It's beginning to look like that Zaino treatment is never going to happen. The new tranny is (errr....WAS) in. They took her out yesterday for a test drive and she's making all sorts of noises when they depress the clutch. The regional tech guy happened to be there and he drove her this morning and has since told them to pull the new tranny and start over.

I'm really regretting all the custom stuff I did. Otherwise, I could tell them to keep it and go get something else. I wonder if I can buy back my old car?

 

That really stinks girl... Maybe they just didn't connect something right? That would be nice if it was only that. I hope she can get fixed or refixed again!

 

Just heard from the dealership....and I'm just plain giddy! The new transmission? It's bad too!!! Woo-hoo! Back to the waiting game of waiting for Puma/MINI to respond about another new tranny.

 

Wow, sorry to hear about your problems GBMG. Mary looks so good, it sucks that she's not as mechanically sound as she should be. Hopefully your 3rd tranny will be perfect.

 

Just got the call, they're replacing the clutch too. So, if you're keeping score, that's MINI 3, Kris 0

2 a/c compressors
3 trannies
2 clutches

Hopefully will get her back next Monday.

 

Wow, maybe Mary passed through the Twilight Zone production line!

I hope this is the last of the troubles.

 

Wow Kris, I hate that you are going through so much trouble. Have they kept you in a loaner car the whole time? Are they going to do anything else for you because of all the trouble you have had? I would really hope so. At Flow MINI they give "MINI bucks" if you bring in a buying customer, $100 in accessories or parts, maybe they'll do something like that...

Drew

 

Wow GBMiniGirl, that must be sooo frustrating. I hope things get resolved to your satisfaction.

I wonder how many of these problems are assembly-related and how many stem from shoddy manufacturing. So far there's been a couple of us with what I think can safely be termed a major problem. It begs the question if this is normal in the auto industry, and we only notice it because an unusually high number of us read & post here, or if our PW just had a few "issues."

But anyway, I hope that you get set up with solid and reliable replacement parts soon and that this is the end of your troubles.

- James

 

I really don't know what to do it this one doesn't fix it. I'm still in a loaner, so I can't really complain. Yeah, I could do the lemon law thing, but then what? Do I get an 07 with a transmission from the same manufacturer? Will they be willing to replicate all the custom stuff I've done? Or, should I get something different all together and what would it be? Guess I'll find out Monday.

I'm beginning to wonder if there is some sort of labour dispute going on over there at either MINI or Getrag.

Drew: I've sent so many customers their way, etc and they haven't done anything for me yet, so why start now?

 

Kris, I have always had your kind of luck. I've always been a huge car nut, and my cars have always been my hobby, my $ pit, etc. But I have also been very unlucky with my cars at times.

My 79 Chevy truck with 49k miles (in '99) had the motor lock up while sitting at a stop light in heavy traffic.
My '88 S-10 had a faulty intake manifold gasket and overheated with 50k miles on it ('00) resulting in a new engine.
'92 Prelude had a wheel fall off while I was driving 50MPH (long story, used to street race, sore loser got revenge, I never raced again), After $2,500 out of pocket for repairs the transmission and clutch went out.
01 Eclipse was in the shop more than it was out of it....
Knock on wood, my Blazer never caused me any problems, but we'll have to wait and see about the MINI.

I hate seeing someone who is such an enthusiast having to go through this type of situation. You are going through an amplified version of my past... you love the cars, they just haven't loved back... Good luck!

Drew

 

I had a 1988 Bertone x1/9 that was much the same way. I loved that car. I mean LOVED! But, it never ran. It leaked when it rained (windows didn't go all the way up). Everything I know about cars now is because I had to fix it on that one. If it didn't have it, I don't know what it is or how to fix it. I'm still looking for it, cuz I want it back. I traded it in for a 92 Eclipse because a new car payment was cheaper than my mechanic's bills. I went out to the parking lot to say goodbye and bawled my eyes out. (never had any problems with my Eclipse, btw)

I guess it's just as James May from Top Gear said, "Never drive your dream car."

 

So true, so true...

Drew

 

Wow Kris. I would be twisted up in knots going through all that. Something will give. Hopefully there's GOOD KARMA bonus in the works for you!

Maybe this will bring some bling to your day...and to all of the PW27SG family.

I FINALLY got Jake in for his new boots and MUCH MORE! You all may recall my boot/bonnet stripe dilemma/decision, etc. Especially since I had to have the boot repainted and then WAIT to have this done.

In the meantime, I was able to get great input (esp. from Mike of Aestheticreations.net). It's pretty cool having a MINI graphics icon in your city! Anyway, I came up with a custom stripe design, spent a good part of the day with Mike working it all out and here is the result!

If all goes as discussed, these stripes will be available at aestheticreations.net and will be called: JAKE'S STRIPES! No kidding!

Whadaya say peeps of PW27SG?

 

Scha-weet! I like those a LOT!

Also, I really like your driveway stones!

 

Can you take the carnage or is it just too scary?

 

Holy Moley! My car's ready! I called to ask if maybe Monday or Tuesday and they said today! Wow. I'm.....just.....stunned!

 

[quote=GBMiniGirl]Scha-weet! I like those a LOT!

Also, I really like your driveway stones![/quote]


Thanks! That's a great compliment coming from an experienced MINI designer/modder/racer such as you!

The driveway is quite popular (second to Jake)! They're called tumbled pavers. They really create a nice feel and look...esp. with a house built in 1930.

 

I wish I had a house with character that I could use cool paving stones with!

Well, got Mary back and so far, so good! I did get that knotchy-hard to get into first gear feeling a few times. I guess time will tell. In the meantime, she's gettin some good luvin (the dealership did clean her up for me tho...even dressed the tires!).

There was a brand new, right off the truck GP in the parking lot. NIIIIIIIIIICE! Oh, if they just had back seats....yes, I know that's the point, but hey! I got kids...whatcho gonna do?

 

Clayton, those stripes look awesome!! They fit in with all of the chrome. Very nice How cool is it that we have cars we can customize like this? I love it!

 

Thanks Chad! I didn't realize I had a kind of a built-in theme with the black and chrome but I REALLY LIKE IT. After looking at the pics again, I wish I could show it in real life. The chrome does some really cool things (the way it reflects light, other colors, etc).

And it is a TON OF FUN! I never knew I have so much fun motoring, modding, washing...you-name-it...with a car. I can't imagine ever NOT having a MINI.

 

Clayton-
Nice bling-bling! Must add at least 4-5 hp, I think!

GBMINIGIRL-
Wow, I'm so sorry you've had so many tranny-bulations! I hope you've got all your bad clutch-karma behind you and it's smooth motoring from here out. FWIW- my 1st gear is a little sticky when it's cold, but gets better once its warmed up - I hope that's normal and that's all you're seeing.


Speaking of clutches, I don't know about you folks, but even though I've had several manual drive cars before, I've had a real hard time getting used to my mini's clutch - mainly in starting when I'm on an incline. About a month after getting my mini, I had a real traumatic experience which I'm only now able to share: On my route home from work, there's a long, steep (~10 % incline) hill with a stop sign right at the top. Usually it's not bad, but one Friday evening, there was a charity walk for breast cancer going on that had a steady stream of women walking up the hill and then crossing the intersection. This resulted in the traffic getting backed up all the way to the bottom of the hill. Not being used to my clutch, I managed to kill the engine not once, not twice, but three times going up the hill. This with a steady stream of women walking past, looking at me like I was an frakkin' idiot. To make matters worse, after killing the engine the second time, I got flustered and managed to throw it into reverse (instead of first), and almost front-ended the car behind me! I managed to get to the top without any lasting physical damage, but ever since, when I get stopped on an incline, and someone pulls up right behind me, I get the sweats and can't seem to get started smoothly. I'm getting better at it, and most of the time I opt for spinning the tires rather than killing the engine, but it's still a real embarassing condition.

 

I am very thankful that Houston is flat!!! Try using your ebrake next time, that might help.

 

tethernaut - I admit, I was pretty nervous on inclines in the beginning with my MINI. I agree, try the ebrake. Keep it on while you do the normal acceleration from a stop, when you feel the car "lower" a bit, remove the ebrake while still continuing to accelerate... works like a charm. Good luck... don't feel discouraged, I felt the same way for awhile.

 

Yesterday, I took Mary over to my husband's shop to get a strut tower brace/bar put on and to get my Remus exhaust adjusted since it was rattling a bit. We put it on the lift and up she goes. And to what to our wondering eyes appear? A whole lot of power steering fluid everywhere! We are lighting candles and praying to the MINI gods that the techs were just really sloppy when they put the 3rd tranny in. But, there were what looked like fresh drips. We've cleaned off what liquid we could find and will lift it up Tuesday to see if there is more. If there is, she's getting traded in on a GP.

 

Kris...that is UNBELIEVABLE. I'll light some candles, too! Jake and I will be sending good MINI energy your and Mary's way.