I searched to see if anything had been posted on this topic lately, but it has been quiet. I have had some bad experiences at Brecht and refuse to have either of our MINIs serviced there. We would rather drive to Long Beach.

I had not thought about the issue until I was approached in a parking lot today by someone who was interested in a MINI but heard that Brecht service was horrible, and so was reconsidering his purchase. He had been speaking to Harloff in Encinitas who were planning, and hoping, to add a MINI dealership soon. The story this man had heard was that MINI USA had extended Brecht's exclusive SD county dealership for longer than the original 2 years that Harloff had been told it would be for.

Has anyone else had problems with Brecht? Even if Brecht is your closest dealer do you go elsewhere? If Brecht is not your closest dealer, do you prefer their service department?

 

yes... I think they actually forgot to tighten to put in a bolt in my right rear brake causing it to rub against the rotor. They are always busy it usually takes 1-3 weeks wait to get an appointment. They don't have any loaner cars. The service manager actually seems nice and I have seemed to have befriended one of the service people.

In addition, I don't think they have a very nice facility, it seems worn out and too small for the amount and price of the cars that are serviced. A few other service reps seem to have something stuck in their @$$.

They also will not allow me into the service bay or even outside the door to watch the guy work on my car. Every other car my family owns including a 02 turbo porsche and audi A8L the people are often excited you want to watch them work on the car.

Brecht is still a 30 miles drive and I won't drive to LA just to get my car serviced.

 

Lately it's been more like 4 weeks for an appointment.

Next time try Irvine. They might not be able to resolve your problem but at least they'll take a look at your car promptly.

What I'm finding is that if you're expecting high quality customer-centric Toyota/Honda level of service from a MINI dealer, you can forget it.

 

>>Lately it's been more like 4 weeks for an appointment.
>>
>>Next time try Irvine. They might not be able to resolve your problem but at least they'll take a look at your car promptly.
>>
>>What I'm finding is that if you're expecting high quality customer-centric Toyota/Honda level of service from a MINI dealer, you can forget it.
>>
>>

I wouldn't suggest Irvine, they consistently get poor customer service remarks over on bimmerfest.com. Try Crevier instead, very nice people.

 

Thanks for the tip - I'll give Crevier a shot. So far I've dealt with 3 MINI dealers for relatively minor stuff and have come away shaking my head each time. Surely there must be a good MINI dealer out there somewhere...

 

I took my car to crevier to have the windshield molding replaced and they promptly broke my windshield. Then they told me they could fix it in about four hours. Then after sitting for two, they came and gave me a loaner car for an overnight stay. Then I waited for the promised call to come pick her up to no avail. I called about 2 p.m. and svc advisor couldn't give me any info. He finally called an hour later and said it would be ready about five p.m. It's a two hour drive into the dealership so off I went. Got there at 5:15 and the car wasn't ready. I had to wait for it to be washed. I didn't want it washed. They finally got it to me after dark. I couldn't see much at all with it being dark so I signed away and left to wait and see in the day time. Next morning after carefully reviewing my five day old car... I notice it has a black tarry substance all over the hood. It also has a good scratch to the clear coat. I called and they said I could bring it in tand they would make it right. Needless to say I didn't want to drive another two hours just to have this remedied. I went to my detailer and he took care of all the mess. I gave them failing marks on the satisfaction survey. Why? Some people would say that I didn't give them a chance to fix the error... Well, I did give them a chance to fix a simple fix. The windshield molding. And instead they broke the windshield. Then when I called about the crud on the hood the svc advisor blamed it on the car wash guy. Like a car wash guy would get muck all over and scratch the clear coat!

What bugged me most though was the perceived attitude because I was a mini owner. This was mentioned in another thread lately. Someone said I shouldn't expect to be treated like a Z4 owner. I say why not??? Just because I drive a mini doesn't mean I can't or won't buy a Z4 sometime. I should be treated the same no matter what. Blaming this whole thing on the car wash guy was beyond my tolerance level.

Try Long Beach.

Rant over...

 

>>I gave them failing marks on the satisfaction survey.

At least someone sent you a satisfaction survey. I never received one for my last visit to Brecht

I also agree, just because it is a MINI does not mean any dealer has the right slight you.

_________________
'02 MC IB/W Blk Kaleido, Chrome, Prem, 16", Sport Seats, Spoiler.
'03 MC PW/PW (1/10/03) Red Kaleido, Anthracite, Chrome, Prem, Cold Weather, Fog, Xenon, Sport Seats, Spoiler.

 

We bought our 04 JB MC at Brecht and it went pretty smooth. They were so nice to tell us all the goodies, services and warranties of our MC when it is time to service. I have an appointmet on Jan.9th for them to install LoJack and permaplate. So far they told me to bring the car and will give me a loaner because it will take a whole day to do them. I just hope their service will run smooth too.

 

can I ask why you got the perma plate?

 

" can I ask why you got the perma plate?"

Click and Clack had some interesting comments regarding these kinds of dealer add ons recently. The funny thing is that people pay lots of money for this stuff and there's no way of telling whether or not it actually got applied because it's invisible!

btw, those of us who have been to Brecht know perfectly well why solarxclipse got the perma plate...

 

Hi...anybody have experience--good/bad with Long Beach Mini?
I lost my top windshield molding on the 2nd day of driving the car...Not sure I really need it and i want to get it replaced...thoughts/observations on dealing with LB Mini?
Thx
MJ

 

I've had my car in twice for service at Brecht and was totally satisfied both times. There wasn't any major problems, just little fix it items, but they did a great job in a reasonable amount of time. The first service I waited for and the second my wifie came down and picked me up so we could spend the day checking out an Autocross in San Deigo stadium's parking lot. There was a 2 week lead time for the appointment, which would never happen at the Chevy dealer for the Suburban, but I can live with that for a service call. Anything "have to get fixed right now" may be a problem though.

I received a phone call from Mini USA for the service survey.

 

I attempted to by my MCS at Brecht, but their take it or leave it attitude and close to $5,800 mark-up sent me packing. I bought elsewhere. I planned to service my MCS in Orange County (Crevier) where I bought it, but I had to have it towed due to an electrical problem that drained the battery and Mini would only tow to my closest dealer which was Brecht (understandable policy on their part). Brecht had the car for a total of 14 days over two separate service visits and was still unable to fully rectify the problem. It even took me over two weeks to schedule to take the car back after their first attempt at the repair failed (the car was drivable, you just couldn’t lock the doors with the remote and the gas door never locked).

They definitely have a two tiered service policy between Mini and BMW customers. Buy a discounted entry level no option 325i and you get a free service loaner, buy a loaded MCS with a market adjustment of 15% of MSRP plus close to $2,000 of options you don’t want and you don’t get a free service loaner.

Brecht sucks. San Diego County NEEDS another Mini dealer that will offer fair pricing and good service.

And why buy PermaPlate? It’s one of their must take options along with LoJack and floor mats. Now that on '04's scheduled service goes to 4 years/50,000 you won't have to buy that from them anymore.

 

I am displeased with the service depatment at Brecht they left the coverings off of my dash and forgot to include directions and such with my rally lights.plus the wire was left dangling by the brake. but I have always gotten s free rental from them. They fixed a broken seat which took about 2 days and returned the rental for me. My motoring advisor was great I paid about $1,000 mark up and got my car in about a month( my other options would have been to pay $500 transport fee for a dealer in ????? or pay the 1,000 for a dealer closer I went for "B" So overall I have been pleased with my treatment at Brecht my M.A. takes care of me. but not with the competence of the service department.