It's not the length, it's the lack of capitalization, punctuation, and paragraph separations.

It really helps to separate ideas so people can read things point by point. When you blend together that much in one paragraph, with all lowercase letters and very little punctuation, it just makes my head throb to read it.

 

Big dealerships aren't always bed. So far I've had excellent work and service at Niello. They also own the VW (one of them), Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche, Maserati, and of course BMW dealerships in the Sacramento area.

Maybe it helps that both of the service writers I've dealt with have been members of our local Mini club?

 

Maybe that would be a good idea for Markels advisors to be apart of. Have them join a local mini club and really get to know the mini owners outside of the service and dealership atmosphere. Wouldnt hurt.

 

I did a little bit of editing. Hope you will now be able to make it past the first paragraph.

 

I concur with what Gromit has said,i have had my Mini serviced at the same dealership before the SA who is a member of our club started his job there.The service and attention to detail has always been a 5.Q

 

Much easier to read.

 

okie dokie..good luck

 

More bad news . I was out motoring after work and then all of a sudden my DSC light and Tire Pressure Monitor light both came on at the same time. I tried a couple of key cycles and they both remained on. I called Mini Roadside Assistance and they are on their way with a tow truck to tow it to Markel.
This just keeps getting better and better.

 

That is terrible you had a bad experience there. I have never had a problem with anyone at Markel. Although, I've only had airbag work done there, and only once. My warranty expired long ago save the extended airbag warrranty.

It was always Baron BMW in KC that gave me trouble, mostly with not doing the work properly. Ask Kim at Markel about Baron's track record with airbag wiring harnesses. They spliced lines, used electrical tape, and extra wire instead of replacing the harness like the work order stated.

By the way, the BMW dealer in Lincoln has tried to get a MINI branch opened up in town, but they cannot get the franchise.

I'll be heading to Markel tomorrow around noon for some parts (dipstick, belt tensioner, new pedals, etc...) They have an A+ parts guy, Keith, I think his name is. I've stoped by for lots of stuff since they opened and he has always been very kind and helpful, plus he knows his stuff.

Maybe I'll see you there.

 

KDGblue,
Did they take your car apart and leave it like that
and think you would not notice?

Where did you get those driving and fog lights?

 

I had to have my bushings replaced. The story behind the pictures is long and complicated. Needless to say, I've never gone back to that dealership, even though it's less than 10 minutes from my house.

The lights came from here:http://www.rallylights.com/
they're Hella 500s

 

Yeah...don't it though.....

 

UPDATE:
I called and spoke to Russ, the sales manager, and told him that I was having my mini towed to them. He told me no problem we will send a loaner down to you in the morning.
So I called and spoke to Kim this morning and she is telling me that they havent received my mini!!! NOT GOOD, NOT GOOD! Then Kim says that they havent checked the drop boxes yet. Ok.
During our conversation, Kim mentions to me that I dont get a loaner but a rental car through Enterprise. Heres the catch--Kim wants ME to drive to Omaha to pick up my rental. NO FREAKIN' WAY!!! I was told that I will have a loaner delivered to me the following morning and now I have to drive up to Omaha and pick up a rental.
Im thinking about having my mini towed down to Baron. I am getting fed up with Markels service dept. I have been understanding and calm, but now I just cant hold back anymore.

 

Call Russ back and find out WTF......tell him you know someone who has NOT filled out his customer satisfaction survey yet...

 

I did call Russ and now he is telling me that there are no loaners available and that I should drive to Omaha and pick up my rental from Enterprise. I asked him to call the Lincoln Enterprise branch and work something out with them. I have not heard back from him yet.

I think from now on if I need any warranty work done, I will be taking my mini to Baron. I do not want to have to deal with this everytime I take my mini in for repairs.

I think I need to change the title of this thread to "Pi$$ed Off Motorer"

 

OI! He's really pissed off now! Sorry, couldn't resist. Seriously, good luck, HR.

 

What would any of you guys do if you were in my position? I have called the General Manager, the Sales Manager, Service Advisor, and the Salesman. It just seems like nothing is getting done to help the situation. The problems just keep compounding.

I did find out my mini is currently being worked on, so that is one positive thing that has happened so far.

 

Now Kim wants me to do her footwork for her. I have to call Enterprise and see what is available, and get it all set up and then call her back. Maybe I should go to Omaha and do her job for her as well.

IM JUST FED UP WITH THIS WHOLE PROCESS NOW.

 

Sounds like this dealer is one giant disconnect. There's no coordination, no one department backing up the other. Gawd knows how they stay in business.

If I were in your position, I would detail all the problems you're having with the dealer. Point by point. Try not to make it a rant (easy to do so). Send that to the owner of the dealership (many times, the owners get a snowjob from the managers, and don't have a full picture themselves), and cc to MINIUSA just for the heck of it.

Just try to get through this episode as best you can. Forget talking to the sales manager because he has no say about anything in the service department.

 

not enough dealers > customers get treated like sheeeit. It doesn't have to happen, but there is little recourse. Mini USA will say that the dealerships are owned by others (and they are) so they don't have control... The dealer will say that they're trying to help but that the customer is being unreasonable, whether that's true or not. Don't know why Kim can't call the other rental agency.. Maybe she doesn't know how to dial phone numbers that have an area code first.

It really sucks and I feel for you.

Matt

 

I was just thinking....that no loaner car has got to be pure crap. It's Markel BMW/Land Rover/MINI/Jaguar.....they have to have at least ONE loaner car there....from one of the branches.

 

Maybe my last post was alittle harsh . This whole situation is just so frustrating. I dont understand how a dealer can treat their customers like this. Maybe its b/c I own a Mini. They also have BMW, Jaguar, and Landrover. I doubt they would treat those customers like this. But then again, I dont know.

Its 1:30pm central time and still no word about whats going on with my mini. I would really like an update.

 

Believe me, I have already asked. "Nope, you dont get a loaner. You can drive up to Omaha a pick up a rental from our Enterprise, though." Thats what I was told this morning. Last night Russ told me that he would have a loaner mini delivered down to me in Lincoln this morning. What a bunch of BS!!!

 

No, I don't think you were harsh at all. It is why I haven't sent in my sales satisfaction survey yet. I am really unhappy with the way this dealership treats its customers, and I want to make a statement.

I don't care if they are the only MINI sales in the area, they honestly can't expect to treat customers, or their vehicles in this manner and stay in business.

If I was in your shoes at this point, I would probably be making a complaint to the BBB. And it would have to do with the way that your car was driven, and the fact that your car 'broke' down after service.

I may end up being the single disgruntled customer at this stealership, but if ANYTHING like this happens, I will be going to the GM and informing him of my plans to go to the BBB. I don't know what good it will ever do, but at least if someone does any research, they will see the track record of the stealership.

 

Perhaps a complaint with your state's bureau of automotive repair might be in order, as well as consumer affairs. The BBB doesn't mean a whole lot. The threat of the state hitting them could affect their repair license.