Based on another thread that the OP was told to ask to have a part goodwill'd, it got me to thinking.

Has anyone EVER gotten anything replaced from Mini under a goodwill act because they wanted to make you happy as a customer? I find Mini is much tighter than other manufacturers when offering to give something up for free when you really need it.

I had a complete set of brakes (including rotors) replaced under warranty when I clearly had worn them out at the track. It doesn't really count as goodwill because brakes are included for the first 3 years under warranty. Though "sketchy" as to why they were worn out, I know guys with BMW's that have had their complete brakes replaced several times because they track the car. (I also think BMW is less harsh than Mini is offering warranty)

So, anyone ever get anything goodwill'd???


Mark

 

Yes, twice in fact.

 

a touchless car wash?

 

And???? What was it Mr. Jeff?


Mark

 

We absolutely have gotten "Goodwill" assistance from Mini.

Without going into something that will start a whole new discussion, we have a very high ticket repair item which Mini agreed to helping with. Their help was beyond our wildest expectations.

I have great respect for Mini corporate types in their customer service group, and I have even more respect for the folks at our dealership (Orlando Mini).

They've surprised me several times.

 

I got a couple repairs on the motor done as goodwill after I was out of warranty. Didn't ask for it - Flow offered it on their own. The dealer impressed me to no end with how they handled everything.

 

My Porsche dealer bought back my Porsche after 55 days in the shop and 5 months (4,000 miles) of ownership. Not sure that was goodwill or legal.

 

Had some scratches on the side of my seat (which I may have caused), so they replaced the cover.

Jim

 

That's cool, I'm glad mini owners receive help from time to time. After reading so many posts about problems with dealerships, I was wondering how much help people get but don't mention it.

As another member mentioned, it is almost always better to go into the dealership and ask for help rather than demand it.

Glad to hear it...

Mark

 

I am about to find out in a couple days if the dealership will replace my possibly defective cracked foglight housing and if they will give me a carbon fiber hood scoop (for my warped on) without paying the difference.

Fingers crossed

 

Swapping the hood scoops seems to be the norm nowadays. About 2 years ago, I had the dealer swap out my scoop under warranty and they charged me 100 bucks.

Now, I'm seeing people getting them swapped out for free.

Good luck.


Mark

 

Thanks Mark

I don't think they will give me another body color one because that requires painting, as you know, and I don't think my car would be ready in 3 days if they did that. I also have a whole list of other things they are doing: fixing rattles, oil change, etc. So either way, paying half or not, I will be getting a carbon fiber hood scoop.

 

A few years back I went to the dealer to pick up a set of pads for the MC. Got home and found they were MCS pads so I called the service dept. and told them I was on my way back which was 10 minutes before they closed. Arrived at the dealer 30 minutes after closing and they handed me a box with a full set of MCS front calipers,rotors and an extra set of pads. So the MC got a free brake upgrade. Pretty impressive on the dealers part considering I didn't even buy the MINI from them.

 

David,

If for some reason, they do upgrade your scoop and you decide you want it body color (I painted my last carbon fiber one laser blue to match), you can ship it to me, I'll paint it for you.





Okay, I know where you live, what dealer did that for you???

 

The accident prone one

 

Nothing goodwill'd on the Mini.

P-car, yes.
Audi, yes.
Mercedes (from way back), yes.

Mini fried me for a fuse panel that I know was not the fault they said, but it was a pissing contest (did an odd fuse tap rather than add a fuse like now), so it cost me.

But I shook my head, left, and so far, no other major issues. Going in tomorrow for yearly service, and the only thing wrong right now is the sagging scoop.

Car has not been tracked (damn), but I figure there is a TSB on this one anyway.

 

I think, as always, it's down to the dealer and how they see their customers. I feel very fortunate that my local dealer "gets it" and treats their customers like more than numbers.

However, I feel a lot of it has to do with how you interact with the dealer too. if you go in there red faced mad and start yelling at people, take my word for it, they will do the absolute minimum to help you. Go in their with a friendly smile and ask for help, well at least they may listen....

As to the thread topic, on my '03 MCS - it was out of warranty on time when I bought it from them, but over the course of the next year and about 8K miles they replaced the leaking coolant overflow tank, the electrical part of the ignition switch and both window motors, all under "goodwill".....

My approach was that they were all 'known issues" (except the ign switch) with the early cars and would MINI do anything to help out? And BTW, MINI paid for all the repairs, not the dealer....

If they hadn't fixed these things I was prepared to do them myself, but what the heck - if they'll do it for free.....

I haven't needed anything goodwilled on my '09 since it's still well under the factory warranty, but at 3K when I complained about the chain tensioner noise (well before it became as widely known as it is now) they changed it with no complaints, and it hasn't made a sound since.

 

I just contacted my dealer for a service appointment and asked for a freebie (sort of) and they said fine. So I'll post details once I get back. They have been very easy to deal with since they split form the BMW location and have their own place now. More personable so to speak.

Jim

 

Technically yes.

Complete cold start fix.

They couldnt reproduce it, so I explained in extreme detail, the MINI timing chain system to the Service Manager... took my word for it.

Like your free brakes, its a warranty thing, but they could have said F-off!

 

Update:
Well dealer called and they said they would not replace my warped hood scoop with a carbon fiber one under warranty. They said I could pay the difference so I asked how much and they said $229!! I thought it would only be $100, they said my hood scoop is only worth $80 . So I just told them to replace it with a body colored one. I will probably get it replaced with a carbon fiber hoodscoop when it warps again and I have an extra $229 laying around. Also, they would not replace my cracked foglight under warranty, but they said a new one is only $180!! That probably includes labor because that is rediculous. So all in all no good will whatsoever .

 

There's a fog light on Ebay for 10 bucks and you can swap lenses and install it from the wheel well access panel.

 

Thanks Oxybluecoop

Regarding the Ebay item, do you think that I can use the mounting ring on my fog light to replace the broken one?

 

Yes the mounting ring and bulb housing are two separated pieces.

 

Sweet thanks!! You just saving me $100

 

I have had my brakes goodwilled (pads and rotors)...outside of the 3yr/36k maintenance plan.

They were making a grinding noise, and I simply brought it in to have them diagnose and since I was outside the 3yr/36k I was going to replace with aftermarket rotors and pads on my own. But they goodwilled the replacement for me, so stock brakes for now it is!

Something to keep in mind with goodwill repairs....just because one person gets something goodwilled, I highly recommend you don't go into your dealer barking about getting something goodwilled because some other dealer goodwilled it for someone else. It is very situation dependent, and they take into factor the relationship you have with them. They are certainly NOT required to goodwill items and repairs outside of their warranty and maintenance plan.