Attached are pics of the defect. The bagage door is lower on the right side.
What do you think?

 

I'd have to see how other R56's match up there, but it doesn't seem obvious that it's a defect - at least to me. Clearly it's not perfect fit and finish, but on cars these days (especially those in the MINI price range) I wouldn't expect perfect fit and finish.

 

Hmm... definitely looks off to me. I disagree with you, fronesis47, I would put a Mini in the premium class and would expect proper fit and finish. After all, it's a BMW and should strive to be perfect.

I would personally take it back and try to get them to fix it. Sounds like it's already starting to bother you... and that bother will only get worse over time!

 

Take it back. That's rediculous.

 

IMO, that's pretty minor. I've seen worse on the MINI, and some have even had the hatch so poorly aligned they ended up with water leaking in. Unfortunately, MINI fit and finish isn't on par with Toyota. Nevertheless, if it's unacceptable to you, then take it to the dealer.

 

OMG...is it? i thot mini have good quality control.

 

I don't think that the match up is minor. Your dealer may be able to readjust the door to match it up better. I wouldn't accept it.

 

I would actually say that the German cars fit and finish is by the far the best. I would absolutely expect any German car's fit and finish to be perfect, whereas I wouldn't expect the same from a Toyota (Lexus is a different story).

I believe that Mini is now being marketed as a BMW spin-off, and everyone is being told that it's BMW engineering, build quality, etc etc. In that case, I'd expect the same quality as I would if I were to have a 335.

 

Fixing it means it will lose some value - so I wouldn't do that.
I asked a car tinsmith and he said not to touch it, but it's kind of a defect. I will check whether the car can be replaced.
You wouldn't find such defect in other german cars such as vw rabbit/golf. Actually I've never seen such a defect in any german or japanese car (toyota, mazda etc).

 

By all means, take it back, your dealer should be able to adjust hatch hinges and trim to correct that 'misfit'.

Our (her) 'other-car' happens to be a new Toyota Camry and a critical, side-by-side comparison of 'fit-and-finish' with my new MINI Cooper,
gives advantage to the MINI

Reliability and longivity, I might 'bet' on Toyota, but time-will-tell, her 'Dealer Maintenance' {extra cost option} is done every six months
and there is that "Life-Time" Guarantee.

 

Can I see a wider picture?

 

Yes, of course.

 

It doesn't look horrible in that last shot, but if it looks off to you I'd pay a visit to the dealership...first to inspect the other cars, and second to have an adjustment made if you still feel it's warranted. It's probably a very simple matter and why endure the suffering if it's easily cured.

 

The spots on the window are a lot more noticeable...

 

The car's not a BMW. The car is a MINI. MINI just happens to be owned by BMW. But that doesn't mean BMW has anything to do with manufacturing or QA.

From what I understand, other than cashing the dividends checks, BMW doesn't really have a whole lot to do with MINI.

And isn't it a British car? They're not made in Germany.

 

I don't think so.
As far as I know, It was designed by BMW engineers.
Some of its parts are BMW such as the suspension system (rear Z multilink), engine (together with Peugeot) etc.
I bought it because it's a BMW.

 

I can almost feel the words from the dealer already "What did you do to it?", "That's an insurance claim." "If it was messed up from the beginning, and it bothers you, then why'd you buy the car?"

 

Actually I saw it immediately before I took out the car and notified the dealrship.
They told me it's nothing, but I took it for inspection.
The question isn't what the dealership says but what the manufacturer (BMW/MINI) will say and what is its stand on such cases?

 

Bring me any MINI and I'll bet you I can find places where body panels aren't nearly as well-aligned as your average Toyota Corolla. My own MCS has minor issues like the one pictured, and any of the ones I have seen sitting at the dealer have had even more noticable mis-alignments. Just look through these forums for the number of complaints people have with leaking doors and hatches due to much more severe misalignment issues, front windshields not sealed correctly, side scuttles falling off because they areb't properly attached, etc. A MINI is more like a hand made product in which small imperfections are to be expected. I'll bet you a Ferrari isn't as 'well-aligned' as a Toyota, but you don't always buy a MINI or a Ferrari for the same reasons you buy a Toyota.

The dealer should be able to adjust the hatch, but it may never be 100% perfect.

 

That's like saying a VW Jetta is a Mexican car because it is assembled in Puebla.
Mini's are German with international components and assembly locations i.e. French engines, Japanese auto trannies, English final assembly, etc.

 

It is worthwhile to use 'purefied' or 'distilled' water in the window washer tank

What would that little 'pink' spot at corner of glass be?
__________________________________________________ __________

Looking at mine from a "Concours d'Elegance" point of view; just one tag:

There is a four meter gasket sealing body to edge of sunroof and it is perhaps one mm too long
and joint is one cm off center (forward of antenna).
Easy fix would involve a sharp trim and proper sealant, if I cared.

I am most pleased that there are no leaks, rattles, whistles or 'buzz's in my MINI and everything works properly.
_________________________________

Great video from MINI USA.com on how those marvolous Robots work to make MINI's is worthwhile to watch.

No way would I ask for the sunroof gasket robot to change a thing, would rather a 1mm excess than a .04mm shortage (and a whistle or leak).

 

I would argue that the dealer is the intermediary between you and BMW/MINI. So if the dealer says it's nothing, and that they won't fix it under warranty, then BMW/MINI will back their dealer.

Disclaimer: I've worked at a dealer before.

 

MINI didn't exist before BMW bought Rover, took one model name (Mini), some early ideas for a new model and the site of a factory. BMW then created an entirely new brand, with an entirely new factory.

MINI is a brand, not a company, its just a small part of BMW. As the PR film at the factory says "MINI is one of BMW's global family of brands". It hardly independent in any meaningful sense.

 

You can go further, BMW Z4's and I think the X5's are made in S Carolina. Some Porsche Boxsters are made in Finland.

 

Man, your picky picky. That is just a plastic trim piece, nothing to do with the hatch alignment. You can move it up or down with your fingers.