How frustrating. We had our car in last week for factory service. As we're at near 49,000 miles, we asked them to take extra care in seeking "under warranty" issues on the inspection. They found two: an issue with the clutch, and cracked bushings, both of which need to be done under warranty.

The catch: MINI of Mountain View was not making ANY appointments for June or later. It turns out that, as of Sunday, the entire MINI of Mountain View service department is on strike.

I've always been happy with the service we get from MINI of Mountain View, and hope for quick and speedy resolution to the labor issue. They have good people there who have always treated us very well. While I don't know the details of the labor disagreement, I do believe that they deserve to be treated and compensated fairly, so I'm not going to whine about any personal inconvenience. ANYWAY, in speaking to a manager there today, he suggested I wait until next week before calling again, as it doesn't look like this will be resolved right away.

Since we must get this addressed within the next 1000 miles, does anyone in the Northern California area have a recommendation for another dealer to do warranty repairs? I'm located in Santa Cruz. Also if anyone has more insight on this strike, please share.

 

There's East Bay Mini in Pleasanton, right off 680/580.

My mini is on order from them, so I can't talk about the service yet, but I've heard good things.
Good Luck!

 

I would highly recommend East Bay MINI in Pleasanton. I actually went there after MoMV screwed up a service issue pretty badly for me. I bought my car at East Bay but MoMV is closer...so I figured service there would be no big deal. To borrow a phrase from another local NAMer, I would push my car to East Bay before ever taking it back to MoMV. The first time I went they fixed the issue MoMV screwed up with no problems, and the second time I went, I indicated I was in a time crunch (needed to be back on the road in 3 hours) and they made it happen.

for Easy Bay MINI.

 

That's a bummer.

I've had great service from Mini of Mountain View. Hope they settle it soon.

 

Wow, I feel sorry for you and your MINI. Maybe you should contact MINI USA?

 

East Bay Mini in Pleasanton,

GREAT SERVICE DEPARTMENT

 

Marco,
Hope you find a ready solution.
No comment on the strike.
Billie

 

Anyone know what the strike is about? Wages, benefits, working conditions?

 

Wages and Benefits............standard stuff

 

I called East Bay MINI this morning to describe my situation, and have to say I'm impressed so far. After describing the issues I asked how soon they could get me in ... "how does tomorrow morning work for you?"

They don't offer free loaners, but do have cheap rentals in house. Let's see how the repair goes...

 

They called me yesterday to cancel my appointment for tomorrow morning too but oh well.....

I'll probably wait until the strike is over since they are just a few miles from my workplace and East Bay Mini is a bit far.

 

Yeah, I spoke with a guy at the parts department and he said he didn't know when it would be over. I've been wanting to add driing lights to my MCS but it looks like I'm going to have to wait just a little longer.

 

My wife and I are both very impressed at how friendly and helpful East Bay MINI is being. Next morning appointment, very attentive and encouraging when my wife took in the car. They're going all out to win customers away from MINI of Mountain View ... and I think they'll get more than a few!

 

I just picked up my Cooper S from there and called today to ask someone to look at my rattling parcel shelf (I've tried MacGuyvering it, and it's not working!). They have no idea when they'll be back up and running. Ah well.

Anyone have any parcel shelf tips? (I'd go to East Bay, but it's a pain with my commute)

Cheers!

 

Found more "info" about the strike here:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1015683

If what the people claiming to be service folks say is true, MINI of Mountain View does not sound like the sort of organization that I want to continue to support. That said, the very high quality of friendly service we're now getting from East Bay MINI helps make future decisions a lot easier...

Some choice quotes from the above linked thread:
"It's true, both stores are on strike. The contract was up midnight Saturday, Autonation has NOT been bargaining in good faith. The last "meeting" had our 2-reps waiting for 1-1/2 hrs before anyone from Autonation's side offered anything different from it's last offer. One of the last things from Autonation was "I guess we'll be back in June sometime to continue our negotiations". We want to keep the same contract we had only adding timely cost of living adjustments. Their offer is to: Drop pay 3-4 Dollars an Hour,eliminate sick leave,drop 6-paid holidays,raise medical costs substantially, use only their health plan, eliminate Dental and Vision,open Saturdays-and to go to strictly flat-rate with no garantee. Bmw is one of the most advanced cars out there. Along with the technology comes advanced diagnosis, and major software issues. They are not a KIA, or a Saturn. To repair these under a major time constraint only harms the quality of many repairs, and does not compensate the technician for his years of Factory Training,his 10's of thousands of dollars of his own tools, and the satisfaction of doing a quality repair. Someone had to stand up to Autonation!!!!!! HONK WHEN YOU DRIVE BY!!!"

and another...
"I'm a technician at Mountain View BMW. The reason for the strike is AUTO NATION is offering us a contract that is GARBAGE! They want to eliminate all sick days, reduce vacation days, some holidays and deduct pay. They want to make our shop flat rate which leaves an inexperienced technician (straight out of school) work on your vehicle in a short amount of time, without proper thoroughness, to make ends meat. Where as a union shop we get paid hourly and are able to fix our customer's vehicles with the proper attention that is required to be sure the job gets done correctly. We're on strike to keep what we have, we're not asking for more. We cant live with what AUTO NATION is trying to give us. We love our customers and apologize for the inconvenience. When you see us, honk for your sopport. If there is anything we can do for you, we still have the tools & technology to fix your vehicle. Thank you."

This really bothers me, as I've much appreciated the service and support we've gotten from the union team at MoMV. But if this is how their corporate overlords want to treat one of their key assets (the great people who do the work), then they can kiss MY great asset goodbye.

 

Thanks for getting more information on this. I can't believe how they're playing. If I knew for one minute what these guys were like I'd never have bought my new car there.

OK. With all that I've booked my service next Wednesday up in East Bay Mini. It's a bloody long way to go (and a darn sight further) but I'm not going to let them have any more money from me (or from Mini/BMW courtesy of me).

 

I'm very disappointed to learn where my MINI of Mountain View money was going. I wish there were a way to support the local employees without having to fund their evil corporate overlords, but it seems there is not.

Our experience with East Bay MINI has been top notch; far better service that MV ever gave. I have a feeling that they're going to be gaining a lot of new customers after this. And as long as MoMV is an Auto Nation shop, I know one place where we will not be shopping for our Clubman...

 

My vehicle was ordered from Mini of Mountain View. I hope this strike doesn't affect the delivery date...

But I'll be bringing my MINI to MINI of San Francisco for future service visits..

 

I agree that Autonation is not the best employer however, I was just talking to a sales person and found out that there has been some vandalism going on i.e, cut convertible roofs and slashed tires on new BMW's. This is going to get ugly. They actually have armed guards now.......doesnt look like it will improve anytime soon.

 

You can take your money away from the dealership, but that just means all the nice techs and people who work there will be out of job when they aren't making money for those corporate turkeys. Kind of a double edge sword.

 

this guy mentioned his car being keyed while he was inside a mini dealership recently:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=142685

 

I'm disgusted when hearing about employers cutting employee benefits just to save a few dollars, but I can not condone vandalism.

retroom

 

Here's a link to an article on the strike in the local weekly, The Mountain View Voice:

http://www.mv-voice.com/news/show_story.php?id=654

 

Thank you for the local article link.

We were treated extremely well by East Bay MINI; they even comped our rental when we returned to pick up our repair. And none of the "you have to authorize a $1600 repair before we can check your clutch just in case it's your fault" crap ... they found the problems and fixed them.

Looks like we've found a new dealer for future purchases and factory maintenance. Still, recommendations/names/contact for those who do quality local work (perhaps a MINI of Mountain View team member doing some side work) is much appreciated.

 

Local BMW/Mini service:

Driving Machine
10100 Bubb Road
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-446-9727

My BMW friends like them. That's where I'll be taking my Mini for its first oil change and tire rotation. They're also a Tire Rack affiliate.