Good points are being made about a number of things, by a number of people (Dave the Man at the top, as usual) but we also have to realize that This Car and indeed cars in general are not for everybody - maybe this guy wants to feel like a Man and Men Love Cars (etc.) but deep down they might not be his Thing. Maybe he's got issues with his artsy-fartsy job - who knows! That's for him and his Shrink to determine. ... So before he learns to drive, he may trash many cars, and he may end up calling them all POS's but that's his problem.
We, for the most part, Love Our Cars; Those that experiment with them and throw them aside just leave in their wake a supply for the rest of us to absorb and enjoy. Too bad for the Illustrator, but Good for Me!
Peace, Love, Freedom and Whisky, Brothers and Sisters!

 

Actually I didnt go anywhere, some of us dont sit on our computers all day refreshing the forums.. Some of us go to work and have lives. Now to dispell some other myths. Enterprise ASKS every customer for a cradit card, I know cause as I was waiting there they asked everyone else who came up to the counter. Next, I waited for 2 hours at Enterprise not because they were contacting MINI, but because the [edited for language: woman] who was helping me, decided to go on her lunch break halfway through the transaction. Also stop comparing my problem to cancer, it has nothing to do with cancer and therefore its on a totally seperate issue. I always love the old "well at least you dont have cancer" antidote. Your right I dont have cancer, I also dont have AIDS, but that has squat to do with my problem so shut up. Also my dad died at 55 this summer from prostate cancer, so think before you speak. Finally I didnt get another civic because I wanted a change of pace and at the time the car seemed like it was good, but everyday more and more problems arise. I apologize to all you people who can see my situation but for the others stop being stupid just because your trying to convince your self you bought a good car. And certainly dont yell at me for making personal attacks and then say things like "his artsy fartsy job" cause I am sure I make more money at 23 then you did when you were 23. How many childrens books did you have illustrated and published at 23? The point is we are talking about a crappy car period. Sorry to burst your fantasy of this being a good car.

_________________
2003 Chilli Red Cooper, Bonnet Stripes, Nav System, Sport Package.

 

LOL. Right on Dude, I feel the same way. Having lost both of my parents within the span of the last year I can get behind that statement...

As far as the car goes...Mine seems to be a good car, 8000 miles in 5 weeks. The only problem (knock on wood) so far has been the boot latch. Replaced under warranty. You got a bad tranny. It will be replaced under warranty. These things happen with EVERY car. Not just new designs either. Get over it! These things are built by human beings. There have been over 100,000 of these cars built. Sometimes these human beings make mistakes. *gasp* Haven't you ever screwed anything up? Sell your POS car to someone else and buy a Honda. I don't care. (over)Reacting like you have done is not going to win you any friends. Especially among people who are having good experiences. I feel for you man, but you should lighten up and use a little tact.
Cheers, and good luck. (really)

:smile:

 

Get off the poor guys back. It's very clear he has had the worst luck with his MINI and telling him your wonderful stories of how perfect yours is doesn't change the fact that his is a disaster.

It's almost like people are getting mad at him for having a messed up MINI? Very odd. In turn he lashes back at ya'll when you act like clowns. Lot's have been achieved here by both sides... great job acting like idiots.

 

Hey listen you guys.....this topic has become a huge flame fest which is exactly the opposite of what I think most people on here want. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I am not trying to promote any kind of censorship whatsoever, but now some of the arguments have gotten really personal....and that's not fair to anyone. I am not placing blame on anyone in this situation, but it has gotten really out of hand.

NYIllustrator.....I really am sorry to hear what happened with your car. I know that doesn't help the situation any, but whatever happens in the future I hope that it works out for the best for you.....

Everyone, I know this sounds totally cheesy, but can we try to friendly it up a little? We just like to keep it as nice on here as possible and this thread has gotten kinda out of control.

Thanks for listening....

:smile:

 

I'm not on anyone's team, but for NYers, I would like to point out that at least some of us got our cars at MSRP and regardless of all the speculation about hard sells and dealer add ons, I never heard word one from Manhattan MINI about unwanted extras or dealer markup. I asked Josh the first time I spoke with him about how they would legistlate people with enough cash (regardless of age) who would be willing to buy up their place in line. He said that was a no no, and, true to form, I got the car I asked for 3 weeks after it went into production (I held out for BRG). At MSRP.

But, getting back to Mr. NYIll. So Enterprise sucked. I'd rather take cab fare than a rental anyway (look at it this way: you get two weeks off from having to park). Unless you are speaking, ahem, regionally, so then maybe you should be NassauIllustrator, or NJIllustrator (that is an awfully pastoral part of Manhattan in yer photo). And, yes, us NYers can be downright provinical about using the appellation NY to refer to anything north of 14th street. I could be nicer, but since no one is speaking up for Enterprise, and calling the clerk a ***** is unneccsary invective, I can allow myself to be a little snide.

This discussion is a bit ugly, but to some degree is it necessary to seperate the proverbial wheat from the chaff. My car was an expensive luxury that I still can't rationally justify. If there are recurring or systemic problems with servicing or design, I would have to take an much regretted second look at the amount of money I am parting with. And based on what I have heard, I would certainly sympathize with NYIll's problem, but it appears that is being dealt with as professionally and expeditiously as possible. If the worst part of your story is the rental car, then I can't see the logic for bad mouthing the car. The dealer might review their relationship, but even then, your experience, as unfortunate as it is, still doesn't indicate a recurring problem. Your tranny blew, and that sucks, and you got a Saturn from a surly minimum wage earning clerk (in NY? that's weird), but they are going to make it right, and if they don't they are going to fix it again. You frustration is warranted. Your claim that the company or the car is fatally flawed doesn't stand up to similar scutiny.

 

NYIllustrator,

I am sorry that you have had such a difficult situation with your car and that it does not meet your expectations as an improvement over your previous Civic.

My suggestion to you is this: get the MINI fixed and then sell it for the same $27000 that you paid for it and then go buy the nicest Civic you can get. With the extra money, you can do a lot to it and really impress the kids at ClubSI that you are accustomed to dealing with.

You will fit in very well at ClubSI and they will receive you with open arms. Your new Civic will not have the kind of little problems that always arise when a completely new and revolutionary car is released to the public, and you will be happy again.

Many of us here at MCO prefer to build a community that is supportive, friendly, and genuinely caring for its members. We love our MINI's and we also understand that mechanical things break and are guaranteed to break over and over again. We simply do not need people like you to tarnish the image we are trying to build for the MINI community in America. You have a right to be mad and upset, but you really need to get a little perspective and chill out. Any car is only a big hunk of steel, plastic, and glass and your life is worth too much to worry about such things.

Good luck, sorry that your MINI experience was less than you had hoped, and when you are sick of your new Civic and decide to come back, we will accept you with open arms if you can tone down that attitude to match the friendly and supportive community that you will find here when you return.



_________________
~Yucca Patrol~

2003 MCS, BRG/W on the truck to my dealer!

"Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement."

 

>>Get off the poor guys back. It's very clear he has had the worst luck with his MINI and telling him your wonderful stories of how perfect yours is doesn't change the fact that his is a disaster.
>>
>>It's almost like people are getting mad at him for having a messed up MINI? Very odd. In turn he lashes back at ya'll when you act like clowns. Lot's have been achieved here by both sides... great job acting like idiots.


I beg to disagree. As stated earlier by DaveinDenver, MINIUSA has stepped out of their boundaries to make things right for him. I understand how frustrating is to have a new car with a failed transmission but if the manufacturer or dealership did not step up to the plate, then he would have more of a reason to complain.


I bet that if MINIUSA offers right this minute to replace his whole car with a new one, he would still be unhappy!

 

>>Oh by the way, when a car rental company (Like Enterprise, Avis, Budget, etc) requests a $250 deposit to rent you a car is typically for 2 reasons:
>>
>>1) You have questionnable driving record
>>
>>2) You have less than perfect or bad credit
>>
>>I have rented cars in Enterprise before and not once I have ever been asked to plunk down a deposit to rent a car from them. Ever.

A lot of times it has to do with age also. The last time I had to put down a deposit I was under 25.

 

>>>>Oh by the way, when a car rental company (Like Enterprise, Avis, Budget, etc) requests a $250 deposit to rent you a car is typically for 2 reasons:
>>>>
>>>>1) You have questionnable driving record
>>>>
>>>>2) You have less than perfect or bad credit
>>>>
>>>>I have rented cars in Enterprise before and not once I have ever been asked to plunk down a deposit to rent a car from them. Ever.
>>
>>A lot of times it has to do with age also. The last time I had to put down a deposit I was under 25.

Good point. Thanks for bringing that up.

 

I was not comparing your situation to cancer, just saying that it is not the biggest disaster, and your cars tranny being broken is not the worst thing that could happen. You seem a little bitter. I'm sorry about your dad, but if anything, that should put this in perspective.

If you are going to have a problem with one thing not having to do with another, then why bring up your experience at Enterprise? Neither the dealer nor MINI had anything to do with that. It was a problem with Enterprise, period.

I am not trying to convince myself that I bought a good car, as I do not own a MINI, but I will. Because it is a good car.

Also, you did not even re-address the main issue, which was the fact that MINI and the dealer paid for your repairs and the loaner. They are bending over backwards to make everything ok, or at least try to make you happy, which seems to be a lost cause.

I am sorry that you got a bad transmission, but it is one bad transmission, not a bad car in general. If reasearch or experience showed that there were more than one MINI with this problem, that would be a different story, but generalizations like that without evidence are unintelligent, and give you no credibility.

 

yeah, incredible ... OK,Everybody back to work! Nothing left to see here ...

 

Remember from NYI's initial post that the problem was originally diagnosed by the mechanic as a non-problem, nothing, "its a german car its gunna make noise".

It wasn't until he made them diagnose the car further that they found the problem as being the tranny. If he took their word on the issue and drove away with his supposedly good car that make noise like all the other German engineered cars supposedly do, then where'd he be now? What would have happened if the tranny locked up, locking the front wheels, sending him out of control into on-coming traffic? What then? Who knows. Because of his persistence with the dealership, his car finally got the correct diagnosis.

 

My 2 cents...
Just get rid of the car, and your worries will be over. I had the same experience with Nissan, and I vowed to never buy a Nissan again. SH$T HAPPENS, ya know?

good luck.

 

Just my point of view ....

This has been said before but all cars & indeed mechanical items will have their share of problems. As early adoptors we will experience more problems than the people that get their Minis next year but we will have enjoyed happy motoring for a year longer. My Mini has not been perfect. I was at the dealer today get a coolant leak looked at. As it turns out Greta has a minor crack in her reservor tank that causes her slowly loose coolant.( it takes about 4 weeks for the tank to void all of it's coolant ). The solution of course it to replace the tank but there is only 30 in the country! Hopefully I get one because if not, it could be months before the are back in stock. My point is that we have to expect these types of problems.

The thing that we must do is learn from each others experiences so that we can help our dealers make better diagnostics. I learned of the coolant leak problem by checking out these forums. My Mini was the first one they had seen with this problem. When you consider that a dealer sees very little Mini problems, it will take them years to correctly diagnose some customer complaints.

Thanks for listening

_________________
cb


Greta...DS "S", premium, cold, 17s on all seasons, DSC, fogs, lapis blue leather, chrome mirrors

 

Just to let everyone know...I'm starting to get my "Censorship" hat warmed up! If the use of profanity, personal attacks relating to cancer, AIDS, family members, career choices, etc. don't stop I will bring a broom in and clean up (all profanity deleted, personal attacks gone)...leaving only discussion around the issue at hand...a failed transmission, the dealership's treatment of the customer, and the resolution.

Please...be civil...open to other viewpoints...and stay within the site guidelines!

Mark :evil:

 

>>Just to let everyone know...I'm starting to get my "Censorship" hat warmed up! If the use of profanity, personal attacks relating to cancer, AIDS, family members, career choices, etc. don't stop I will bring a broom in and clean up (all profanity deleted, personal attacks gone)...leaving only discussion around the issue at hand...a failed transmission, the dealership's treatment of the customer, and the resolution.
>>
>>Please...be civil...open to other viewpoints...and stay within the site guidelines!
>>
>>Mark :evil:


Very Well put Mark!

My 2 cents..... You got stuck with a bad transmission, they seem to be more than willing to help..... and as previously stated, the only thing that seems to be an issue with you is the rental car?! I'd say take everyone's advice here and just relax! If you are THAT displeased with the car then get rid of it and go for something else! I don't see how complaining on here about how crappy YOUR mini was is going to solve any of your problems! It doesn't matter who you are, what you do, what's happened in your life.... There's no reason for reacting in such a way! Granted the wait DOES suck! I would be frustrated myself, but i would most definately not bad-mouth the entire company! If you had a bad experience with the dealership, fine! I'll give you that! BUT thats one dealership out of all of them! Basically all the good points were made already so i can't do anything but repeat everything that has been said before. There have been a great deal of people on the forums who have given very good pieces of advice! But one thing to remember is that these people are trying to give you options and try to make your experience better, they are not trying to bad mouth you, your way of living, your career or family! There was no way for anyone to know about your personal life, so the comments about cancer were obviously not meant as malicious statements. It is, however; unfortunate that the good intention behind the words of advice were skewed in such a way that you took such offense to them!

But to conclude my 2 cents, Life is too short to make such a big deal out of a very small problem! You had a little ordeal, they are willing to fix it! I would understand your frustration if they said they wouldn't do anything about it! But they're working with you to fix it! So lighten up!!

*To everyone else* I rented from enterprise before..... and correct me if i'm wrong... but do they not return that deposit to you upon the return of the rental?? That's the way they did it with me!! I put down a $100 deposit and upon bringing the car back they charged a credit back so i evened out... i had personally rented it for the weekend, so i of course had to pay for the expenses, but i was reimbursed for the deposit when i brought it back!

 

I've been working my a$$ off!! I'm working 13 hour shifts (Plus overtime!) and needless to say i'm a little run down! haahaha I left early today because i was feeling Ill and decided to take advantage of my new free time and catch up on the threads! I've been keeping tabs on all the messages via e-mail responses, but i haven't posted a message since thanksgiving!

 

Heh. ironic that the Cooper (and One) tranny was the only part of any of the cars to come from an existiing platform, in this case, small Rover units. That's what they get for talking BMW out of putting Getrags in everything.

BUT, I CERTAINLY wouldn't condemn the car for that.

 

Anyway, it sucks that NYIll had his tranny go after only 3 weeks, but there's got to be more to the story than that. Whatever baggage goes along with it, I think you guys need to chill out and let the guy vent. If he sells the car, so be it. The point is, he hasn't sold it yet, but you guys are only too happy to write him off and sell him down the river. Man, you guys turned on him FAST! When I'm mad, I talk about doing all sorts of stuff that I don't end up doing. Instead of telling him all of the reasons he's not justified in being frustrated, why not just let the guy vent? In the end, he'll either get over it, or trade in the MINI for a Z car. What's the big deal?

 

 

sure, and every flame war has a tendency to following specific patterns: 30% of the posts are digressions, or regressive restatements, and another 20% are people reiterating a point they think was lost in the shouting. So of the 30 posts, a good half of them (like this) are meta posts, and not attacks (nor posts of empathy), or really, on-topic comments.

This part is one of those restatement things: Again, he opened with DON'T.. etc. Now, if you do either a cursory or detailed review of MCO overall, it would seem that the cars have a statistically high rate of mechanical problems (which is probably only a measure of people's tendency to criticize but not praise). I don't have a driveway. I sometimes don't see my car for three/four days, since it can be parked 4, 5 blocks away. So I get to worry about all manner of incidental body damage (two down to the metal scratches already- do I run to the dealer, or sit tight until my garage comes through and take of everything at once?), and then I read about this or that 'tragic' flaw, and think, um, do I wait until the next time I drive it to check this or that, or go check now, cause I'm obsessive, and I have this big (and pricey) thing that is amazing, but if it were in a driveway or a garage just outside, I might fret a little less.

So if we are going to report mechanical issues, even if the experience is traumatic, a little more restraint would help. Cause I cringe every time I read about anyone who has a problem, cause I can only imagine how shitty it would be (and then feel guilty about feeling bad about a car, of all things). Being shrill actually inverts my reaction. Add to the fact that, at least regionally, I hope to use the power of collective ownership and community to bring some force to dealer and service efforts/quality (40 angry and unified MINI owners will be more effective than one), using this forum to yell DON'T BUY... etc., is certainly going to alienate the overwhemling majority of afficianados and diminish their desire to help each other.

There is an undercurrent of worry, I think, in all these discussions about problems. New car, untested dealer commitment, the frightening prospect of BMW quality (=cost) repair bills for people who used to drive Civics, or better, yet, didn't need a software upgrade to fix a start problem, should it turn out the MINI will follow the unpleasant British tradition of 70s Jags. It's a $20K car. You buy a $60K car with a rep for horrid maintenance, it's a little bit of 'I can pour the money away.' Like having a boat. But I would hazard we are hoping for more of the German VW tradition of DIY fixes and gumption. Should we all be little nicer? Sure. But people also tend to respond with the exact same tone and manner that they are presented with.

 

I think that if the original post had been structured in a proper argumentative framework, a decent dialogue would have ensued.

_________________

 

I would firstly like to say hello to everyone :smile:

What a great forum this is

Dude, bummer about the car. I just sold a Honda S2000 and purchased a MCS.
Let me tell you that the S2000 had a number of problems.......weak drive train, weak clutch, 2nd gear grind etc.........you should see what it is like addressing these issues with Honda under warranty........u would freak, they would constantly say "driver abuse" cant fix it under warranty....WTF.

Just wait till your car gets fixed, drive it around and make a decision then....enjoy the car. My MCS has a few probs but nothing major, they will get sorted under warranty. You should also think about how much money you will looooose when you selling it.
Any ho, the main thing here is to do what makes you happy.
Good luck

 

Fine I'll just drive the stupid station wagon. But if there is one more problem with this car, its back to England with the rest of the euro trash. Also, I dont correct grammar on my posts cause i just type it and post it. Done.