Finally have an appointment.
Wednesday!

Tomorrow after work I plan on checking other areas.

I need my hood resprayed. I made the mistake once of going through a car wash after a blizzard to get the salt and crap off my car.. The rags had something on them and ate up my hood. Touch up paint from Mini came off about a year later. Looks awful.

 

As pointed out previously, doubt they'll respray the hood. The areas I'm waiting on Mini Corporate are the door sills and tail light area. I'm hoping they'll also spray the hood - but based on conversation, probably not.

 

Once your car is scheduled to go to the body shop (if covered) you can wheel and deal with the body shop...typically a subcontractor... If the car is going to be in for paint...then adding extra work is generally cheaper that having it done separate since prep/cleanup is such a large portion of the $$.
Still not going to be cheap...
Part of life is understanding that items become imperfect as they age...
Consider the imperfections to be proof of experience.... Proof the car has been used and is not the plaything of a rich person. Be proud of a bit of wear. Having nice stuff is nice...but remember it is there is to SERVE YOU...NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND...(even a love must love you back at some point, lol).
Paint protects metal to stop it from rusting, extending the life of the item...if it looks good, great, but understand, nothing lasts forever. Sometimes we hear of a story where a person spends $1500, or even $3000 to a $5500 car to help make a car cosmetically perfect, maybe even mechanically perfect...then the car gets t-boned...and totaled...and they get a check for $4000....as some of these cars do age, collector car "Agreed value" car insurance becomes an option...but usually not until it is 10-15+ years old, and no longer a daily driver.
At some point things start the long down hill slide...and once a car hits 10+ years, they are older than average, and the day of "wrecking" is Approaching.
Both as a pilot and as a truck driver (due to intermittent layoffs) I have found equipment that looks like crap on the outside is often the best working....since the $$ has been spent on the mechanics of it...and not spit and polish...(I flew a US mail route in a reliable workhorse of a plane...it had a terrible paint job...and I was usually the last one out at night, and first back in the am...when I would go to the airport during the day, I would find people would think it was an abandoned airplane since it was always in the same spot, even though it flew 6 nights a week, and flew more hours than any other plane based in Joplin MISSOURI at the time...went 6 months before a mechanical delay..bet Delta can't say that!!).
You know what they say about a polished turd....or putting lipstick on a pig....
Many folks have nice cars and love them...I just urge folks to take an honest look at the value of an item before committing to $$$ extra cosmetic work.

 

Just got a message from the dealer - they will be addressing the rust. Not sure exactly what yet, but they will be fixing it.

Zippy understand your point. If they don't cover it, I may just go the touch up route for the hood - as it will just get banged up again (and according to some of you guys, the respray is not as good). I also have plans to add 3m film to try to help protect it.

 

Good news on the approval. It might take a while in the body shop dependent on how bust they are. They respray mine all around the back and sides. Did a very good job with a hard to paint Hot Orange Metallic .

 

Good to hear.

 

Recently informed that Mini will not be making a decision as to what they will take care of .. until they inspect in next week.

 

I know they wont take care of my hood.
That's of my own fault. Not due to manufacturer error.
=)

Anyone have faded paint and they did a good job matching everything up?

 

I hope they match everything. That will not have a pretty outcome.

 

Looking past the rust work, which will commence in the next 2 weeks - my mini has been outside this week, soaking up the heavenly water .. 16 days straight so far - if they say we have a drought this summer, I'm kickin the weather guys ***. I noticed tonight that under one of the tail lights, water has gathered. I know that this is a rust spot on many cars - but not mine yet - and because of that, it doesn't need to be (and probably won't be) addressed. With that in mind, how can I protect this area from rusting?

 

Other than rust treatment sprays annually, and protecting the vehicle from getting wet.... nothing.

Major design fail.

 

Wash it and then apply wax and grease on the seams , under the tail lights and the rust prone areas, some people had success with Fertan :

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tailights.html

 

I took our 2006 R53 in to the local dealer for the classic bubbling rear tail light, as the 12 year period runs out later this month. My claim was denied on the basis that I "haven't had my car serviced at the dealership" since 2012. What does have faulty rust proofing have to do with where my oil gets changed and my brakes are done? FWIW, my mileage is only 143K km (88K miles) and the rest of the car is in excellent condition...

 

Damn that sucks. Also super lame. I had no issues even though I just bought the car...

 

it is not unusual for the fine print of a rust warranty to mention the requirement of 'regular inspections or checks'

Wanna know how I learned this????

 

I am the 3rd owner, of my 06 s. It has 104k miles on it, and was put into service 11/05/05. I had some small bubbling under the right rear taillight, and I brought it in with 2 weeks left on the 12 year warranty (and to do the airbag seat sensor recall.) The car was last at the dealer in 2009. I bought it about a year ago and do all my own work. The rep happened to be there, and approved the repair. It’s fixed and back to me already. My point is the rep can decide. He said my car looked well cared for, whatever that means. And it was hit in the front before I got it, but the rear quarter was original paint. So maybe things work out once and a while!

 

Please do share!

 

I am sitting in front of the dealer right now (Mini Santa Clara), i was told no warranty on my 06 mini cooper S, I just called Mini USA and rep told me there is no warranty whatsoever on my car. I dis ask for rust or corrosion, anything. I was told no, nada, none.

 

@torogi, What is the in service date for your car? Corrosion is 12 years unlimited miles from date of delivery.

 

When was your manufacture date? Possibly late in 05 and sold as an 06? Otherwise I believe they're incorrect. It's documented that there's a 12 year rust warranty - unless he was referencing your specific case, perhaps a documented accident or something?

 

FYi mine was manufactured 10/05, delivered 11/05/05, and the rust repair was completed 11/01/17.

 

Build date was 10/06, it was sold 1/07. When I talked to the rep, there was no indication of any accident or damage. I did asked her for a warranty available on my car, anything and she said none (this is Mini USA). Dealer said only 5yrs and I was directed to the body shop next door.
Edit: rep from mini usa searched by VIN.

that is one serious inconsistency. Where can I escalate my claim?

 

I'd very politely ask the dealer to double check. I can't find it with a quick search online, but I know it's in the official documents. Up to 04 was a 5 or 6 year warranty, 05+ is 12. Unless CA is different which is possible?

 

Unless CA has a different warranty (which it could) this would not be true. You can be denied for not maintaining the car at the dealer, but my experience was that the zone rep can wave that requirement too. I also think you need a dealer that wants to help you and argue on your behalf. Maybe going to a different dealer?

 

I have a feeling the feedback I got was because there was no established relationship between the dealer and I. I called Mini USA for neutrality unfortunately I got the same. I will call them again and find out more..