Hey all!

So, rented a Cooper S for the weekend (it was part of a birthday present I got). Get in it and take it around the block... and the airbag light comes on and won't go off. Now I didn't have time to call Budget or anything because I was leaving to go to Toronto for the evening (about 200 kms away from home). The drive there was FUN FUN FUN -- I don't know how anyone who lives in the big city lives without one.

Then, we get on the freeway to come hom, and the tire pressure light starts blinking. Look in the glove box, no owners' manual. No 800 number for Budget or MINI Roadside assistance.

We pulled off into a gas station and checked the tire pressure - they're 16" Pirelli run flats, and 3 out of 4 were up at 42 psi. The 4th was at 36 or so (and according to the chart on the door, between 33-36 is normal. But just to be safe we inflated the low one so they all matched, then drove the 200km home with the obnoxious light flashing because once we reset it, it came on again 5 minutes later.

So I'm a little concerned about the car (and losing a tire while going 120km/hr) ... I called the only number I could think of (thank you MCO!) 1-866-ASK-MINI.

They were so great to me when I explained the situation and they said it was probably safe to drive home on since we'd checked the pressure already, and to take it back to the Rental place in the morning.

We managed to safely reset the TPM this morning, but the airbag light is still on. I told Budget I was concerned that the airbags may not deploy if there is some kind of electronic error going on... and they said "Well, you'll be wearing your seat belt" ... which is NOT the point!!!

I called the closest MINI dealership and they couldn't fit us in for service (I was going to drive it there myself). The Budget has a Cooper I could have traded it in for, but the friggin airbag light is on in that one too.

Oh, forgot to mention. The service notice says NEGATIVE 15000 kms.

MINI Abuse, I swear.

Anyway, I just decided to keep it for the weekend because I have become so attached to it. I'll keep you posted if we have any more adventures!

MH

 

You have true MINI spirit...you were going to take a rental MINI to the dealership? That is dedication!

Sorry to hear your rental experience wasn't great. Ownership, while also not perfect, is tons of fun!