...with respect to having the MINI comprehensively evaluated and getting things repaired or serviced that need to be. In other words, I feel like if I call the MINI dealership (in my case, closest one is about 70 miles so I'll lose at least one day of work and have to figure out transportation if they don't give or rent me a loaner) and say, "hey my warranty expires at end of January 2009 can I have my MINI inspected and please fix or repair anything under warranty" that the dealership will likely give me a clean bill of health or attempt to upsell me on just about anything. I'm not car naive, so I wouldn't fall for something suspicious sounding, but what is the best way to get the MINI looked at and have the appropriate things taken care of under warranty without shooting myself in the foot? Those who have had their MINI's evaluated just before warranty expiration, what has worked for you?

 

I don't know why they would not do this, but I an not in the business. Seems to me they should welcome the chance to go over the car to find "work" ($$$) that would otherwise be done by an independent shot (cheaper) after warranty.

I will watch this thread, I have about 5K left on my factory warranty.

 

It makes sense that they would welcome the opportunity to evaluate and potentially work on the car but warranty issues seem to be a funny thing. With the Porsche I owned, it developed a strange machine like vibration that was present after putting 3000 miles on the car (had 78miles when I bought it). It was almost more like a stutter felt through the entire car at any rpm and honestly the car no longer felt balanced -it actually felt shakey in the corners and the stutter was just annoying. Friends who drove the car when I first bought it and then after the vibration/stutter developed were well aware of the difference. 3 trips over 6 weeks to 2 different Porsche dealers rendered the following:
1) I don't feel what you're feeling.
2) Some vibration is normal (mind you no explanation as to why that normal vibration was missing for the first 3000 miles)
3) Oh, 3 of your $450/ea Michelins are defective at 3000 miles - we'll replace those, musta been a bad batch but there's nothing wrong with the car or the suspension and yeah we still don't feel a vibration, stutter or shimmey.
4) service tech - Have you ever owned a Porsche before? Me - nope first one, but I've driven other peoples. Service tech - well, what you're feeling is the subtle nuance of a hand built car. Me - well then how do I get reimbursed for not having that subtle nuance for the 1st 3000 miles. Service tech- you're an a-hole!

I ended up selling the car 5 days after the 3rd time it sat in service without this problem being remedied (one of the saddest days of my life because I was so excited to have bought my first Porsche) - but ownership of something that one idealizes for so long isn't worth it if it comes at such frustration.

Thus, my experience tells me dealers like to avoid dealing with warranty issues. Additionally, it seems like on this forum, more negative threads exist about MINI dealership experiences than positive. At any rate, whatever advice those who have treaded before us on this issue will be greatly appreciated.

 

I would say it may be better to go to a good independent shop, pay them up to a couple hundred bucks to look the entire car over really well and note any things that need repair, and then head to the dealer with the list. You may try going the dealership route first, but I'm not sure you're going to get the best results that way.

 

I had a remarkable experience with my Audi dealer, same parent company owns the local MINI dealership. My '05 A8L has 46K miles on it. I took it in for 45K service and complained about the button on one of the door handles that you can touch to lock car was not working. They had to order the door handle, it took 2 weeks to be delivered. When replacing the bad handle, they discovered two of other handle lights were malfunctioning. Now, believe it or not, with the legendary German engineering, the lightbulb cannot be replaced, the entire handle has to be replaced. Long story, but they jumped at doing these repairs under warranty. It took them over 2 hours to replace each, and they gave me a loaner car. When they did not finish in time allowed, they offered to bring me my car. I live 110 miles away. One week later they brought my car back to me. I found this to be incredible service, and expected it was all because of the Warranty policy. If something is broken during warranty period, I guess the dealers are more interested in fixing it, if the factory is footing the bill. Of course, it may be different with BMW vs Audi. I own 2 BMW's (counting my MINI), so kind of expect BMW to measure up to Audi.

 

hi all
in the same boat with a warranty soon to expire,
want to hear some stories about those who went to MINI close to expiration and said , "Hey , check it out"
it will be interesting,
my daughter just took a T-Y-T-A almost out of warranty and they wanted $125 to look at the problem, then tell her if it was a warranty fix,
i think that is B.S.
thanks
boxcars

 

Unfortunately, how dealers apply the warranty is up to the dealer - some (like mine) are very fair and customer-centric... others have told horror stories of how their dealers have handled warranty issues and inspections.

Even with my VERY good dealer... I'm having my independent mechanic do a full inspection prior to warranty expiration in a couple of months.

 

I think it really depends on the dealer. My local MINI dealer would not hesitate to look for any way to deny a claim and get out of doing work under warranty. [My opinion only, of course. But I am familiar with the place and my opinion comes with foundation.]

But there are other dealers that are honorable, competent and will try to do as much as possible under warranty, this because they know what it is like to approach the warranty expiration date.

I would do what the one member says, pay a few hundred bucks to have an expert independent garage [familiar with MINIs] to go over your MINI with a fine tooth comb. Have the mechanic write up a detailed report and take that to the dealer and request the repairs to be done. If talking nice does not work, then demand the work to be done.

If the dealer refuses you are stuck with your legal remedies. If a judge saw that the independent knew his stuff, the more likely the judge will rule in your favor in saying the work should have been done under warranty.

Of course, all this is an extremely negative way to go, but what is the alternative, to simply walk away from the dealer and say "Oh, OK, what ever you say Mr. Dealer, sorry to have troubled you."

As to a dealer's motive to deny warranty claims, I am not sure, but I think the dealer too has to eat part of the cost in parts and labor for warranty work. In other words, MINI/BMW does not bear the entire cost for repairs. So there is an incentive for the dealer to say "Vibration? What vibration? I don't feel a vibration."

There are some members in here who have sung praises on their dealers fixing problems even when coverage under warranty was disputable. Yet others have said for the same problem their particular dealer denied coverage. [See strut mount repairs, convertible top replacement, for example.]

If you are familiar with your MINI dealer and know them to cover things without a fight, then I'd say stop worrying. But if they are an unknown then I'd go the independent mechanic route, then pay the dealer a visit.

Be careful. I recall reading somewhere that the dealer delayed inspecting a vehicle and a repair was called for they said "Sorry, the warranty has expired."

If a dishonest dealer I would not put it past them to look up when your MINI's warranty expires and then say "Oh, no appointments until February 2009."

Keep in mind I don't have much faith in people and businesses. Others in here may tell you how great their dealer is.

 

I think your best option is to take it to the dealer and while they are evaluating it, buy a new one, trade in the old one.

 

r53 over r56 anyday dude but thanks for the advice! I'd dare say mine is way more fun and way cooler than yours! but I appreciate your humor!!!!!