As much as I love driving my '08 MCSa that I bought on April 5th and have just over 4050 miles on it problems keep coming up with it.

Example:
Hatch won't close and pulled over by police on way to dealership-Fixed.
Bi-Xenon headlights not aimed from factory-Fixed.
Heat in driver's footwell while driving-Pending investigation from MINI.
Yesterday the speedometer and fuel gauge both stopped working-Pending repair.

I am beginning to think I got a lemon with electronic gremlins that keep popping up waiting for the next round of frustration.I've owned over 30 cars in the past and this is the only one that has given me such major problems in such a short period of time.

Should I just refuse to take the car back and have them put me in another MCSa?
Who would I talk to regarding doing this should it come to that?

Thanks.

 

Here's the Florida Lemon Law...

http://www.800helpfla.com/lemonlaw.html

Otherwise, while I know it's very frustrating, you don't have any substantive grounds for replacement... unfortunately, defects / misadjustments happen... that's why we have a warranty...

 

All seems fixable, although it is frustrating.

 

There needs to be one lingering issue, say a persistent electronics or drivetrain problem--and a load of shop time--before you have any concrete basis for a buyback. Although frustrating, everything u listed (except for maybe the gauges issue) are REALLY minor in the larger MINI scheme of things. See my sig, although my drivetrain repairs have been numerous and frustrating, nothing done would qualify under CO Lemon Laws. Plus my service department, SAs, mechanics, everyone, is awesome, they actually replaced a defective CV joint yesterday w/o appt., just me walking in....

 

Sorry to hear your about your continuous problems.

Although I did not have problems driving off the lot, I did have a few issues with the car from the hatch squeaking (due to misalignment) to miscellaneous items the following weeks that crept forward.

Considering the issues were not urgent or serious fixes, I would tally up all the issues and shoot an email to my SA. From there, he reserved a loaner and even drove it to pick up my car to bring back for servicing.

If timing is an issue for you to drive to/from the dealership for fixes, check to see if they have the service for loaner vehicles and pick up to/from your house. It's a convenience and should be of no cost to you (although I may be incorrect about this) if your vehicle is still within warranty.

 

about lemon law in pa, my buddy had many problems with his brand new chrysler van. he checked out the lemon law information with the lawyer for advice. the lawyer made the client to promise not to let the dealer know and kept all the invoice about 6 problems or more on lists (can't remember) that entitled the client to refund 100%.

the client must agrees with lawyer to go all the way to complete the progress without having any second thought. because dealer usually will change customer's mind by exchanging new car then who pay lawyer's fee. btw, client finally won to get the refund 100% back and decided not to buy the same one. that means dealer had to pay the client's lawyer fee.

btw, you better check with lawyer first to see depend on how many problems on list that you have and can be entitled to refund 100% by the lemon law in fla is different than in pa.

 

While this doesn't address your main concern, I agree with this wholeheartedly. At the very least call your service department and demand that the car be picked up and delivered to you, w/ loaner in hand. It's become an inconvenience to you as well as $$ on wasted gas getting all these things fixed which should have worked in the first place.

 

First off thank you everyone for your replies.

I guess I am venting more then complaining at this point.I did look over the Florida Lemon Law that was posted and added it to my favorites for future reference if needed.

Actually yesterday I was placed in a loaner car when I brought my car in which happened to be the last loaner car they had available for the day.

What is equally frustrating to me aside from the chronic mechanical problems of late with my MCSa is that I can't even get a hold of my SA for the past day and a half just for some sort of status report like will it be done today or parts had to be ordered.All my calls just go voice mail or directed to there from the operator.

Even though Vista BMW/MINI dealership is huge the MINI side is rather small and only 1 SA and I believe maybe 2 mechanics.Heck MINI has its own parking spots for service.Which is a nice little perk for MINI owner's.

 

I would call the manager to get an update.
Good luck! It's stories like this that make me hope I made the right decision in ordering a car with a lot of gadgets that can go wrong.

 

The Lemon Law may be overruled by signing any paperwork for third party mediation. Some dealerships push that in front of a purchaser.

 

I just called the Service Manager only to go to voice mail too.UGH.

Anyway many others have stated they have had some to no warranty work done on their cars.I just happened to be one of the exceptions of having several so far in a short period of time.

 

I'd call the general manager of the dealership. If no resolve, call Mini corporate.

As far as lemon laws go, my understanding is that each state is different, and I'd look at your state's specifics.

Regardless, I'd suggest addressing the issues with Mini corporate, so that if you ever want them to buy it back or if you want something fixed after the warranty expires, correspondence might be of value. And I'd suggest writing letters, as they hold a little more influence than phone calls or email.

good luck !!

steve

 

I have a 03 with navi and allpackages it runs and looks new,,,,,,

 

Good to hear!! It is totally true, people like to complain more then brag sometimes so we hear a lot of complaints. It's only normal to come looking for answers to problems on a message board. Everyone else is out motoring around in their Mini's without a care in the world!

 

You'll just end up having a car at the dealership that you're making payments on.

The problems you have listed are minor, yes frustrating, but minor. Let them fix it. With only 4000 miles on it, you're no where near bonded with your MINI yet.

 

True.

I will pick up my MCS when it is ready but the thing that ticks me off the most now is the lack of any updates from my SA since dropping off my car and not even a call back from the Service Manager when I left a voice mail to call me yesterday.

I am just not thrilled at all by the "lack of" service department which is turning out to be a huge let down.I will just get it serviced at a different MINI dealership in the future.And I will let them know that when I get a call from them checking on how my service went after I pick up my car.

 

depends on the state, but generally for a buy back to occur under most state lemon laws, you have to have the same issue repaired by the dealer at least 3 times and the problem occurred again. I dont think different issues being repaired will work for a lemon law. and if you decide to not pick up the car and demand another, chances are when your payment is due and missed, your credit history will suffer while your car sits at the dealer waiting for you to pick it up. and on top of that, im sure if you look hard enough, you will see a sign posted that if your car is left their over a certain number of days, the dealer reserves the right to charge you storage for the car.

im sure its really frustrating and time consuming to keep bringing your car back to get repaired, but i dont think being confrontational will help you in the end.

 

Sorry to hear about your problems with your auto.I have a 07 auto and have not had a single problem with the car,although this doesn't help you with your situation,thought some feed back would ease your pain.Q

 

manish thank you and I know that now having done some research.

Most of my rant is due to being very frustrated with the mechanical problems but now enhanced by the subpar dealer service that I am getting.

But that doesn't take away from the joy of driving my MCSa.

 

Thank you atcql.