STABBED IN THE BACK BY MINIUSA!!!
MiniUSA has a contingency program where you can win money if you have a podium finish(3rd or better) at SCCA National Tours, Prosolo's or the National Championship in any year Mini, new and old. Anyway, I placed 2nd at the National Championship this year and submitted for a contingency check from BMW/Mini to the Mini USA Motorsports program. The very program that said I would have no issue with my warranty. Well, the program administrator is the one that emailed my dealer as proof that I used my Mini for autox as justification to mess with my normally functioning warranty. As of this date, there is nothing in the contingency program page that states anything about a warranty being affected by autox useage. I'm very disappointed by their actions to say the least.
I think you have your answer...
I don't think the Mini Challenge cars will do that well, too expensive, and to few "certified" dealers, and too large a country for a small race series to succeed. To bad.... But fwiw, the 1995 Mustang Cobra R models were sold for racing with no warranty at all!
Matt
Might work if they ran it like the Miata Spec SCCA series.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Trabuco Canyon, CA
I'm wondering if Russ Swift has warrenty issues with MINI? He's so well known for what he does in/to MINIs, and really promotes the brand! Could you contact his company and see what they think? Perhaps they have other connections to BMW?
Good luck!
Good luck!
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
I am sorry to hear the position they have put you in :(
I'm also sorry to say I don't find it too surprising though - BMW has really been stepping up reasons not to cover things under warranty without even looking into the problems. I don't know if it is an attitude that comes from the parent company or the dealers are are trying to weed out what warranty work they want to deal with or any other reason dealer service can seem to be looking for scapegoat reasons to avoid diagnosing the reason or making certain types of repairs.
Best of luck
I'm also sorry to say I don't find it too surprising though - BMW has really been stepping up reasons not to cover things under warranty without even looking into the problems. I don't know if it is an attitude that comes from the parent company or the dealers are are trying to weed out what warranty work they want to deal with or any other reason dealer service can seem to be looking for scapegoat reasons to avoid diagnosing the reason or making certain types of repairs.
Best of luck
For most folks running a HPDE or a track day really won't effect you. If you do well & apply for your contingency money, well you may be screwed too.
IMO most manufacturers are going to behave this way. Sad, but true.
Subaru recently sent a TSB out to its dealers showing how to identify owner abuse & why not to warranty those abuses. Motorsports wasn't mentioned, but I'm sure that was the gist of it.
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
From: bay area
one thing that could've happened that lead to this change in *policy*...maybe they've been getting too many warranty repairs on contingency cars. true, autox is not like racing and it shouldn't cause excessive damage to the drivetrain...but an amateur or inexperienced autocrosser (someone stupid like myself included) might not be as gentle or careful on the car, as in amongst the excitement they might be more likely to grind gears or do heavy launches, etc. doing these things occasionally on accident shouldn't cause damage. that being said, our cars are not as bulletproof and simple as the miatas. if this really is a system-wide change, then bmw must've had some data linking autocrossed cars with warranty repairs. there need not be a true causal relationship b/t the two, just enough for some bean counters to b**** about it and screw some avid owners like craig over
so if that really is the case, and mini doesn't get back to you about it and resolve the problem reasonably, then autox people will either have to compete using cars that're already out of warranty or not sign up for the contingency program. honestly, if this is their attitude and support with this unintended (or intended) smoking out of autox cars/owners to rob them of their warranty, there is no reason to join the contingency program. true, the cobra r didn't have warranty, but those were dedicated race cars that happened to be street legal also. you had to have racing license too buy those things from ford. autox is not racing. any car should be able to handle it
but if you're up to it, i really think you're entitled to some legal action
so if that really is the case, and mini doesn't get back to you about it and resolve the problem reasonably, then autox people will either have to compete using cars that're already out of warranty or not sign up for the contingency program. honestly, if this is their attitude and support with this unintended (or intended) smoking out of autox cars/owners to rob them of their warranty, there is no reason to join the contingency program. true, the cobra r didn't have warranty, but those were dedicated race cars that happened to be street legal also. you had to have racing license too buy those things from ford. autox is not racing. any car should be able to handle it
but if you're up to it, i really think you're entitled to some legal action
Last edited by roaduscarnivorous; Jan 15, 2008 at 07:14 PM.
This saddens me greatly to make this post, to the point where I nearly feel like I have lost a wonderful friend.
In opening, I would like to say how wonderful Mini USA has been to me over the past 3 seasons with their support at Mini USA with contingency through their Motor Sports division as well as the wonderful service at Baron Mini here in the KC area. If it had not been for the support by Mini USA through their Motor Sports contingency division, I would not have been able to travel across the country competing at National Tours and Prosolo's in my 2004, 2005 and 2006 Mini Cooper S's as well as numerous other competitors 2005 and 2006 Mini Cooper S's. During these three seasons, I have had great success competing in Mini's with 15 National Tour/Prosolo wins, something like 25 podium finishes at NT's and Prosolo's with one National Championship and a 2nd place at Nationals in 2007.
So, for 2007, I decided I would purchase a new 2007 Turbo Mini Cooper S. I actually signed the paperwork on the purchase at the end of September thinking I would probably keep this one for quite a while since I enjoyed the R56 so much.
Anyway, when I took my Mini in for the oil change a couple weeks ago to Baron Mini, I mentioned to them that I had a very annoying squeak in the clutch mechanism when the cabin was warm from the heater. To my horror, when Baron called me to let me know that my car was finished, here was the basic scope of the message that my service advisor had left for me......
Hi Craig, this is XXXXX from Baron, your car is all set to go here with its service, we replaced the oil, the micro filter and the other first scheduled service.... ....."But, on the other item with the clutch, we can't do any work on that item, (the list says)not warrantable due to racing, not warrantable due to racing, warranty voided by Jeff White, its on the vehicle history, the dealer communication History, saying vehicle used at racing competition events, repairs or defects not covered by BMW warranty, date posted 11/7/07"
Amazed that this is now January and I had never been notified that my warranty was cancelled, I hopped on the phone for a quick call to the dealer, but, I was thinking to myself that surely there is a mis-conception to what I have been doing over the past several seasons, I remember thinking, "these guys think that I have raced my Mini on a track or something". I was concerned, but, figured with one phone call we could get things worked out. So, I decided to just call the dealership and talk to the service manager about it thinking we could get things cleared up easily enough. This was on a Friday afternoon, and, the service manager said he would call this Jeff White and see if he could get this cleared up, but, that this was something initiated by Mini USA, not the dealership, but, anything non-mechanical would still be covered(so, when I say warranty voided, I am referring to engine, tranny, suspension, anything moving). I decided to also call the head of the Mini USA Motorsports guy, Vincent K, and speak to him about this since the previous Mini USA Motorsports guy Jeff S said my warranty would never be canceled due to autocrossing since I had expressed my concern over this during one of our conversations that we had last year. I was delighted to find that Vincent fully supported me and actually knew my name from the several contingency submissions I had made throughout the past season in various Mini's that I had competed in, none of which were my own besides the National Championship where I placed 2nd this season in GS. He actually seemed very upset that this Jeff White was messing with me. He also said that there was noone who had access to my contingency submissions, so, it wasn't something that came from the contingency submissions, it must have came from somewhere else. So, I called the dealer back and requested that they let me know why they thought I had "raced" my car, since first off, I didn't consider autocross racing. The dealer didn't know where Jeff White got the idea that I raced, but, there was one note that indicated that the proof was from Nationals Results. I still was convinced that they were thinking I was racing my Mini on a track. I received a call back from Vincent and he mentioned to me that he was going to speak with Jeff Whites boss on the following Monday to see if he could get this sorted out and he also mentioned that this started at the dealership level and it didn't come from Mini USA, he promised to get back to me the following day though. Unfortunately, thats the last time I have spoken with Vincent and I still have yet to hear from Jeff White and it has been nearly 2 weeks. This is what takes the cake though, my dealer calls me today and starts reading off contingency submissions emailed to him from Vincent K from Mini USA Motorsports division as proof that I raced my vehicle which they are now using to void my warranty on anything other than non-mechanical items. He also received an email from the Jeff White guy that initially got this thing rolling, he said they stood by their stance. I was able to convince my dealer to replace the clutch mechanism last week luckily though since he believed the fact that an autocross event wasn't the cause of the pedal to squeak, but, he is worried that he possibly won't get paid for the repair and probably won't since Mini USA has taken this aggressive stance to void my warranty on my brand new Mini.
Bottom line is, I have gone out there across the country and have supported MiniUSA in a partnership to the best of my ability and I feel I have been stabbed in the back. Why would they void my warranty on a brand new Mini with someone who has promoted Mini USA by doing what they advertise you can do when you purchase a Mini? I autocrossed one event, Nationals, since I signed the paperwork. And, they are using this as grounds to void my warranty on anything other than non-mechanical items? This is just flat WRONG!!!
All I can say is, Mini owners BEWARE! Think twice before buying a Mini, and, if you autocross it, make sure you don't submit contingency on it if you want to keep your warranty! I never thought I would ever be in this position with Mini. I love their product but am now being forced to hate their aggressive, careless actions towards me with voiding my warranty on my BRAND NEW MINI! I have refrained from making this public until now, I have simply exhausted all avenues of communication with Mini USA representatives since they only care to communicate now through my dealer than directly with me for unknown reasons. And, I am told that one of the top guys at Mini supports voiding my warranty. The dealer now says maybe it was initiated by them due to it being their responsibility, regardless, I am sickened by the actions of Baron as well as MiniUSA regardless. Wow is all I can say...
Once again, nothing saddens me more than making this post, I have had a wonderful past 3 seasons running Mini's, I almost shed a tear that they decided to burn the bridge with me for unknown reasons. Why would Mini jack with me of all people? Heck, there were Mini USA representatives at Nationals to help support us, why now burn the bridge? Mini loaned us 5 different Mini's at various autocross events this season including Nats. Why void my warranty over one event in my new Mini? Mini took pics of the winning Mini, used my name in various publications, why void my warranty on my brand new Mini? We instructed several BMW club members at our local autocross school this past summer, including SEVERAL Baron BMW employee's, why void my warranty on my BRAND FREAKIN NEW MINI?
I now shed a tear with the ended relationship with Mini USA, I feel stabbed in the back by MINIUSA as well as Baron Mini and still confused as to why I was attacked by MiniUSA and not backed a bit more by BARON with a pretty much voided warranty.....
Oh, one thing to add, I asked my dealer if i could have a copy of the emails he received from Mini USA and he said sure. When I asked him where the email was later on today, he stated that MiniUSA said he could not forward them to me since they were to property of MINIUSA. Just goes to show you their hostile but cowardly attitude.
Craig Wilcox
2007 Mini Cooper S (on the way to Carmax as soon as possible)
2008 Mazda Mini MSR package? on the way in... ;-)
In opening, I would like to say how wonderful Mini USA has been to me over the past 3 seasons with their support at Mini USA with contingency through their Motor Sports division as well as the wonderful service at Baron Mini here in the KC area. If it had not been for the support by Mini USA through their Motor Sports contingency division, I would not have been able to travel across the country competing at National Tours and Prosolo's in my 2004, 2005 and 2006 Mini Cooper S's as well as numerous other competitors 2005 and 2006 Mini Cooper S's. During these three seasons, I have had great success competing in Mini's with 15 National Tour/Prosolo wins, something like 25 podium finishes at NT's and Prosolo's with one National Championship and a 2nd place at Nationals in 2007.
So, for 2007, I decided I would purchase a new 2007 Turbo Mini Cooper S. I actually signed the paperwork on the purchase at the end of September thinking I would probably keep this one for quite a while since I enjoyed the R56 so much.
Anyway, when I took my Mini in for the oil change a couple weeks ago to Baron Mini, I mentioned to them that I had a very annoying squeak in the clutch mechanism when the cabin was warm from the heater. To my horror, when Baron called me to let me know that my car was finished, here was the basic scope of the message that my service advisor had left for me......
Hi Craig, this is XXXXX from Baron, your car is all set to go here with its service, we replaced the oil, the micro filter and the other first scheduled service.... ....."But, on the other item with the clutch, we can't do any work on that item, (the list says)not warrantable due to racing, not warrantable due to racing, warranty voided by Jeff White, its on the vehicle history, the dealer communication History, saying vehicle used at racing competition events, repairs or defects not covered by BMW warranty, date posted 11/7/07"
Amazed that this is now January and I had never been notified that my warranty was cancelled, I hopped on the phone for a quick call to the dealer, but, I was thinking to myself that surely there is a mis-conception to what I have been doing over the past several seasons, I remember thinking, "these guys think that I have raced my Mini on a track or something". I was concerned, but, figured with one phone call we could get things worked out. So, I decided to just call the dealership and talk to the service manager about it thinking we could get things cleared up easily enough. This was on a Friday afternoon, and, the service manager said he would call this Jeff White and see if he could get this cleared up, but, that this was something initiated by Mini USA, not the dealership, but, anything non-mechanical would still be covered(so, when I say warranty voided, I am referring to engine, tranny, suspension, anything moving). I decided to also call the head of the Mini USA Motorsports guy, Vincent K, and speak to him about this since the previous Mini USA Motorsports guy Jeff S said my warranty would never be canceled due to autocrossing since I had expressed my concern over this during one of our conversations that we had last year. I was delighted to find that Vincent fully supported me and actually knew my name from the several contingency submissions I had made throughout the past season in various Mini's that I had competed in, none of which were my own besides the National Championship where I placed 2nd this season in GS. He actually seemed very upset that this Jeff White was messing with me. He also said that there was noone who had access to my contingency submissions, so, it wasn't something that came from the contingency submissions, it must have came from somewhere else. So, I called the dealer back and requested that they let me know why they thought I had "raced" my car, since first off, I didn't consider autocross racing. The dealer didn't know where Jeff White got the idea that I raced, but, there was one note that indicated that the proof was from Nationals Results. I still was convinced that they were thinking I was racing my Mini on a track. I received a call back from Vincent and he mentioned to me that he was going to speak with Jeff Whites boss on the following Monday to see if he could get this sorted out and he also mentioned that this started at the dealership level and it didn't come from Mini USA, he promised to get back to me the following day though. Unfortunately, thats the last time I have spoken with Vincent and I still have yet to hear from Jeff White and it has been nearly 2 weeks. This is what takes the cake though, my dealer calls me today and starts reading off contingency submissions emailed to him from Vincent K from Mini USA Motorsports division as proof that I raced my vehicle which they are now using to void my warranty on anything other than non-mechanical items. He also received an email from the Jeff White guy that initially got this thing rolling, he said they stood by their stance. I was able to convince my dealer to replace the clutch mechanism last week luckily though since he believed the fact that an autocross event wasn't the cause of the pedal to squeak, but, he is worried that he possibly won't get paid for the repair and probably won't since Mini USA has taken this aggressive stance to void my warranty on my brand new Mini.
Bottom line is, I have gone out there across the country and have supported MiniUSA in a partnership to the best of my ability and I feel I have been stabbed in the back. Why would they void my warranty on a brand new Mini with someone who has promoted Mini USA by doing what they advertise you can do when you purchase a Mini? I autocrossed one event, Nationals, since I signed the paperwork. And, they are using this as grounds to void my warranty on anything other than non-mechanical items? This is just flat WRONG!!!
All I can say is, Mini owners BEWARE! Think twice before buying a Mini, and, if you autocross it, make sure you don't submit contingency on it if you want to keep your warranty! I never thought I would ever be in this position with Mini. I love their product but am now being forced to hate their aggressive, careless actions towards me with voiding my warranty on my BRAND NEW MINI! I have refrained from making this public until now, I have simply exhausted all avenues of communication with Mini USA representatives since they only care to communicate now through my dealer than directly with me for unknown reasons. And, I am told that one of the top guys at Mini supports voiding my warranty. The dealer now says maybe it was initiated by them due to it being their responsibility, regardless, I am sickened by the actions of Baron as well as MiniUSA regardless. Wow is all I can say...
Once again, nothing saddens me more than making this post, I have had a wonderful past 3 seasons running Mini's, I almost shed a tear that they decided to burn the bridge with me for unknown reasons. Why would Mini jack with me of all people? Heck, there were Mini USA representatives at Nationals to help support us, why now burn the bridge? Mini loaned us 5 different Mini's at various autocross events this season including Nats. Why void my warranty over one event in my new Mini? Mini took pics of the winning Mini, used my name in various publications, why void my warranty on my brand new Mini? We instructed several BMW club members at our local autocross school this past summer, including SEVERAL Baron BMW employee's, why void my warranty on my BRAND FREAKIN NEW MINI?
I now shed a tear with the ended relationship with Mini USA, I feel stabbed in the back by MINIUSA as well as Baron Mini and still confused as to why I was attacked by MiniUSA and not backed a bit more by BARON with a pretty much voided warranty.....
Oh, one thing to add, I asked my dealer if i could have a copy of the emails he received from Mini USA and he said sure. When I asked him where the email was later on today, he stated that MiniUSA said he could not forward them to me since they were to property of MINIUSA. Just goes to show you their hostile but cowardly attitude.
Craig Wilcox
2007 Mini Cooper S (on the way to Carmax as soon as possible)
2008 Mazda Mini MSR package? on the way in... ;-)
Anyway, the Mini is still a great car and I hope this experience doesn't put you off on this terrific little car.
Only if the cars cost like the Spec Miatas...
And $65k sure is much higher than the used Spec Miatas I've been seeing for sale. At least with that series you can get in for much less.
I'll take a guess that two things are at play here.
1) New person wants to cut costs and won't honor pervious persons commitments (very bad, but not uncommon)
2) Mini/BMW is paying for lots of warranty work that they didn't expect, and wants to keep these costs down. If they can't, they have to raise the price of the car or take it in the shorts on profits. Mini prices haven't been going up too much, and with the tanking dollar it's probably even worse for the parent company. They have to save somewhere, and warranty repairs is just one area where they can.
Matt
I'll take a guess that two things are at play here.
1) New person wants to cut costs and won't honor pervious persons commitments (very bad, but not uncommon)
2) Mini/BMW is paying for lots of warranty work that they didn't expect, and wants to keep these costs down. If they can't, they have to raise the price of the car or take it in the shorts on profits. Mini prices haven't been going up too much, and with the tanking dollar it's probably even worse for the parent company. They have to save somewhere, and warranty repairs is just one area where they can.
Matt
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Sorry to hear about this, Craig. But, I do know that other car companies like Porsche will void a warranty, too, if they know the car is being used for competition (I don't know this as a fact, but I've read some owners concerns just like yours).
Anyway, the Mini is still a great car and I hope this experience doesn't put you off on this terrific little car.
Anyway, the Mini is still a great car and I hope this experience doesn't put you off on this terrific little car.
Last edited by OasisT; Jan 15, 2008 at 07:46 PM.
I don't know if there are any other choices in your area. That said at this point there is nothing to fix so I am not sure how you would test this.
Hopefully someone at Mini USA is scanning the board or is alerted to this thread. This is simply bad publicity.
Rich
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Actually, I received a response from Vince(mini USA Motorsports guy) this afternoon through email actually. While Vince was a bit upset with me for going public with this, he said he's working on this issue and has been. The reason I went public on this is because Vince told me 10 or so days ago he was meeting with one of the higher up MiniUSA guys in regards to this issue and he was going to call me the next day after he met with this guy. Well, I didn't hear anything from him. In addition to not hearing anything from him, my dealer received 2 more negative emails in regards to my warranty from Jeff White, then, the 3rd email with my autocross contingency submissions yesterday from Vince as proof that I autocrossed my Mini. That one took the cake, my dealer continued to state that MiniUSA was not going to cover anything that could be tagged as abuse. Sure, Mini would warranty a door handle and a headlight, but, nothing that could be written off as abused. Sure, if I were to slip the clutch and burn the clutch out on a hill, I'm not going to expect it to be covered, thats common sense. But, if I had legit issues not related to abuse, the stance MiniUSA is currently taking, I'm not covered, which, is completely not what I was told by Jeff S when I called and spoke with him on this issue.
So, hopefully this issue will be resolved in a positive manner for current/future Mini owners, but, this is not a pleasant situation for me and I don't enjoy going through it one bit. I know it never should have been an issue in the first place. I will update if I receive any info one way or the other......
So, hopefully this issue will be resolved in a positive manner for current/future Mini owners, but, this is not a pleasant situation for me and I don't enjoy going through it one bit. I know it never should have been an issue in the first place. I will update if I receive any info one way or the other......
Last edited by OasisT; Jan 15, 2008 at 08:38 PM.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, TX
Craig, I think you may have backed MINI into a corner. If they do anything for you after being outed in public they will be setting a precident that any other MINI owner can point to your situation and demand to be treated the same when MINI attempts to deny coverage. Or, should they hang you, they'll be sending a message to ALL owners that they are on notice.
Craig, I think you may have backed MINI into a corner. If they do anything for you after being outed in public they will be setting a precident that any other MINI owner can point to your situation and demand to be treated the same when MINI attempts to deny coverage. Or, should they hang you, they'll be sending a message to ALL owners that they are on notice.
Hay...
Mini said they'd get back to him in a day. Sometimes that doesn't work out but when I couldn't follow through, I'd make a call or send a note "I didn't get in contact with Blah Blah Blah, it will take a few more days to close..." They didin't do that, didn't return other messages, and only replied when outed? Well, if they stand up and do the right thing that can be posted publicly as well.
Way I see it, Mini screwed the pooch on this one, and no matter what they do, there will be some egg on thier face.
Getting pisssed that Craig went public is just blaming him for a problem Mini caused.... It's pretty petty.
Matt
Way I see it, Mini screwed the pooch on this one, and no matter what they do, there will be some egg on thier face.
Getting pisssed that Craig went public is just blaming him for a problem Mini caused.... It's pretty petty.
Matt
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
When I bought my 06 JCW, the jpg on the mini website was of a bunch of MINIs racing, and it said something like "get out there". I took a screeen shot for just this very reason. and while it seems like we may get some resolution here, I knew that the introduction of the 135i meant the death of MINI in motorsports. Watch how many teams put together mean programs running the new BMW. Its the rebirth of the 2002 racing of old, updated and safer. Theres no reason to back MINI for competition any longer. it can now be the cute brand that everyone wanted it to be...
Im moving to Audi....not that they will be any better with warrenties...but TDI calls.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Craig, I think you may have backed MINI into a corner. If they do anything for you after being outed in public they will be setting a precident that any other MINI owner can point to your situation and demand to be treated the same when MINI attempts to deny coverage. Or, should they hang you, they'll be sending a message to ALL owners that they are on notice.
Anyway, like I said though, hopefully Mini will do the right thing for current/future owners.
Turbius Maximus
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 0
From: Infinity and beyond
Good for you for going public... I think ethics today seldom exist... and reputation is everything. I have had to do the same thing in business. While some didn't like it it's funny how quickly people respond when they reaslize people are standing up to them and calling them out in public.
/\ exactly
Actually, I received a response from Vince(mini USA Motorsports guy) this afternoon through email actually. While Vince was a bit upset with me for going public with this, he said he's working on this issue and has been. The reason I went public on this is because Vince told me 10 or so days ago he was meeting with one of the higher up MiniUSA guys in regards to this issue and he was going to call me the next day after he met with this guy. Well, I didn't hear anything from him. In addition to not hearing anything from him, my dealer received 2 more negative emails in regards to my warranty from Jeff White, then, the 3rd email with my autocross contingency submissions yesterday from Vince as proof that I autocrossed my Mini. That one took the cake, my dealer continued to state that MiniUSA was not going to cover anything that could be tagged as abuse. Sure, Mini would warranty a door handle and a headlight, but, nothing that could be written off as abused. Sure, if I were to slip the clutch and burn the clutch out on a hill, I'm not going to expect it to be covered, thats common sense. But, if I had legit issues not related to abuse, the stance MiniUSA is currently taking, I'm not covered, which, is completely not what I was told by Jeff S when I called and spoke with him on this issue.
So, hopefully this issue will be resolved in a positive manner for current/future Mini owners, but, this is not a pleasant situation for me and I don't enjoy going through it one bit. I know it never should have been an issue in the first place. I will update if I receive any info one way or the other......
So, hopefully this issue will be resolved in a positive manner for current/future Mini owners, but, this is not a pleasant situation for me and I don't enjoy going through it one bit. I know it never should have been an issue in the first place. I will update if I receive any info one way or the other......
Mini said they'd get back to him in a day. Sometimes that doesn't work out but when I couldn't follow through, I'd make a call or send a note "I didn't get in contact with Blah Blah Blah, it will take a few more days to close..." They didin't do that, didn't return other messages, and only replied when outed? Well, if they stand up and do the right thing that can be posted publicly as well.
Way I see it, Mini screwed the pooch on this one, and no matter what they do, there will be some egg on thier face.
Getting pisssed that Craig went public is just blaming him for a problem Mini caused.... It's pretty petty.
Matt
Way I see it, Mini screwed the pooch on this one, and no matter what they do, there will be some egg on thier face.
Getting pisssed that Craig went public is just blaming him for a problem Mini caused.... It's pretty petty.
Matt
Last edited by Tüls; Jan 16, 2008 at 08:04 AM.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 785
Likes: 0
From: oHIo
Good Luck getting this resolved, I am positive they will bend and cover your car under warranty
I have never had a problem for coverage, despite obvious heavy track use
Sometimes it takes a call to Corporate to the right person, say in BMW
I have never had a problem for coverage, despite obvious heavy track use
Sometimes it takes a call to Corporate to the right person, say in BMW
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth
Man, add me to the list of shocked people. It seems if they did not disclose that they were gonna end your warranty when they paid you for running in auto-x, you have a damn good case if it goes that far. Since I am not familiar with the contingency process, and IANAL, I cannot say for sure.
Your most recent contact from MINI is reassuring. It at least shows that
A) They care about their public image.
B) They actively research their public image.
Hopefully their concern leads them to decide to correct their policy in order to be in logical agreement with their public image, and not the other way around. Keep us updated, and please don't let any agreement include your silence as a condition.
Your most recent contact from MINI is reassuring. It at least shows that
A) They care about their public image.
B) They actively research their public image.
Hopefully their concern leads them to decide to correct their policy in order to be in logical agreement with their public image, and not the other way around. Keep us updated, and please don't let any agreement include your silence as a condition.
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
From: bay area
silence? they have no right to get angry that you shared this with us. they're not the information police. what about plain customer service? craig was clearly treated wrong and somebody in the company screwed up. it really is backstabbing and bait 'n switch. and it's not like the car was badly damaged or worn; it sounds like it's basically still pretty new. if they want to pull contingency support, do it and announce it (and too bad), but don't kick out the ladder from under people's feet