thanking him for the replay, and telling him we would all be grateful for expeditious processing once BMW submits their paperwork. We'll see if I get a second reply at that point.
Last edited by aafflyer; 08-18-2014 at 10:11 AM. Reason: Rockets21 suggested the EPA feedback website
#598
David C. Hurlin
EPA Imports Line
Exemptions & Exclusions
Managed by Jacobs, Contractor
Phone: (734) 214-4098 or 4100
Fax: (734) 214-4676
EPA Imports Line
Exemptions & Exclusions
Managed by Jacobs, Contractor
Phone: (734) 214-4098 or 4100
Fax: (734) 214-4676
Here's an post from two years ago http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...ll=1#post39023
Same guy, David Hurlin, but was managed by a different company at the time (Managed by URS, Federal Services, http://www.urs.com/markets/federal/) - our government bureaucracy at work
#599
So it's interesting that the EPA doesn't even manage this, but contracts it out.
Here's an post from two years ago http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...ll=1#post39023
Same guy, David Hurlin, but was managed by a different company at the time (Managed by URS, Federal Services, http://www.urs.com/markets/federal/) - our government bureaucracy at work
Here's an post from two years ago http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...ll=1#post39023
Same guy, David Hurlin, but was managed by a different company at the time (Managed by URS, Federal Services, http://www.urs.com/markets/federal/) - our government bureaucracy at work
David C. Hurlin
EPA Imports Line
Compliance & Innovative Strategies Division
Light Duty Vehicle Programs
Imports Group
Managed by EG&G Technical Services
Phone: (734) 214-4100
Fax: (734) 214-4676
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Wow, this same guy keeps running the program, but gets hired by different companies as the EPA contracts this out to someone else. Sure feels like we are all getting our tax dollars well spent ...