*bump*
Has anybody from Weeks 40 and beyond received a Clubman with the anthracite headliner, or is the factory still out of them? Just wondering.

 

My week 40 is missing it. Dealer told me they would order and install when they receive it.

 

I just picked up my Clubman S from Desert Mini in Las Vegas last week.....as my MA was explaining the features before I took the car off the lot....I said to him "wait a minute, I ordered the Anthricite Headliner....where is it?"

He then told me of the bulletin from Mini USA about the headliner issue. Had I known this BEFORE I drove 300 miles from LA, I might have changed my mind, but I had to take delivery of the car.

After reading 6 pages of threads, I'm wondering why we as Mini owners/supporters are being so "accepting" of this repeated mistake by the factory and manufacturer?

I am very concerned about the quality of the retro-fit....and while a $250.00 credit on accessories is a nice start....I don't think that's anywhere close to what they should be offering.

They should offer us all extended warranties because this reinstall could cause problems well down the line.

I also have several other small trim related issues (interior scratches, paint flaws) that I hope they will correct.

Has anyone thought of a class action suit? Perhaps that would get Mini's attention that their current offer is not acceptable.

Thoughts?

 

mig1, do you have to drive back to LV to have the scratches and flaws dealt with?

 

They told me in LV that the dealer that I will have the car serviced at will take care of the issues since they are handled by the manufacturer. But until I hear back from the dealer or MINI USA, I can't really do anything.

Frustrating

 

I'm sorry mig1 that sucks! I hope that MINI puts your car in proper order. I too wonder about the quality of the retrofit of the headliner and will look forward to hearing about the success others have with it.

 

You will get several opportunities to express your dissatisfaction via the Surveys you will get soon. You can also call 1-800-ask-mini and express your issues. In the surveys I took I was careful to focus on the MINI UK choice to substitute, and the overall lack of communication to the dealer & buyer. I do not think my dealer could do anything except mediate betweem me, the disappointed buyer, and the Mini corporate folk. We all kept our happy face and our dealer was very generous with complementary 'things' because of this situation.

 

Agreed!

I made it a point to let my dealer know I was aware this was not their fault. The decision of Mini USA to not honor the original build request, or “make it right” after the problem happened is the single biggest problem. My dealer, Mini of Dallas is not responsible for this problem, but unfortunately they are left to deal with the effects of it.

I can't wait for the first survey to come.

 

I just looked at my sticker and noticed that they took OFF the anthricite headliner on the build sheet....but its most definitely on the order from the Owners Lounge page on the MINI site.

My MA in Las Vegas said they just removed the option from the builds for the run of cars affected.

I want the car the way it was ordered.....not the way they chose to build it. What do you think MINI will do?

This really stinks.

 

Mig1, this is what MINI will do:

 

I took delivery of mine on 10/11. My MA called me on about 10/08 to let me know that it didn't have the AH. My options were to take it or leave it (re-order). I chose to take it. At delivery he took the time to show me that it was deleted by someone at HQ in New Jersey. No $250 charge, but no additional rebate either. When I asked about installing it later he just laughed. I mentioned my disappointment in the survey, but haven't heard anything from the dealer or Mini. This is the third Mini I've bought from my MA - he's great, but I guess that I should be disappointed since everyone else seems to be getting either a $250 rebate or an offer to install the AH when it becomes available.....The car is fantastic.

 

Don't feel bad, I didn't get anything either. Ended up taking the Clubman they way it was. It would have been nice to at least get some darn car mats for no charge.

 

picked up my clubman only to realize it was missing the bonnet stripes & chrome hood scoop. the dealer told me i never ordered them in the first place. when i showed him his email to me confirming both, he apologized and promised to make good. the dealership even issued me a WE OWE in writing, even though they hadn't charged me for these things in the first place. so far, it appears that they're going to follow through.

guess i should consider myself lucky -- these are easily installable at the dealership, unlike headliners and sunroofs. still, it's a hassle for me to give up the car for the day, one that could have been avoided had the car been checked-over beforehand.

MY ADVICE: when ordering a customized car like this, have the dealer snap some digital photos before you go to pick it up. that way, you don't have to take the dealer's word for everything being "all ready" & problems can be dealt with ahead of time.


-Adam

 

slightly different spin on the mia anthracite headliner situation, options, and resolution...

i got exactly one option to resolve my missing anthracite headliner...$250 discount now, $250 cost when it comes in. any and all additional costs to install the headliner are being billed back to mini by the dealer.

had i not notified the dealer i was aware of the shortage issue, i'm not sure if they would have said anything or not. it's not on the window sticker, which makes it pretty easy to point out as something missing from my original build details. the dealer was treating it as a bit of an afterthought, like, oh yeah, this guy already knows the deal, ok i guess we'll come clean.

other than that, the headliner appears to be the only missing option. i could only inspect the exterior thoroughly so far, but the window sticker had everything else listed, and from what i could see of the interior, the noticeable options are in fact installed.

 

I finally heard from the dealer.....the regional MINI rep told them that they would authorize the Headliner swap to Anthricite as originally ordered.

But honestly.....after having to initiate ALL the contact regarding this, and having to place a series of calls day after day.....I don't think their offer to restore the car to the way it was originally ordered is satisfactory.

Perhaps if they would have contacted me to tell me this in advance of picking up the car, or would have been more proactive about this situation in total, I'd feel much better.

I think that they should install the headliner and give me the accessories offered to others in this same position. The dealer has been fine throughout, no issues there, but how MINI dropped the ball on this is beyond me.

For a SECOND time buyer, I expect much better care--and let's face it.....though the cars are small, they are not cheap.....I'm expecting a certain level of service that I am not getting.

I'm going to get the windows tinted this week, and then see how the HL looks, but what do you think of my position?

 

mig1, it doesn't hurt to ask for the Dealer to throw in something for free. All they can say is no. But don't' be surprised if they won't. It sounds to me that the Dealers are there to make money and not to give out freebies. Every thing with MINI is a bit different then your average car dealer.

 

These things are always a balance between expectations, reasonableness, and disappointment.

It was reasonable to expect MINI to deliver the HL. When the part went OOS, it's reasonable to expect them to continue build, and deliver with promise to compensate or repair; still, the first expectation was to deliver, so disappointment naturally filters in.

It IS a huge inconvenience, but the most one can EXPECT is to be made whole, per original order-replace headliner at MINI cost. While hoping for freebies to offset the inconvenience is not unreasonable, don't EXPECT it...it makes it special when and if it does happen.

It was disappointing to see MINI/Dealers flaking initially, because they seemed to be acting unreasonably, with no clear direction and commitment on the issue. This appears to be changing, at least for most.

 

I tend towards Alphawave's view. I've never expected freebies, but have always been appreciative when they've been thrown in.

Some of us have had the good fortune to find our ways into very positive relationships with our particular dealerships, while it is clear from reading various posts on NAM that others have not been so lucky. I do agree, however, that to be notified before arriving to pick up one's new MINI is something that should have/would have been done if it were a well run dealership with a proactive salesperson.

Once you get your missing Anthracite headliner situation resolved, the most important issue facing any MINI owner will be good service from the service department.

Best wishes for what should ultimately be a happy motoring experience!

 

Has anyone heard if the out of stock issue has been resolved over the pond? I'm build week 45 (next week) and I'm wondering what I should expect.

As far as MA's and asking him what to expect, I have no trust. Dispite our calling them something cute like Motoring Assistant, he's a car salesman. Plane and simple. Never trust a car salesman.

 

I'm still waiting on mine and have yet to have 100% confirmation on HL, though my MA said that it does not appear to be on the order. He also said that some cars have come to them without the roof rails that were ordered. He said that he is checking that mine has the roof rails as ordered. What a nightmare it is to have the car come without the roof rails though he said that they would still be put on afterward, not sure why they can't be done for the 2008's except for cost then...fingers crossed that mine are on the car...

 

Coopdy, there has been some talk over in the roof-rail thread that adding the factory roof rails aftermarket would be almost impossible due to the need to secure them by drilling through the roof. There is a lot going on in those areas due to the multiple side airbags and such.

I don't know if is true or not, but if it can be done, it would be interesting to some of us '08ers who would love to add the rails. Keep us posted on what you hear.

Rich

 

I know that this thread is mostly about the A/H issue but, I was thinking how greatfull many of the clubman owners (who want to retrofit roof rails) would be if one of us, who are waiting for our A/H kit to be installed could arrange to take pictures of the inter roof structure while our silver headliner is removed for the exchange. I have roof rails but may not be able to be off work during the replacement. There seems like a lot of us with the A/H issue so someone should have a roof rail car with the wrong headliner, and the time to get some photos with the head liner out. Just a thought

 

apparently there is a back order on the chrome scoops too. %$#@&^%$#

 

Moe-jiller, do everyone a favor and start a new thread with this suggestion for all those who, I'm sure, will be very interested.

 

I can confirm that there is a back order on the chrome hood scoop, and has been for at least a month. Of course, I wasn't told that until I noticed it at delivery (nor was I told my AH was missing until I raised it). I decided to delete the chrome scoop from the order, figuring that I can always add it myself afterwards if I decide I want it. I'm on the fence -- I like the car the way it is now, and with the thrill of "youification" behind me, I think I'll probably just save the bucks.