If the problem persists I will look into it more. I think I will buy the code reader from Peake as my Unichip seems to enjoy throwing codes every now and then also.

 

Any reason why you didn't go through BMW and do a trade assist or collateral swap through your bank? It would have saved you a bunch on the replacement car because they sell it to you at invoice rather than MSRP.

 

I didn't got through a trade assist because of two reasons. First, I wasn't sure at the beginning of this whether I would be purchasing a new Mini, so I wanted the freedom of choice. Second, the replacement would have been cheaper, but the trade in would have been worse. When all was said and done, the buyback was a better deal. I made out very well on the buyback, almost making back everything I ever spent on the car (including mods), which was not too bad on a 2003 with 30,000 miles. Overall, it was a better deal to go the buyback route, plus it gave me flexibility.

 

I too am negotiating a return of my MINI. I had the same problems as you, but the extreme nature, (where the car was not drivable), they resolved in about a week. But I have had ongoing problems with the idle since day one, as well as some strage electrical problems, (windows that go up/down by themselves-- dash lights and warning chime flashing for no [apparent?] reason, etc.). When I got the car, I was certain that I would "own a MINI (in some form) forever..." so much so did I feel that this car fit my lifestyle, and certainly my need/ (desire?) to own a British car. But that has drained away, and I am sad about that. I have great affection for the MINI, and want to see it succeed, and as a British car, succeed as well. But I really do now hate MY MINI, and that is too bad. I can't believe that I am thinking of not buying another. The dealer had tried I believe, and I have a good relationship with them--- sometimes we simply joke about the absurd problems I've had. But I feel I have been too compliant, and now my patience is finished. Unfortunately, in the beginning, they really blew me off, and I drove off the lot with a car that was literally shaking it idled so badly, with them stating, "... we can't duplicate the problem." So, that has used up some of my good will. I will see how BMW handles this, so far, I am not encouraged. From my understanding the dealer has done everything they could, (I hope), but it just seems as though I have some problems that simply can't be resolved, and this is not what I bought a new car for. I no longer have peace of mind/security about its reliability, and have bought an extended tow AAA membership to be certain, which seems kind of unfair... But there have been times when I have been so mad at this car, (rush hour traffic, with it stumbling to near stall, over and over and over...), I have considered simply abandoning it by the side of the road...

Somehow I feel that BMW will not cooperate with me, despite the sympathetic nature of my contact so far, at this point I am distrustful.

I can't imagine how you kept your cool knowing your car was damaged and repaired--- that should have done it, I wouldn't even have accepted the car back. I am so angry just hearing your story--- they should have offered to simply replace the car on the spot with an apology! How could they have expected you to take it back? And what do you mean, they are not obligated to tell you what happened/ what work they did at the VDC??? My service mgr. told me everything they did at the center where my car was sent.

I'm glad you got what you wanted in the end, but what you went through...?

 

Just read your post for the first time......

dgszweda1, out of curiosity, did they ever replace the electronic throttle? (The pedal assembly with the pedal position sensor in it?!)

My first guess is that the electronic throttle position sensor is giving readings out of range, causing the car to go into fail-safe mode. Moisture could cause the potentiameter to give bad readings......... So I'm just curious if they ever tried that......

 

interesting idea...

 

vladimir,

Typically car companies are not required to mention anything about the car prior to selling the car. I had a friend who worked at a distribution center similiar to the VDC for BMW. You would be amazed at what sometimes shows up at the VDC, and then is repaired and sold brand new to a customer. He even said that one time a car fell off the top of a carrier and crushed the roof of a car below it. They fixed it, within specs and then shipped it off to the dealership. You can even seen some pics of some damaged Minis at the VDC in this NAM post (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=21112)

The dealership orignally didn't know about the problem, but with it's extreme delay at the VDC in South Carolina, it got me to asking and digging for the problem. I was concerned about the paint job, but I examined it under three different lighting systems (Sodium, flourescent, normal incadescent, and then outdoor light) and couldn't detect any differences in pigment. Normally you can tell some problems under different types of light. I also came to the conclusion that nothing stopped me from driving the car off the lot and getting smashed a blocked from the dealership in an accident. The dealership was willing to order me a new one, but at the time that was a three to four month wait. With no visible issues, I decided to take it. It was a choice and one that I struggled with for some time.

I am actually purchasing another Mini. Even though at the time I was beginning to hate the car because of the problems. Now that I don't have it and I have been test driving, nothing really comes close to it for feel and performance in this price range. I kept comparing different aspects of various cars that I was test driving back to the Mini. While some had better performance, they didn't have as good of a quality or feel, and vice a versa. I figured if I kept comparing different aspects back to the Mini, then I should just go ahead and by one again. I still think the quality is good, I just happened to have one with a particular problem. I encountered no other problems with the car whatsoever during my ownership. No rattles, no broken parts, no replacements of any kind, after 30,000 miles.

Katana,

I am not sure all the details of what they replaced. It was getting to the point that the dealership was really frusturated. They spent almost $5,000 replacing parts, so it was pretty considerable. They never blamed any of my aftermarket parts except for my spark plugs (IK22), but I showed the receipt for them, showing that they hadn't been on the car the first three times I brought it in.

All in all, I am still very excited about my '05 that I am waiting for with the LSD option (have to wait till January for the build).

 

Disclosure by manufacturers, dealers, and other professionals had changed due to the Gore v. BMW of North America case. In Gore, the plaintiff purchased a new BMW from his dealership. The dealer did not disclose that the vehicle had been damaged while in transit and that the bonnet had been repainted. When Gore found out a few months later (via inspection by an independent mechanic) he sued. The jury awarded him $4K in compensatory damages (the value actually lost due to the respray) and $4 MILLION in punative damages (to stop the dealership's non-disclosure practices). Subsequent appeals reduced the punative damages, but today a dealership or anyone engaged professionally in the buying and selling of automobiles does have the duty to disclose known defects/ repairs that may affect the value of the vehicle.


Always check the title prior to paying for your vehicle to see that it is not a salvage, and do a carfax for an ownership history and accident claims history.

 

I appreciate your comments and info, (even if they are scary!) it makes me more reassured as I push forward...

I am stubbornly stuck with my feeling that BMW will not treat me kindly, but just hope it will be otherwise. I too am realistic, and do not attach any disregard for the car as a brand, just unlucky I guess...

Those pictures on the thread about the VDC are frightening. I absolutely think it is unethical to sell a car with that much bodywork as "new." It is just not right that the consumer would not have means to discover this in advance... maybe it should be required that these incidents be disclosed to Carfax or another database that a consumer could access...

 

The disclosure was not changed in that case. The suite was eventually heard in the Supreme Court to determine limits of punitive damages. Basically disclosure is driven by State law, not federal law. The disclosure for BMW still stands the same as it did in 1983 for this case, that no disclosure will be provided if damage is 3% or less of the value of the vehicle. The problem is that 3% is very vague, because who determines the value of the damage.

The Supreme court basically said in the case, that states at this point control the disclosure, and that punitive damages awarded on the behalf of getting the manufacturer to change practices is unconstitutional, since a state such as Alabama, does not have the right to assert it's force on the will of other states, some of which have no disclosure law. The punitive damages eventually were awarded as $2,000 I believe, and BMW did not change their practice, and some states still do not have disclosure laws.

 

Vladimir,

I cannot speak for your case, but in my case there were absolutely no issues or red flags that came from BMWNA. In fact everything was settled in 9 days from the first letter mailed by my attorney. So I can't complain. It did take a while for them to pick up my car, but that was an issue with their own paperwork and personal. I guess it didn't matter, since after they settled, I drove the car for 2 months for free.

 

My Mini Held Up At VDC ?
I was a bit puzzled, to put it mildly, as to why when I check the OL it gives me an Estimated Delivery Date of 9/3, when others whose Mini's traveled with mine on the EMDEN- arrived Charleston 7/31 have a 8/14 EDD.

At first, last week, my MA told me the car would be ready for pick up on or before 8/10, now I am told it may be waiting for a truck to transport it from Charleston and that they only know from a fax they get each morning as to what cars are put on a truck to them, so they will tell me when my car gets on a truck.

I called AskMini, got a very helpfull person on the phone who told me that the EDD is entered into the OL site by someone at the VDC, and the dates are usually very accurate. I asked why my EDD was 9/3 when others were 8/14 he said that it could be several things, a spot Customs inspection, A spot QC check or....I hesitate to even say it, but a body repair???

BTW, ask Mini told me that the MA can find out exactly why and what the status is by calling the VDC directly.

Anyone ever have this situation happen or have any info that may shed some light?

Thanks!

 

Well I bought my first Mini about a month ago (used with 34000 miles). It has the JCW package and its an absolute blast to drive. I love it but today I was driving it in the rain and just before I got back to my house the EML, Engine and Traction light all came on at the same time. This was accompanied by a huge loss in power. I got back to my house and shut the car off.
I immediatly started the car back up and the engine light was still on but all other lights went off. The car seemed to run just fine. I have read simular problems on older posts and non of them turned out very well. I am scared as hell because I have a 6 year loan on this car (not that it is going to take me that long to pay it back) and havn't even made the first payment! I bought it from a Lexus dealership so I thought it would all be good but I have no clue if they had prior knowledge of this problem or not. The worst part about this is I just figured out that the BMW dealership here in Tucson stopped servicing MINIs and the closest dealership is in Scottsdale, 2 hours away!
If anyone has any incouraging words regarding this issue they are desparetly needed now.
Thanks!,
Mike

 

Mike

your responding to a thread that was over 3 years ago. You started another thread. That's good. Someone will answer you.
Like I said there, don't worry about it. MINIs throw codes ... they do that. They also go into "limp mode". Just take it to a MINI dealer and let them check it out.

And don't trust a Lexus dealer to know anything about MINIs

 

why did the bmw dealer you had counted on, stop servicing MINIs?

our bmw dealership in fairfield county has been struggling with MINI service since day one (MINI has a separate sales facility from bmw a few miles away, there was apparently not enough physical space to integrate sales of the MINI there). for service, we went to the bmw facilty. there was never enough room, it seemed, and eventually the dealership underwent a major remodeling, a part of which separated the MINIs from the beemers. now, however, the MINI servicing has been pushed out to the MINI dealership itself. service clients now wait for their cars right in the MINI showroom itself. it has always seemed as though, beemer owners resented sharing space with these feisty (and, admitedly, cheaper) owners and their cars. sometimes the "animosity" was pretty palatable, as if the MINI owners didn't deserve to be there, and we were taking time away from the service crew from the beemers. in fairfield county, connecitcut, unfortunately, money rules...