Was wondering if anyone had run into this problem.

So I finally placed my MINI order last week with my local dealer after taking a test drive previously (great car BTW!). Since the dealer is about 25 miles away he asked me to send him the configuration I wanted by using the MINI "send to a friend link". After sending him the configuration, we reviewed the order over the phone and everything seemed ok (or so I thought).

After the SA submitted the order I waited for the production number. Once I received it I logged onto the Owners Lounge to track and review all the details. This is when I noticed something was wrong. The wheels I had originally specified where not the ones on the order!

I had the 15" 7-hole wheels on my configuration; the order submitted has the "5-Star rocket" type wheels (which I am not particularly fond of).

I immediately contacted my SA. He simply stated that he would "check into that" - that was two days ago. I emailed him again today with no response.

My question is this, am I stuck with these wheels I did not want?

Can I force them to change them to my original “7-Hole” wheels?

Thanks!

 

yes or tell him you will cancel there are plenty of dealer how will bite your arm off for an order

 

I dont know if this is true in your case or not but here goes.

When you order a car, your order is not made up from scratch. Your specs are used to modify a car that was already on order for the dealership. They look down their list (that spreadsheet looking list) and find a car that most closely matches yours that hasn't gone to production yet. Then they submit an order change to make it to your specifications.

When you log into the site and use the order number, you will probably see the original configuration when it was on order for the lot. It takes MINI a couple days to reconfigure your the order. My MA warned me not to freak out. My car was completely different for the first few days, wrong color, not S, etc.

Its also possible that your MA screwed the order. I would follow up with the MA but also keep checking the site incase this is the case.

 

nejhad, welcome to the MINI family!

gonzo is right. When I ordered, my MA warned me that the Owners Lounge is slow to update and would not show the correct spec for a few days. I'd say it was about 4-5 days before it showed the correct information. Mine actually had a completely different color - nothing was right on the money! But, just like he said, after a few days it changed, and in the end I got just what I ordered.

The OL is slow to update through the entire process, so your best bet for current info is either your MA or to call 1-866-ASK-MINI for either a automated recording (a little more accurate than OL) or talk to a person for the most up to date info (usually).

 

I'd check with 1-866-ASK-MINI before getting too worried. If they show the wrong wheels, you can have the dealer put something in writing stating that they will swap out when the car arrives, or just cancel and start again.
Annette

 

Thank you all for the great info!

I called ASK-MINI and they confirmed that the wheels are the "rocket" ones.

I have left emails and a vm with my MA and have received no response so far.

When I called ASK-MINI they said it's possible the dealer will swap the wheels once the vehicle arrives at the dealer.

I feel I should have some guarantee from the dealer to honor my original configuration. Something in writing would be nice.

Worse comes to worse I guess I can tell them to cancel the order. The current status is "scheduled for production" with a completion date of Oct. 20th according to ASK-MINI.

Is it too late to cancel at this point?

Thanks!

 

Why don't you go there in person? It's only 25 miles. Our dealer was 65 miles, and some folks buy from farther than that.

Never, ever rely on e-mail with any MA. If they remember to check their e-mail, it's at the end of the day. 99% of their business is in person or on the phone.

If everything about the car is correct but the wheels, I wouldn't worry about it, that can be so easily fixed at the dealer. If you cancel, you will wind up with an 07, or a longer wait.

 

Gromit,

I will take your advice and take a trip to the dealer on Monday.

I don't feel they would want to lose an order over a set of wheels.

 

Remember, they won't lose a single thing. That car will still come in, and it will still be sold to someone. No doubt about that. Mini dealers can't keep enough cars in stock to meet demand.

I have faith that they will want to make you happy though, and at the least, swap the wheels at the dealer, if they don't get it done at the factory or the VDC.

 

Yeah I sure hope so!

Anyone have any experience (Good or Bad) with New Country MINI in Hartford, CT?

 

They didn't give you a printout of your order when you put down your deposit?

 

Yes, they did. All my options are there except the wheels. I did not notice the error until I looked in the owner’s forum.

I have not had a chance to make it to the dealer this week. I will try tomorrow. I hope they will work something out.

 

At this point my bigger concern would be a MA (ie representative of the dealership) that didn't bother to follow up. Hopefully it's not a sign of the type of overall service they provide.

 

Yes, I feel the same way. He had been really responsive until I mentioned the wheel problem.

This week has been busy so far for me. No chance to make it to the dealer. I will try this weekend at the latest. I want to have this resolved.

 

UPDATE: I went to the MINI dealer and spoke to my MA. He said he had spoken to the manager and that they would swap out the wheels when the vehicle arrived at the dealer in a few weeks.

He did also mention that the 7-hole wheels no longer come with all-season tires starting in 2006. The rocket ones do. I wonder why MINI would not offer all-seasons with the 7-holes this year. Doesn’t make any sense to me.

 

Can I ask what dealer you are purchasing from? I know that my dealer and MA were awesome and even the service after the sale has been incredible. Hopefully this is the only hiccup that you will have with your order and experience

 

New Country MINI in Hartford, CT.

I will report here what the final outcome is. I'm hoping they stay true to their word.

 

Good luck! Hope you get what you want... if not, the dealer should be able to swap out for you. If still not, there are plenty of wheel/tire swaps that go on in the Marketplace section!

 

It's true... 7 holes now only come with performance tires from the factory. The factory needs to simplify what they offer. Not sure why they chose the 7 holes for performance, but they did. The rocket wheels are the only ones that come with all seasons