imo

Mini Customer Service is Crappy. They give you generic answers that are generated to by bland, and annoying.

Their solution to serious customer complaints is to act like bureaucratic dimwits.

Paraphrasing my discussion with BMW Mini.

Dear Mini: My car only has 40,000 miles on it and I have had to change the timing chain twice. The car is off warranty, because of time, and for some unfathomable reason Mini has not recalled the timing chain tensioner. I would like Mini to address this issue.

Dear Customer; Send us your VIN and we shall check to see if there is a recall.

In other words; " we don't give a ****".

 

I'm sorry for your luck. Do you think there is even 1 automaker in the world that would say OK our bad we will fix your car for free? Sorry it isn't going to happen. If you have a good dealer they may go to bat for you & get this covered.

 

the warranty book has a section about disputes


there is a process to follow


ignore the process and don't expect much result wise


no promises if you DO follow it, but if you don't I'm pretty sure what the end will be.

 

It has nothing to do with bad luck. It has everything to do with a defective design and an ignorant management at BMW Mini.

JD Power just listed Mini dead last on the 2014 reliability list. The CBC just did a national report on how bad the Mini is.

Mini wants to play the denial game. I hope they get sued right out of business. Then another more reputable company can take over the production of the Mini. The French are doing an absolutely shitty job.

 

Warranty process. What a laugh. Mini knew they had a defective part and played hush hush lets commit fraud.

Talk to customer service with the issue, and they will talk about anything else but the issue.

Dear Customer Service. Your chain tensioner is junk.

Dear Customer. Did you see last night episode of the BIg Bang Theory? LOL it was good.

 

With a bad attitude, it is likely mini knows they can never make you happy, and not waste their $$$.
Be friendly, be a nice guy that has a car with an issue that the person behind the counter WANTS TO GO TO BAT FOR...
If you are the jerk, they will not try to pull strings for you. So many things in life is based upon relationships...and when you act like a jerk, then the powers that be will fall back to the "rules", and say no...just to get rid of you.
No be the nice guy, that has an issue out of warrenty, and they MIGHT get it covered, if they don't, they may goodwill a portion of it....
But the " goodwill" price if often about the cost of an decent independent shop doing the work, so no great deal...
Good luck...know you need to vent, and you can be a bit of "the squeeky wheel", but don't push it too far, or they will call you a lost cause....

 

In everything you do this advice can do you a lot of good through your entire life time.

 

LOL.

So you should suck up to those who commit fraud?

Oh dear Mini, I know you purposely hid the fact that your timing chain tensioner is defective. And Gee whiz, I know you were trying to pass the buck to me and rip me off. But golly gee, rainbows and unicorn farts, pretty please do the right thing because I am asking you real nice.

JD Power just rated Mini dead last for reliability. I guess all mini owners need to send Mini flowers to help them get over the fact, that they have been declared "****ing useless".

 

The timing chain issue has probably done more to tarnish Mini Coopers reputation than all other issues combined.
The fact that they (Mini Cooper) chose to avoid a recall, failed to implement a permanent fix and placed the fault on poor owner diligence rather own up to their (Mini Coopers) responsibility for faulty design and maintenance intervals does not inspire confidence in their willingness to stand behind their product.
My dealership is adamant in their opinion that there is not a problem with the timing chain assembly and the fault lies with the owners and not Mini Cooper.
I do not share this opinion and do not feel at all comfortable with ownership of a Mini Cooper out of warranty.
This disgruntled RO has a right to be upset after two previous timing chain failures under warranty and now faced with one out of warranty. I have little to no faith in Mini Coopers supposed fix to their timing chain delema
Mini Cooper deserves the wrath of those owners who have fallen victim to such poor design failures and customer service which tends to wash their hands of any responsibility for not finding a permanent fix for the poor design.

 

As Jim Groce sang: "Don't spit into the wind and don't tug on Superman's cape". If you think being decent and civil in your dealings with people is the same thing as 'sucking up' to them you're not having a very enjoyable life.

 

People are assuming I went into Mini with a grump face.

I tried being nice,that is my natural state. I tried using reason, and showing them tech bulletins. I got the same answer each time. No warranty, no help.

This is a very straight forward issue to anyone that has built an engine. TIMING CHAINS LAST FOR MORE THAN 40,000 MILES. I have seen them last to 500,000 miles.

 

Thanks for your well thought out reply TREX.

Mini Marketed their car as quality. They also said the Timing chain would need no maintenance during the life of the motor. In industry standard and the EPA standard for a motors life is 10 years 120,000 miles.

There in no mentions of required maintenance in the owners manual, nor does the computer warn of any issue. Why? Because Mini expected the timing chain to last when they put in an outsourced motor.

People are asking me to be all nice to Mini. But how do you react to people who are using hypocrisy to defend themselves.

It is fraud to knowingly hide a defect. There are no limits on warranties in regard to defect. The are laws that address implied warranty. But Mini responds with a shoulder shrug which equates to a FU, and people are supposed to be nice?

I know Mini owners love their cars, but they should consider that you resale value is going in the toilet. JD power just rated the Mini as the worst used car. That is based on Minis obtuse and stupid campaign of saying, "it is not under warranty?

JD Powers Reliability report. Take a look at the graph half way down the page.

http://autos.jdpower.com/ratings/201...ss-Release.htm

 

Sorry for your anger, but as others have said being nice goes a long way. However, you can keep harping on JD Power rating but what good does that do?

Is there room for MINI to do better? Most definitely. Have they? Well the F56 is out and has a different motor in it. (Time will tell, but maybe they have).

I no longer have an R56. My JCW was an amazing car. Over time it had issues, but all along both I and the original owner had a fantastic relationship with the dealer. So when my tensioner started making noise, they took care of it. When the turbo oil line started leaking they took care of it (twice in 2 years. 2nd time as a Failed replacement warranty). When the turbo blew, they had the car for 2 weeks and charged 1 diagnosis fee (identified the failed turbo only and I did the replacement on my own). When I bought the car it was out of warranty but even though I was paying, they were reasonable on costs. Not Cheap. But they were reasonable.

At some point we have to decide to fish or cut bait. For me, I got to the point of not wanting to continue to put money toward repairs so I traded it in. However I don't agree with blanket statements of "fraud" or "defect". My opinion, but I think those are too strong. MINI isn't the only car with some issues, BMW has some-many Bimmer guys will tell you they won't own one out of warranty because of the expense. VW has their share. Nissan still uses CVT transmissions and they still fail prematurely. No one buys a Range Rover and thinks that it isn't going to need to be repaired often. It is what it is.

These cars are not Hondas. You cannot put 300,000 miles on them with no upkeep. It isn't going to happen.

If there is anything that the members of this forum can do to help. Ask. But don't expect to come in here and scream that we need to grab our torches and pitchforks and follow you to the castle. What we can do is offer experience and insight into what are reasonable expectations and requirements and consequences.

Best of luck to you and I hope that this gets resolved to your satisfaction.

 

I find it odd that everyone keeps saying that when you car fails to meet expectations, that you have to go to the dealer with your hat in your hand.

I have built race cars since I was 16 years old. I can tell you why lobe separation in important in forced induction application. I have changed timing chains, gear drives, and belts. So I can certainly tell you that it is not my fault that my Mini failed.

1. Mini recommended a 13,000 km distance between oil changes.

2. Mini's tensioner relies on hydraulic pressure to function properly.

3. Mini redesigned the tensioner to include a larger internal spring.

4. Mini sent out a tech bulletin which said "don't use the old style tensioner.

5. Mini therefore knows that their old tensioner is defective.

6. You shouldn't have to go to a manufacturer, of a defective product, and plead for help.

7. The manufacturer should not hide the defect.

8. The manufacture should treat its customers with a smile not denial.

9. As much as people love their mini, loving a car will cost you big bucks.

10. A timing chain in a pinto will last 120,000 miles. This is not about comparing Minis to Hondas, it is about comparing Minis to a bag of crap.

 

You hate MINI, you hate your dealer,...if you're that angry and don't want input from anyone then I suggest that you go out tomorrow and buy a Honda that looks like every other boring car. You'll solve all your problems and be happy-happy. I've had 5 MINI's and yes a few problems but I've treated the issues professionally, I haven't shot the messengers at the dealership and the issues have been resolved. Just sayin'

 

Let me paraphrase what you just said. Whaaaaa. I love Mini's and you are a mean mean man.

The Corporation is a loving kind entity and like my Mini loves me long time.

Again, I get a kick out of those of you who are suggesting, that my inability to get an answer from Mini is due to the fact that I didn't take them flowers and beg for their help.

I was reasonable and moral. What I got in return was obtuseness and inflexibility.

p.s. You are suggesting, that because Mini's are exciting, we should accept the fact that they are crap.

My 850 RWHP Fox Coupe is exciting, and it's double roller doesn't break every 40,000 miles.

 

No what he's saying is you're behaving like a spoiled child who isn't getting his way.


If you think the car is *****, get rid of it and stop acting like a dicque.....at least here.

 

I keep trying to ignore this thread, but it keeps getting activity and popping up to the top

Is there a way to block threads?

The OP is not looking for a discussion.

Stop feeding the beast and it will eventually go away.

 

LOL. Some people are truly dense. How else can I put it?

I am saying that Mini purposely deceived all of it's customers, and everyone with the N14 engine will eventually face huge repair bills.

That is no different than someone buying a hammer, having the hammer break when you hit a nail, and having the manufacture say "that it wasn't made for hitting nails, rather tapping thumb tacks".

The people that are responding seem to have no knowledge of the issue. NOr have they dealt with the Manufacturer about this issue. If they had they would realize that Mini is denying the issue instead of dealing with it. Victimizing customers instead of being moral.

You guys are objecting to my post, because you think I am being a mean man, but you seem to be okay with Mini ripping people off.

I can only assume that the wires in your heads have the love of your Mini mixed up with the love for Mini Corporate.

There are many lawsuits on this issue. TV news programs addressing the Issue. Yet Mini won't face up and you guys accuse me of being immature?

I don't like to flame people, but you guys are being think in the head. I am thinking you all work for mini in some capacity or another.

 

Can one of the flamers, please explain, why it should be considered okay for a timing chain to fail at 30,000 miles?

 

No intention of feeding a troll, but I wanted to say something, I can't say how much of a hand if any at all "Big" Mini had to do with this, but this is MY experience with Mini, specifically my local dealer, Mini of Peabody, who is also a vendor on this website, https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...partsmass.html

Absolutely outstanding customer service. Went above and beyond in every way to help me get into a new (to me) mini cooper s. And, even though the warranty was long gone along with the previous owner when that damn ticking started I asked for help and got it. I'm not sure if I should say how much they helped me, but suffice to say I wouldn't have been able to afford it. The same goes for the car, for that matter, I traded in a used 2013 Ford Escape that my (now) ex-wife foolishly purchased while I was on deployment. We owed more on it than it was worth after a year of 472 dollar monthly payments. My bank wouldn't give me a loan on the Cooper, but BMW USA did, and with a surprisingly low-interest rate. After a failed marriage my credit is improving quickly and I owe that to Mini of Peabody.

and I effing love my car. I couldn't be happier unless the sport mode button always stayed on and the exhaust smoke was green...

obviously, your mileage may vary.

 

I'm on the Lords side here. Most big corporate entities will deny until someone forces them to face up. Just look at the GM ignition switch killer fiasco.

I'd go to small claims court and sue them for the cost or replacement or whatever repairs are needed. You against the machine, man vs. mini

 

Once again. How am I being a troll?

I am bringing up a real issue and providing factual evidence of the issue.

I think all who defend their mini, because they love their car, are being the trolls.

You are giving no consideration to any experiences that are outside of your bubble. And also condemning me, because I have had the misfortune of getting a lemon.

 

Thanks for the support, I am fighting for everyone, but people are feeling personally hurt because they are placing the locus of their identity in a product.

It is like getting into a fist fight over Coke or Pepsi.

I wonder if people here, would be so upset, if they realized the defective component was outsourced from Germany to France?

 

This article was PMed to me.

What do you think this does for the resale value of our cars?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/bmw-s-...airs-1.2948855