Because of a few posts I had read on NAM I had been reticent about bringing my MCSa to the nearby BMW-MINI dealer because I purchased the car elsewhere. To names names: San Francisco BMW-MINI and Classic, respectively. Fortunately in 1500 miles I have not experienced problems with my MINI. Except the iPod cutting out over abrupt bumps.

For 2 days my MINI radio unit would not recognize my iPod (this was a longer time than usual). Researching NAM archives I learned this may be due to faulty connections. So I made and kept an appointment at SF BMW-MINI (SF's second biggest grossing retailer!) today. Ironically, the iPod adaptor decided to work yesterday and again today.

First thing the SA, Jeff Whitford, asked was who installed it. I thought he would ask for the year and spec of my MINI (that came toward the end of our meeting--it was obvious he had been hoping for an older car). He then told me that because it was installed by another MINI dealer he would have to charge me ($155/hour) to inspect it and it would probably take a half hour. I said if it was no too expensive I would pay for it because it's a nuisance. I suggested that it may be a faulty connection because the system reverts to radio mode after abrupt bumps. After a phone call he responded that a faulty connection cannot be seen unless the iPod adaptor was not working during the time the car was being serviced (and mine was working today).

I explained that I had read on the Internet (not naming NAM) about either pinched cables or lack of insulating cables in some MINI installations. I opined that these two problems might be visible regardless. He told me he would have to charge me to find out and reiterated that it would only take a half hour. I told him I would pay for that. After another phone call he said it might take 2-3 hours. I replied that could cost up to $500. He thought not because it would only take a half hour (?!) and that, again, there was no point in trying because his service staff would not be able to find the problem unless the unit were not working. At that point I thought, but did not say, that he was acting more on instinct than reason and contradicted himself in the way some car salesmen--oops, Motoring Advisors--do.

He told me to make another appointment when the iPod fails again. I said that since this occurs intermittently it might self-repair again next time. This elicited a slight shrug and he generously offered to squeeze me in if it happened early in the morning and I was nearby.

Sensing I was on a winning streak I asked him why optional items ordered with the new car would not be covered for both parts and labor at every dealer. He replied that his dealership could not be responsible for the faulty labor of another. He recommended I "go after" the dealer I bought the car from.

Fellow NAMmers: Do you know if BMWUSA or MINIUSA has a policy for which dealers charge MINIUSA for such labor costs or automatically charge each other by reciprocal agreement?

 

Sounds like a poor dealer to me.

I had work done at one dealer, took it to another dealer and he redid the work free. All dealers have a record of everything done to your car. I'd find another dealer

 

Wow.. what service..

Try MINI of Concord, talk to David (SA).. I've been happy w/ their service (for maintenance / warranty work)... Maybe you'll hear a different answer..

///Gilbert

 

Call MINI usa and tell them this story, I'm sure they would enjoy hearing it.

 

Run far and run fast. They are completely screwing you.

The Aux in is an exceedingly simple, one connection input into the radio.
If you're experiencing an intermittent connection, either the connector is not fully seated, or the wire in the connector is loose.
This can be easily checked by pulling the connector and re-seating it.
See the following thread for instructions:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=47351

The symptom of the HU reverting to radio indicates an issue at the HU connection vs. the Aux in:ipod connection.

If you're not comfortable with the above and can either: come to Santa Cruz or meet briefly on a Wed. night in Santa Clara I'd be happy to check it for you.
Definitely call MINIUSA - SF MINI's behavior is reprehensible!

 

Thanks, all. I just emailed my favorite MA at Classic (Julie Saxa) and MINIUSA (naming names). I don't blame Classic for anything relating to installation. Mine might have been an early iPod connection. But because Classic ships a lot of cars out of state I thought they might want to indoctrinate their customers on how to get good service from recalcitrant dealers.

Thanks, Eric. You were there in Santa Clara when I picked up my car and JCampos roared (literally) around the parking lot. Because I live in a 200 unit apartment building I have no place to even wash my car and no place to keep tools. It has been 20 years since I worked on my own car and they have sprouted lots of wiring since then. Perhaps I will PM you later for more detailed recommendations. Or if I am going to be near Santa Cruz maybe I can make it a day to spunge off you and also visit my old grammar school classmate who is the school superintendent there.

 

I can see how the connections could be rattled lose or be knocked out, I did the Ipod adapter install and its quite a tough fit with the module and wiring behind the HU. I am sure the guy that installed it just jammed everything back after hooking it up. The connection from ipod to the module to the HU is a 8pin adapter thing similar to a PS2 mouse connector, if you are experiencing abrupt music stops on bumps i think that the connector is probably not seated properly or wiggling upon bumps.

If you are in town swing buy, I could take it apart, and check it in 30 minutes.

 

Thanks, Wen. You're probably right. A lot of folks, especially if they are not mechanics or tuners, don't appreciate the bumpy life of being a car. And when they are dealing with something as light weight as wires or cables they can't imagine that they might move. I forgot you had set yours up yourself.

 

My MINI sales person Julie Saxa of Classic in Mentor did not get emails I had been sending to her. So that is why I got no response to my warranty question. Chief Charlie emailed her to contact me and she had to go through NAM to do it. There was some weird internet disconnect, but we finally got together.

My question (that MINIUSA refused to answer directly--maybe they thought there was a hidden agenda) concerned purchasing a MINI new at one dealer and having it serviced at another. I bought mine at Classic and was having it serviced at SF BMW. I was told by SF BMW's SA Jeff Whitford (beginning of this thread) that for optional items installed by another dealership the cost of parts is covered but not labor.

Answer I got back today from Julie Saxa and Classic's Aftersales Manager (interesting title that) Tom Reichert is that as long as the car is under warranty the cost of parts AND labor of optional items are covered at all authorized MINI service centers. He will be alerting MINIUSA that SF BMW has not yet gotten with the program.

Eric Rowland fixed my iPod problem so no need for SF BMW. But if I ever have to go to SF BMW again I will definitely tell them to get with the program.