Help Emergency!!!! I just received a call from the sales manager from Mini Annapolis. They were calling me back as I wanted 100% verification that Little Bean was in. Well, it is but its wrong...... Anthracite head liner is not there, it is the lighter color. Also, they did not do the black rear pillars and I guess the side mirror covers, etc. My orig. order was HC, HC roof, with blck pillars and mirrors to match. They want to make it right but now they have to wait to hear from Mini direct and get the parts in. No time estimate. Any suggestions? Should I take it as is or make them fix? And then what would be reasonable to ask for something for my trouble of having to wait longer? One more thing, One more thing, when i first did my config, it was for a 2008 model. Then they asked me to re config as i was going to get a 2009. So now find out that there is the rack and bike rack on there. Does anyone know if the rack / bike rack are a permanent install? The manager was not sure...Help need to give them an answer soon.
Frijolito

 

If you're not going to be happy with it, then don't take it.

One major question though: did you track your order in the Owner's Lounge as soon as you got your production number?

 

How could you not know...that was the first thing i checked the day i got my production number?

 

Other than the bike rack the car is as ordered. The dealership has admitted that it did not come in as ordered. My 3 questions are: a. are the parts that are installed to attache the bike rack for $400 permanent parts?, second- is it a big deal with HC/HC black pilars if my interior headliner ordered as anthracite came in as stnd? third-back pillars and reviews are not black, fourth--what would be reasonable to ask from the dealer in return for the delay in taking possession of car. oh and to install the bike rack do i get rails?--

 

Sorrry goofed. Ordered the Clubman with HC,HC black pillars came in with out black pillars and i guess mirrors. also the anthracit head line was the regular one. dealer hopes to let me know in a day or two how long will take Mini to correct. what should i ask for in return

 

"So now find out that there is the rack and bike rack on there." Are you saying that they included factory installed set of roof rails or what? The roof rack base with any sort of bicycle rack would be removable and dealer installed. Or are you saying you want a roof rack and bicycle rack? Roof rails are different from the roof rack base.

As for the mirrors - they should be able to swap them out for you in a nano second..and you can wait for the pillars.. As for the anthracite headliner - that I suppose can be fixed, too, though I don't know... I've never actually seen the darker headliner myself.

Can you clarify yourself a bit?

 

There's been a few threads where an ordered car came in with the wrong options. Even though the Owner's Lounge reported the correct options during the whole order/build/ship waiting game.

Back on subject, frankly unless the car has the options you ordered, it's not your car. If Mini won't make it right for you, you have 2 options, re-order the car again or take it as it is. I think Mini will take care of it though.

 

Also, double check the VIN number with the one you can get from the Owner's Lounge. If different then it's not your car.

 

+1 on a VIN check. Make sure the dealer isn't trying to unload someone else's car on you. Also, if you have roof rails they're permanent, like the rails on many SUVs and wagons. THe bike mount would be easily removed, as it's just attached to the rails. There's currently no OEM dealer-installed removable roof rack for the Clubman, as they've had some serious issues with the removable roof rack fit. There's a long thread on that issue elsewhere on NAM. There may be a redesigned removable rack that now can be ordered, but that would be a recent development.

 

also remember the black headliner is 250.00 more so the car should be less without it.

 

Mine came in with the wrong pillars.. there was no indication on the order online as to which pillars were ordered..

didn't care much, as the car is being re painted anyway..

 

I would think that replacing the header would be a huge job requiring tearing apart the interior. I would never let a dealer do that to my new car. I guess that they could replace the rear pillars and bumper cover but, again, I would not let them do that to my new car.

I am completely confused about the roof rack. Your post is unclear as to whether the vehicle at Annapolis has the NEW factory roof rack or whether the dealer is talking about installing the aftermarket roof rack (which, as someone else mentioned, has significant issues when used on the clubman).

Given the demand for the cars, I don't think the dealer will mind if you chose not to accept delivery and re-order a new one. This might also depend on whether there was an actual mistake by the factory in preparing the order you placed. I am also unclear on that point with the info given in your post.

Rich

 

Check your VIN number That is the first thing i would do. It is very possible that they have recieved the wrong vehicle.

There are two different types of mounting on the roof.

1. ROOF RACK - Removable Cross bars that fit in slots just above the rain gutter.

2. ROOF RAILS - Permenatlly mounted rails that run along each side of the roof from front to back.

This problem has been fixed with a new OEM Roof Rack or added parts to the older model.

Replacing the headliner is a long job but not really that hard. If sunroof is installed remove trim around opening. Remove all six pillar covers, door gaskets passenger handles, visors, and center light, center roof toggle switch cluster, screw at center of rear door opening. And pull headliner out through back of car. put in new headliner and reinstall all the parts taken out, But most of them will also have to be replaced as they are the darker color also. So it is not just the headliner tha tneeds to be ordered.

As for the rear outside pillars and bumper cover again not a hard job just very time consuming.

If the VIN Number is correct then i would tell them that they need to give you a loaner (at not charge) until the time that your car is corrected.

Or order you a new car and make wure it gets into production next week. This is outragous that this is happening so often. There is no reason in this day and age that they should get this so wrong.

 

3 threads started on this already?

 

Cyber Gypsy,
Sorry for the three threads but I see that the HC Forum does not have as much action so thought on the other forums someone there may know the color scheme ie: liner, roof racks / bike rack . Also, the Sales Manager spoke like he wanted me to drive 60 miles today wed. and come look at the car right away. Thus I wanted opinions and help right away.

 

Little Bean, you haven't answered my question: did you track your order in the Owner's Lounge as soon as you got your production number?

 

I'd just take delivery of the car and make sure there are comprehensive & clear notes in the "we owe" for all of the specs that are in error. As for them making it up to you. $500 in parts/services would get you some stripes and some nice goodies from the store.

My Clubman came without the optional armrest despite it being on the build sheet and even on the window sticker as a $250 option. I had to wait 6 weeks before they got the right part in but the interior didn't suffer as a result.

It's not like it's the wrong paint colour or anything - everything missing is modular in design.

 

I think you are correct, unless he actually ordered the factory roof rails as opposed to the aftermarket roof rack. (See Schatzy's post above)
At this point, I don't think the dealer can add the factory roof rails. I would love to add them to my 08 Clubman, but don't think I can.

 

Tim, I had tracked from the day I was able to. The issue / question: is a roof rack base kit permanent install? If not then I can accept the possible mistake. As for the other problems, the dealer has admitted that production screwed up. I am now also worried that ripping out the headliner and re-installing with what was correctly ordered but incorrectly produced may cause problems later on.
Little bean

 

Great question? Me I would start over, I am ****.

 

I know Schatzy will probably chime in on this and I'm guilty of not doing research but I just don't buy this.

Even if the roof is reinforced I just can't imagine that they're adding extra thickness to the roof panel or cross members between the A + C pillars. More likely is that they're bonding some additional material to the roof where the rails attach and then attaching the rails at these points. If my guess is correct I see no reason why a dealer or ingenious individual wouldn't be able to retrofit roof-rails.

Obviously this is conjecture that will or won't be borne out over time.

And of course in the case of the OP would be a substantial gamble!

 

Tim,
i tracked the car but once it showed the car with a black roof and I called the dealer & they fixed that. They also told me that the Owners Lounge is not always up to date or correct initially. Bottome line- paper work handed to me and emailed later on from the dealer shows the correct car. Production sent it built wrong.

 

Okay, just checking. Usually, the OL is pretty dependable... a little delayed, but dependable. It's never correct initially because the production numbers are actually place holders for random cars. Once an actual car is ordered, the dealer goes in and changes the specs on that production number. Then, after a couple of days, the actual specs appear in the OL. A dealer can make as many changes as they need to before the car is scheduled for production. However, if the OL did indeed list the specs you were looking for, and the car didn't show up with those items, then I would say it was definitely a production issue.

 

There is a VERY BIG difference between a "ROOF RACK BASE SYSTEM" and a "ROOF RAIL"

If you have the "ROOF RACK BASE SYSTEM" it IS REMOVABLE. These are installed by the dealer or your self.

If you have a "ROOF RAIL" on the car it is NOT REMOVABLE. They are at this time a manufacturing plant installation only.

Of course i will chime in on this.

Although i do believe that the Roof Rails my someday be retrofitable at this time Mini will not allow a dealer to order the parts.

There are number of issues to contend with for installing these after the car is built. The biggest one is the mounting of the Side Curtain Air Bags. On the clubman these run the full length of the car between the headliner and the roof in the area where the mounting holes and plate would be for the roof rails. The last thing Mini would want is for someone to drill the roof and then an Air Bag when trying to do an install. There are also some extra mounting plate isntalled in the car for the rails from what i am told. I have not actually taken a headliner out of a new clubman to see for myself.

So even to install the rails it would take removing the entire headliner and the air bags to do this install.

I do not see why it can not be posible in the future but agian at this time the parts are not available. And with the Air Bag situation it may be a while before Mini does anything about this.

 

I believe Little Bean meant to specify that it was the roof rack base along with a "bike holder" (I received this via PM).

I don't know what a "bike holder" is but if you don't want either of these things - don't take them. If you want the roof rack base - take it and don't let them charge you for installation and make sure it has the most up-to-date part # and includes the new retro-fit. (I will let someone else give you that part number or you can read the last couple of pages on the "Roof Rails vs Roof Rack" thread to find this info). If you didn't actually want the roof rack base, but do now - then perhaps they can throw that in for free along with its installation being free and you can forget about the anthracite headliner.

Bottom line will come down to whether you want this Clubman now or do you want to wait another 5 to 6 weeks or whenever it is that this dealership (or some other dealersship) will have an opening in their allotments for orders.

What's paramount to one person will not necessarily be to another, so I think it's up to you to weigh your wants/needs with reality. Again those mirrors and pillars should be an easy fix.

Whatever you do decide - get it in writing.