What would you do?! I picked up my brand new '07 MC (does the color even freakin' matter at this point...OB/B) this afternoon. Only 5.5 miles on the odometer. Drive it less than 20 miles, hear a strange sound under the hood and before I have time to fully assess whether it's normal or not...I get the answer with billowing smoke coming from under the hood.

I pull over immediately and call the dealer & roadside assistance while the smoke continues to billow for a bit and finally disappates. Oil leaked enough to stream down the burm, into the rock. The tow truck driver and I look under the bonnet. Oil has clearly spewed out as the once beautifully clean engine is now splattered, as is the inside of the bonnet. He also points out that there is no coolant in the reservoir and shows where it has apparently leaked out too. (While I was sitting at a light about 16 miles back...yes, that new, you do the math!...I smelled engine coolant heavily but attributed it to the semis or other vehicles surrounding me at the light...hell, it couldn't possibly be my new baby, could it?! Well, uh, apparently, yes.)

So, by this time it's Friday night, the dealer is closed until Monday morning and I live 3 hours away! Nice. But all that aside, what could have possibly went wrong? Am I facing engine damage? And, if that is even a possibility, how would you insist the dealer remedy the entire situation? I already made it clear that I do not want some freakin' refurbished engine that it going to be prone to more problems. I will cancel this deal and reorder the vehicle if that's a risk.

Need advice. Sorry for the long winded note. Just got home from this fiasco and in addition to being HUGELY disappointed (it was a beautiful Mini! Loved the color scheme and was so excited to finally own it!), I am so angry and not quite sure where to place that. We can send a space shuttle into orbit, but can't get a car 20 miles down the road? What is up with that?!

Help!

 

OMG. . . What a nightmare! MINIUSA needs to take the car back and give you a new one. No kidding!

 

Man - that sounds like an unmitigated disaster. No coolant? Or some connection in the cooling system not closed? Oil leaking? Oil cap missing? Or worse, something in the engine not bolted down?

You are going to need to find out what it was, and then make a decision as to whether or not serious long lasting damage was done. Don't let the dealer gloss over it - demand to be standing there in the service bay when the diagnostic is done.

Some of the things you describe could have started in the factory in a worst case scenario. It hard to be sure without knowing what is wrong. But it raises the question why the VDC and or the Dealer did not catch them before delivering the car.

If there is any uncertainty I would insist they reorder.

 

Houston, we have a problem...


Wow. I feel for you...

 

Do not accept a fix. Make them replace the car.

At this point a new engine is unacceptable. Although they probably will not help much, call Mini USA and get your issue on file.

Even though the Service Department may be closed on the weekend, the dealership will not be. Get an appointment with the manager (not the salesman) and tell him you want a replacement, not a fix.

A quick story - a few years ago, we bought my wife a new Acura. On the drive off of the dealer's lot, we smelled gas. It was so bad I got out and checked. Lo and behold gas was pouring out from the underside of the car.

We turned the car off and called the dealer from my cell phone. They drove out and towed the truck and gave us a ride back to the dealership. Without even asking, the manager offered us our pick from one of the same models on the lot. They were taking the car back.

They did not have the exact color combination so they had one flatbedded from another dealership 300 miles away. They gave us a loaner for those 2 days and gave us coupons for free 15K and 30K services.

They also delivered the car to our house, picked up the loaner and installed the kid's car seats in the new car.

I would expect no less from Mini. Talk to the dealer manager tomorrow and make sure he knows that you want a new car. You could have been hurt or worse - they need to make it right.

 

With an aluminum head and block, this type of high temperature could be a serious event. You really need to see what the dealer finds. After they repair the leak and refill the fluids, I suspect the dealer will quickly know if there is any real damage. As long as the head and block is fine, I would not be concerned about any longevity issues. However if the dealer is needing to tear the engine down, I would begin the conversation of providing a replacement car.

This is a case where a temp gauge may have really helped...

 

I wouldn't care what the problem was. It shouldn't happen. You should have them void the contract and reorder.

 

OH.MY.GOD

I am so sorry that this happened to you. In your shoes, I'd be handing the keys right back to my dealer and demanding a brand new car. You signed on the dotted line, committed your hard-earned cash, and have every right to expect a perfect MINI at delivery and a problem-free motoring experience for many many miles (not 25).

I would become the *****-customer-from-hell if they even glanced sideways or winced at my demands. No kidding. I don't pull my claws out very often, but this is inexcusable. Not only would I be re-ordering another MINI, but I'd be demanding a comparable MINI model to drive (at their expense) while I waited for my new order to arrive. You placed your order. You put in your time waiting, anticipating, and dreaming. It's time for MINI and/or your dealer to step up to the plate and do the right thing ~ bending over backwards in every way possible to make this bearable for you.

This is totally unacceptable, and you shouldn't have to worry about "possible damage" and "future problems as a result of this" for the rest of your time of ownership.

 

I bet the engine is fine. True, something blew and oil got to burning on top the the engine, but that doesn't mean the engine was damaged (assuming it was full of oil). The coolant thing doesn't mean it got hurt either (assuming it didn't overheat--how could it in 20 minutes?). But that's real bad luck and I feel for you. What a disaster experience picking up a new Mini. It' like carrying your new bride over the threshold of the new house and the floor gives out and she breaks her leg. End of honeymoon!
Seriously though, you have a right to a Mini loaner and if they say there's no way the engine was damaged in that short a time (as I figure) I'd also demand an extended warranty for free. But if they are really good they will offer you stuff like that without your asking, and if they don't there's something wrong. Sometimes you can tell what they're made of (dealers) when they have a rare situation like this stare them in the face. You know darn well they have the resources ($$) to make you a happy camper again, there's no question about that. The question is: will they come through?

 

well if oit got all over the engine compartment with no coolant i bet he blew a gasket after all his coolant ran out and the engine heated up. there is a possability of some seriouse internal wear, heck the engine could be sized after it cools have seen it before. on the other hand could also be fine with just a few loose connections. it is like craps you role the dice and see what it left after all

 

Oh my! I feel for ya - that totally stinks big time!!! I feel certain that the dealer will make things right. If not - I would be calling MINIUSA every hour until the issue is resolved. Please keep us posted...

Donna

 

That is an unbelieveable story on the Acura. Mini is part of BMW group but I don't know if MINI customer service level is up to par with Lexus or Acura. Besides, many MINI dealers don't have any new cars in the lot.

 

That sounds very real. Why would there be oil all over the place otherwise? Even if there is no engine damage, the nasty engine oil has messed up the brand new car's engine compartment. It is just not the same and it never will be.

 

Return the car. If the dealer wont take it back, research the Lemon Law in your state.

 

Surfblue says:

Tell the dealer and MINIUSA it's THEIR CAR now, and demand a new one. Any grief, go lawyer up quick. Tell the dealer the car is unacceptable as it now stands, and if they want to fight about it, they will end up not only eventually giving you a new car, but paying your $$$ lawyer bills too. Seriously. I feel your pain. That's terrible.

 

Reading through all the suggestions I like Skip's advice.

From what you said the car was moments from going up in flames. You could have found yourself engulfed.

 

I don't know where you are, but in Texas I believe there's a 3 day right of rescission. Meaning you don't have to invoke lemon laws or anything-you can get out of the contract for any reason including buyer's remorse.

I would definitely go down and find SOMEONE at the dealership-manager, whatever, and start finding the service dept manager, or dealership manager. Let them know you have an issue. Get something in writing-the 3 day clock is ticking-and you better invoke it before it expires if that's the way you want to go.

The ONLY way I'd keep the car after 20min and a problem like this is with some kind of extra problem guarantee-that would be the extended warranty. Their cost isn't that high. They should be willing to give it to you if they insist on fixing it. You'd still have lemon laws if the fix isn't adequate, and you'd be protected in the long run.

If you have a right of rescission-I'd be REALLY tempted to invoke it. The dealership really dropped the ball giving you a car with trouble.

(and for people that question why any miles are on their "new" car, this is an example of when it might be a good idea to have the dealership drive it a ways to check it out)

 

Oh yeah-if you politely ask to return the car and they say no, that doesn't mean that's the final answer. Especially if you're legally entitled. Be firm and consistent and see what they'll do for you.

 

Here's a right of rescission form you can fill out and use
http://resources.lawinfo.com/letters...n.cfm?act=fill

edit:I thought I'd be able to find a listing of states with a rescission period, but haven't yet. TX apparently doesn't. Even if you don't have that legal right, you could try (firmly) to get the dealer to give you a different car.

edit2:Gee-it's looking like there's no rescission law at all (common misperception). California was working on one. It's dealer discretion-some dealers have a specific policy, but no law backing it up. (Boy was I off...)

 

Re: Edit 2

There is no such thing as a "Right of recission" on things sold outside the home, that Law (?) refers strictly to a situation where a salesman comes to your home and sells you something - vacuum cleaner, encyclopedias etc.

A lot of people think they can buy a car and take it back within three days - not so. If you took it over the curb, it's yours.

Where new cars are concerned, the dealer has the factory to back them up, and in most cases like this would rather have the car back and get you into a new one.

That said, no one has mentioned the dealer's prep on this car, I think someone missed something..........

Good luck, and I hope you're not soured on the MINI itself, anyone can have one of these things go south on 'em............it was just your bad luck or the dealer's poor prep work.

Be sure to let us know what happens, OK?

 

Besides telling us what happened at the dealer, tell us who the dealer is as well. Their reputation should be public here, for better or for worse...

 

I'd step away from the car. If the dealer is balky, I'd work my way patiently, quickly and firmly up their food chain till someone said "OK, let us get you a new car". If they refused, I'd then promptly get legal representation.

No coolant for 16 mi and blown oil passages in an aluminum engine?. Do NOT in any way accept anything short of a new car.

 

That's terrible - I hope everything works out for you. As others have said, you should have an immediate sit down with the sales manager and possibly the service manager. See what they have to offer and be firm with them. Best of luck and let us know how you make out.

 

You say, "there's no way the engine was damaged in that short a time (as I figure)". If it were your car would you feel comfortable keeping it? Would you feel absolutely certain the engine is alright - no doubts in your mind whatsoever?

I wouldn't want to live with the question in my mind: Was the engine's life shortened as a result of this incident? .. or .. Will I have frequent problems down the line because of this?

But then again, I have to remember that there are lots of people who are considerably more trusting and tolerant than I.

 

That is awful :(

How did you pay for the car, can it be put on hold today or cancelled considering that you don't want to be paying for this poor broken new car? (Same goes for insurance I imagine...)