R56 Completely frustrated and pissed off with BMW/MINI
4th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, IN
So the moral of the story is... Learn to fix it yourself, do preventive maintenance, and buy OEM parts online for half the cost.
I was a mechanic at a Kawaski motorcycles dealer for a couple years, and people would have blown engines from using an off brand oil filter and it would get low oil pressure and would want a warranty. Or people who didn't tighten the chain on their quad and the chain would come off and lock up on the front sprocket and blow the transmission to pieces and expect the warranty... Sometimes people don't tell the whole truth and don't deserve a warranty, so companies couldn't survive for fixing mistakes that weren't theirs In my opinion.
I was a mechanic at a Kawaski motorcycles dealer for a couple years, and people would have blown engines from using an off brand oil filter and it would get low oil pressure and would want a warranty. Or people who didn't tighten the chain on their quad and the chain would come off and lock up on the front sprocket and blow the transmission to pieces and expect the warranty... Sometimes people don't tell the whole truth and don't deserve a warranty, so companies couldn't survive for fixing mistakes that weren't theirs In my opinion.
Yes my cylinder head cover had a leak, and Mini had their "best tech" look for it for five hours (ya right) they couldnt find the source, even though I told them it was the plastic valve cover. They then told me I had aftermarket parts on my car so they would not look for the problem anymore. I ordered a new valve cover online and it took a whole 25 minutes to change it, leak gone problem fixed. Their Best man looked at it for five hours and couldnt see it was what I told them it was, they are just idiots, they could not be more inept or stupid if they tried.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, IN
Yes my cylinder head cover had a leak, and Mini had their "best tech" look for it for five hours (ya right) they couldnt find the source, even though I told them it was the plastic valve cover. They then told me I had aftermarket parts on my car so they would not look for the problem anymore. I ordered a new valve cover online and it took a whole 25 minutes to change it, leak gone problem fixed. Their Best man looked at it for five hours and couldnt see it was what I told them it was, they are just idiots, they could not be more inept or stupid if they tried.
If you want it done right. Do it yourself. Nice
I'm had bad luck with my dealer, they never were able to fix anything correctly, be it the first, third, ect time. Express your displeasure to MINIUSA and see what they can do for you. They gave me a very generous buyback on my POS car.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
I had an R53 02 S Laser Blue.
Replaced:
Supercharger twice.
Transmission Twice.
Tires 4 times in a month (no burnouts or anything I swear).
Wiring for the central locking (Windows would open and close because salt got in the wires)
Rattles everywhere (to the point that they filled my whole dash with silicone)
and this is just to name a few...
my dealer declared it a lemon gave me a great deal on an X3... and that's all she wrote... Best customer experience.
Now having owned BMWs several times I can tell you that they are pretty reliable cars. It's just that a lemon comes along every now and then...
Hope your issue gets resolved. GOOD LUCK!
Replaced:
Supercharger twice.
Transmission Twice.
Tires 4 times in a month (no burnouts or anything I swear).
Wiring for the central locking (Windows would open and close because salt got in the wires)
Rattles everywhere (to the point that they filled my whole dash with silicone)
and this is just to name a few...
my dealer declared it a lemon gave me a great deal on an X3... and that's all she wrote... Best customer experience.
Now having owned BMWs several times I can tell you that they are pretty reliable cars. It's just that a lemon comes along every now and then...
Hope your issue gets resolved. GOOD LUCK!
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 52
From: World Championship 50 Fans
Mini repaired my car under the "OneTime" exemption. It was a fuel pump. It was also after the warranty expired. Other than that my 2008 with 56,000 miles has been extremely reliable. I'm very sorry about your troubles. It sounds like you got a Monday/Friday car. Best wishes for a succesful ending to this stroy.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 2
From: Massachusetts
My car is the biggest and longest running joke of the company. No one that I work with will ever buy a MINI because of my experience.
It does seem like some cars really are just cursed..or perhaps just built on a Friday...
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Westchester, IL
Turbo engines eat oil.... My Subaru does the same.
As for dealers, this is not like you purchased a new computer. This is a very expensive item that has a lot of paperwork following it so dealers and MINI are never going to openly admit fault (any brand for that matter). Saying they are sorry is an admission of fault.... That being said, you do have to give them the chance to get it done and if the warranty is out you need to be ready to shoulder the cost, it is just part of owing a car.
As for dealers, this is not like you purchased a new computer. This is a very expensive item that has a lot of paperwork following it so dealers and MINI are never going to openly admit fault (any brand for that matter). Saying they are sorry is an admission of fault.... That being said, you do have to give them the chance to get it done and if the warranty is out you need to be ready to shoulder the cost, it is just part of owing a car.
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Westchester, IL
Bill Jacobs? 
For the record, every dealership experience me, or my family has gone through has been utter crap. Especially in the Chicagoland area. My father has less patience than I do when it comes to ********; when the dealership starts to play their games, (for example, then Bill Jacobs put 80+ miles on his '02 Z3M and refused to offer an explanation) he tends to get quite angry and is "escorted" off the premises by security.
I just got off the phone with Laurel BMW trying to cross-check a T-MAP sensor for Lynne since I've had to call off work AGAIN today, and the parts man angrily asked me why I was calling a BMW dealership for MINI parts. I had to remind him the BMW Group owns MINI, which he dismissed and told me to call Bill Jacobs.
The best dealership experience me or my family has ever had was probably when my mother bought the family's first brand new car - a '00 Land Rover Discovery SE7 at Dimmit Land Rover in St. Petersburg, FL. In true British fashion, someone forgot to fill the rear diff with gear oil, and it got hellishly noisy at 5000 miles (which is actually pretty impressive ...). They didn't ask any questions; they took the car in, gave us an identical loaner, and it was fixed by the end of the week.
Man, I have at least 4 other dealership horror stories to tell ... I'm just glad my father is a mechanic ... I've learned how to turn a wrench proficiently thanks to him.
For the record, every dealership experience me, or my family has gone through has been utter crap. Especially in the Chicagoland area. My father has less patience than I do when it comes to ********; when the dealership starts to play their games, (for example, then Bill Jacobs put 80+ miles on his '02 Z3M and refused to offer an explanation) he tends to get quite angry and is "escorted" off the premises by security.
I just got off the phone with Laurel BMW trying to cross-check a T-MAP sensor for Lynne since I've had to call off work AGAIN today, and the parts man angrily asked me why I was calling a BMW dealership for MINI parts. I had to remind him the BMW Group owns MINI, which he dismissed and told me to call Bill Jacobs.
The best dealership experience me or my family has ever had was probably when my mother bought the family's first brand new car - a '00 Land Rover Discovery SE7 at Dimmit Land Rover in St. Petersburg, FL. In true British fashion, someone forgot to fill the rear diff with gear oil, and it got hellishly noisy at 5000 miles (which is actually pretty impressive ...). They didn't ask any questions; they took the car in, gave us an identical loaner, and it was fixed by the end of the week.
Man, I have at least 4 other dealership horror stories to tell ... I'm just glad my father is a mechanic ... I've learned how to turn a wrench proficiently thanks to him.
Patrick MINI
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,925
Likes: 2
From: Laurel MD
Of the 6 Subaru's that I have worked on and helped maintain, only one did not drink it. All were turbos.....
To date our Forester will drink oil when pushed.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
To the OP - my advice would be to get rid of the MINI ASAP and into something else. Life is too short to be that frustrated.
A MINI is not a BMW. The reason I say this - I've owned 3 BMWs... few, if any issues. I've also owned 2 MINIs... in the shop every month. I love MINIs but I am glad to be back in a problem-free BMW.
A MINI is not a BMW. The reason I say this - I've owned 3 BMWs... few, if any issues. I've also owned 2 MINIs... in the shop every month. I love MINIs but I am glad to be back in a problem-free BMW.
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Arizona / Now Shelby NC
I am so sorry you have had such a bad experience with such a great car!
I picked mine up on June 17 2005 and I have had no major issues!! A couple of minor things have happened but never had an issue with MINI fixing it.
Again I am sorry!! I hate hearing this kinda of stuff about a car that I love so much and wish you could have the same feelings!
Good luck in whatever you decide to do!
I picked mine up on June 17 2005 and I have had no major issues!! A couple of minor things have happened but never had an issue with MINI fixing it.
Again I am sorry!! I hate hearing this kinda of stuff about a car that I love so much and wish you could have the same feelings!
Good luck in whatever you decide to do!
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
I have to say....
at this point it is rather comical how bad their customer service is. I have the car back now....but that just means the clock is ticking again before i have to take it back in....2 months again...yeah I think i'll try to get it through 2 months before needing to go back in. Any guesses on what will break? repeat repair? yeah.
at this point it is rather comical how bad their customer service is. I have the car back now....but that just means the clock is ticking again before i have to take it back in....2 months again...yeah I think i'll try to get it through 2 months before needing to go back in. Any guesses on what will break? repeat repair? yeah.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver Island, Canada
This thread makes me love my dealer. I haven't had any major problems but they have been a pleasure to deal with, my SA is very nice (and not too hard on the eyes, haha.) and I think I should send the whole crew a box of donuts or something to say thank you.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 779
Likes: 4
I'm sorry, but if I was a BMW customer service rep and a customer called saying that driving through a small puddle caused body damage to their car, I'd be EXTREMELY skeptical because on face value, it doesn't make sense.
- Mark
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 37
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Do you have a theory why driving through a puddle caused a wheel arch to become unattached? How do you know that a previous impact of some sort didn't cause the problem? And if the issue is simply that it has become unattached, why can't you (or the dealer) simply re-attach it?
I'm sorry, but if I was a BMW customer service rep and a customer called saying that driving through a small puddle caused body damage to their car, I'd be EXTREMELY skeptical because on face value, it doesn't make sense.
- Mark
I'm sorry, but if I was a BMW customer service rep and a customer called saying that driving through a small puddle caused body damage to their car, I'd be EXTREMELY skeptical because on face value, it doesn't make sense.
- Mark
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 2
From: Redmond, Wa
From reading this forum for the last year and a half I have seen that some people just have the best of luck with their cars and some dont. Between my wife and I we have owned 3 bmws and 1 mini. We have never had a bad service experience with either dealer, but I believe we have some good dealerships here in the Seattle area.
Both Minis and Bmws are not the most trouble free cars on the road- at least according to Consumer reports and JD powers, but a car with so many problems that it is constantly back at the dealership is a lemon.
I have been one of the lucky ones with my Mini and I love it more than any car I have ever owned, but if I had all of the problems that the OP had, I would have ditched the car long ago.
It seems to me that the first couple model years of most european cars are the most troublesome, then they work out the bugs and things improve in the reliability department. When we buy a Mini, we realize it probably wont be as trouble free as a Honda, but it sure will be more fun to drive!
Both Minis and Bmws are not the most trouble free cars on the road- at least according to Consumer reports and JD powers, but a car with so many problems that it is constantly back at the dealership is a lemon.
I have been one of the lucky ones with my Mini and I love it more than any car I have ever owned, but if I had all of the problems that the OP had, I would have ditched the car long ago.
It seems to me that the first couple model years of most european cars are the most troublesome, then they work out the bugs and things improve in the reliability department. When we buy a Mini, we realize it probably wont be as trouble free as a Honda, but it sure will be more fun to drive!
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
The biggest issue with these sort of issues is that the worse the economy gets the worse these issue will be. Working at a dealership during the good ole days when we were selling 20 cars on a Saturday and then seeing it all fall apart to selling 3-4 on a Saturday. The company has to cut costs etc and that means the first thing to go is the goodwill of the dealership and company in helping the consumer.
Even though I worked for them for almost 10 years its hard to get the auto groups dealers to go above and beyond the call. Luckily I have the cell number for the auto groups owner and am very good friends with him.
Even though I worked for them for almost 10 years its hard to get the auto groups dealers to go above and beyond the call. Luckily I have the cell number for the auto groups owner and am very good friends with him.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
And the story continues....I have put it on hold for a few days.
So when Beth, the SA, called me to let me know that the car was ready to be picked up, she let me know about "the survey" that I will receive. She went on and asked me....asked me...to fill it out positively for the dealership.
I'm sorry? I had to yell at 3 people to get them to make the appropriate customer service solution, and they want me to say that my experience was rosy and gay?
Someone is going to enjoy their hour reading my survey....just sayin'
So when Beth, the SA, called me to let me know that the car was ready to be picked up, she let me know about "the survey" that I will receive. She went on and asked me....asked me...to fill it out positively for the dealership.
I'm sorry? I had to yell at 3 people to get them to make the appropriate customer service solution, and they want me to say that my experience was rosy and gay?
Someone is going to enjoy their hour reading my survey....just sayin'
my car was on the same boat as DChap's. I think someone was smoking something back in Spring 2008 as they were putting our cars together. I have had an extremely pleasant experience at Prestige Mini for the last 3 years but I have had a multitude of problems as well - all were taken care of including needing to have my car re-welded (yes you read that right) at the back where the sides of the car meets the headliner, a headlight replaced before delivery due to a misaligned bonnet, new rear strut and bearing, sunroof molding replaced (once) and sunroof realigned (4 times), windows refusing to roll up and stay put twice, a water pump was whistling and a missing wheel arch. That's all I can think of but I'm sure there is more.
I do have to say that everything has been fixed under warranty (@ 55k now) and now that I am out of warranty I do get nervous. I think this will be my one and only Mini due to the lack of reliability and cheap interior paneling that rattles nonstop.
But DChap I do feel your pain my man.
I do have to say that everything has been fixed under warranty (@ 55k now) and now that I am out of warranty I do get nervous. I think this will be my one and only Mini due to the lack of reliability and cheap interior paneling that rattles nonstop.
But DChap I do feel your pain my man.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
thanks for the support man. I just filled out my survey and requested that MINI corporate contact me about it. We'll see where that goes.
I'm sorry to hear your car hasn't been much better than mine.
btw....have you noticed my recently updated signature photo?
I'm sorry to hear your car hasn't been much better than mine.
btw....have you noticed my recently updated signature photo?
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Westchester, IL
And the story continues....I have put it on hold for a few days.
So when Beth, the SA, called me to let me know that the car was ready to be picked up, she let me know about "the survey" that I will receive. She went on and asked me....asked me...to fill it out positively for the dealership.
I'm sorry? I had to yell at 3 people to get them to make the appropriate customer service solution, and they want me to say that my experience was rosy and gay?
Someone is going to enjoy their hour reading my survey....just sayin'
So when Beth, the SA, called me to let me know that the car was ready to be picked up, she let me know about "the survey" that I will receive. She went on and asked me....asked me...to fill it out positively for the dealership.
I'm sorry? I had to yell at 3 people to get them to make the appropriate customer service solution, and they want me to say that my experience was rosy and gay?
Someone is going to enjoy their hour reading my survey....just sayin'
Yes it made me actually LOL. I was going to comment on your Altoid actually being a "Sour" rather than a "Mint" but wasn't sure if you were in a jovial mood or not
(they actually come as mints, sours, or gum for those of you that are unaware......maybe now you get the joke.............or most likely it still isn't funny anyway).
(they actually come as mints, sours, or gum for those of you that are unaware......maybe now you get the joke.............or most likely it still isn't funny anyway).