Hi guys I would be really grateful of any advice on how to deal with the problem I have. I ordered my MINi back in December and took delivery on Monday night (23rd), when I arrived home I noticed that the aux jack was not working with my iPod it read and displayed the data but no sound (I tried a couple more iPods same result) also the CD would not play an mp3 disc. The radio, nav, bluetooth and music CD worked fine. I brought the car back in to the dealer on Tuesday afternoon for what I thought would be an easy fix. Fast-forward to today (Sat) and the car is still at the dealer.

Let me say the dealer has been good in so far as and I'm in a loner cooper at the moment. The problem I have is that at this point they STILL dont know exactly what the issue is. They think the aux port is not connected to the main electronics system, they have been searching for the wire but can not find it. They think this was missed at assembly and they will have to run a new one. They have no time frame on how or when it will be done.. What should I do ? I have been patient and polite up to this point but it's almost a week and I'm no closer to getting my car. At what point do escalate this higher up the chain. I have been told that the General manager and MINI USA are involved but only by my MA and SA.

I'm completely at a loss and would be grateful of any input. Thanks for taking the time to read.

 

I start at the simple side .... this was an issue with the first GEN-2's cuz the delivery folks were unfamiliar with the new system:

did you go into the radio's menus and check what the aux port vol' was set at? I think it comes set at zero ..... each component, radio, cd and aux has its own volume preset..... Would I be surprised that the dealer missed this ? (how to get there is in the "radio" book)

So far as the MP3 disk .... I've found my cars - MINI and others - to be flakey with regard to home made MP3 disks. So try the disk in a few other cars or find one that works in another MINI then try in yours. All I'm saying is this MAY be a disk problem....

 

LOL. If it is not a matter of whether or not it was "plugged in" properly, I'd call BMW/MINI North America/MINIUSA yourself to discuss this. If it is indeed a real problem, it's cases like this I wish the consumer could reject a vehicle when problems occur within 7 days of ownership. (Note to MINI defenders: Yeah, yeah, even new cars have problems ; I've heard it all before, but I've never seen any modern cars have as many problems as MINI - and yes, I have searched the other forums).

Continuing to sour on the MINI brand,
Greg

 

Continuing to be happy as a bug in a rug with my Mini!!!

That said having no resolution in sight after a week is almost unacceptable. Tell them you are calling MiniUSA to get their assistance in finding a resolution to the problem quickly and do it. If they say they have already been in touch with them tell them that's great as you won't have to give them the full background info when you speak with them. But be nice about it. Just my 2 cents.

 

Thanks for the info, Noddy, Capt_bj.

I'll be sure to check this out on my MINI (also week 3, '09) when I pick her up.

 

Thanks Capt_bj for the suggestion, I did try that at first but unfortunately no luck. It would have been great if that was the problem I thanks for the heads up with the mps disks

I think I will give them to end of business Monday night (that will be a week) and then start making phone calls Tuesday morning. The thing is what do I threaten them with, I have already paid for it ?

 

Don't threaten you just want MiniUSA's help..... Guess what bugs me is why doesn't the mechanics know weather there is a wire or isn't......

 

Not that this is the solution you want, BUT I might see if there is a "replacement" vehicle on the lot...I know, you may not want another MINI after all of this, but it is an option. Let them figure out why the car was produced without 'the stinking wire', this is not something that you should have had to worry about in the first place. IMHO

Good Luck...I do feel for you!!

 

Unfortunately, by driving it off the lot, you've taken delivery of it. However, you've got a dealer that seems willing--I'd give them till mid-week, and then kind of drop some hints that you're unsatisfied at the time the car has been in the shop for a should-be-fairly-minor issue.

 

Alright, Greg, I've just searched some other car forums, Honda Civic mostly, and it seems that they have an array of problems as well.... they are man-made vehicles.

I know the MINI doesn't have super-awesome quality ratings, but I don't know... maybe it is just that I have a problem-free MINI and that's why I don't get it... no point in "continuing to sour the MINI brand" in a MINI forum, anyway.

Anyway, I'd go with calling MINIUSA... I've heard they do a good job to speed up the dealers... a lot more money making jobs out there than searching for a wire. You gotta speak up or they'll walk all over you.

 

I would be happy that the problem will be fixed and really isn't so serious. Worst possible outcome is that they have to install a new system. Enjoy the loaner and soon you will have your MINI.

 

Thank you guys for all the kind replies . It's quite disheartening to wait so long and then only have the car for less than a day.

I'll let you know what happens Monday. Fingers crossed

 

+1 i think there worth it . miles of smiles!

 

probably been posted before (and probably more than once), but this is an interesting read about the cold start issue with R56s.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/...issue-exposed/

 

Interesting as far as the cold start rattle is concerned but it does not help with the OP problem.

I say give em a little more time. These cars are very complex and the dealer training is not what it used to be. Training budgets have decreased etc. Not to make excuses for MINI but it is a fact.

Pat

 

And your reason for bringing up an issue totally unrelated to the OP's problem?

 

yeah, brain fart (that'll teach me to multitask among various threads)
but I'll leave it there for you all to laugh at.

 

As long as you have a loaner I wouldn't sweat it, they'll figure it out...

 

Noddy - sorry to hear about your trouble. I went through a very similar situation right after I picked up my Week 3 build except I had an oil leak that caused the engine to smoke in a major way. It took the dealer a week and half to fix the problem. It sucked to be without my brand new car for all that time, but when I picked it up for the second time, it was like taking delivery all over again! Be patient, it will be worth the second wait, I promise.

 

Thanks again guys for all the words of encouragement, you all talked me down off the ledge

He's the update, the SA called today and said that the problem has been locked down and identified. The parts are on order and should be here tomorrow and then work will start, he said hopefully tomorrow depending on what time the parts arrive. I guess I just give them a chance and see if they are true to there word. The good thing for me is that the all important survey arrived in my inbox today and I think I will mention that fact tomorrow when I get my update call

Here's hoping

 

I would be a little worried that the mechanics havent figured out the problem yet.
but on the good side, you have a loaner mini to play with, and rack up the miles in!

 

I'd take it to your local dragstrip and see what it can do before you have to give it back.

Did I say that out loud??...

 

If they still can't figure it out, the really simple and not-too-expensive fix would be to just replace the stereo system...with something better LOL

 

that came to mind as well. Drive it like a rental!
But, I remember reading on here, that mini can monitor how the car has been driven, to a degree, by the key. Wnder what there reaction would be if the key showed 130 mph!

 

130 mph in the quarter mile? Their reaction had better be... PRIDE!!

I'd expect them to bow down and thank me for setting a time like that.