Double post

 

It is a nightmare!

I live in Texas. Consumers are completely on their own, just like everyone else. Laws that aid or protect consumers are for commies. Ricky says so!

I do still have the loaner, but Travis and Sewell don't appear to be giving me any sort of break on the ridiculous cost of these repairs. Of course, I won't know that until all is said and done.

The warranty is through a company called Cars Protection Plus. Be sure and avoid them like the plague!

From the agreement, "C.A.R.S. has the right to select and supply used, rebuilt, or aftermarket components when authorizing repairs." Also, "LABOR... not to exceed $75.00 per hour."

So between Sewell MINI charging 150+% for parts and 300+% for labor and Cars Protection Plus attempting to pay 0 - 15%, who gets screwed?

That's right, me!

I have purchased warranties on the last 2 vehicles I bought and they paid for themselves, with no whining or obfuscation from the warranty company.

And so, Tuesday will be a month that I've owned the car. I drove it for 5 days.

 

Quick question: did the last two warranty companies refuse to provide coverage for the MINI? From your post, it sounds like you were stuck with C.A.R.S. and they weren't the ones who covered your last vehicle.

 

C.A.R.S. was the only warranty offered at the independent dealership where I purchased the car. I scanned over it (obviously should have read more closely) and it appears to be the same "boilerplate" as the last 2 I purchased. However, the last 2 were purchased from different companies.

C.A.R.S. Protection Plus = the Suck

with Sewell MINI Plano not too far behind

 

I'm sorry that that happened to you :( I learned the same thing with aftermarket warranties in the past. Since then I have saved my $2000+ in the bank on the off chance that I'll need it for repairs. If you have the money for a warranty it's better off in your bank account than in some schister's hands. OK this being said and what's done is done, make your case to your dealership to see if you can get some compensation on this. Best of luck.

 

I guess the independent dealership you purchased the car from is totally out of the picture?
Thanks for the heads up on C.A.R.S.

Sewell Parts MINI of Plano is a sponsoring vendor on NAM.
It seems like they would want NAM members posting good things about them.
They are offering a 10% discount on parts during July using the code July4:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...y-savings.html

I'm really sorry this is happening to you.
Still hoping that Sewell will come through for you.
I did misunderstand and think that they sold you the car in the first place.

Have you looked into finding an independent MINI mechanic in the area?
If Sewell can't assist you may want to have the car towed elsewhere.

Metroplex MINI is the Dallas area MINI club.
http://www.metroplexmini.org/forum/??

Here is a thread on independent mechanics:
http://www.metroplexmini.org/forum/s...ad.php?t=34271

Maybe you can find some useful information there.
I don't know what to say...
But, Wow!

 

I appreciate your concern and all your help LittleWing.

The dealership that I purchased it from did cut me a check for $400, which was half the initial estimate on repair. I have kept them informed of the process and they have not responded. I don't really expect to hear any more from them.

I am also hoping that Sewell comes through in the end. I do believe that Travis is doing his part to ameliorate my issues. Sewell simply overcharges by ridiculous amounts. He has worked with the warranty company and it now appears they are going to cover most of the timing chain repair. There may be a difference in labor cost and what the warranty will pay but, otherwise it appears to be covered, so far. I would prefer to have an alternative mechanic that is familiar with the vehicle, and hopefully closer!

Thanks for the link to the local club. I'll be checking in with them as well.

Edited:

I would also add that if it's a regular occurrence for MINI's to have the timing chain fail at 60k, MINI USA should be doing something. I've seen plenty of posts here covering that ground. I appears to be an issue to me.

 

Well chick draper I just want everything to work out for you and for you to enjoy your MINI. Your story is a real heart breaker. As my car is about to go out of warranty it hits particularly close to home. Add in the fact that I have followed the OBC for oil changes...and now I'm concerned about the future reliability of my car. So, being an information gatherer by nature, I am trying to forearm myself in case of a future engine failure.

I don't want to jinx myself, but I haven't had the timing chain problem and I hope it's a matter of if, not when. From what I gather, MINI is well aware of it and sometimes people get goodwill repairs for this issue. I hope that happens for you. From reading about this and other issues, it seems that the key to getting MINI USA to take care of a problem is the involvement of the dealership. It appears to me that without dealership support, MINI USA will not get involved. It sounds like Sewell is working on it. Are they trying to bring MINI USA back? Where's the district manager who got you a new key? Although I understand that they overcharge, being the dealership, it's good that Sewell is working with you, considering that you bought the car elsewhere. A case like yours must be a nightmare for them too, as it reflects so badly on the brand if the outcome makes you unhappy. Bad news always travels fast.

You have probably already seen this, but it is a good link for some interesting reading:
Gen 2 Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) Database

This TSB is the pertinent one for your current timing chain issue:
Rattle Noise from Engine
http://www.minitis.net/tsb/bulletins...p/M110207g.htm

There has been an update since Oct 2010, but I can't find it.
I have heard that a new law will require auto manufacturers to make all TSBs available to the public. I don't know how soon that will happen, but it can't be soon enough.

Regarding the timing chain, some people think MINI USA should do a recall. I don't know about that, but I do think an extended warranty on the parts, such as the one on the HPFP, would be a good thing.

I hope this helps.
Good luck!

 

thanks for the reply mate

 

Wow... so sorry to hear this mess. Generally I've only heard rave reviews of work done at Sewell MINI in Plano.

I've had good luck w/ MINI of Dallas since they were sold over to AutoNation about 4-5 years ago. I generally go to one of the Autoscope locations (Love Field or Plano near GB and Coit), but occasionally (like for your electrical issues), you have better luck w/ a dealership.

Welcome to MextroplexMINI.org.

 

Big bowl of steaming suck. Hopefully your post repair experience will be worth the headache of the first month.

 

I would think since you had problems so close to your purchase date that you could say you didnt want the car after all, dont used cars come with like a 2-4 wk timeline if something goes wrong?? I would be pissed!

 

So, I finally get the call today from Travis. The car is fixed, has been properly programmed and driven enough to prove everything is working correctly. He says I can come pick it up now, after a month of it being there.

With mixed emotions, I ask "How much?" I honestly thought I was going to write Sewell a check for $1100 or $1200, with gritted teeth, and attempt to put this surreal joke behind me and begin to actually make payments on the car and enjoy driving it.

"$2136!", he tells me. I was in the Collin County Courthouse or I would have screamed at the top of my lungs a string of expletives that would have made Ralphie's Old Man blush in good ol' Travis' ear!

As I've stated before, Sewell's gouging is on an astronomical scale! C.A.R.S. Protection Plus is a simple flim flam operation. They paid some $300 toward the $1500 timing chain job that MINI USA should be paying for.

So here I am. I have people coming to replace my roof tomorrow, who I also have to pay, and WAS NOT prepared to write a $2136 check today.

Travis has been quite helpful, but I will NEVER set foot in Sewell MINI Plano again and will tell everyone I know the same!

I will contact the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint against C.A.R.S. Protection Plus. I will also use every online opportunity to tell of my experience. I will also call the company and inform them of my complete dissatisfaction and of my intention to inform everyone I can of their practices.

As my mean, nasty old Grandma use to say, "People are no damn good!"

 

OK, let's back up here a moment.....

You bought a used car out of factory warranty from a non MINI dealer, and I'll bet you did not have it checked out by a MINI mechanic or anyone else before you bought it, right?

So you have a weird problem that no one has ever seen, and you're upset with the dealer for charging you regular retail rate to fix it, the same rate they charge anyone else who's out of warranty. How is that "gouging"?

You also bought a third party warranty without really reading it and they didn't cover this odd, wierd no-one's ever heard of it before electrical problem, and that's also someone else's fault.

As to the timing chain, I'm totally in your court there. However, this thing might have been making noise all along and no one realized what it was in time to get it covered under warranty. Had that happened, MINI would have covered it, no questions.

The fact that you're out of factory warranty means they don't have to cover it, however I think they should given the history they've had with it. But, I guess they have to cut it off somewhere.

As for your warranty company, they suck ***** and it's too bad, but you did get in essence a $400 refund on the cost of it, and you can still use it the warranty in the future (god forbid you have too). I don't know what you paid, but that should help the sting of it a bit.

You're not the only one to have to pay for a timing chain replacement, BTW.

Bottom line, you could try talking to your MINI dealer over the timing chain and see if you can get some good will, but you may have burned that bridge already by your comments here......

Good luck with your car, try to just go enjoy it if you can!

 

I'm really sorry this didn't end better for you.

Sewell can charge whatever they like but they should have given you an estimate first.
It's Florida law that a customer approve the cost over a certain amount (I don't recall off hand - $200 maybe?) before the work is done on the car.
I guess that it's different in Texas.
You should have had the option of turning them down and having the car taken to an independent shop.
Dealerships are known for being high priced, but to have a bill $1,000 over what you were expecting is pretty shocking.
Most people don't have that kind of pocket change.
The total bill should not have been a surprise.

Your warranty is a joke.
I wouldn't count on it to cover future problems since it didn't cover the timing chain effectively but it may serve as getting you a discount.
A Better Business Bureau complaint against them sounds like it's in order.

I think in your case the fact that you didn't buy the car or warranty from MINI worked against you.
Everyone else made a profit off of you before you got to MINI so I can understand that MINI didn't want to take a total loss.
However, the timing chain issue is really a bad deal.
Stay tuned to that.
MINI may have to deal with this down the line.

I really hope you don't have any more problems with this car.
You had really bad luck and everyone got a piece of you.
You need to get out and enjoy motoring!

Edited to add link:
You can search for recalls, TSBs, complaints, and file a complaint here:
Nat'l Highway Traffic Safety Administration
http://www.safercar.gov/
There's quite a few complaints about the timing chain rattle.

 

Sorry to hear about this headache.

So the dealer did not offer any other warranty besides the one you bought like a 30 day warranty?

 

A couple of things that I thought about which you may be interested in:
If you send this poster your VIN, he will send you all of the options your car had when it was built. It includes your production date as well.
Here's the thread:
Find out all the options your car has!!

Check that your engine has this little part installed:
Turbo Oil Line Heat Shield
(scroll down the page for a photo of the shield installed)
Sewell should have put it on when they replaced the tensioner chain.
It's in the TSB above.
If it's not there, ask Sewell for it!
If they won't give it to you, it is only $26 from Way Motor Works and they shipped mine within 1 hour of placing the order.
My dealer wanted $50 for it.

Another thing, even though you don't have MINI's extended warranty, you should have a 2 year warranty on the work that Sewell did.
I believe that is standard.
These warranties are good at any MINI dealership.

No doubt you know that it is really important to check your oil frequently.
MINI says it is within normal limits for the turbo engine to burn as much as one quart every 1,000 miles.
My MINI doesn't burn oil, but others report that theirs does.
Many here recommend doubling up on MINI's recommended oil change interval. There is strong opinion here that MINI's OCI is far too long and could be related to turbo failure and shortened engine life.

I hope things are looking up today and that you can have some fun motoring in your car.

 

I'm sorry to hear about the $.

The only real problem I have w/ the chain of events is the lack of coverage all around on the timing chain rattle. That seems to be a very common issue w/ the R56 engine and I'm surprised that MINI isn't doing more. I'm also wondering how an insurance company could only give you $300 for that fix because they are insisting on non-factory parts while no non-factory parts exist for that component, as far as I know...

The good news is, however, that you have your MINI back! I found your link to this thread over on MetroplexMINI.org, so come on back to us there. There is a DIY event going on this Saturday morning at MINI of Dallas... a great place to hang out, meet some nice folks and learn a lot about your new car!

 

I agree with agranger, getting involved with a local MINI club will pay benefits down the road, and you'll meet a bunch of great folks.

 

Sewell did not install the Turbo Oil Line Heat Shield.

And now, today, the car won't start again!

I've really had more than enough!

 

Oh no!
Speechless.

 

O.K. -- Here's what I'd do. Call an attorney. The issues began so soon after you purchased the vehicle that it should be covered by something known as an "Implied Warranty". Simply put, the car is supposed to work, it didn't and you should be able to return the car and get your money back.

And when all else fails, call the local TV station and see if their consumer affairs will take up your cause.

 

^^ +1 ^^

It may be Texas, but I am struck with how the dealer you purchased the car from shelled out a few bucks at the initial electrical problem and then was able to walk away, leaving you with a warranty that really doesn't cover problems.
The used car business must be lucrative if there's no accountability required of dealers.

 

Well, I'm tired of talking about it. I'm sure that you're tired of reading about it. I'm compelled, however, to see it through to whatever end we might come to.

I called Sewell on Monday morning and Travis is off on vacation. The thought of rehashing this turgid travesty to whatever unlucky Service Adviser who's number came up was more than I could bear. But I realized, mid-thought, that everyone in the Sewell MINI Plano Service Dept. must be acutely aware of the intricate details of my public cuckolding at this point. I didn't bother with the details. I told here it wouldn't start. She said she'd send a tow truck, at her expense, and they would determine the problem and fix it. I said, "And charge me another $1000?"

She half heartedly assured me I needn't worry.

I emailed the dealership once again to apprise them of the status. I contacted a lawyer to determine my options

The tow truck came, collected the car, and off to Plano. She called late in the day to say diagnosis was still taking place, no answer yet, will keep me posted. If they didn't have something figured out the next morning, she would get me a car.

About 10:30 she calls to say it's fixed. It was the battery. "Musta drained it when we had it apart for so long." Uh huh, sure. On Sunday morning, when it wouldn't start, my neighbor came over with a brand new, not yet used, deep cycle, Optima and we jumped the MINI.

What would be your guess as to what happened? Yeah, that's correct, a brand new, super powerful battery was not the correct solution.

It does start now and I've driven it a handful of miles. But ask me if I trust that it is fixed and this is the end of the issues for this car. Go ahead, ask me.

I do not. I don't trust the car as far as I can throw it.

Meanwhile, I've learned about the water pump issue. I've learned about Consumer Reports naming the '07 MCS, officially, a piece of crap. I've learned that MINI USA will attempt to avoid paying for any part of the timing chain fiasco, until forced to do so. It appears to me the first year of the switch to turbo and more extensive electronic circuitry has been just short of an epic fail for the '07 MCS.

The Attorney says I have a case. At the very least I should be able to collect on the misrepresentation from C.A.R.S. and the incompetency, buffoonery, and deception of Sewell. They did pay the $248 for the battery. They didn't eat the cost of the CAS Module even though it didn't solve the problem. They didn't negotiate effectively with C.A.R.S. to get paid for the timing chain. They didn't inform me, clearly, of the difference between the $2100 timing chain job and the $864 C.A.R.S. paid.

And, in the other meanwhile, the Dealership that I bought it from, Rockwall Auto Direct, has now really stepped up and offered to buy back the car, replace it with something comparable, or purchase a new, "better" warranty (whom upon internet search appears to be just as bad as C.A.R.S.). I can barely believe it! But, in all honesty, this is one of the reasons we wanted to live in this locale. We knew that this type of behavior might be a real possibility among our neighbors. And it's not the first time we've witnessed.

So, if you've stayed with me this far, my intention is another MCS (or maybe even, fingers crossed, a JCW). I know, it's crazy right?

I LOVE this car! I've had some really FUN cars, but none funner than this one! Especially at this price.

My dilemma now, however, is do I get an '06 MCS with supercharger instead of turbo, equipped the way I want, with less mileage for less money, and less electronic control, knowing that it won't blow up when I drive it off the lot, or an '08 or '09 MCS w/the same mileage for a little bit more money, hoping that the issues are ironed out, post '07 paperweight?

What do you think?

 

If you're gonna go turbo, I'd get an '09 or even newer if you can, especially if it's still in factory warranty.

The '06 may not have the same problems, but there's nothing that says it won't have expensive issues too......

Whatever you decide to buy, do yourself a favor and take it to (a) dealer and have it checked out before you stroke a check!

My '09 got a new chain tensioner (only) at 3K, now at 43K it's been perfect ever since.

Things to look for on the '06, power steering pump, right side motor mount, water pump, thermostat leaking, power window motors, broken exhaust (at the cat or front muffler - mostly on JCW's) cooling fans that fail, A/C compressor failure, crankshaft vibration damper, noisey clutch and/or throwout bearing. There are others, but those are the most common......

Issues for the turbo motor cars are mostly the chain tensioner (once it's fixed it seems to stay fixed) some have had oil consumption problems, tho not a lot do, a few turbo oil lines that have leaked, and not much else. Also, oil changes and oil level are important on these engines.

Unless you have a weird, totally unheard of electrical issue!