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... ;-)

 

I feel for you Craig...wholesale voiding of a warranty is BS. Hope you get it worked out....I appreciate the time and effort you put into it (and love when you sell parts )

 

and that's a damned shame! They got more marketing value from you that a whole car would cost! That just sucks......

I have no clue why crapp like this happens... And I'm saddened for your hassles.....

Good luck with where-ever you end up, and hope Mini sees the error of thier ways....

Matt

 

Wow... So much for their motorsports support...

 

You might point out that in one of the MINI Motoring Accessory Brochures, they (BMW/MINI) explain autocrossing, and actually provided a phone number for SCCA! As I recall, there was no mention of having any portion of your warranty voided by participating.
Good Luck,

Jim

 

Wow... that's just sad... mind as well just be a ugo then... it's just another small car if they are not going to support the people and even racing... seems they are biting the hand that feeds them... this is what will turn the mini into another beetle...

 

I can see a whole bunch of the promotional larger than life traffic cones the dealerships have going to the dump. Not very green of them! All sarcasm aside, Beating the hell out of your MINI at a time attack is one thing, doing some autoX is quite another! MINI, is at best, "two faced" with regards to AutoX. Lets face it, if you don't know how to drive your car in a spirited manner it won't matter whether it was done on a track or getting up the driveway to your house. Thats why a MINI rep has to "OK" any work of a serious nature! Somehow that has worked, for better or worse, so far. Denying a repair because of a factory defect to save money and not because of abuse is an "Ethics Violation". I'm sure all of MINI (BMW) has to sign one one of these Ethics Forms as part of their employee hand book review and validation every year to keep their job. It's just part of corporate culture.

I envy my Miata friends every time I tune into SPEED Channel or see the MAZDA ads in all the car magazines. Only Madza seems to get the amateur car thing with real parts and real support. It's a company decision. I hope it makes money for them. I'm sure they have denied their share of abuse warranty claims from people being TOO sporty with their cars, and well they should. By the way, OasisT, is what the did to you "ethical".

 

Thanks for calling me a couple weeks ago, and giving me a heads up. When you told me that, I thought for sure, that you'd get it worked out. I can't believe MiniUSA isn't standing behind its product/owners.

Like I told you on the phone...I've never had my car in the dealership for anything. I should call Baron and get an appointment. Again, the car doesn't really need anything. I guess I could get the oil changed and see if they'll void my warranty because I've autocrossed my car, and now my logo on my steering wheel is starting to peel up on the corners.

Baron has always provided good support to us here in KC. MiniUSA has always provided good support Nationally. I don't understand why they woke up on Nov 7th and had a different view.

Keep us updated.

 

OasisT,

Is there anything wrong with your car at this time? Was it the dealership or MINIUSA that started this? Have you been a PITA to either one???

 

did you even read this thread before responding?

 

Sorry to hear this Craig.

Another pure example of MINIUSA with their heads up their own bums...they sink a gawd awful amount of money into one straight-line quarter-mile MINI that competes only a few times, but they abandon the grassroots programs across the country that are truly getting the buying public into their dealerships...shame on you MINIUSA and good luck with your SUVs!

 

Your right PGT,

He did answer the first question! And it looks like he didn't see the denial to even look at the clutch thing coming. It was a long read and I’m an old man. I think the MINI community in general would be interested in how this AutoX thing shakes out. Some times dealer relations have a parting of the way's (no way implying it was OasisT's fault). Being a PITA about not getting service is just fine with me! I just wanted to know if it was some dealer dynamics or MINI dynamics that was involved.

 

We have similar issues here in Canada, but more relating to Insurance companies. It is something that we are all very aware of, and it is usually announced at our driver's meetings. We all remove our plates, and in any of our published reports to magazines, we use our first names, our last initial. It is not too popular with the magazines that we have the articles in, but it does save our butts from this type of situation.

I find it very hypocritical for a car manufacturer to offer contingency for a sport, but then void the warranty on a vehicle for actually participating in that event.

How does MiniUSA think that this is going to turn out well? They want enthusiasts to buy new cars, and compete with them, but they will only stand behind using an old car? If people are only using the older car, they will often complain to the sanctioning body, and figure out ways to get competitors into newer cars. And then this kind of thing happens.

I would think that there may be some way for you to get around supplying of a VIN number, so that they cannot trace the vehicle specifically. Also, I think that you will have some leg to stand on, since you were assured on numerous occasions that a) Your info would not be shared with the warranty department, and b) Your warranty would never be voided.

Very disappointing.

 

Maybe has something to do with the announcement of the MINI challenge cars coming to the states?

Hope not. MINI sure has shot themselves in the foot over this one.

Oasis, you have any email address's that you could share where we could voice our concerns on this?

 

As a father of a 17 year old boy in the first year of driving, I was going to give him a driving school this next summer and let him AutoX to learn the limits of not only his driving ability but to see just what fantastic limits these little cars have to make him a better driver. Now it looks like the school parking lot. MINIUSA if your reading this " Great Cluster ******" on your part...

 

I just got off the phone with Chris at Niello Mini in Sacramento. I asked him point blank about my warranty.

He told me that autocrossing by itself, doesn't void my warranty. The types of mods I make, however, could void my warranty. An example he gave was a customer with a 15% pulley. Mini only approves the JCW or Dinan pullies, so if you had an Alta or something similar, your warranty might be screwed (Depending on the problem). Benign mods like SRP's and things like that will have no affect.

As far as he's concerned, my warranty is fine. Being an autocrosser himself, he knows that there's less stress on a car doing that, than say driving like a maniac on a regular basis.

 

I posted in your other thread discussing this. I feel sorry once again.

Did Mini forget their own history? Is "our cars" not what won the incredible Monte Carlo Rally?
I think they should give you a free car for all that you have done for them!!!
I hope there is a positive outcome.

 

Subaru has a strong rally tradition too, but they won't warranty your car if you drive it like Petter Solberg

 

I have absolutely NO mods to the car other than an exhuast, air filter and Koni's. Thats it. Keep in mind, MiniUSA Motorsports division emailed my dealer my contingency submissions with my VIN attached as proof to jack with my warranty. Also keep in mind, I was told SPECIFICALLY by the MiniUSA Motorsports guy, Jeff S, that my warranty would never be affected at all by autocrossing it. He actually sort of chuckled at the notion since I have been such a strong supporter. Unfortunately, Jeff S is no longer with MiniUSA Motorsports, and, the new guy that took his position is the one that sent the email to me dealer as proof. But, noone will return my calls from MiniUSA, so, I guess I will never understand why they have changed their position.

 

Never did a contingency submission. Might be the difference?

 

Don't let up the fight! Go all the way to BMW corporate if you have to. What a nasty mess!

 

I have absolutely NO mods to the car other than an exhaust, air filter and Koni's. Thats it. Keep in mind, MiniUSA Motorsports division emailed my dealer my contingency submissions with my VIN attached as proof to jack with my warranty. Also keep in mind, I was told SPECIFICALLY by the MiniUSA Motorsports guy, Jeff S, that my warranty would never be affected at all by autocrossing it. He actually sort of chuckled at the notion since I have been such a strong supporter. Unfortunately, Jeff S is no longer with MiniUSA Motorsports, and, the new guy that took his position is the one that sent the email to me dealer as proof.

 

What is a contingency submission? Sorry to hear about the problems. It is also very **** poor that there was no letter sent to you saying that your warranty was voided or the fact they never personally got back to you.

 

this is absolutely terrible! i'm sorry to hear this happened to you, but on the other hand, too bad they did this to you of all people. it doesn't make sense and sounds like it might be some kind of a big misunderstanding somewhere. what does the contingency plan brochure or contract say about warranty. is there anything in writing about this? being that autox results are even posted on miniusa's website, what happened to you is very very odd. have you given up fighting this? maybe somebody in bmwcca have some insights or suggestions? as someone else said, mazda has a great contingency program and really keeps the miata owners happy. i thought/hoped the mini program and stance were similar

 

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.