I just know I'm going to have nightmares tonight - I'll dream that all of us po foos
who changed out our OEM wheels and tires for after market rims and non-RF's will be denied the balance of our warranties by Mini. Then, while arguing at the desk with our SA's until midnight, our cars will be loaded onto Mini roadside assistance flatbeds and taken to and then placed in shallow unmarked graves !!!!!!

 

I must have missed the OP’s original problem. Why would anyone expect Mini to replace the tires when a owner changed them out from what the dealer warranties?

If the car came with a certain set of tires and you replace them, I’m not understanding why you would expect Mini to warranty them??

I’m surprised that Mini even towed the car to the dealership. They offer that service because they are selling a car with tires that they feel will withstand more abuse than a normal set of tires. If you changed them, I would expect Mini to chargeback the tow service...

I’m confused.....


Mark

 

Maybe it wasn't made clear in my original post or later responses, but let me make it clear now: I DID NOT expect Mini to replace the tire and cover it under warranty, just let me pay them to replace it. As I indicated previously, I may appear to be stupid in some of my comments, but you are WAY off base if you think I would expect another company to replace someone elses product at no, or pro-rated cost!

They (Mini Roadside Assistance) insisted it be towed to the dealer. Sure, in hind sight, having AAA or towing coverage on insurance is the better option. However, it doesn't appear that this whole liability BS is consistent from dealer to dealer, as evidenced by gawannamini's response. Therefore, they knew I had a flat tire, and not a run flat on an MCS. Still they insisted it go to the dealer. My expectations where that they would assist me in replacing (NOT warrant) the tire and charging me to do so. Isn't that an opportunity for the dealer "to make money" as daflake so nicely put it?

So in the words of the great comic Steve Martin, excuuuuuse me for over-expecting something from a company who spouts so much about customer service.

 

FWIW my 2nd nail in a tire on my '09 MCSa needed a tow (the first I repaired without driving on low PSI). I know the tires are RFs but I wanted to repair the tire but did not want to drive on it while low on pressure as it would degrade the sidewall's strength while using the RF portion of the tire. I called roadside assistance and they tried ot get me to drive it at 0 PSI and I politly delcined ans she sent a flatbed, 40 min wait and 35min of travel and it was at the dealership. The car was now only 4 miles form my house instead of 30. My wife was waiting at the dealership to take me home, went home, & ate dinner. After dinner I went back with my 15 gal air tank topped off, my plug kit, and a flashlight. I plugged the tire and drove the car home. The dealership had no issues with me not receiving a service or paying for anything.

 

Customer service has nothing to do with it, you were just expecting something out of a service that it was not designed to provide. So because it didn't go the way that you wanted it to go you are going to blame MINI? People must really have a hard time satisfying you then...

This is no different than putting in a different radio and then expecting MINI to fix it if it fails. It isn't their responsibility to do this...

Yetti, I don't think the OP got charged for the tow service to the dealer either. He is just complaining that he had to pay to take it someplace that could repair his tire.

 

Yea, bottom line here is liability. If they even help you fix a non run flat on a car that doesn't have a spare, you could blame them if something happens to it because it's essentially them "letting" you drive without run flats. All back to liability.

Just as a side note to help you out with the whole liability thing...

A person who owned a motor home placed their vehicle in cruise control...AND WALKED AWAY FROM THE WHEEL. Needless to say, they sued the company for not telling them that cruise control didn't drive the motorhome itself while on cruise control.

They won the case. were paid for damages. and the company had to provide them with a new motor home.

There are whole websites around stupid claims that people won against companies. Something as simple as fixing a non run flat on a car that's supposed to have run flats could put them in a situation to be sued big time.

Here's a top 7 list for all of you to read over...be sure to pick your jaws up from the floor when you are done.

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.ac...81474977221219

 

Customer service has nothing to do with it? What kind of BS is that? Customer service has EVERYTHING to do with any company that deals with the public! It's not what I wanted, it was what I was expecting from in terms of service. But, I guess since you don't really expect anything out of anybody, satisfaction must come very easily to you! I guess you have never stayed at a Ritz Carlton otherwise you would understand how some companies believe that the customer comes first and foremost to their success! Customer service and customer satisfaction is far and above THE most important aspect to their business.

Bottom line, this Mini dealer chose not too provide one of their customers a service that could have gone a long way in satisfying and keeping that customer. If you don't think they COULD have done that then you are sadly mistaken.

 

Did they charge you for the tow? They already told you they couldn't do it because of a liability reason which is understandable. YOU just want more than they can and are willing to provide. Customer service is great stuff when people don't run with it. They did what they could for you, what else would you like, breakfast in bed? Quit being self entitled and quit assuming you know me.

 

+1

captsprocket - you really need to read up on what Warranty, Maintenance Plan and MINI Roadside Assistance are and what the SPELLED OUT LIMITATIONS are before you make claims. In all reality MINI R.A. should not have towed your car and if they did you should be paying for it. And BTW they will tow you car for warranty service no mater how close you are to the nearest dealer but if that dealer is less than 100 miles from your home address then they WILL NOT return the car to you, you must find you own way to get there and pick it up.

Again from me stop with the self entitlement. You are in no way, fashion or from entitled to get service that is beyond the scope of the warranty, maintenance plan or MINI roadside assistance. Which you did get BTW by them towing you in the first place.

 

I have to agree with with you and Neitherfanboy wholeheartedly. This is a situation I would have never thought of. I just ordered my first Mini, have never before purchased a car with run-flats, and like so many others, plan to ditch the RFs as soon as I accept the car from the dealer.

I wonder if I should just buy an extra rim, mount it with a spare, and keep it in my garage. I wonder if Mini Assistance would then just tow me home. Regardless, I plan to keep my AAA coverage thanks to the original OP post. Seems like some great insurance. Thank you so much for sharing this story. I may repost this in the CM forum as everyone there is beyond adamant about ditching the RFs.

 

You've never had a car with run-flats, but have already decided to pay even more money on top of what you are already paying, to get rid of a set of tires that you have no idea what they are like?

...I don't even know what to say. That just seems silly. I think you are reading way too much into what other people think and not even letting yourself decide your own opinion.

 

Yep. Tampa, FL is rated last among large cities for street repairs. Streets frequently go as long as 30 years before the entire stretch is re-paved. We have sinkholes and potholes everywhere, and they are not always easy to avoid. So, whether you think it is silly or not, I am ditching my RFs and choosing a tire that I feel will provide me a smoother ride and has a better rating for our rainy season. Furthermore, I prefer to not set myself up for inevitable rim damage that is far more likely with the run flats than with other high performance tires in the event that I do hit one hidden sinkhole.

 

The OP did not "want more than they can and are willing to provide" he was just mistaken in thinking that Mini Towing was a towing plan like AAA. As others have pointed out, myself included, that's an easy mistake to make.

If you want to apportion blame, send some Mini's way for towing his car in the first place. If, knowing it did not have run flats on it, they towed it to the dealer and then tried to "charge back" the tow I would most emphatically decline to pay that bill. Once Mini had towed the car, dumping the problem in the lap of the dealer, the dealer could easily have offered to tow the car to any local tire shop in order to make the customer happy.

The OP made a mistake, Mini Towing made a mistake, and the dealer should have stepped up to keep the customer happy. He wasn't asking for free tires, the tow would have cost the dealer little or nothing. That one move, towing the car to a local tire store, would have earned that dealer not only a repeate customer but good word of mouth.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

Sure he does... He is complaining that MINI did not go out of their way to fix his issue non warranty issue or provide a service that they are not contractually bound to provide. Did he make a valid mistake thinking it was like AAA? Sure, it can and does happen which he was likely not charged for tow. However, for him to come on here and be mad at MINI because he didn't read up on what the service provided is not MINI's fault and yet he still wants them to do more.

I'll admit that making that mistake could happen but I would have chalked it up to me being ignorant of what the service is providing. When I ditched run flats the first thing I did was get a service like AAA to make sure I would be covered. If you are not willing to go the extra distance yourself to repair a tire then you need to stick with run-flats that will ensure you don't get stuck someplace.

and as mentioned... The dealer can't do the job as they could be held liable. There is nothing they can do unless the OP wanted 4 new run-flats installed.

 

Sorry but I do empathize with the OP on the 'slightly out of warranty' issue. My uncle is an auto mechanic and has experienced this several times....where an auto company has agreed to partial payment to help a customer with a vehicle problem when it was out of warranty....slightly. So when my 96 Chevy Blazer blew an engine after 37000 miles...you're darn right I called them. Not to ask them to foo the bill entirely...but to see if they could help a customer (me) pay the $2000 plus bill. I would've been happy with $500 bucks....but no. They passed the phone along and each higher up said, "sorry bro...your SOL"...so you know what. I bought a FORD and sent them a photo of it. Havent bought a chevy in 10 years and never plan to.

I realize they didn't HAVE to....but they could have. Right?

 

Only because at the time he was unaware that the MC carries a spare and thus doesn't need RFs, so he didn't understand the difference in treatment. Now he does. I wouldn't expect your average MCS owner to know that fact. Heck, some MC owners aren't even aware of their spare.

Many of us have learned a good lesson by his experience. Time to move on.

 

No, they did not charge me for the tow, which I appreciate, but also, hmmm, expected, since it was Mini RA. They told me they couldn't (wouldn't) help once they had the car at their dealership and would not have allowed me to have it towed someplace else at the onset instead of going to the dealer. Sure, probably because of the arrangement they have with the towing company. Looking back at it now, understood.

However, no, I wanted what they COULD have, but were not WILLING to provide. If it were something that Mini worldwide COULD not do, then that is different. However, based on at least one response in this thread indicated, another dealer did do what I was expecting, so it appears to me to be a dealer to dealer policy. Does that make me seem self entitled? I respectfully disagree with you. I consider myself to be far from someone who is self entitled. However, belgian waffles in bed, sure!

Bakesonaplane, I understand the point you are making about liability. However, I again reference the instance that another responder pointed out that their dealer did change out their non-run flats on an MCS that did not have a spare. Consistency then would be the issue in my mind. I realize that many people take advantage and try to sue for the most incredible things and it is because of them that I'm sure I am in the boat I am in. As I said previously, I will certainly chalk this up to a lesson learned.

And daflake, don't worry, I don't know you and wouldn't want to either!

Schatzy, I've already admitted, if you bothered to read it previously, that I was not fully informed (or misunderstood) as to the warranty, maintenance plan, and MINI RA. Excuse me for making a mistake! I'll be sure never to make a mistake again so not to be riduculed by the likes of some of you!

And because RA towed my car to the dealer due to a flat tire, which may be one of the limitations that I wasn't aware of, and didn't charge me for it, tells you that I think I am entitled to that service? WOW, that's a stretch! And, BTW, Mini RA gave me the option of which dealer to tow it to since there are two in my area. Mine happened to be further from the breakdown location but closer to my home. Both are within 40 miles of each other. So, I am very happy that they took it to MY dealer.

Also, I NEVER would have expected them to either return my car to me or to offer assistance in getting me back to the dealer to get my car. You can take me for a fool, but not a complete fool!

Lastly, if a mistake or misunderstanding constitutes self entitlement in your mind, then I would venture to guess that you have been self entitled at some point in your life. But then again, if you have never made a mistake or misunderstood anything, then that is another issue!

Alright, I think we (or at least I know I have) beaten this dead horse (geez, I sure hope I don't offend anyone with that comment). Thanks for the spirited conversations. It has been fun, it has been real, not sure that it has been real fun. I've got to go ice my wounds now.

I do hope that my experience, as self entitled as some might think it to be, does help others who maybe haven't read all of their warranty/maintenance plan/Roadside Assistance material line-by-line. Hopefully you will not be in the same position I found myself. However, based on this spirited conversation, you will know what NOT to do and what NOT to expect should it happen.

BTW, I still love my Mini and look forward to getting behind the wheel each and every morning. This experience hasn't dampened my thrill of driving the car, just the customer service experience from company.

Cheers and happy motoring.

 

@daflake

You are quoting my post but ignoring my point. The OP did not expect the dealer to fix his tires, as he has already said. And he understands now what Mini Towing covers. It is the dealer he is upset with, for not doing anything to help him once the car was sitting in their garage.

The dealer was not obligated to provide a tow of their shop to a tire store, but if the dealer had done so, it would have cost him very little and earned him a customer.

Heck, if the dealer had "I know you did not realize that we could not change these tires for you, or that Mini Towing would only bring you to a dealer, let me do this ... I will have one of my tow guys take your car to a tire shop for you and they will give you a discounted rate on the tow just to help you out," I bet the OP would have been a happy man.

But just saying "oh well, we can't change these tires and Mini Towing should have never brought you here in the first place, deal with it yourself sucker" -- that is poor customer service.

 

Thanks rpetrecca. My point exactly!

Oops, sorry, another swing at the horse!

 

+1 Doing only what is required is not how you keep customers. Going the extra bit, when you don't have to, is how you do it!

 

First, I am not ignoring what you posted. He did expect them to fix it hence the comment about the Justa having regular tires. He also expected them to tow to another location as well. People don't work for free....

My question is how "nice" was he when he was told that they couldn't do anything for him? I have had a dealers go out of their way for me, even recently with Subaru on an 04 repair and the car wasn't even bought there, because I was nice to them. I'm sure that if he asked them to help him take the tire off and give him a quick ride to get it fixed they would have helped him.

Then again, perhaps he got the one dealer that has been sued enough times that they don't want to get involved.

Listen, I get it.... However, coming her to complain about something that shouldn't have really happened is not MINI's fault. Did the dealer do the right thing? Who knows, we only have his side of the story and his attitude makes me think that he was probably being rather pushy with them. Either way, the dealer sticking to what they are supposed to do is not wrong and they did eat the cost of a tow as well.

 

First of all, let's stop attacking one another, shall we?

The Justas have a spare, thus the non-runflats are a non-issue in this situation.

Your warranty does not cover an aftermarket part. If you put an aftermarket intake on the car, and that intake caused some sort of massive failure, they wouldn't have given you a free tow back to whoever put the intake in either.

I fail to see the problem here. Bottom line, your warranty and roadside assistance do not apply to aftermarket parts. The replacement tires are aftermarket parts.

 

So YOU have a problem with capitalization of a word? Seriously? You might want to switch from MINI to chevy... just saying.

Let me know if you have a problem with anything else I've written. I'll be sure to get right on it...

 

I am sure Chevy is kicking themselves about it to this day!

For every dissatisfied chevy owner, there is one for ford. How you think in the big scheme of things this will make any difference to their bottom line...