My car was in for its 25,000 mile service yesterday, and it looks like the dealer must have packed my door handles with some kind of grease, judging by the viscous 8" slick running down each door from the handle. Anyway, this is all well and good if it will prevent me from once again having to drive to work holding my door closed with my hand because the latch is frozen...

Here's the problem: they either (a) didn't put my driver's side door handle back in exactly the same place, and/or (b) gouged my paint just above the handle very deeply, right down to the metal. It's directly above the door handle, right up against the black border molding, and about 3/8" long. Very visible and very lame.

So, the obvious question is WTF???!!! Has anyone else had this problem? Did they just assume I wouldn't notice? Obviously.

For at least the 100th time, I lament that the dealer rating system no longer exists on this site. Not that I could possibly give Herb Chambers in Boston a much worse review than I already did, but this has to be happening to other people.

Did they change the handles as part of the freezing door handle recall? They are putting new handles on cars that have had problems with freezing door handles making them more like the '05 type handles.

That's horrible, if you take it back I'm sure they would fix the problem, whether it is a scratch or a misplaced handle.

Unless I'm completely oblivious, the handles are the same. I guess I can't be 100% sure without seeing a photo of the 2005 version.

There is a 'recall' (more like a TSB) regarding door handles freezing and locking people out in winter icy conditions. The fix is a set of updated door handles, the only difference noticeable externally is the inside (moving) part of the handle is shaped differently. Of course, the TSB does not cover damaging the finish and smearing grease all over the door as part of the installation. Those are optional steps taken by the service tech.

Check this page at MotoringFile out for details about the fix. There is a .pdf there with all the pertinent info as well.

Greatbear, as always I am in your debt. Looks like I do have the new door handles, which is a relief (notwithstanding the botched install...).

Sounds to me like the tech at first tried to throw the new assembly at the door hoping it would stick itself in place, then grumbled when it actually didnt and went ahead and put it in the 'proper' way.

Sounds to me like a typical case of sloppy, inattentive workmanship. ALl of which makes me glad I do my own work, and in the couple cases where the car had to go back to the dealer, they took the time and did it right. MINI of Towson's service department rocks, and coming from me is high praise indeed.

The door handle issue is hopefully over for me.I have well fitted,cleanly installed 05 handles on my 03.
Now,that does not mean I'm going to let snow and ice collect in the handles.Sorry,that seems to be the problem,not what MINI thought,they said stuff freezing inside the doors,ya that does happen.But not with mine,even though I got the indoor,cable fix.Did nothing to get rid of the problem.
Cleaning the snow out of the handles fixed the problem,period.
Good luck to all that have to deal with this,I hope to never have to crawl out the hatch again