Just thought I would add my issue I am having with my mini.

Started happening a few hundred miles after I got the mini. The connect says that my front passenger door is not closed and the dome light comes on. Called the dealer and they said to disconnect the battery and reconnect. I had to do this anyways to avoid my battery from draining over night as the dome light was staying on. Assuming that the "reset" had fixed the problem, I did not take it into the dealership the first time.

The same issue happened again shortly after so we called the dealership and got it in to be checked. They could not reproduce the problem (of course) so they were working blind. They decided to replaced all the cowl trim and gaskets assuming that rain was seeping into the area where the computer was causing the issue. Got the mini back and no issue for about a month. I was taking a trip to Vail for work and as I was half way up, the issue happened again. I was very upset as it was whiteout conditions and the dome light was stuck on. This posed a safety issue, so now it was time to deal with the issue regardless of if they could reproduce the issue or not.

Took it to the dealership again and they decided this time it was the passenger door switch. They had the mini for a few days, replaced it and had me on my way. Only issue was that the door panel was now lose and they forgot to put the piece that moves up and down when the door is locked/unlocked back on.

Once again the issue happened again this time we took a video (as our original salesman had suggested) so we could actually prove that there was an issue. Being very busy with one job, consulting with another and opening up a third I was unable to take it in. Then the issue happened again! I am beyond unhappy at this time, so I decided that I would take a video (just in case) and drive straight to the dealership.

Upon arriving I left the car running and went inside to get a mechanic. After waiting for a bit we went out to the vehicle and of course, the issue went away. Left the vehicle with the dealership and told them I would not pick it back up until the issue was replicated by them and the issue was fixed once and for all. After having it for several days, they found a ground for the interior wiring that that was lose and not making a proper contact. They fixed that issue and said they would keep the car for another day or two so make sure the issue was gone. Received a call a few days later and they had FINALLY reproduced the problem. Now they know and have seen the issue for themselves and know that it is in fact a real issue. My contact with mini said that they have done everything in the mechanics power to fix the issue. He said that they would have to look into the issue further and to keep the loaner until they can figure out what the next step would be.

Not sure what that means, but I would like to go on with my daily life and not have to worry about this issue that has been going on for the 10 months I have owned the vehicle. I'm stuck with a smaller version of the mini which is hard for me to fit the necessary components for my job. I am unable to have my dogs in the car which puts a damper on my lifestyle. I am even limited as to how many miles I can drive which is about half of what I have to put on it for my job.

Sorry for the rant, but I just want to put it our there what I have been going through.

I have already contacted an attorney to guide me in the case of a lemon. I understand my rights and that is the road that I will most likely have to take. Frustrating as this is my first experience with buying a car with 0 miles on it.

If the issue is resolved and I receive the vehicle back these would be my concerns:

1) The door panel being lose from the first time it was taken off. Is this something that can be fixed or is it going to be less that factory flush for the rest of its life.

2) Is the ground for the interior electrical behind the dash as it is on many vehicles? They had to fix this ground and if they had to remove the dash, is it going to be less than factory flush as well as the door?

3) Would this ground being lose affect any other performance of the vehicle, specifically the engine and performance of the turbo, specifically unnecessary detination on the head?

I just want to have a Mini free of defects and still in factory condition, so I can enjoy motoring as everyone else seems to be doing.

 

Wow. That was quite the rant....and then to 'contact an attorney' was overkill but to each his own. MINI isn't unique in having some problems that require a little extra work to figure out, particularly when it's an intermittent problem like that.

As for your questions, i'm not quite sure why you are worrying about this at this point in time and dont just wait until the dealership says its fixed and you go to pick it up. There is no reason why the door panel (or dash for that matter) can't be removed and re-set "factory flush" if the mechanic takes some care in doing so. And i have no idea how you drew the connection between a LOOSE ground wire and potential damage to your engine or turbo. I'm sure your attorney could do that for you though....

 

Thanks for the reply, but I was looking more for some educated input rather than negative feedback on the way I have handled things. But hey, to each their own.

As for the attorney, I just figured protecting my assets and handling a serious matter such as the lemon law. I'm sure any other mature adult would do the same thing. You will obviously never understand this, but when you spend 35k on a vehicle, you would expect it to work properly. If it does not and things need to be fixed, you would expect your vehicle to be exactly as it was intended from the factory for at least long enough to pay the vehicle off and get out from underneath. Or to be reimbursed or give a new vehicle. That is why there are laws in affect to protect consumers in such a case.

I would think that "There is no reason why the door panel (or dash for that matter) can't be removed and re-set "factory flush" if the mechanic takes some care in doing so" but then again the first time they took off an interior panel they didn't do so. Just basing my concern on recent experience. After all experience is the best form of education. Wonder what you base your opinion on.

From my experience with building race cars, I know that without proper wiring including improper power or more importantly ground, you will not get the proper tune on you vehicle. Here is how it works. When a turbo is installed on a vehicle, it requires more help form electrical components (as opposed to N/A engines which can rely solely on mechanical) such as timing which includes fuel pumps, injectors, ignition and spark. When one of these components fail, your vehicle can experience detination on the head. These components can be affected by a poor ground or by a poor power supply. Now the question I have is, will the ground in the interior of the car affect this? This would require an educated person experienced in CM electrical to answer, not an attorney, and clearly not yourself.

Your input is no longer wanted here, please go troll another thread.

Thanks!

 

I wouldn't stress about fitment of panels an such, if done right they will go back as intended provided that they place clips, holders etc is just the matter of correcting it if done wrong. I see nothing wrong with consulting an attorney just in case you need to take further action, good for you

 

"Factory flush"... Lol...
Love it when folks make up terms....
It is installed right or it isn't....have them readjust it...apparently they missed something.
I agree...to suggest that talking to a lawyer is a waste of $$$..(he will get his fee, talk for a bit....)...frustrating yes...but remember...it is a car...not an investment.... It has already dropped +25% in value...work with the dealer..get it fixed right...and if you are not happy...sell and move on. The moment you talk of a lawyer, the love is gone...take the $$ and sell...then you blast another poster as a troll...
Ouch....guess who the troll is. Lol.just think back to the playground.... Name calling is not nice!! Something about playing well with others....
And to say a loose ground on an interior light might cause a turbo or tune issue....then call the person to reply to your thread not smart...er.....
I think you killed your thread...
Try again...another board... Another name...
Why would anybody try to help you and risk getting insulted¡!!!!!!!¡

 

Thank you! This is the type of input I needed.

As for ZippyNH,

Haha, do you even know what a troll is? It is someone who scours the forums and only post things that are irrelevant to the OP (usually negative) so they can be heard. ie. mikey_t and ZippyN. I created this thread, how could I be a troll???

Factory flush is a term us automotive people use to describe paneling, body parts, trim, etc, etc and their appropriate fitment as they were intended from the factory. You would understand this if you spent more time tinkering with cars then on the internet trolling.

Consulting lawyers does not cost any money. Please, at least educate yourself before you make unnecessary posts.

Who said anything about a lose ground on a light in the interior? The ground is the main interior ground behind the dash that controls the interior computer and components. I will ask the question again so maybe you will understand it (although you will probably not know the answer as you are just as qualified as your friend). DOES THE INTERIOR GROUND AND COMPUTER CONTROL ANY PART OF THE PERFORMANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE ENGINE?

As for playing nice, well if your friend had not posted a negative response, I would not have needed to defend myself. So now who is playing nice? Your right, this thread is dead. You guys killed it. If you had just kept your unnecessary comments to yourselves, there would be no need to go off topic. I invite anyone who has personal or professional experience (not an uneducated opinion) to post a reply without being "insulted". As for negative responses that are not needed, learn to "play well with other".

I think I have made up my mind anyhow. Unfortunately I did not get the answers I was looking for. Not once did I bad mouth Mini's I just want to voice my situation and what was happening. As I stated, I just want my mini back so can can enjoy motoring and use it to the full intent I bought it for. Unfortunately I have ran into 2 out or 3 people on this "respected" forum that have nothing positive or encouraging to say to a "on the border" CM owner. With that 66% of Mini owners having this kind of attitude, I dot want to be associated with this crowd of "motorists".

I will be returning the CM to the dealership and asking for a full refund under the lemon law.

 

3 posts and he's an **** already... and since you are so highly educated, the word is "loose" not 'lose'. Dont let the door bang your backside on the way out.... bye

 

+1
Bye!!
We are a friendly community....
But one that does not stand for folks who are self centered jerks who like to belittle folks who try to help or give you input in our spare time.....
You got what you paid for...
And now, IMO, the MINI community is the better for it!!
If you calm down a bit, simply relax a bit, and not be so wound up, lots of folks will be happy yo try to help you out!! You just need to understand that the answers to posts do not appear in one direct post in 99% of forums....but rather in a meandering fun way!!
We are nothing more than owners who are using our experiences in a social way to help others with their cars....
Folks who expect an perfect answer asap can get one....just pay $200 an hour from a dealer or mini specialist.....here it is a free self service that will generally point you in the right direction.... Then you can do a bit of legwork, and find the answer.... Then post the info for the next person, helping them if they have the same issue!!!
I wish you luck......
But the lemon law I believe does not cover buyers remorse, coupled with a single issue!! Sure it took a few trip to fix it.....but fix is done....so no lemon... No problem... No return!! Good or luck!!

 

So NA cars don't have fuel pumps, coils, or timing...? How is my n18 turbo electric? Aside from a recirc valve/waste gate.

Did you get a check engine light?

Did the car preform less than perfect? (aside from the light issue..)

You do realize there are like 20 grounds on a Mini. Right? I mean its like any other modern vehicle.

I seriously doubt any damage might have occurred..

But, such is life since our OCD has once again gotten the best of you. I see now you have decided to return the car under Lemon Law. LOL..

WOW...

 

Shame on you guys. The OP has a legit rant with legit concerns.

I feel your pain. Electrical issues can be hard to solve. It sucks but your only immediate course may be to suffer until hopefully the dealer can identify and fix the problem. If you're unhappy with the quality of a repair, as in the door panel, say something, they should be able to align it correctly. I don't think you need to worry about potential damage to your engine or turbo because of a bad ground.

Also, I don't think you need a lawyer for lemon lawing the car. The law is fairly straight forward.

 

Im pretty sure in all 50 states - two strikes - on a non safety issue does not condemn Lemon Law. But since we don't know where the OP lives, and he never stated it.. I guess he will need a lawyer..

Hey I get being upset.

Trust me, but you also don't have to go ballistic. It sounds like the OP joined just to vent, didn't get a bunch of angry fuzzes back about his issue and went off in a huff.

You don't decide to return a car or call a lawyer based on forum feedback.. He (?) made that judgment based on two other posters? Please.

edit - I'll add the bit about "building race cars.." but not comprehending an interior ground as being a non issue is puzzling.

 

Yes...he has legit concerns...
I do feel that since the problem is fixed, he did/does need to bring the car to the dealer and have the parts remounted correctly...apparently there are a few clips that are not in right...
But the first two posters got jumped on...called trolls...
We have all ranted...gotten mad, frustrated....it is part of life...but to jump on the first two posts and pick them apart line by line...ouch...we just tried to help out...
If the op was a bit more friendly.... And a bit less...er...combative....I'm sure folks would be happy to try to help the op by relating their experiences......

 

Yes the OP had an issue with his car but his only real complaint was the light coming on so he believes the car is a lemon because the dealer couldn't find the problem immediately?? Really?? It appears that he now wants to return the car under the 'lemon law' because he didn't get the responses he wanted here. I can hear his 'attorney' now.... 'My client wants to return his car because he doesn't want to be associated with other MINI owners'.... With his attitude I suspect his MINI dealer will be happy to see the backside of him too.