I did a search on 'roadside assistance', returned a zillion hits, so thought I'd post my question. Am leaving soon for a cross country trip in my 2012 MCS. Has anyone used the Mini Roadside Assistance? Even though I'm still under warranty, am a bit concerned about breaking down a long ways from a Mini dealer..

 

An engine light came on in my 2012 MINI. I live 100 mi away from my dealer so MINI Roadside contracted a tow company come pick her up and take her to the dealer. As per policy of MINI USA and MINI Roadside (aka Allstate Roadside), she was put on a flat-bed tow truck. On the re-turn trip, 14 May 2014, however, things did not happen per policy. She was towed behind a tow truck with back wheels on the road and the front wheels 3 ft up in the air traveling down Interstate 75 from Atlanta to Warner Robins. The entire front of the car has suffered from gravel impact damage. Everything on the front end needs to be either replaced or re-painted (hood, hood trim, head lights, fog lights, bumper, roof, side mirror caps, front air dam, and wind-shield). MINI USA and MINI Roadside will not cover the damage and the tow company (who was under contract by MINI USA and MINI Roadside, of course indicates they did not damage the car. Both parties did agree, through a posted letter and an email, that the tow policy was not followed but there was no possible way my vehicle could have been damaged. When a vehicle goes to any MINI dealer for service, it is inspected for body damage (so the dealer is not held liable for damage they did not do, MINI USA policy). The service report from the dealer indicates no damage at all. $5k worth of damage and no one is to blame and no one knows how it happened in the course of 100 mi from the dealer to my house.

 

I called BMW Roadside assistance (same as MINI) once and insisted on a flat bed. Of course, they dispatched a wrecker tow truck, I told them that was not going to happen and turned them away. I called them back, they were "surprised" they sent that and they sent a flat bed from another company. Since I had two dogs they would not allow the dogs in the tow truck (leaving in towed car was OK--not sure if legal) and no person could legally sit in the towed vehicle. I also keep my AAA active just in case.

 

I would suggest getting your insurance company engaged. They can hassle it out between Mini and the towing company. BTW, I'm the OP of this thread. I did take that cross country trip last summer and am pleased to say we had no problems with the Mini.

 

Glad to hear your trip went well.

I've used BMW/MINI Roadside and I've used AAA -- In my experience, AAA beats them for service, hands down.