I got a call last Friday from my MA informing me that my '07 AB MCS was damaged during shipping (supposedly a "scratch" on a rear quarter panel) . I had my suspicions that something was amuck since it arrived at the Charleston port on the 7/13/07 and didn't get to the VDC until 7/20/07 and wasn't scheduled to get on a truck until 7/26/07 . This was after finishing production on 6/21/07 and not getting on a ship until 6/30! ) When the trucking company showed no record of my VIN last Thursday (7/26), I knew something had gone wrong. I originally had an ETA of 7/29 (after reaching port on the 13th!), but now I have to wait "up to 3 business days" from last Friday (7/27) to find out what my status is . I asked my MA today if that meant 3 business days to find out if it had been repaired, or 3 days to tell me what they are going to do?

Has anybody had a similar experience?

 

My car had minor scuffing on 2 fender trims. Being replaced next week.

If its only a "scratch" I would inspect it to the MAX and if you are satisfied, accept the car. If not--re-order. I would imagine the VPC paint work would have to be top notch and the new paints allow for amazing, undetectable blends.

I recently had some work done on my son's 2002 Boxster S and wife's 2002 A-6 and its perfect.
Trust me I used a magnfiying glass and can not tell where it was blended.

 

My first order was damaged. I got a call from my MA the day it was due to deliver, saying they could not deliver it. Rules (or laws?) prevent them from selling a vehicle which has more than 3% damage. Mine was in this catagory. (don't know if this is a California thing or BMW/MINI nationwide). But I didn't have to accept/reject, they simply said the would not deliver the vehicle.

Anyways, all I could do is reorder and wait. Which I did. Got the second one intact last Friday. It was worth the wait, for what it is worth!

They did seem to get me a quick production run. I was informed of the damage/failure to deliver on a Thursday, the new order was in my hands on Friday, and the replacement car started production the following Tuesday.

Are you being asked to OK the delivery of a repaired vehicle? Or are they saying the won't/can't deliver it. Frankly, I wanted mine to be as pristine as possible, I'm glad they opted to have me reorder a "fresh" one. Depending on how damaged yours was, you may want to do the same thing.

Sorry for your issue... But again, Max was worth the wait!

 

I don't know the extent of the damage yet. It is supposed to be just a scratch, but my MA said they should have an updated report by Wednesday. I would sure hate to have to reorder, but like you, I don't want a "damaged" vehicle pawned off on me as "new". We'll see...

 

Our was damaged in transit from VDC to dealer. Somehow the roof got damaged, and was about $1200 worth. It needed paint, prep, repair and some sunroof parts. The dealer was great about the whole thing and sent a copy of the repair estimate from the body shop. We opted not to take delivery. I had no desire to deal with non-factory paint on a brand new car and possible sunroof issues down the road. We ordered another car.

In your case, I would want to see the car before it was repaired, or see the repair order. A "Scratch" could mean a whole quarter panel has been painted.

 

You're buying a new car, not a used one. IMO I would order another. My folks bought a new car back in the mid eighties that had to have the roof repainted. The paint shop did a good job and everything was fine. But only after about 3 years the roof paint had faded slightly and was noticably different. Unless you're leasing it and don't want to wait again, order another.

 

Hey ucbrother, I've been following your plight. Assuming it's just more or less superficial scratch that was painted and with no structural damage, I'd be pretty comfortable after a very close inspection of both the records they might provide and the area painted itself. I had a vehicle with hail damage that had parts painted, and as far as I was concerned, it was better than new. I'd like to think the VDC work would compare favorably to the average body shop. Keep us posted.

 

Take a friend of yours who uses a DSLR camera...Go ot look at it at night With the lights outside..Use the flash...then see where paint doesn't match...Metallic paints are harder to match..I'd take a paint density meter too..Digital one(rent one) for the day or just ask to get a new order.

 

These are all valid points, but this though keeps going through my head...

You order an new MINI and wait an extra six weeks. Then someone backs into you in a parking lot...

 

My Mini was held up at the VDC. The trucker who was picking it up noticed a scratch on the rear bumper and sent it back to the VDC, would not deliver it to the dealer. It must have been small as the VDC missed it. Mini replaced, not repaired the entire bumper. As long as the whole bumper was replaced with an original painted matching factory bumper, I was fine with that. (That was my second order after the MFSW fiasco!)

BMW/Mini is probably paranoid about how much damage they will fix and send on as a new car, hence the 3% rule, not sure if it is that state or what. But it is comforting to note that one poster they wouldn't even deliver the car. I live in AL and there was a noteworthy case years back of someone who sued BMW for fixing scratches on a hood and selling it as new. They won a $2 million dollar award from BMW, hence, their caution.

Talk to the dealer, find out what exactly is wrong, and what they are doing about it. If they replace the quater panel, no harm.

 

Thanks for all the input. I will keep everyone posted as I get updates in case this happens to someone else.

 

The bumper is plastic, so it may be difficult to repair scratches. I'm having to have the rear bumper replaced and the replacement is unpainted. The body shop that MINI of Mountian View is using will have to match the color.

At the same time, they are repainting the hood scoop because it did not color match the hood when it came from the factory. This is on a Pure Silver car. The scoop looked more purple than the hood.

 

If I had a dealer tell me they have to re-order when there is minor damage, I would be very suspicious.

 

Meaning?

 

I'm finally on a truck!

 

Good news, I think... So, what was the resolution? Did they disclose the damage or nature of the repairs?

Glad to hear it's on it's way!