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I was wondering if any of you guys have had door sill rust issues, as well as dying window motors. My 04 MCS' driver side window is always lagging behind my passenger side window when being rolled up/down and i have also found rust beginning to appear beneath the door sill seals.
When I spoke with MINI Richmond about this, the guy who helped me out told me the windows/doors were considered wear and tear and wasn't covered by warranty.
So has anyone here had these issues, and how were the resolved?
I don't know about rust but the window motors have always been an issue. Velveteen MINI had both sides replaced, under warranty, several times. It was generally because they didn't drop upon opening or closing the door. Once it was because the window wouldn't go up, even with fiddling. I don't know if sluggish operation would qualify.
If the car is still under warranty, ask again about the window motor. And there should be a rust/perforation warranty still. In my mind there is no excuse for rust on a three year old car.
Last edited by velveteen_mini; 01-29-2008 at 03:45 PM.
i had the window motor go out on me 2 days before the warranty expired... i found out when i called... because when i called it was just out... i ended up with about 1k of parts, under warranty thankfully... but yes the window thing is a common issue, like velveteen_mini, mine is again windows not dropping down when opening the door
i have the door rust issue too... seems more associated with the older cars (02, 03s)... one of the local club members talked to a dealer and for our rust warranty, until it rusts through, it is not classified under that warranty
if you find out anything about the rust thing let me know, mine's a 10/02 build 03, my rust is very very surface at the moment
"...indeed the love that the horses of the Rangers bore for their riders was so great that they were willing to face even the terror of the Door, if their masters' hearts were steady..." --- J.R.R. Tolkien
so i called MINI canada and they also say the rust isn't covered unless it actually rusts through or whatnot and he also tried to tell me that it could be something i did to have caused the rust.
so i've printed out the TSB and i plan on bringing it in to the dealership tomorrow when i get my car worked on. I'll bring up the the windows issue again, i'm pretty sure it's a well documented issue and it's only a matter of time before it fails, hopefully i'll get some results.
I would argue that because the windows feature the automatic sliver up/down thing, that the car puts wear and tear on itself, and that you'll be really pissed that they aren't going to cover it under warranty considering there's no way to prevent that particular "wear and tear". It's not as if you ride around putting the windows up and down continuously! The rust is another thing. Partly the owners responsibility because the Mini accumulates water there (just look at the soap that pools there after you wash your car!) due to the seals being on the inside of the sill and not outside of the car. It's always important to either blow or vac away liquid from there, and to rinse it with the door open when you wash your car. I'd do this on any car, regardless of if it's covered under warranty it's a real pain in the arse if it gets rusted up, especially if there was a way you should have prevented it. Of course, if the car had a previous owner then we can curse them all we want ! (Damn you for curbing the wheels, previous owner of my car!)
Edit: I would second guess the guy at Mini Richmond, the dealer monkeys usually know nothing about the cars unless they are a manager or actually own one (and most don't own one). Get a second opinion at Mini Yaletown, they are very knowledgeable and have a good service staff. Talk to Chris, he's the manager there. Remember, it's a Mini so you can take it to any dealership! And there are also ways you can resolve the windows problem, sometimes through seals or re-greasing. I had this problem with an old BMW, it was just the window seals (along the bottom edge) getting hard due to age or whatnot, and causing more resistance on the window motors and eventually burning them out a little.
That's not wear and tear to me. 3 years? Obviously, there is a problem on the power window motor. Play hard on them persistently and they'll fix it or at least shoulder some of the expenses.
Keep pushing the dealership on the power steering. Velveteen MINI had issues and, just before running out of warranty, the dealership went through the whole car. They changed the steering rack and realized it wasn't the source of the problem (Vibration steering wheel and brake pedal). It was too expensive to remove so they left it and replace the power steering pump and something else, I don't remember what now. The pump and ? fixed the vibration. The rack fixed a clunking upon braking that they could never find.
I also complained about rust passenger door top hinge. My list was long and they fixed EVERYTHING under warranty. They also found a few things I hadn't complained about.
I had taken the car to the same dealership for everything, including extra oil changes. I had complained about items several times. Sorry to say but, if you want it fixed, you have to be a pest. It also helps to be loyal and for the dealership to know you are active in a club.
ROHERYN -- 2011 MCS SO/W -- 
