Well my car situation only seems to be getting worse. Just this week the airbag light came back on, the window started dipping up and down, and this morning it STALLED!! Now keep in mind I have a CVT and it has ALREADY HAD THE WIRING HARNESS FIX! How is it still stalling? So now its in for service again at prestige who will be taking the computer to BMW HQ in NJ to see what is going on. To reiterate here is the list of problems since I got the car:

Steering column creaks - Fixed once, is back
Sunroof rattles - Fixed
Stalled - Fixed months ago just started again today, being worked on now
Rattle in speaker - Fixed, came back
Airbag light on - being worked on now
Leaking oil - Fixed
Rear wiper broke - being worked on now
Window dips randomly, interior light comes on while driving - being worked on now
Car pulls to the left - fixed
Car vibrates in steering wheel and seat - Not fixed
Headlight out, rally light out - Fixed
Car shudders at idle occasionaly - not fixed, software problem
Car bucks and lurchs - software problem


In the meantime I have been trying to see if I can get a new one. Only time will tell. If I do it will be a 2004 and that means my plans to move to Florida are now screwed. MINI USA wont get me a replacement and told me to go get a lawyer, so now I have to throw myself at the mercy of the dealer and hope I can get a new one. The service guy at Prestige said that MINI USA claims the 2004 CVT are problem free and all bugs have been worked out, but he wont believe it till he sees one. So my question is this....if I do get to order a new one should I get a manual MINI or maybe a MCS? Do these have less problems than the CVT? I really dont want the MCS, as I dont have another 3K to throw at this problem. I just dont understand how the 2004 CVTs could be okay and we not have software to fix the new ones? The service guy said its because the old ones need to "relearn" and they are having to make a new program for that but the 2004 CVT are supposedly coming with new software that is good but not retrofittable to the 2003s. Anyone have any advice? Id be willing to learn stick if the stick MC is gunna have less problems than the CVT....

_________________

 

No advice? Gee thanks a lot.

 

I've got over 23K on my 02 MC 5 speed - some MINOR warranty glitches, but I would say the Cooper 5 speed seems to be the least worrisome combo right now. Have you ever driven a stick before?

BTW, Prestige has an excellent service department.

 

Is it an 03 CVT? Does Lemon law cover the issues you have.

I bouhgt a '03 CVT 7 weeks ago, have about 2300 miles on it and no problems so far (and it was a dealer demo)

 

ant.
my cvt has been good since the last software update.
i'm serious, all of my lurching and problems are gone.
i had those problems even after software updates since i got the car.
it's been a champ since june.
if you love the cvt as much as i know you do, GET ANOTHER!!!!
i'm sure you just got a bad one...
my part time job is selling for apple, and i can tell you that there are always a few bad apples(computers!) that make it through the assembly line!
insist that you get another man!

 

Hey Ants... sorry about all your problems! That's horrible!!!

I wouldn't listen to anything anyone tells you about the 04's being problem free--MINIUSA and the various dealers can't seem to get their information straight and everyone gets different information from each and every source they approach--or, at least, that's been my experience with the MCS software issues. One dealer says one thing, another dealer says something completely different, and MINIUSA/BMWAG either zips up and says nothing, or concocts stories at will. It's a ridiculous situation.

It does seem like the 5 speed MC is the most reliable right now, so if I were you I'd go for one of those (if you wanted to stick with a MINI). That said, I cannot believe that you wouldn't be the poster child for lemon law legislation and if MINI is the route you choose to go, I'd say you certainly shouldn't be paying for a new one! If you can't finegle one out of your dealer then I'd say lemon-law all the way, baby! Since it's a consumer protection issue, it shouldn't be too hard to find a lawyer who works these cases for cheap/free.

Oh, and why does this screw up Florida? YOUR car is a lemon, YOUR time has been wasted, the ball is in YOUR court---make them come to you and arrange to have your new, free MC purchased at the FLA dealer nearest YOU. Don't let 'em walk all over you--you paid for it, dammit!

G'luck!

 

NFO I have had the update, and now its stalling again and lurching as well. They have my car and sent the computer to BMW. I guess I will see what happens when I get it back. I am just very hesitant to get another CVT as my last two have had problems. I also dont wanna wait till december. I was supposed to move in two weeks!

 

>>Hey Ants... sorry about all your problems! That's horrible!!!
>>
>>I wouldn't listen to anything anyone tells you about the 04's being problem free--MINIUSA and the various dealers can't seem to get their information straight and everyone gets different information from each and every source they approach--or, at least, that's been my experience with the MCS software issues. One dealer says one thing, another dealer says something completely different, and MINIUSA/BMWAG either zips up and says nothing, or concocts stories at will. It's a ridiculous situation.
>>
>>It does seem like the 5 speed MC is the most reliable right now, so if I were you I'd go for one of those (if you wanted to stick with a MINI). That said, I cannot believe that you wouldn't be the poster child for lemon law legislation and if MINI is the route you choose to go, I'd say you certainly shouldn't be paying for a new one! If you can't finegle one out of your dealer then I'd say lemon-law all the way, baby! Since it's a consumer protection issue, it shouldn't be too hard to find a lawyer who works these cases for cheap/free.
>>
>>Oh, and why does this screw up Florida? YOUR car is a lemon, YOUR time has been wasted, the ball is in YOUR court---make them come to you and arrange to have your new, free MC purchased at the FLA dealer nearest YOU. Don't let 'em walk all over you--you paid for it, dammit!
>>
>>G'luck!

Your right OM, everyone has a different story. MINI USA says one thing, the dealer another. One says put back the old software, the other says dont. The whole thing is a mess and is consuming my life. I have brought my car in FIVE times in the past week.

 

ant, the MINI is a wonderful car, but it's not for everyone. You need to ask yourself if you're gonna be okay with the bugs that come in the new one. The rattles and squeaks we all deal with at one point or another; I've found that fixing them myself works much much better than asking the dealer to look into it. They just replace parts, while I, with a big assist from tips on this and other forums, manage to put a stop to them with fairly little effort. (You might consider loosing the sunroof; one less major source of rattles, saves weight and adds stiffness too).

The mechanical bugs are another story. Poltergiest electrical systems and engines that stall/shudder need to be fixed. You either hope you get a stable car (and many of us out here have them), or that MINI is close to finding the flaws and ironning them out of the newer vehicles. Being a semi-early adopter of a vehicle always carries issues like that. I'd recommend that you talk to the dealer about them giving you a loaner car until they figure out what's wrong with yours. Basically "Keep it until starts behaving like every other MINI you've sold". That gives them the time to work the problem out, and puts a bit of pressue on them to do it right if they ever want their loaner back. It might also be an opportunity for you to get some long term exposure to different models of MINIs...

I personally have an MCS that I expect to be buried in. It's not perfect, but it's oh so right for me, and that's what counts. The MC and CVT models are equally appealing in different fashions; it's really a question of what you're looking for in a car.

 

can you get cash back from the dealer?
if you can, i'd say you have plenty of options!
if not, get the 5 speed and transfer all your mods to it!
good luck man!

 

antsmini,

I am still confused. Why does this screw up your move to Florida?

 

Ants,

I'm with OmToast on the Lemon Law thing. You certainly are a candidate. Be the squeaky wheel (ironic, huh?).

I have a 5-speed MC and the only thing that has gone wrong so far was the engine harness needed to be replaced. I have had ZERO problems since. And in terms of driving a stick, it doesn't get any easier or sweeter than the MC. All 10 of my cars (since dinosaurs roamed the earth and I began driving) have been sticks, and this one's drives like "buttah". So, I'd go for the 5-speed MC.

As far as ever believing ANYONE when they say ANYTHING is problem-free.... Puhleez! That's like, "We have the PERFECT relationship, " or "You have no flaws." Right. They'll be eatin' their words on that one.

Good luck.

 

Ants,

Get rid of the car. Seriously man. I've followed your troubles you've had with the car since your first CVT problems. That car you have is a lemon! Do anything and everything you can to begin the lemon law process. Dare you get another MINI? If you dare, get another CVT as we all know how much you like that style of tranny. Maybe you should hold off and get a late 2004 model. Give it a year and let yourself recover from all the stress this little car has sent your way.

Let us know what you decide.

Dominic

 

Ant,

If you pursue another car under the Lemon Law, it would be in your best interest to have an attorney handle it. Look for one in your area with experience in consumer product litigation, make an appointment and then go for the jugular. Remember, someone who represents himself has a fool for a client.

The lemon law doesn't work like an exchange at Wal-mart or Dillard's. This is serious bucks, and nobody is going to roll over and play dead while you or anyone else gets a new car. That is why you need representation. Now be a good boy and go get Perry Mason.

(is that sufficient advise for you?)

 

>>antsmini,
>>
>> I am still confused. Why does this screw up your move to Florida?

Because I have to wait to get a new car from my dealership. They are not gunna ship it to Florida, so now I have to stick around. I do not have the money to start hiring lawyers and stuff. Thats stupid. I can spend that money on a new one and trade this one in. I am just out of college. I have already thrown a ton of money at this problem and I dont have anymore money to throw at it.

 

http://autopedia.com/html/HotLinks_Lemon4.html

'nuff said

 

Ants, if I'm not mistaken, I believe that many states provide lemon law protection for free. Might be worth looking into, at least.

As far as no one rolling over and throwing a new car your way, my aunt had 1/16 the problems you've had with her Kia and as soon as she breathed the first syllable of the word "lemon" Kia was chucking a new car in her direction. Now, the obvious assumption is that Kia has a lot more to hide, a lot more to lose, and a lot more experience with dissatisfied consumers throwing the fruit at them. But based on my involvement in the "stumble" thread, it seems that the lemon law movement is picking up a little momentum as people refuse to tolerate MINIUSA's non-existance, and a few have already filed complaints with the NHTSB. So, what I'm getting at, is that if all the negativity proceeds duly, it may not be quite as difficult to get some satisfaction out of this.

 

>>>>antsmini,
>>>>
>>>> I am still confused. Why does this screw up your move to Florida?
>>
>>Because I have to wait to get a new car from my dealership. They are not gunna ship it to Florida, so now I have to stick around. I do not have the money to start hiring lawyers and stuff. Thats stupid. I can spend that money on a new one and trade this one in. I am just out of college. I have already thrown a ton of money at this problem and I dont have anymore money to throw at it.


Is that all your problem is? Then this is easy. Make a copy of your key, go park the car in a really bad location (not sure where you are from), but for LA I would say to park it in East LA, with the windows rolled down and the key in the ignition. Leave it for the evening. And Voila! your problem is solved. File it with your insurance and put your order in for a new car. You shouldn't feel guilty for fraud, because even leaving your car accessible still doesn't make it right for someone to steal it.

Not sure if you will try this, but there have a few cars that I have owned that I have wanted this done. I did know a friend that this happened unintentionally to. He had a car with a lot of problems, was in a so-so neighborhood and took a ride home with me. The next day we went to go pick up the car and it was gone. He actually made $1000 after all was said and done. He got rid of his car, and someone got a car that had some real problems with it. They never did find it.

 

My advice is the same as on the last thread you started re. your ongoing problems...that is, sell it to a used car dealer, a MINI dealer, one of those used car "superstores", whatever. Just get out.

And once again, the reason I say this is that while you may indeed have a lemon law case, the fact (to me, from reading your posts) is that more than anything else you are simply pissed at this car and MINI in general. As I recall, this is your SECOND car (the first was replaced for free under similar circumstances). Holy cow man, I'd be pissed too. But, here's a little perspective....the car problems are in fact peanuts compared to your bigger picture life issues such as what I believe is the move to FL. In life, it's the big picture that counts. If you really want and need to go, then you'll go. If you don't go, then it'll not really have anything to do with the MINI.

Sorry if this is more advice than you intended...but you asked. Good luck.

ps -- the "leave the keys in it and walk" is really bad advice. Bad karma, and if you were to do it...and if anyone ever put you and this PUBLIC forum together, you'd be in a whole lot of legal hot water. You think you have problems now...

 

:evil:

 

ants sorry to hear of ur troubles..i have followed them from day one..and i say get rid of the car..thats ur best bet imo :smile:

and needler.,.i have couple of hondas i would like to show you 119K miles on and 247K miles on another

they have been problem-free and purfect, so has my MCS btw :smile:




>>
>>As far as ever believing ANYONE when they say ANYTHING is problem-free.... Puhleez! That's like, "We have the PERFECT relationship, " or "You have no flaws." Right. They'll be eatin' their words on that one.
>>
>>Good luck.
>>
>>

 

>> :evil:

Well said, I called MINI USA twice today and finally got a nasty phone call back. I told the guy I already had the wiring harness replaced and now its stalling again months later...everytime I tried to say something he would just come back with the same robot answer..."We are confident that the dealer will fix the problems" Gee thanks, they have done a swell job so far...

 

Have contacted a lawyer...if the car is not in perfect running order when I get it back this time, next week I will pursue legal action.

 

Sorry to hear about all the problems you've had ants, I didn't realize you're car was causing you so much trouble. My experience with MiniUSA customer service is far less than steller. If my customer service people responded to our customers the way MiniUSA customer service has done I'd be out of business in about 3 months.

 

Yeah well I have been more than patient and more than nice with this situation. Any other person wouldve been at them a long time ago. My car has been in the shop over TWENTY times now for various things. Also if MINI USA would cooperate and offer assistance maybe it wouldnt have come to this, but they havent. Now its time to pursue legal action. Obviously thats the only way they listen.