I took delivery of my '05 MCS on Friday night, and while inspecting the car in the showroom I quickly noticed that the interior trim color was wrong. I ordered Silver, and it was the Alloy Patina.

I quickly raised a red flag, and they first confirmed my choice of Silver, then confirmed the order itself (to the factory), which were both correct. They agreed to swap the panels with another non-custom ordered car on the lot, but I have to drive back to the dealership (1 hour each way) twice next week to drop the car off and pick it up.

Firstly, how does BMW/MINI mess up such a significant part of the process. Don't they have quality checking measures in place to verify the entire order before shipping it? Also, shouldn't the dealership inspect the car and make sure it's perfect before delivery? It should never have gotten to me with such an obvious error. MINI and the dealership should be embarrassed.

It's ridiculous to wait months for a "custom order" and still not get exactly what you ordered. Anyone have advice or similar experiences?

 

I had this happen to a friend of mine a while back on his MCS...interior trim wrong color. I think he ordered alloy patina and got silver . Yes, they should have caught it, but from what I can tell from the owners I know this is pretty rare. (...lucky you!!! ) Anyway, I know its a hassle but hang in there...once its resolved you'll be flyin' high! Does take the wind out of one's sails, though.

 

Did you order with Motor City MINI? They probably didn't send your order correctly - and they're known for blowing smoke like no tomorrow.

 

I remember that the Mini web site says that only 10 cars in a Million are exactly alike, due to the insane number of options available. Stocking all those parts, especially those with different specs for different countries must be a nightmare. I assume that Mini, like most modern auto makers, uses the "just in time" inventory concept, where parts are shipped in as needed, with little inventory on hand. This all adds up to cars on the line that every now and then have ordered parts unavailable to install. Rather than put the car aside and clog up the system, I assume they put in whatever trim is closest and keep the line moving. If the buyer accepts it, great. If not, they change it out after the build and absorb the cost.


This has been going on forever. I bought a Triumph Spitfire in 1969 with Beige interior. Waited 4 months for the car, and it came with black interior. What do you do, wait another 4 months? It sucks, but it is the car business.

 

I got my 03 MCS in April 03 and it came in without the auto wipers. When I asked the dealer he said, "Oops, I guess we blew it". I got it quick and I believe they had one on the line that was almost built with everything I wanted except the auto wipers and they just said - give him that one. I'm very happy with it the way it is I believe JoeDentist hit it right on the head...if we don't have what the customer wants give em what we got.

Earl

 

MINI does in fact use just in time inventory management, and keep a minimal amount of parts needed on hand. However they don't order the parts an a "per car basis" either. They order what they need for a few days, receiving new supplies every few days.

If a car needs a part that isn't available for one reason or another, from what I was told (and saw there) MINI will either not begin production on the car or reject the car on the line. They won't just slap whatever is laying around and send it down the line. Not only that but the system doesn't even work that way. MINI can, will, and does reject cars on the line for a variety of reasons, included incorrect parts delivered to the line for the car.

The ENTIRE dash unit is actually assembled in a different area of the factory. It is brought down to the car body in one piece and installed as a single unit.

If the order was in the system correct, the error should have been caught either when the dash was assembled, when it was installed in the car, or when it came off the line for final assembly checks. That's at least 3 different sets of eyballs that should have looked at the car and the spec sheet to confirm that the order was correct.

However, since every item is bar coded and scanned before installation into the car, it's possible that an incorrect bar code was placed on the dash. The MINI team member scanned the bar code, which read as correct, and nobody looked to see if the bar code data matched what they actually had in front of them. When you're building a few hundred cars a shift, I could see this happening on occasion.

Even still the system isn't perfect. Take for example the US spec Cooper delivered a few years ago with MINI One door sills....

It may be a pain, but as long as the dealer is willing to take care of you, I wouldn't get that bothered by it....

BTW, I've been to the plant and seen the system in action...

 

SDR,
Aloha and welcome to NAM. Sorry to hear about your dash color.
If the dealership ordered the wrong dash option by mistake in code number then it is the dealers fault. If the code was for silver but the car was produced and delivered with alloy patina then it was the factory's fault. But the dealership should cross check the final delivered MINI for any errors before giving you the car- or at least call you with the error ASAP.

Fortunately the dash is only 5 major pieces and a few other trim items but the door ovals are also matching in color. If the dealership is willing to swap out "ALL" alloy patina parts in the dash and doors for silver then it is an option although you do have to travel. Since it is their fault you can ask for "something" for your inconvenience- do you have some MINI accessory you have your eye on? Maybe get it discounted $50 or more?

Personally I used to have alloy patina on my dash and I liked it better than silver. I painted my dash but kept the door ovals alloy patina. Now is you chance to get anthracite for the dash (it's the most durable finish). Your choice!

 

Ryephile -

Yes, I did order from Motor City MINI. They messed up the order in the early phases too. When I got the order confirmation, it showed the wrong color roof, and I quickly raised the issue and the salesgirl "fixed it", but strangely the production date changed to about 4 weeks later. Hmmm??? She told me the factory must've just changed the build date for some reason. I was skeptical all along, especially since she told me before that the order was locked and couldn't be changed. I figured she went in, changed the order, and that caused the build to be reallocated to the next month.

I was willing to forget about the roof, but then another shady thing happened...

Before I even took delivery, the salesgirl emailed me and said that her manager wanted to remove the car from inventory (this was end of October...and the car had not even arrived at the dealer yet!), so she was going to show it being delivered, which would trigger a contact from MINI USA asking me to rate my satisfaction with everything. She told me "it is important that I get ALL 5's on the survey, otherwise I don't get paid". I was appalled at this. I told her I didn't care about them "removing" the car from inventory per se, but I didn't feel comfortable evaluating a process that wasn't yet complete. It was like she was trying to guilt/bribe me into giving her and the dealership stellar ratings. I don't know if MINI USA ever tried to contact me, since I was out of the country on business for a couple of weeks. I haven't yet received a survey, but I can bet that MINI USA does not condone this activity.

And now the trim color mishap. 3 strikes, they're out. Only problem is that it's the only dealer in the area, so it's not like I can choose another one for future service needs, etc.

 

I was on the phone with Julie at Classic, trying to decide what color dash I wanted. I decided on silver and when she entered that into the computer, she said, "Well, that's weird." I said, "What?" and she said, "Your production date just moved up three weeks."

When I posted this story a few weeks ago, someone else posted a reply something to the effect that I was an idiot for thinking the dash color might have any effect on production dates. Whatever...


Wow - another car salesman living up to their sleazy stereotype! Reminds me how thankful I am that I found this group and got referred to Julie at Classic. She's an angel!

 

Not to mention the VDC (which I would think is supposed to be double-checking this kind of stuff while they're looking for shipping damage) and - uh, well - the dealer! As my teenage would say, "Hello-o?"

 

I ordered, or at least asked the dealership, for the HB dash. Car arrived and I saw alloy patina which does not look blue. For me I just decided that AP wasn't that bad and took the car rather than rejecting it and waiting another 2 1/2 months.

Patrick

 

Based on what has been relayed about the ordering experience so far, I'm less inclined to believe that MINI was the problem. This sounds like a dealer induced error...

Now as I mentioned, MINI's system isn't perfect. Mistakes have been made at the factory and made it through to delivery undetected. But you could probably count the number of times on your hands...

 

I would NOT rip out the current dash for a different color. I would ask to be compensated by the dealer. Maybe a set of floor mats on the house? I have the alloy patina look and I love it. If it were me, I would ask for the carbon fiber dash applique from Mini. I really think this look is awesome on the dash panels...



http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=41481

 

SDR---> most of us at MichiganMINI have felt your pain repeatedly with MCM, they simply can't or won't do anything right. We've resorted several times to service day-trips to Classic MINI (they ROCK). I bought both my MCS's from MCM, and I regret giving them the business. Hindsight 20/20

 

>It may be a pain, but as long as the dealer is willing to take care of you, I wouldn't get that bothered by it....


This is one reason why things don't improve.

 

Ah, you speak of my MINI-only known MC in the US with MINI One door sills

Lois

 

So it's a problem if the dealer is going to own up to the mistake and compensate the customer?

 

It's a problem if they continue to make mistakes and don't make any attempt to improve, IMO. Making a mistake and fixing it later isn't the same as not screwing up in the first place.

Mark

 

Now I'm not sure I want to have the interior panels swapped. I'm thinking that I will be more p'd off if I get all sorts of rattles, shakes, and creaks after the swap. I can't imagine that things would go together as well as they do in the factory. Maybe I should just work out some sort of compensation with the dealer instead. You guys agree? Or do you think the swap would work fine?

 

what does your window sticker say?
You could also call 866-ASK-MINI and have them read your spec to you.
If they say its alloy patina, then I think your dealer messed up.

 

Personally, I'd swap them out. If I received alloy patina instead of the anthracite I ordered, the entire look and feel of the car would be changed. Go back so they can fix the problem. Let the folks at the dealership and MINI know of the issue so they can address it in some fashion (hopefully). Point them in this direction so they know this is not an isolated incident. Hope for the best.

As for the rattles, most of us have rattles in our cars anyhow so changing out the parts probably won't be too bad. You might get lucky if they know what they are doing.

 

Whenever a dealer pulls apart your new dashboard you will sure have to deal with rattles and squeaks that were not there before... DON"T DO IT!

My '04 MCS with 15K miles has ZERO rattles (The build quality was vastly improved in the '04 model year) because no one has even gone near my dashboard and interior trim.

No worth the hassle IMO.

 

Me thinks you should get some freebies from your dealer.... May be a nice Sirius satellite radio upgrade, a pair of MINI sunglasses or a nice MINI issue wrist watch. Who knows, may be get the new JCW airbox ($475 value) for free or some other cool accessory.

Any MINI dealer that wants to keep your business will do something like this.

I strongly advice against tearing your dashboard apart for some seemingly cosmetics. Don't do it!

 

Sorry to hear about the troubles. Definitely get compensated, and I also advise against letting the dealer swap it out. Rattles and more trips to the dealer.

You should get floor mats no matter what. As my wife said as we signed the contract, "For $24k you can throw in the floor mats for free. The rubber ones. With the cool MINI logo. Oh, and that keychain he was eyeballing out there. Anything else honey?"

 

I agree: do NOT swap out the dash! You are asking for rattles, requiring additional visits to a dealership you are unhappy with already! I'm in the get some goodies as compensation boat! Ask for the mats, the boot organizer, AND a MINI car cover!


Clover