Anyone out there having problems getting warranty service on their car after mods?

D & R just informed me the the FSE checked my car and told them that my car will no longer be covered under warranty because of my mods. I have a Borla exhaust, Alta intake and 15 percent pulley and slotted and drilled brake rotors. Now my transmission is getting noisy and grinds into 4th gear. The FSE said that my car makes too much horsepower for the transmission. He also tried to say that all the grinding and poping are normal noises. I even pointed out that those were almost the same mods as the JCW kit, but it made no difference. I eve called customer relations. They said that what the FSE says is the final word and they can do nothing.

If anyone out there knows of a way around this or a contact higher up that I can call to try and get this worked out, please let me know. I hate to have to get lawers involved. I even threatened to have it painted lemon yellow with a big sign telling what happened and park it in front of the dealership, and move it every day so it won't get towed.

Thanks everyone. I hope to find a peaceful solution.

 

Thats a non-starter, Don't bother going there.

Take a look at this https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=49098

post 14, Even if you have the same part as they sell, and you install it, its not covered ... per what he said.

Sounds lame to me but a way for them to make money.

 

Welcome to the club. I had a similar experience (freaked out by a pulley, not the tranny part as mine is fine to date). In my opinion, the tech went off the deep end blaming things on the pulley. I develop, performance test and endurance test engines for a living, so I have some idea what various mods will potentially do to component durability.

I have very, very mixed feelings about D&R. My purchase experience was great, but the service department has been hit or miss depending on who I was dealing with. To the point that it may have a negative impact on where my next car comes from.

Scott
90SM

 

You guys are starting to frighten me. Makes me glad I only want a MC!

 

Actually, I haven't had problems with my MCS that could be associated with any of the mods I've done. The point of contention with D&R involved the PCV hose that collapsed and caused oil to leak out elsewhere. That complaint was on file BEFORE the pulley was installed, but fixed afterwards. When the tech saw the pulley they said fixed the hose but then said that no more drivetrain issues would be covered under warranty. That was the only issue I've had with the drivetrain, in 72,000 miles.

If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't have waited 14 months to install the pulley and Quaife.

For what it is worth, D&R never flinched at my BMP intake, Magnaflow exhaust, coilovers, swaybar, camber plates, H-sport control arms, or SS brake lines. They just didn't like the pulley. If I was the cynical sort, I'd say that pulley swaps competing with sales of JCW packages were part of the problem.

Scott
90SM

 

I can give you some real advise, from personal experience, if you PM me. I am not a lawyer or trying to sell you a service. Just an everyday Joe that fought the good fight and won. I would post it, but I am tired of typing the story over and over again. I helped another NAMster recently and he won... Either way, I wish you good luck.

Bomboasy

 

I am sorry about your situation. That's the down side about modified car. I think it is the pully making your warranty avoid. That's why I haven't upgrade mine yet. I have no comment and no problem with D&R. They are doing great job to me until now; especially the sales people. I hope you get your car fix soon.

 

I could understand it if I broke 1st gear. but not 4th. I get a grind like the syncronizers are bad. There is no way my pulley could have done that.

 

Good news. Mini has decided to warranty my transmission. They won't let me pay the difference for one with a limited slip though. I hoped they would, but thats the breaks. I'm just glad they are going to fix it.

 

Good to hear that you will be taken care of.

 

So finish the story - what did you do to make the difference?

 

It doesn't make for a good story, but I didn'y have to do anything but talk to the dealership. Although I was researching and preparing a good case to get it repaired. The way it was told to me was a different Mini rep was at the dealership going over what cars the field service engineer had looked at and decided my case had reason enough to merit a second look. He then agreed with me the my mods had nothing to do with the bad syncro in 4th gear.

So, I guess sometimes the system stumbles through its own muck and gets the job done.

 

It's a good ending. It demonstrates that individuals can make a positive contribution if they are willing to take the initiative. The FSE was in robot bureacracy mode (very unMINI) and the "different Mini rep" was able to respond as a human being. Too bad the robots dominate.

 

Here are a list of my mods:

ALTA PULLEY, ALTA INTAKE, THROTTLE BODY, PLUGS, WIRES,
COIL PACK, SSR COMP WHEELS, MILLTECK SPORT CATBACK, H-SPORT LOWERING SPRINGS, P/S FAN COVER, H-SPORT REAR SWAY BAR, H-SPORT CONTROL ARMS, UNICHIP ECU, WEBB’s STAGE ONE BRAKES,
AUTO UP WINDOWS, VOICE OPERATED GPS SYSTEM, M7 OIL CATCH CAN, UPPER AND MID GRILLS, ALTA SHORT SHIFTER,WHALEN SHIFT ****, DRIVER’S KNEE PAD, ALTA INTERCOOLER DIVERTER, ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50 BLUE, RACING DYNAMICS STRUT BRACE

Had the trany and the water pump replaced under warranty (different times) with no problem.

The offered to replace the clutch disk with a new if I would pay for the part (not the labor since it was already out and in the guys hand) but I passed as it was about as good as new. I'm supprised they would not let you pay for the up grade to LSD but at least you got it fixed.

Earl

 

Great news, Mike! I'm glad they're doing right by you!


Clover

 

If your modification is the cause of the failure, then MINI has the right to deny coverage under their warranty. However, if your mod had nothing to do with the failure of a warranteed part, then I believe you should still be covered by the warranty. The federal Magnasun Moss Act prevents them from requiring you to use MINI parts (unless they provide them free), and from voiding a warranty because you've used other parts if those other parts did not cause the damage. So it's a question of fact as to whether your parts caused the problem or not. As I've said before, I would write a letter explaining your position. If that doesn't work, take them to small claims court. Just be prepared to prove (you may need an auto mechanic to act as an expert witness) that your mods did not cause the defective part to fail.

By the way, there may be an arbitration clause or something like that in the warranty. I can't find the full written warranty anywhere. Does anyone have an electronic copy of mini's warranty? I'd be interested in reading it.

 

The nice thing about the Magnasun Moss act is that the burden of proof lies with the car company. They have to prove the mods "directly" caused the failure.

 

Here is the final chapter to the story. I got my new transmission installed under warranty this week. I offered to pay for a new clutch because it just makes common sense to replace while you have the transmission out. When I went to pick up the car, they have changed the clutch under warranty. I am impressed. It seems D & R has made a huge turn around in their customer service. They now seem to care about the customer.


THANKS D & R.

 

Great news Mike! I am glad you were taken care of. There does seem to be a change in the customer service from D&R's service department. I am glad to see it!

Can

 

I had an oil change and a small list of warranty items taken care of about a week ago. I was very pleased with the service. All items were completed without hesitation.

 

It's too bad that a person has to have a bad experience first before they calm down and do what they (eventually figure out they) ought to do. It just sours the whole experience. I can see them saying, "We'll take it under advisement and get back to you." Then consider it, discuss it, decide and call you. But everybody shoots from the hip, then lose goodwill and credibility. And what did we learn? Don't take their first answer!

 

I have been checking these threads lately because I had to take my MINI in. the Service Engine Soon light came on a few weeks ago. I called Niello in Sacramento CA they said it was probably alright but that I needed to bring it in and have it checked. I drove the 250 miles and when I got there the they told me the transmission was gone (CVT) I never even noticed a thing, it wasn't acting any different. I have some mods, very few Borla exhaust, Moss intake. After reading this I was starting to panic. they already had my car and gave me a rental, after a few days I called to see how things were coming along and the service guy said he had to talk to the warranty guy. I started to freak, thinking they weren't going to fix it. Called them today he said everything was approved and the new transmission was being shipped. What a relief. I really miss that car and am starting to jones, I need my MINI back. But back to Niello thanks you guys are the BEST