Help! Dealership blaming transmission breakdown on negligence
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 41
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From: Los Angeles
Which Crevier is the car at ?
I often deal with the one in Santa Ana.
Maybe we could organize a Mini Club meeting there and get the techs to give us all lessons on clutch control ?
Could be quite entertaining - epecially as mine is out-of warrenty and smokey-starts with the DCS off are a currrent Hobby/Habit
100+ Mini owners all demanding this expert tuition
I often deal with the one in Santa Ana.
Maybe we could organize a Mini Club meeting there and get the techs to give us all lessons on clutch control ?
Could be quite entertaining - epecially as mine is out-of warrenty and smokey-starts with the DCS off are a currrent Hobby/Habit
100+ Mini owners all demanding this expert tuition
I thought about that too! I did some research and from quick discussions it appears videotaping images is legal. However, videotaping with audio, or just audio, without their consent is illegal.
GOD, out of the hours I've spent on hold (i've already used up most of my daytime minutes for the month of july), i get to listen to Mini adverts talking about "making your right foot feel a little more like lead" "we're here to take care of you" "we strive for 5!" etc etc.
... it builds character...
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 41
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From: Los Angeles
just got the fax, this is how roger worded me not having to drive the car with the forman:
"MINI NORTH AMERICA RECOMMENDED FOR CUSTOMER TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH SHOP FORMAN, CUSTOMER DECLINED"
hilarious.
"MINI NORTH AMERICA RECOMMENDED FOR CUSTOMER TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH SHOP FORMAN, CUSTOMER DECLINED"
hilarious.
A big woohoo for your BAR rep! Glad it's starting to move on that end.
I cannot WAIT to hear the outcome of this...be sure to keep us posted. I'm dying to know what happens when the BAR rep visits them.
Edited to add: I LOVE that Roger wrote that out for you. More rope to hang themselves with!
I cannot WAIT to hear the outcome of this...be sure to keep us posted. I'm dying to know what happens when the BAR rep visits them.
Edited to add: I LOVE that Roger wrote that out for you. More rope to hang themselves with!
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 41
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From: Los Angeles
Same here friend!!!
Some more ammunition.
My BAR rep looked up data through mitchellondemand.com (some sort of service database). There are things called TSBs (technical service bulletins) and he found something about a problem with the '06 mini cooper transmissions.
Going through the BAR was a breath of fresh air. I called him, and he spent nearly an hour with me, going through all the details, being very patient with me, and expressed his own anger at these small injustices.
I'm happy he's on my side.
Some more ammunition.
My BAR rep looked up data through mitchellondemand.com (some sort of service database). There are things called TSBs (technical service bulletins) and he found something about a problem with the '06 mini cooper transmissions.
Going through the BAR was a breath of fresh air. I called him, and he spent nearly an hour with me, going through all the details, being very patient with me, and expressed his own anger at these small injustices.
I'm happy he's on my side.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,782
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, Ca
Same here friend!!!
Some more ammunition.
My BAR rep looked up data through mitchellondemand.com (some sort of service database). There are things called TSBs (technical service bulletins) and he found something about a problem with the '06 mini cooper transmissions.
Going through the BAR was a breath of fresh air. I called him, and he spent nearly an hour with me, going through all the details, being very patient with me, and expressed his own anger at these small injustices.
I'm happy he's on my side.
Some more ammunition.
My BAR rep looked up data through mitchellondemand.com (some sort of service database). There are things called TSBs (technical service bulletins) and he found something about a problem with the '06 mini cooper transmissions.
Going through the BAR was a breath of fresh air. I called him, and he spent nearly an hour with me, going through all the details, being very patient with me, and expressed his own anger at these small injustices.
I'm happy he's on my side.
You've gotten great support and feedback here on NAM, but noone has expressed that they are a lawyer. I'm concerned for you tomorrow.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 41
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From: Los Angeles
Is your BAR Rep still in the office? Probably not at this hour, but it would be interesting to fax/forward the documentation that Crevier is asking you to sign and get his opinion on whether or not it's appropriate before signing anything.
You've gotten great support and feedback here on NAM, but noone has expressed that they are a lawyer. I'm concerned for you tomorrow.
You've gotten great support and feedback here on NAM, but noone has expressed that they are a lawyer. I'm concerned for you tomorrow.
Doesn't really matter if I have a lawyer or not, Roger conceded, and what was "mandatory" turned out to only be a "recommendation". They were abusing power.
Coordinator :: Emerald MINI Car Club
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, OR
Same here friend!!!
Some more ammunition.
My BAR rep looked up data through mitchellondemand.com (some sort of service database). There are things called TSBs (technical service bulletins) and he found something about a problem with the '06 mini cooper transmissions.
Going through the BAR was a breath of fresh air. I called him, and he spent nearly an hour with me, going through all the details, being very patient with me, and expressed his own anger at these small injustices.
I'm happy he's on my side.
Some more ammunition.
My BAR rep looked up data through mitchellondemand.com (some sort of service database). There are things called TSBs (technical service bulletins) and he found something about a problem with the '06 mini cooper transmissions.
Going through the BAR was a breath of fresh air. I called him, and he spent nearly an hour with me, going through all the details, being very patient with me, and expressed his own anger at these small injustices.
I'm happy he's on my side.
Ask Roger, Kyle, or someone to provide you with the name of the person at MINIUSA who made the recommendation....get it in writing. I have a feeling that no one at MINIUSA made that recommendation.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 41
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From: Los Angeles
i tried the past 2 days. i just got the runaround.
everyone at Crevier Mini said it came from Mini of NA. I call Mini of NA, they said they had no idea about it and called back Crevier Mini. Then Mini of NA calls me and says Crevier Mini needs you to drive with a foreman. I should have pressed harder to get a name.
everyone at Crevier Mini said it came from Mini of NA. I call Mini of NA, they said they had no idea about it and called back Crevier Mini. Then Mini of NA calls me and says Crevier Mini needs you to drive with a foreman. I should have pressed harder to get a name.
What a pain in the ***. At lease the BAR feels that you can get your 800 back after you get your car back. It deffinately sounds like its Crevier wanting the drive. Like the guy from BAR stated it's a recomendation, not a requirement. I can't beleive they think a replaced clutch needs a drive to show how to break in a vehicle, but a new vehicle off the lot doesn't get that kind of attention.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
OP should post a link to this thread at the Southern California forum. When I was researching for a dealer in Los Angeles, I went to that forum and did a search. Posting here will get more people to read, but linking it at S CA forum will help owners in Crevier's market aware of its practice.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 1
Wow, this is a new low, even for BMW. I'm going to stop recommending the Mini to friends and business associates because of this nonsense.
Good luck angelos. Please go all the way with this. Don't accept anything less than a full refund and a written apology from Crevier's GM.
Good luck angelos. Please go all the way with this. Don't accept anything less than a full refund and a written apology from Crevier's GM.
Good luck!
Wow, this is a new low, even for BMW. I'm going to stop recommending the Mini to friends and business associates because of this nonsense.
Good luck angelos. Please go all the way with this. Don't accept anything less than a full refund and a written apology from Crevier's GM.
Good luck angelos. Please go all the way with this. Don't accept anything less than a full refund and a written apology from Crevier's GM.
Matt
6th Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 1
The dealer is being told what to do by our "Let's Motor" buds at MINI USA, since they control the warranty purse strings. We are seeing BMW's "customer relations" policies in action.
While that's true..
if the dealer had said it was a warranty failure, I'm pretty sure Mini USA would have agreed. This isn't the first flywheel/clutch they've replaced for free!
Matt
Matt
Reverse Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,472
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They gave me less of a run-around over my MCS than Irvine Mini did - a place that I will absolutely never, ever go to again.
Crevier once declined to cover my disk rotors on the grounds that I had an aftermarket pulley and therefore drove it too hard, prematurely wearing the rotors - actually they where horribly warped from a track day, but I digress.
I laughed at their quote - something of the order of $1600 and ordered up some brembo's and fitted them in my parking space. I did not expect them to cover the rotors, but it was the way and the excuse that they gave.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: High Desert Ca
Uhg. Thanks for the tips and stories... it strengthens my weakening resolve.
I stopped by the dealership today.
Past the snooty bmw sales reps, I found my way to the Mini service dept.
I met Kyle, and he showed me the parts in question that were neatly stored in a cardboard box next to one of the cubicles.
I also got a photocopy of his handwritten estimate.
I'm taking it with a grain of salt, but he says the reason why they offered me a 50% discount was out of sympathy. I'm guessing much in the same way Ralphs would let an accidentally dropped jar of Prego slide.
He also mentioned that it is extremely rare that a clutch be covered under warranty. "99.9%" of the time, the driver fronts the costs.
the pressure plate, cracked in 2 places.
the clutch disc something or other
Hopefully I'll hear back from the BAR tomorrow.
Also, I contacted a lemon-law specialty lawyer.
It doesn't really apply, but should my car get fixed, and the transmission fail again, I have a legitimate case. Lemon laws apply to car defects that are life threatening.
and no, i didn't pay the bill.
though it was tempting, as i have two dates this weekend.
-andrew
I stopped by the dealership today.
Past the snooty bmw sales reps, I found my way to the Mini service dept.
I met Kyle, and he showed me the parts in question that were neatly stored in a cardboard box next to one of the cubicles.
I also got a photocopy of his handwritten estimate.
I'm taking it with a grain of salt, but he says the reason why they offered me a 50% discount was out of sympathy. I'm guessing much in the same way Ralphs would let an accidentally dropped jar of Prego slide.
He also mentioned that it is extremely rare that a clutch be covered under warranty. "99.9%" of the time, the driver fronts the costs.
the pressure plate, cracked in 2 places.
the clutch disc something or other
Hopefully I'll hear back from the BAR tomorrow.
Also, I contacted a lemon-law specialty lawyer.
It doesn't really apply, but should my car get fixed, and the transmission fail again, I have a legitimate case. Lemon laws apply to car defects that are life threatening.
and no, i didn't pay the bill.
though it was tempting, as i have two dates this weekend.
-andrew
All of us here feel for you..... but the photo you took is of the sales dept.
In no way have they done any thing wrong in this matter. Your problem is with the service dept. Peter Maldonado is the sales manager at Crevier MINI and in no way should be implicated here. We have also had problems with service there, although all have been resolved. Peter and every one on his staff went over the top of what we expected from a dealership. We are planning our second MINI and will be purchased at Crevier regardless of the service dept. Andrew, I would ask you to remove the photo of the sales dept, they dont deserve the bad PR that this will give them. I do hope that this thread makes it to someone there and they make the changes to accept the MINIs as viable service customers.
Crevier needs to understand that MINI owners are similar to the BMW owners, we care about our cars and expect our cars to be serviced with the same respect. They tend to treat them as a low end line of car, and as we all know, this can't be further from the truth.
Don and Lori Cargal
Don't agree at all...
Angelos
All of us here feel for you..... but the photo you took is of the sales dept.
In no way have they done any thing wrong in this matter. Your problem is with the service dept. Peter Maldonado is the sales manager at Crevier MINI and in no way should be implicated here. We have also had problems with service there, although all have been resolved. Peter and every one on his staff went over the top of what we expected from a dealership. We are planning our second MINI and will be purchased at Crevier regardless of the service dept. Andrew, I would ask you to remove the photo of the sales dept, they dont deserve the bad PR that this will give them. I do hope that this thread makes it to someone there and they make the changes to accept the MINIs as viable service customers.
Crevier needs to understand that MINI owners are similar to the BMW owners, we care about our cars and expect our cars to be serviced with the same respect. They tend to treat them as a low end line of car, and as we all know, this can't be further from the truth.
Don and Lori Cargal
All of us here feel for you..... but the photo you took is of the sales dept.
In no way have they done any thing wrong in this matter. Your problem is with the service dept. Peter Maldonado is the sales manager at Crevier MINI and in no way should be implicated here. We have also had problems with service there, although all have been resolved. Peter and every one on his staff went over the top of what we expected from a dealership. We are planning our second MINI and will be purchased at Crevier regardless of the service dept. Andrew, I would ask you to remove the photo of the sales dept, they dont deserve the bad PR that this will give them. I do hope that this thread makes it to someone there and they make the changes to accept the MINIs as viable service customers.
Crevier needs to understand that MINI owners are similar to the BMW owners, we care about our cars and expect our cars to be serviced with the same respect. They tend to treat them as a low end line of car, and as we all know, this can't be further from the truth.
Don and Lori Cargal
Personally, I can't stand this kind of partitioning BS. I had an issue with my frequent flyer points with United once, and the customer service person said that Mileage Plus was a separate company so United couldn't help me! On paper it's two companies, sure, but has anyone ever done anything with an airlines frequent flyier program that wasn't directly related to our caused by a relationship with the parent airline? Stuff like that sucks. Criever Mini is one place. Once company. One reputation. Leave the photo up, and maybe the sales team will start pushing the service department to get on the ball.
I just don't see the logic here, so you're buying experince was great, good for you. But that buying experience puts in in line to use the service department. If it sucks no amount of Smiles and Happy Mototing BS when you pick up the car will make up for service treatment BS like this.
Matt
Last edited by Dr Obnxs; Jul 14, 2007 at 07:42 AM.
Coordinator :: Emerald MINI Car Club
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, OR
Angelos
All of us here feel for you..... but the photo you took is of the sales dept.
In no way have they done any thing wrong in this matter. Your problem is with the service dept. Peter Maldonado is the sales manager at Crevier MINI and in no way should be implicated here. We have also had problems with service there, although all have been resolved. Peter and every one on his staff went over the top of what we expected from a dealership. We are planning our second MINI and will be purchased at Crevier regardless of the service dept. Andrew, I would ask you to remove the photo of the sales dept, they dont deserve the bad PR that this will give them. I do hope that this thread makes it to someone there and they make the changes to accept the MINIs as viable service customers.
Crevier needs to understand that MINI owners are similar to the BMW owners, we care about our cars and expect our cars to be serviced with the same respect. They tend to treat them as a low end line of car, and as we all know, this can't be further from the truth.
Don and Lori Cargal
All of us here feel for you..... but the photo you took is of the sales dept.
In no way have they done any thing wrong in this matter. Your problem is with the service dept. Peter Maldonado is the sales manager at Crevier MINI and in no way should be implicated here. We have also had problems with service there, although all have been resolved. Peter and every one on his staff went over the top of what we expected from a dealership. We are planning our second MINI and will be purchased at Crevier regardless of the service dept. Andrew, I would ask you to remove the photo of the sales dept, they dont deserve the bad PR that this will give them. I do hope that this thread makes it to someone there and they make the changes to accept the MINIs as viable service customers.
Crevier needs to understand that MINI owners are similar to the BMW owners, we care about our cars and expect our cars to be serviced with the same respect. They tend to treat them as a low end line of car, and as we all know, this can't be further from the truth.
Don and Lori Cargal
If either the kitchen staff or the service staff in a restaurant isn't any good, it doesn't matter, it is still the restaurant that isn't any good as a result and probably wouldnt' be frequented once people found out. I hope the same things happens here in regard to CREVIER.
And, I don't believe Angelos has specifically mentioned the sales staff. I think your post was the first that even mentioned them or gave names for any of them.
Keep keeping us in the loop Angelos and leave the pictures!