I need a thermostat again (second one, leaking again) and my dealer can't fit me in for 25 days !!!

The guy that I use to service my cars out of warranty can take care of me tomorrow, but naturally, I'd like not to pay for it since it is in warranty.

Has anyone ever heard of MINI paying for a warranty repair not performed by a MINI dealer?

Does anyone have a phone number for someone at MINI I can ask?

Thanks.

Dean.

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Found it: 1-800-ASK-MINI

Funny, I knew that number by heart at one time.

They won't help beyond making a courtesy call to the dealer. If that does not work, looks like I'm stuck paying for a warranty repair as the next nearest dealer is very far away, has no loaner cars and I'd need to leave it for a week ...and that won't work.

 

Ok, so after lots of calls and pleading, the dealers can't help me. One said "leave it for a week and we'll see if we can get to it" (they have no loaner cars) and the other told me I could bring it in mid-November and get a loaner car.

So, neither of these scenarios work for me and I'll have to pay for what should be a warranty repair.

Is there an aftermarket thermostat housing that may be better made than the MINI part? If so, I'd love to install one, since MINI apparently has no interest in improving their part, which seems prone to breaking.

I love my MINI ...Its just disappointing when it lets me down. Wouldn't be so bad if a dealer could come to my rescue, but they have zero interest in helping.

Dean.

 

I''d call the folks at www.waymotorworks.com and I bet they will help you.

 

Thanks Buzz.

My mechanic just called ...it was indeed the thermostat housing, which he referred to as a "cheesy piece of plastic." Given how often these things break I think there is a market for an upgraded aluminum version. I know I'd buy one !

Its a shame MINI has not addressed this.

Dean.

 

My mechanic showed me the defective thermostat housing. It is plastic and not very robust. The problem is, being such a tight engine compartment and one which runs very hot, the plastic warps and/or cracks and then leaks. It is a part that should be made of aluminum. Plain and simple.

Dean.