R56 More jacking and monkey wrenching (RE the lack of jack)
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5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 739
Likes: 9
More jacking and monkey wrenching (RE the lack of jack)
Just sent a message to ask mini since I saw on this forum that people ARE supposed to get a jack. I got the following response:
Hi,
Thanks for writing MINI. Congratulations on your new Cooper S!
The tool kit, including the jack, lug wrench, and folding chock, is not standard on your Cooper S. However, if you would like to have these items in your MINI, you can purchase them through the parts department of your MINI dealer. They are also in the best position to advise you on the questions of availability and price.
If there are further questions I can assist with, please feel free to drop me an e-mail. I will be happy to lend a hand.
LET’S MOTOR.
XXXXXXXXXX
MINI Customer Relations and Services
Representative
866.ASK.MINI (275-6464)
Thanks for writing MINI. Congratulations on your new Cooper S!
The tool kit, including the jack, lug wrench, and folding chock, is not standard on your Cooper S. However, if you would like to have these items in your MINI, you can purchase them through the parts department of your MINI dealer. They are also in the best position to advise you on the questions of availability and price.
If there are further questions I can assist with, please feel free to drop me an e-mail. I will be happy to lend a hand.
LET’S MOTOR.
XXXXXXXXXX
MINI Customer Relations and Services
Representative
866.ASK.MINI (275-6464)
This doesn't surprise me. I don't think most drivers will care that much.
For me, I'll be buying the jack, etc. when the runflats need to be replaced because I'll get "standard" tires and buy a spare and mount it in the boot. All that will still be cheaper than buying a new set of runflats.
For me, I'll be buying the jack, etc. when the runflats need to be replaced because I'll get "standard" tires and buy a spare and mount it in the boot. All that will still be cheaper than buying a new set of runflats.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
I believe the picture of the jack kit in the owners manual shows all the tools and there is space for them under the trunk carpet, so it seems wierd that these tools weren't included. I won't be surprised if there was a shortage of these tools when these cars were built.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 739
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From: Alexandria, VA - Old Town
My MA mentioned this, that MINIs would no longer come with jack tools. He also noted that I had everything I might like to keep in the trunk of my old MINI, and that if those parts ended up in the new one, he wouldn't mind 
. So, they did, all except the wheel lowering tool, which has no purpose on the new MCS.
I like the idea of having a jack and tools, since I will probably purchase a second set of more sport and lightweight wheels.
. So, they did, all except the wheel lowering tool, which has no purpose on the new MCS. I like the idea of having a jack and tools, since I will probably purchase a second set of more sport and lightweight wheels.
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5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 739
Likes: 9
This doesn't surprise me. I don't think most drivers will care that much.
For me, I'll be buying the jack, etc. when the runflats need to be replaced because I'll get "standard" tires and buy a spare and mount it in the boot. All that will still be cheaper than buying a new set of runflats.
For me, I'll be buying the jack, etc. when the runflats need to be replaced because I'll get "standard" tires and buy a spare and mount it in the boot. All that will still be cheaper than buying a new set of runflats.
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 363
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, CA
Boot is space challenged. Where is the spare mounted on the MC, from the underside? I think you'll be very unhappy if you decide to store a full size spare in the boot and consume all your storage space.
An R53 point of view =)
I have a donut spare in a Jersey Girl bag standing up behind my passenger seat. The seat is moved all the way back against the tire. Rides nicely back there & doesn't rob boot space. Makes it hard to use the back seat though, but that's OK with me. I switched to normal tires & ditched the runflats.
With it standing behind the passenger it gets wedged in when the passenger seat is moved all the way back. It's in there very tight. I feel safe with it there.
I've driven the Dragon along with numerous SE Ohio twisties & it's never moved. Although I've not crash tested this setup. Now as for a full sized spare sitting on the folded rear seats....No way I'd do that.
I've driven the Dragon along with numerous SE Ohio twisties & it's never moved. Although I've not crash tested this setup. Now as for a full sized spare sitting on the folded rear seats....No way I'd do that.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Castle Rock, CO
Quote:
Thanks for writing MINI. We appreciate your inquiry.
A jack is now being included with the toolkit on vehicles currently being produced. I am sorry, but a jack was not included on early production models and will not be provided at this time. I apologize for any disappointment.
If there are further questions I can assist with, please feel free to drop me an e-mail. I will be happy to lend a hand.
LET’S MOTOR.
Darlene Hawley
MINI Customer Relations and Services
RepresentativeВ В
866.ASK.MINI (275-6464)
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Fortunately it is not too expensive. I think I read somewhere that it costs about $120. Don't know what the lug wrench costs, but it shouldn't be hard to find. And I wonder about finding jacks in a salvage yard--would it fit?
I'd still ask my MA before buying one. He/she might take pity on you, and want to maintain good customer relations. Mine came through for me.
I'd still ask my MA before buying one. He/she might take pity on you, and want to maintain good customer relations. Mine came through for me.
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5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 739
Likes: 9
Ok so I finally hit the saturation point. I sent this letter to MINIUSA:
I hope they help us all out. I think customer service has been of a quality far lower than I've expected so far.
Hello,
Let's start by saying that I put a deposit down for my R56 mini last August. I've loved MINI ever since I first drove the R53 version. I love the car. It's great. It drives well, it does everything as advertised. Unfortunately customer service has not been what I'd expect from a BMW owned company. When I owned my 2002 BMW M Coupe I was treated like a king with every issue I had. Taken care of promptly without argument, and with courtesty.
Now I bought a MINI expecting the same high-quality customer service. Here is a list of issues I've had with the order/purchase of my car:
1) The first car was not ordered with the multi function steering wheel. It was assumed that the MFSW came with sport leather because that is the way it was on the web site. I should have taken delivery in the first batch, but had to re-order. Did I get any I'm sorrys? no. Any compensation? no. Any freebies? no.
2) I have a scratch in my Piano Black trim on the drivers side door. I asked miniusa for help, and was turned away. I asked MINI of mountain view for help and I was turned away. My MA doesn't even seem to care that I have a scratch in my trim. So I've given up on getting that fixed.
3) I emailed MINI customer service about the jack/lug wrench missing from my car. My response was "sorry the cars don't come with them" Then I find on the northamericanmotoring forum that cars now are getting the jacks and wrenches and early build cars aren't. Is this fair? So basically early buyers that believed in the brand are getting penalized for buying their cars early. Here is the thread for reference:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=96236
These shortcomings in customer service are making me less of a believer in the MINI brand. Sure the car is engineered well, drives like nothing else, but it is a premium small car. With "PREMIUM" comes a premium price (which I gladly paid) and a responsibility of the manfacturer to provide a "PREMIUM" level of service to it's buyers.
I know these cars sell themselves, but customers still need to be treated properly. If I don't at least get a jack and lug wrench, I sincerely doubt I'll return to the MINI brand and the BMW brand. I hope someone at your company can help me out.
Until then I'll be out carving up the back roads in my awesome new MCS.
Let's start by saying that I put a deposit down for my R56 mini last August. I've loved MINI ever since I first drove the R53 version. I love the car. It's great. It drives well, it does everything as advertised. Unfortunately customer service has not been what I'd expect from a BMW owned company. When I owned my 2002 BMW M Coupe I was treated like a king with every issue I had. Taken care of promptly without argument, and with courtesty.
Now I bought a MINI expecting the same high-quality customer service. Here is a list of issues I've had with the order/purchase of my car:
1) The first car was not ordered with the multi function steering wheel. It was assumed that the MFSW came with sport leather because that is the way it was on the web site. I should have taken delivery in the first batch, but had to re-order. Did I get any I'm sorrys? no. Any compensation? no. Any freebies? no.
2) I have a scratch in my Piano Black trim on the drivers side door. I asked miniusa for help, and was turned away. I asked MINI of mountain view for help and I was turned away. My MA doesn't even seem to care that I have a scratch in my trim. So I've given up on getting that fixed.
3) I emailed MINI customer service about the jack/lug wrench missing from my car. My response was "sorry the cars don't come with them" Then I find on the northamericanmotoring forum that cars now are getting the jacks and wrenches and early build cars aren't. Is this fair? So basically early buyers that believed in the brand are getting penalized for buying their cars early. Here is the thread for reference:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=96236
These shortcomings in customer service are making me less of a believer in the MINI brand. Sure the car is engineered well, drives like nothing else, but it is a premium small car. With "PREMIUM" comes a premium price (which I gladly paid) and a responsibility of the manfacturer to provide a "PREMIUM" level of service to it's buyers.
I know these cars sell themselves, but customers still need to be treated properly. If I don't at least get a jack and lug wrench, I sincerely doubt I'll return to the MINI brand and the BMW brand. I hope someone at your company can help me out.
Until then I'll be out carving up the back roads in my awesome new MCS.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Very good letter! Tells it like it is, and pulls no punches. I hope you get a response--i.e. jack, and a change in policy for everyone else, too. Wonder how many people are stuck in this situation?
Let us know what response you get.
Let us know what response you get.
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5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 739
Likes: 9
I will definitely let everyone know. I actually encourage all Jack and Wrench less people to write letters/call miniusa. This should be fixed. We paid the same money that people did with their cars now so we should have the same standard equipment.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,602
Likes: 107
From: Arizona
That's a very good idea. But I'd take it up with my dealer. I mean wtf, how much can a jack and lugwrench cost them, $20 maybe? The same dealer that has to look you in the face and try and sell you stuff like the $500 iPod hookup (and not laugh at you paying it until you get out of earshot) should hear rants about this. Maybe the suits will listen to him, because I'm sure some guy hiding behind an email won't. And if he didn't give up a jack to me I'd tell him that I'll be dealing with a different Mini dealer from now on for all my needs (except warranty issues), nice to know you dude.
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Stuart, FL
Please clear this up for me---is this just Cooper S issue? I checked my husband's '05 Cooper and it has spare and jack. Should I expect a spare/jack/wrench with my "plain old Cooper" with run flats?