Hello,

I am new to this group but I am not new to MINI. I have a 03' Cooper that I bought new and I love it. What I don't love is the only dealer service center in my area. I have had a lot of trouble with them and was hoping that someone knew of some type of certified MINI service center in the Philadelphia / South Jersey area that is not part of the dealership. The yellow ("Get me new brakes") light is on and it also needs an oil service.

 

Whats the trouble, And with whom may i ask?

Mike

 

It's a really long story. Here is the email I sent to MINI usa.

[FONT=Arial]I am writing to tell you that I will most likely be selling my MINI Cooper due to my great dissatisfaction of the only service center in my area, MINI of the Main Line. Even prior to my last terrible experience it would take me days to schedule something as simple as an oil service. Phone calls would not be returned and emails remained un-answered. The only way to schedule a service would be to repeatedly call and be answered with "Well, we are busy". I wouldn't even bring that up if it wasn't for my last experience.
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[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]My car was taken in to MINI of the Main Line in early June for a good sized repair that would be covered by my insurance company. I was told that this repair would take approximately two weeks to complete. After a month of calling and waiting I was told that my car was almost complete and would be ready in two days. When I called for the status two days later I was told and I quote “We forgot that your car was out there”. Not only was the repair not complete it wasn’t even started. After another month of un-returned phone calls my car was finally complete. You would think that the saga ends here. You would be wrong.[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Since the repairs cost $955.71 above the original estimate I signed a release for MINI of the Main Line to collect the additional funds from my insurance company. When I received the first past due bill for $955.71, I left messages for the service department and the billing department which were never returned. Since these calls were left un-answered I assumed that the problem was corrected. When I received the second past due notice, I called again. This time I was able to get in touch with someone from billing. I was told that Service had lost the release form that I had signed and she would fax me another. Keep in mind that this was months after the repairs were complete and no one called to ask me to sign another release. After a few days I called again to see why I had not received the new release form. I was told that the original was found (again one called me) and the problem would be taken care of. Now, here we are, December 22, 2005 and I received another bill for $955.71. I called and spoke to billing who was to talk to Peter and get back to me. I’m not optimistic about hearing from them before calling several more times. I would hope that some action would be taken to correct this problem and possibly open more service centers so people are not stuck without any choices.[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]While I am ranting I want to bring up a point about loaner cars. I bought my car in Northern New Jersey (Morristown MINI) and moved south not long after. Since I can not get my car serviced at the dealership where I purchased the car they will not allow me a loaner car. Just to make a point. Yesterday, my wife to our Toyota SUV to a local dealer for service. (brakes and oil. Nothing major) and not only was she given a loaner car, they rented a car for her since all of the loaners were out. This is not the dealership where we purchased the vehicle. As a matter of fact we purchased the vehicle second hand. Maybe MINI should take some customer service tips from Toyota. I know my next vehicle will certainly NOT be a MINI.[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]After I sent this I recieved another insurance form which they had me fill out and send to my insurance company. I recieved another past due bill yesterday.[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]
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Wow, well i'm sorry to hear about you past experince. I was curious as to know what your repair was. But thats not really of any concern for the moment.

Question for you are you looking for another MINI dealer ship? or another service provider? There is always Ottos MINI, (www.ottosmini.com) they have great custumer service. Or if you wanted I would highly reccomend HELIX MINISPORT (www.helix13.com) He is an independent shop that specailizes in MINI's, check out the site and give Eric a call. He knows these litttle buggers like the back of his hand. Aside from the perfomance end he can handle all of you maintance needs.

I hope your still motroring
Mike

 

I definitely agree with Herbie. Helix Minisports gives great service. Eric is really a cool guy and knows his stuff in and out.

 

[FONT=Tms Rmn]Thanks Guys. I will definitely give Eric a call. I really do not have any intention of selling Coop. I just wanted to make a point with MINI.

Happy Motoring!!!!

[FONT=Tms Rmn]Oh, and the reason the car was in for that last service was for air conditioning condensor, radiator, and some hoses and lines. I drove the car over a curb and really tore up the underside. All seems well since the repair.
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