I took delivery of my Mini on 1June2005. So far, the only good thing to come from Tate so far, is the free floormats they threw in, and the DCMM meets there.

Even when I took delivery of the vehicle, there were some minor problems such as the side skirt moldings having white wax on them. They said 'Oh, we don't wax them, someone else does. We can give you the name of the shop and you can work with them'. I hate the run-around.

Anyhow, skipping other stuff to the most recent, I've not been able to get my Mini programmed. You know, the door unlock options, daytime running light settings, etc... I've been calling about every 2 weeks, and checking in at every DCMM meet, and they always say 'we don't have the software from Mini to program the new batch of 05's yet'. So I call again today, and they said they still don't know if they have it. :impatient

I have another problem tho... My airbag light popped on, which I found is a pretty common problem with 02's, but there are cases of a few other cars here doing it. Also mentioned here is that if there is any alarm in the airbag system, your airbags are disabled, and the owners manual says if this light comes on to get it to the dealership ASAP. Tate says they have no service openings "for Mini's" until the 28th. Thats fricken 3 weeks! I asked (brian) "I'm supposed to drive around with my airbags disabled for 3 weeks?", and his response was "Well, you can just drop it off with us and we'll get to it when we can, but no garantees". So I asked if I could get a loaner at least, and he said not until the 28th. :impatient So I asked one last thing "What if I take it to another dealership in the area?", and his response "They're just as booked as we are, nor does anyone else have the software yet". Lies. I know Towson has the software.

So I call Wayne @ Towson and he said he cannot honor Tate's IOU on the software programming, and that it would cost me $50, but that they do indeed have the software, and it would take 30 mins max. And as for the Airbag light, they can see me tomorrow morning. Which is good, because I'm off this week, and I still need my pre-race inspection for this weekend for Mini Mania 2.... And I'd hate for the airbag light to disqualify me.

So Towson seems to be extremely helpful, but they're about 80 minutes away, and Tate has given nothing but grief, and they're 15 minutes away.

Frustrating.

 

...not great - and honestly someone needs to complain to MINIusa about this. Their service writers are not enthusiasts nor are the techs - they have one dedicated MINI service advisor. Additionally, save for some of the sales team at Tate (i.e., Scott and Chris) no one is very in the know about MINI tech period. No one on the service side reads the forums and they don't seem to be up on their technology - i.e., the whole wiring harness thing for my rear-fog on early 05s they should've know that my car wasn't equipped with it from the factory.

Sterling was not great either when I took my 02 MCS there to have a bunch of warranty stuff fixed that they didn't fix anyway. Hopefully they're better now - but somehow I doubt it - when I had my oil changed at 5k the tech noted that I had oil all over the place from the last service. Sloppy sloppy sloppy.

What Tate and Sterling need to do - stop being a little redneck MINI/BMW dealer (Tate only) and take an active interest in the cars - recognize that they have a problem - and treat their customers as the equal of their BMW customers that buy a 3 through 7 series. If I continue to have weird service problems with either dealer I will simply buy my MINI from in this case Baltimore.

Kurt

 

I've tried to talk to the various service managers over the years at Tate about their crappy attitude. Their feeling is..."we don't care, we don't have to". The cars sell themselves, and then their service customers are captive, more or less.
All to no avail. You can try to write MINIUSA as I have, but they don't seem to care either. Good luck.

 

For your programming it's simple, and I'd bet that Tate will change their tune once you do this...

If they continue to say they don't have the software, ask them how come Towson does have it....

If that doesn't get them to resolve it, tell them to make arraingements with Towson so that THEY can program your car. Towson can do it but wants to charge you, but Tate should do it for free and supposedly can't. Tell Tate that they should re-imburse you for what Towson will charge you, either that or tell Tate to arrainge with Towson that they get the bill for doing this work on your car...

I would bet that Tate will all of a sudden be able to program your car...

 

Indeed. The service guy (brian) said he would call me back today when he finds out the status of their software programming abilities. I also told them that Towson had the software at the last DCMM breakfast before I went out of town, but 'they don't do service on Saturdays', followed by 'Well, if they have it, we should have it. Let me write down your name and I'll call you to let you know', but I never got a call back.

When Brian calls me back, I'll be sure and tell him that Towson is able to see me, and advised me that Tate should re-imburse me for Towsons fee because they are not affiliated with Tate (which Wayne @ Towson did indeed say). Having Tate arrange the billing with Towson might get them to program my car. Nice idea.

P.S. Did I mention I had to call service 4 times this morning in order to speak with someone in service at Tate?

 

It never happens! I'm still waiting to hear when they'll figure out the rear fog-light harness issue.

 

About 2 weeks after I got my car in May I had to make an appt to have the programming done. I've been @ BMW dealers where they just pull the little computer out and do it. There they say they need an appt and a WO (Work Order). And then they push the damn 5 point scale for service. "Anything less then a 5 is a failure" Well I almost always give them a 2. A 2 for trying to not be so pathedic. When you see those Hertz commercials and they show the pathedic car rental company thats Tate

I wanted my stupid JCW carbon fiber boot handle swapped out. They said if I want it installed I have to call and make an appt. So I said screw it. Call me when its in and I'll install it myself. Its been more then 2 weeks and haven't been called. I'm calling them

 

Yeah tate is a pain, i tried to have them fix my glove box latch because it keeps poping open, first they told me the glove box was locked, well my glove box does not lock!!! . Then they told me they couldnt replicate the problem. Then i wrote to MiniUsa and they called the dealer and spoke with them. And they told MiniUsa the same stuff.

 

My part is in and noone called me .
If I had known this I could of picked it up when I was in the area on Saturday.

 

Towson pushes the 5 point scale for sales and service like I should just bow down to them and give them a 5 no matter what. I really don't like that feeling of pressure they ooze for me to do it either. I do believe in such things as "perfect" scores when they are truly earned, but to just give somebody a top score because they ask for it and have done nothing to deserve it... BULL S$%&!

Treat us MINI owners well, treat our MINIs well, give us courtesy and respect, and maybe some swag and a discount and then they'll get that 5.

MTFBWY,
--Will

 

I don't even need Swag and discounts if the service is quick and friendly . Instead I get the run-around of BS

 

I agree. Towson does push you into giving them a 5. My MA was a nice guy, but was a 4 maybe not a 5. I tried to get Towson to throw in floor mats or something but they wouldn't budge.

 

Towson isn't the only dealership afflicted with the all 5 syndrome... Every MINI dealer I've ever dealt with does the same exact thing...

Heck I've been dealing with Manassas Chrysler for the past 2 and a half weeks (don't get me started on themmad::impatient) and even they pull the begging for 5's crap....

 

My SA pushed it before I even saw my ar after it was serviced. I mean how do you grade part of the scale without seeing the work that was supposed to be done

 

When I had my MINI in for 10k service at Sterling I asked them to reprogram the locks. They didn't bat an eye, pardon the pun, and they did not charge me for it. If it matters I bought the car in Las Vegas so I don't think it was preferential treatment on Sterling's part.

 

I got that crap from the dealer in Vegas. I was almost going to do it until the paperwork signing guy kept passing mine up for Bimmer papaerwork.

 

Chris Johnson the SA Manager @ TATE is gone. I went there on Friday, as scheduled for the past three weeks, and I found out that Chris not longer works there.. so there is no a MINI person but a BMW guy filling in, Zane Zaiser who at 7:30 in the morning was giving me this attitude about me waiting there instead of giving me a loaner.

After a dose of Marina he finally gave in and gave me a BMW X3, I hated the thing too big,... but at least I had transportation !!! I left my Little One for the following issues: 10K (although the car has only 8,300 miles), the boot that doensn't close well (3rd time), the A/C dripping on my feet, and the tire sensor not working properly.

In the afternoon I got the call the car was ready: "10K done, boot was not properly closed, tire sensor works OK and need to order a part for the A/C."

I went to pick up the car but before taking the keys I asked Zane to deflate one tire and together drive around the dealer lot and see if the tire sensor was coming on. I simply stated: I trust everybody and I trust no one !!" Sure enough after 15-20 minutes he shows up with a mechanic who MINI manual on hands, tells me that my Little One has a problem with the computer caused by the A/C leaking (BTW is leaking on the passanger sid like crazy.)
I told them about Saturday MiniMania2 and they assurred me that everything is fine and the car is safe to drive. I will take the car in as soon as the part comes in and leave it there to figure out what they have to do.

On top on all these problems, now my top doesn't close tight . Luckly I noticed this problem on Friday before leaving Tate.

MD STREGA2

 

You were lucky... In the past Sterling has charged non-customers (those who purchased from other dealers) for programming done after delivery.

 

Marina more people need a dose of you once in a while. Even me .

Actually I am glad Chris is gone but wish someone competent would replace him.

 

Chris is gone!? I was just there the other week when my car was in the shop for the broken clutch, and i had to deal with his a$$ and god was it a pain. Ive never had a problem with Zane, they need to get that guy Russ back that was there awhile ago.

 

Marina, that's what I always loved about you... I can TOTALLY picture the scene just from those few words...

I need to find a way to get you to come with me any time I have a customer service issue... you're as good as gold!

MANY HUGS!

 

My day at Towson, by Wagnbat:

Well, I woke a bit late this morning, because I am off this week, and told the wife to wake me up at her normal time. She didn't. Arg. Anyhow, got on the road by 8:45, which was a tad bit late for making my 9:30, but I called Wayne from the car and he was cool with it. I picked up my Dunkin Donuts Coffee en route, and waded through all the traffic up to Towson.

Got there about 10:20, and Wayne was availible, and took down all of my info, and set me up with Enterprise Rent-a-car for the day, because he said the wiring would take up to 3 hours with no problems, so I should take a renter just in case. So I did.

Summarized: I went and lurked @ white marsh mall & ikea, ripped at 12" gash in me pantellones, and had to go buy new ones. Went back to Towson about 6 hours later.

A tech had informed Wayne that the airbag light was caused by the wiring harness, which the wire for the 'Pac Swi-X mod' comes out of, was the fault, and it was possibly from the mod. Wayne said they'd take care of it this time, but if it happened again in the near future, it wouldn't be waranteed.

Someone asked if Towson was mod friendly? YES!

They did my pre-race inspection, repaired the faulty harness (clearing the airbag alarm), programmed my Mini (which Tate should have done) FREE OF CHARGE, and gave the Batmini a good run through the BMW courtesy wash!!!!
Mini of Towson, I wish I had bought my Mini from you.

My only quam was that the renter was a Dodge 1500 V-8, and I had to put $20 in to go to the mall and back. Other than that, 5's for Towson and Wayne! I'm going to send him a nice thank you!

Tate.

 

Last time I was there my car ended up looking like (expletive deleted).
There were big spots missed.

I think next time I go there I'm going to request my car not be washed. I could just wave my hands at it and it would come out cleaner.

 

Abracadabra 1-2-3!


Clover

 

WagnBat you may have convinced me to skip Tate() and go to Towson.

Man I love that Smiley