Well in one month with my 06 MCS JCW I've had bad Bonnet Stripes, marred side skirt (at delivery) side marker lens fell off and now I found the pass. side of the Bonnet has bad paint. It seems to only be visible in shaded areas. It looks like a real shiney area and the surrounding paint looks dull. I know that its there as I,ve moved the car to other locations and its in the paint, as several other people see it. I'm really disapointed with this cars quality so far. I waited 12 years since my last new car purchase, I have bought several late model cars since then, but this was to be a keeper. No way I'd bought it if I had found the paint problem at delivery. The sun and brite lights mask the problem! I wasn't too inpressed with the stitching on the English Panther Leather at delivery but this is beginning to s_-k! After you special order your ideal car and wait for weeks and then every time you drive it you find another problem with it. Heck my wife hasn't even ridden in it. Only driven it 7 times as I waited to get the clear Bra Installed. Well has anyone had any paint problems like this? My cousin has had 3 new MCSs since 2002 and no issues. The only other silver car I owned was a new 1969 SS396 and it was a lemon from the first day. That was 37 years ago this month. I hope history isn't repeating itself as I really wanted this car , but I was expecting more, especially since it cost over 10.5 times more!

 

Most of these things seem relatively minor and easily repairable under warranty...it's pretty darn good (in my experience). I had some paint failure issues with my interior silver door trim, this after two years of ownership. I took it to the dealer so the problem could be evaluted for a warranty fix. Yup, the paint had failed. I got all new door panels under warranty and I couldn't have been happier. I've has a few things like this. I can understand being bummed by all the niggling little things combined, but if the car is mechanically sound, be persistent and get those other things looked at and fixed. Why just a few weeks ago I got brand new sill plates and hub-disk thingys because of some delamination over time. This on an '03...no questions asked. I hope they'll repaint your door.

 

Chopper,

Sorry to hear about your paint quality problem. Although I would consider paint a minor issue (as compared to electronics and mechanics), I can appreciate the inconvenience you'll have to go through to (hopefully) get it resolved. But once that's resolved, I believe that you'll be left with a wonderful car with sound engineering and years of good times.

Enjoy all that's good about your car and all that has convinced you to buy it in the first place. That part is real.

Regards,
John

 

the paint on my pure silver is kinda spotty. there is a term for it that i cannot recall. from what i have seen with other silver cars from other manufacturers, it is right in line with quality, meaning their silver looks about as bad as mine.

if i was you i would be pawzed. you have every reason. the mini is an overpriced go kart, but is a blast to drive. if your like me you look past all of its faults, creaks, groans, and downfalls and charge into the next turn.

 

Paint problems and under warranty? I think you've done fairly well considering the Mini's history of "Quirks". As long as it's up and running... not bad. But, I also understand the frustration of waiting for a custom ordered car and having it show problems. It would probably have ticked me off big time too.

 

This baffles me. My 2002 Pure Silver MINI Cooper (non-S) had beautiful paint. I wonder if chopper's MINI had some sort of accident during the shipping or when it was at the VDC, resulting in a botched repair job? To have a poor paint job on a brand-new vehicle is unacceptable. A call to higher management at MINIUSA is definitely in order.

 

I was concerned about damage as the car didn't leave the VDC for a couple extra days. I was assured that there were no problems! I questioned then why my car that was a special order and had a $4000 deposit didn't get put on a truck before a dealer stock car? No real consideration for special order/presold! Unfortunately my dealer is 215 miles each way, I may not be too pleasant after several trips!

 

definitely sounds like youve had bad luck wiht cars. The dealer ought to fix most of these under warranty. The thing they cannot give back to you is time spent taking it to them to get it fix. i agree, its a tremendous hassle and negates any joy you get from ownership.

 

If you are not happy so far, I suggest you take it to your dealer and get to know your SA...(service advisor)
My experience with MINI warranty has been stellar....They back their cars and sometimes will go out of their way to make you happy..
Take it in, that's what the warranty is for..