UPDATE
went back to Vista Mini, Spoke to my SA and they are gonna order the part and replace under warranty. The SA name is Casey Finn and he was a professional, If you need service at Vista he is the Man!
Thanks for helping Casey.

OP:
The chrome trim on the parking brake broke off in my hand today.
Dealer (Vista Mini Coconut Creek, FL) says its not covered by warranty, Mini USA concurs. I have had the car 1 year, bought new in May 2011.

I wasn't using brute force or abusing my car in any way.
It just broke off into my hand after releasing brake like i do everyday, extremely suspect.

it seems to be made from cheap plastic and not very well engineered.
anyone else see suspect quality in their trim pieces.

Last month the sun visor with the vanity mirror broke also, very suspect too. but that was covered by warranty.

Why they cover that and not this i don't understand.

PS I love my mini and love driving it.

 

Funny. My satin silver handle broke just like that. I wound up gettin the complete chrome line interior as a result. Since I installed it myself, I had the opportunity to see that the chrome pieces seem to be of identical quality to the basic ones. I think that handle trim might just be a weak design. My car is a first gen, but looks just like your handle.

 

that should be covered by warranty. i would go to a different dealership. and show that other dealership your feeling on the dealer survey.

 

Mine did the same thing. You have to replace the whole handle. t is also not that expensive to replace or hard to do. Just bite the bullet and do it.

 

I can't believe that's not covered under warranty on a 1 year-old car. Especially if they're covering other interior pieces breaking like you say they have.

 

if that happens to my mini I will drive it through the front door and leave it - unless covered under warranty - I am not paying for something that should be covered

 

Are you sure, i already looked up the part

parts.miniofsouthatlanta.com › ... › Cooper
$9.87
Trim ring, parking brake cons. chrome #51167127912 for Mini Cooper (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, ...

 

The fact that both the dealer AND Mini don't see fit to cover this under warranty is a horrendously bad business decision. For the meager cost to replace an obviously cheaply made part while WELL under your warranty period should get somebody's *** fired. I'd fire off a written letter to the head of Mini USA and describe your experience, ending with the question, do you REALLY endorse treating a customer this way, and having it wind up splashed all over the internet for all to see? They should be VERY embarrassed. Ridiculous.

 

Is this you in action?

 

Man that guy was pissed.

 

$30 and about 10 minutes of your time
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...06&hg=34&fg=30
If that is that big of a deal just trade it back in and get a 7 series where they kiss your feet every time you come in.

 

UPDATE
went back to Vista Mini, Spoke to my SA and they are gonna order the part and replace under warranty. The SA name is Casey Finn and he was a professional, If you need service at Vista he is the Man!
Thanks for helping Casey.

 

For a real fine product for both the gearshift **** and e-brake handle see:

http://www.robincasady.com/ShiftKnobs/index.html

Not cheap but what a nice way to treat yourself...think how many times you place your hand on the gearshift and e-brake...not only looks great but feels very nice in the hand.

 

i have the same problem, i went to the dealership they don't have that part for it so i need to buy the whole brake for $60 so i think ill just deal with it falling off every time i brake hard.