Went to pick up my GP (0411 my b'day) and the guy who takes the checks and trys to sell you all sorts of warrenty extension had an interesting point.

He refered to the GP wheels as "unobtainium" wheels. ie unabtainable.

If I were to break a wheel I might find it difficult to find a replacement. The short run of 2,000 cars might mean that after a couple of years BMW will no longer sell those wheels.

Now if I had the wheel/tire insurance he would guarentee getting me a new wheel. I didn't do the deal BUT what about all the parts that are unique on this car? Aluminum suspension bits and the wheels. What do we do if they bust somewhere down the road. Will we be able to find replcements or will we have to custom machine new ones ($$$).

2,000 cars does not an aftermarket make.

 

by that time you'll like something else.

 

BMW builds a lot of limited production vehicles (M3 CSL, M3 Evo II, S54 M Coupe, etc..). I don't think you'll have a problem.

 

I have a friend with a Porsche 944 S2 hardtop, a very rare car also. He has has trouble finding any kind of part for that car, and the ones he can find are very expensive. As an example, he said that he good wires (i.e. Kingsborne) cost about $190. That's a lot for a 4 cylinder motor!

The one fortunate thing for him is that, except for the 3.0L 4-cylinder motor, most of the parts are from the 944 turbo. For any parts that are unique to the S2 (i.e. wheels, spoiler, etc.) it's like being on an organ donor list...he has to wait for someone else's misfortune and buy it used.

 

Interesting thread. Makes me think about buying some of the GP bits "in case" and hopefully I won't need to use them. I've become fond of the wheels now that I have the GP in person ... reminds me of the Fuchs wheels on the Porsche 930 I had a while back.

 

We contacted our M/A in San Antonio and let then know that we need a GP wheel and full size tire when we pick-up our car, (GP 0706) at the end of the month. Simply due to the fact that I would rather be safe than sorry. They quoted me a price of: $ 700.00 which I think is worth it.

 

Congrats, a buddy of mine used to be #1 on the list for a GP at MINI Center.

 

We have had ours ordered since August 30th, does your buddy still have one coming?

 

Nah, he decided he wanted something different and bought a Mk5 GTi instead. He had an 05 Hyper Blue MCS that was well modified and gorgeous.

 

Replacement decals are unobtainable now. I have had a defective hood decal, and boot decal since the car was new. My dealer has not been able to obtain replacements from MINI. However, they are willing to "Owe" me.

GP 0019

 

You can think of buying replacement parts now as a guarantee that those parts won't break. Murphy says that the parts you have spares of are the ones that will last forever. The 1 part you don't buy will not only be the one that breaks, but also be the one the dealership stopped carrying last month.

 

Even if you bought his warrantee, how can he promise that he can get you a wheel? Are you telling me that they will pay to have one custom machined if they are not available or even that they will pay a greatly increased price to get you one secnd hand? No way, they will just give you what they say they are worth or refund hte cost of the warrantee. He is just blowing smoke.

 

Wow, that stinks.

 

That sounds like a bad deal for me then.

I got hit this weekend just about 24 hours into owning #1168. It needs a new wheel, bonnet, and replacement of one roof graphic, plus a bunch of other bodywork pieces.

It has yet to make it to the bodyshop.

 

Sorry to hear about your accident :(

Morbidly though ... any pics? - it might be the first GP accident so it could be famous

 

You will be ok, most of the body pieces are the same as a normal S. Several after market graphics people are making the decals, and of better than MINI quality.

Sorry to hear about your accident, glad you are ok.

GP0019

 

I was gonna say, if he's selling you a warrantee that guarantees he will be able to get you a wheel, why can't YOU get the wheel... if for some reason you actually need to replace the rim at some point (VERY unlikely) then you can worry about finding one. He has no more resources than you do for finding one in the aftermarket, not to mention if they're available to him new, they're just as available to you :-\.

 

I've already had one rim replaced under warranty for overspray on the spokes.

It took less than a week to get the rim in, so warranty parts are becoming available.

 

Infamy at last!

Pic's are here:-

http://library.britishcaranddriver.c...albumName=ouch

Chris

 

That's very upsetting

 

,
and i hope it gets better and the alignent fixed,...that wheel is puched back....is it bent.
You could always send it to me i would love those on my convertible.

Those pics tell it all, at least your safe.

 

bastage

 

Indeed.

Latest is that the suspension damage has been fixed at the dealersip and Henry is now getting the cosmetic surgery done.

Another couple of weeks I reckon.

 

personally, I am going to buy a spare wheel or 2 over the next 6 months or so, just to have....just in case

 

Seems I was misled. The dealership is still waiting for two parts to arrive from Blighty before heading to the bodyshop.

First payment is now due and all I've had is a test drive