But that has nothing to do with what the OP is claiming, that a MINI dealer should have given him a free loaner and a free yearly oil change and didn't.

and those were promises from the dealer ... not MINI

 

No MINI Dave no need for small claims court. And I should have gotten it in writting. When dealing with dirt bags get it in writing- Note taken- thanks Dave. They saved a few hundred and it will cost them thousands. Very simple proceedure. I been all over with my MINI do lots car events and all my customers ask what am I driving now. It makes it so simple and easy. They are already money behind. I don't need it in writing for a pair of mats. Like I said "That is what my business was worth to them". Its all good. I love Karma. It works for me.

As for my MB I did what I had to do to make them replace a defective car. It burned a quart of oil every 625 miles according to there consumption report. Maybe your ok with that Mini Dave but I am not. They picked the hard way.
You have to live with your choices. Phil Smart sucks buy from Barrier

 

All I have to say at this thread is lol.



But MINIdave and BJ are right, but I'm a cynical salesman who sees too many people taking advantage of others with the "he said/she said" crap. Can't tell you how many times I've quoted prices for repairs to customers, only to come in the next day and notice they are getting stuff for free because someone "Quoted" them it was free....

 

Write to MINI USA and I can almost guarantee you'll be reimbursed somehow. Even an American car company will respond to a well-written, firm but polite statement of dissatisfaction. And explain to them that you were considering adding a Countryman to your garage. You'll have them kissing your hiney in no time.

 

My 2009 MINI was driven less than 5,000 miles the first year I owned it. On or about the anniversary date, I took it to the local dealer. The oil was changed at no charge. This was not the original selling dealer. The repair order copy I received was noted as a warranty repair, not Goodwill.

This result was consistent with the selling dealers original instructions, the servicing dealer's instructions, and what is written in my owner's manual. It is also consistent with the experiences reported by other owners on various Forums. For these reasons, I am going to assume it is consistent with MINI policies and not simply a fluke. Like others, I would recommend calling MINI customer service for clarification.

 

I called Mini USA today and they said and I quote "we never changed the program and you should get a "free" oil change every year and the dealer is wrong". They were going to call the dealer.

 

Got a voice mail this afternoon from the Service Manager apologizing for charging me when I should not have been charged and promised to send me a check. Apparently they got a less than friendly phone call from MiniUSA. Now I'm really curious, does anyone think they billed MiniUSA and me? That truly would be fraud. I'm going to call back MiniUsa tomorrow and try and find out. I have a copy of the bill and invoice number. It would be quite a scam if they pulled it off but if they did I will not let this die because of Mini of Charleston's attitude. I love my Mini but you would think that a company that got ranked last in quality would be a little more appreciative of the customers they have. Apparently MiniUSA got the wake up call but McFly at Mini of Charleston didn't.

 

Thanks for not giving up. Do you think MiniUSA will roll over on a dealer.
I don't trust my selling dealer with my vehicles and I changed my oils at 1k miles for $34 and will every 5k. My SA already lied to me about a starter problem, kept the car for week and did not fix the problem I brought it in for. ( a monentary "oil can" light at start up )He will not return phone calls, but another dealer is at least 150 mile away.
Great cars - bad service
My $.02 worth

 

information is power

 

I did exactly that. To let them know I was disatisfied with how they change policy, how the dealer fulfills the policy, and the overall quality of service from the dealer. Only thing I received was an email saying they were sorry and thanked me for taking the time to notify them of my experience. Shows me they could care less.

MINI advertised 3 yrs no cost full maintenance on my 2007 Cooper S. The Motoring Advisor reaffirmed this when selling me the car. In Sept 2010, when I called to schedule my yearly oil change before my 3yrs are up(Oct), I'm told that MINI changed the rules and I would have to pay, wait until Dec and pay, or drive 3000 more miles within the next week. So Patrick MINI loses my business and in Jan when I scheduled the oil change at Bill Jacobs MINI, I mentioned to the SA how disappointed I was with the policy change, and he then tells me MINI went back and changed it to the original policy. WTF?

The dealership is expected to be the best resource to go to for service, and is trusted to perform the necessary service to keep the car safe and running at its best. Not every owner is a master mechanic and should not have to ask the SA did you do this, did you check that, was this replaced, can you replace that.

In my 3yrs/36000 no cost full maintenance, I received two oil changes and a brake fluid flush(supposedly). Thats it. I was completely shocked when I checked my air filter and saw that it was completely clogged. It was the original air filter. Same with the cabin filter. I have absolutely no trust in either of the MINI dealers I went to and will not be visiting them again, whether for maintenance or a new MINI.

Here is MINI's statement:
Some go the extra mile. We prefer an extra 36,000.
Our Boot-to-Bonnet Maintenance Program is one of the most comprehensive maintenance programs in its class. It covers all factory-recommended maintenance for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles, and is included with every new MINI at absolutely no extra cost.
In addition to oil changes, inspection services, and fluid services, it covers a bunch of specific items that need replacement due to normal wear-and-tear – such as brake pads and rotors, wiper blade inserts, engine drive belt, engine air filter, and cabin air microfilter.

While there are many owners who can agree to the above statement, I can say they only went roughly 2 years, 26000 miles. I wasn't looking for my whole car to be replaced under the maintenance program, but I did expect my oil to be changed and my filters replaced.

Lesson learned. I will do a little more homework before I visit another MINI dealer.

 

Good work.

 

Do they really not reset the CBS for oil life when you get an annual oil change?

I suggest asking when you schedule service, and reading the service printout to be sure you did in fact recieve what you expect before and after the service.

When we had the chrome scoop heat-shield fix installed at NW MINI Tacoma, I did not assume - rather asked if they will check the fluids while it's in, because at 5,000 miles it was down 1/2qrt oil. They said yes they always go over the cars bumper to bumper. I infact received a very nice 4-page full color print-out from them listing everything they checked. The service invoice lists the 1/2qrt oil and at no charge. I have all such paperwork saved in a 3-ring binder.

As for required maintenance, I have each item researched and listed in my own maintenance list Word doc, and will be sure and ask for each item "free" come the time. Which will amount to 2 or hopefully 3 annual oil changes, brake fluid flush, cabin and air filters. Since our MINI only sees 10,000 miles a year or less.

Oil Change 1 Year or CBS
Brake Fluid 2 Years or CBS
Micro-Filter 2 Years
Air Filter 2 Years or Every 2nd Oil Change or CBS
Tires 6 Years
Spark Plugs 60K
Transmission Service 100K
Oxygen Sensor 120K
Coolant N/S ("Long-term rated. Change at system repairs only").
V-Belt N/S
Fuel Filter N/S
Power Steering Fluid N/S

Maintenance program: 3 years / 36K (7-26-2010 thru 7-26-2013)

 

As for the buying experience of our first MINI, we never had more FUN buying a car.
Bought my truck at Dave Smith and thought that was the best experience before.

When we ordered our MINI from NW MINI Tacoma the competing dealer in Portland was $200 cheaper for the added dealer prep charge and offered free mats. I asked MINI NW to match that simply in an email during the ordering process before we signed and they did, no squabble.

When I had them install the Koni FSD's two months later I asked for and received a loaner. Turns out the labor price quoted on the phone was several hundred dollars too low, but they honored it no squabbles.

Our MA remembered us 5 months later and sat and talked for a good half hour about everything from our kids to salsa recipes when we were there waiting for the chrome scoop fix. Last weekend we popped in to see the Countryman in person and he waved at us as we pulled in, then proceeded to show us all the Countryman features. He's a young man who is pumped about the brand and his fun job selling them. He was grinning ear-to-ear telling us about getting to test track the Countryman for a week.

I certainly have never had a better buying or service experience in my life, and we have dealt with many different makes and dealerships. Heck the waiting room is world class compared to GM, Chrysler, Dodge and Toyota waiting rooms I have been in. Comfy, large, free food and drink......



We were in Fife getting a furniture return arranged down the street from MINI NW. The furniture salesman promised a week earlier to have the service tech call us, never happened so I went to her manager. Just an example of correcting bad communications.