Sounds like your not assertive enough. I wouldn't have left until I was happy. Even If it meant talking to the highest authority in the dealership and being a total ******* about it. Its human nature to push people around if they feel that they can get away with it.

 

Mine were replaced, but only after some serious discussion. They wanted to clean them, and did so, but that tleft them white and stained worse than they had been at the outset.

They told me that I must have used something to clean it that stained them. The service manager told me to drive it awhile to make sure that the weeping was fully over before he replaced the parts. When I went back in there was a new service manager who denied that this was policy.

We finally came to an agreement and the flares were replaced. The new SA said Mini was tightening up their warranty claim/approval process. It appears that they were replacing a lot of them.

 

I've called BMW North America directly and informed them of the situation. Another question... My vehicle came equipped with the Mini Connected screen.. Is it supposed to include the iPhone USB y-cable? My salesman told me he was giving it to me for free however I think it's something that came included with the car. Can anyone clarify? One of the options on my specific vehicle has listed "Comfort Bluetooth and USB/iPod"

 

My car came with in but it is a 2009. Still it was described as you stated and it came in the glovebox, on both of our cars.

 

I think the dealers around here remove them on purpose to make the customer feel as if they are getting a freebie. Totally not cool!

 

If that's true I agree. Seems pretty cheesy if you ask me.

 

My 2009 had it in the glove box, too.

I can't imagine how they would claim the car had the iPod system unless it had the cable. No other way to connect it, and there's no place but the Mini store to get one from.

Is it possible that the sales folks are just not too smart and really believed that the cord was an option?

 

Dealership in Irvine, CA told me that they would replace the stained vinyl flare one time but if the second flare is stained I would need to replace it at my cost. When I was at the dealership I walked through the used Mini section and the majority of the 2009-2011’s has the same stain in the same place on either the driver or passenger sides of the front flares. Hard to believe that this has been an ongoing issue that Mini has failed to resolve. I decided to get in touch with the corporate folks at Mini USA, some of the worst customer service available. Very scripted and robotic approach that resulted in this answer “we understand your frustration sir, however out marketing team has decided that a onetime replacement of the flare is a fair resolution, nothing like backing the quality of your product.
Now I know that DAVERSTER is telling us to stop acting like babies and get over it, however why should I have to invest time and money to remove the cosmoline and the stain? This is an ongoing issue that Mini has failed to resolve; they needed and still need to take ownership of the issue.
When I asked the corporate customer service manager how to have my concern escalated, I was advised this is as far as I get, their resolution offer was final. So much for the customer service I may encounter in the future if I have a more significant issue. My next step is to write the CEO of Mini USA, believe it is Jim McDowell and ask him whether or not he is aware of the issue and if she supports his team or customers. To me this whole issue is principle based, I have never been able to accept the take it or leave it approach, this may be a disorder but it’s who I am.
In closing, if you want to save money and remove the stain, use peanut butter oil, it works! This will remove the color of the stain and return your flare to black, however if you look closely you will still see the ghost of the stain.

 

The summary of every thread on NAM: MINI doesn't stand behind anything, even if they're at fault.


PS pumps, cosmoline stains, hinges, turbo issues...

 

I had tons of Cosmo coming out, don't think they did anything at the port to clean it if you ask me. It did stain my fenders and Mini Universal did replace them 2 weeks ago without me asking.