My low-mileage (7,700 miles!) 2010 Mini Cooper was towed in with automatic transmission problems yesterday (Tuesday, November 26). Due to the holiday crush, the dealer has still not even looked at the vehicle. Perhaps they'll find time on Friday, but they're "very busy with owners who have appointments" .

In any event, all of the owner's manuals, warranty info, etc., is in the vehicle, so I have nothing to refer to. (The MINI website doesn't give access to the warranty...it says to check your manual or see your dealer ).

So, can any of you tell me if the warranty covers a replacement vehicle while mine is being repaired? I have no way of finding out myself .

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide...

 

Why don't you give the warranty company a call and find out and put on the big boy or girl pants.

 

Bahahaahaaaa

 

Contact MINI USA regarding the factory coverage question. They might be able to get you a copy of the factory warranty. They are really helpful and responsive. However, as far as a "replacement vehicle", call the dealers in your area. Some dealers will provide a loaner free of charge while your treasure is in for repair (especially big repairs) - varies from dealership to dealership. My dealership here in the DC area provides loaners for free until repairs are completed. I hear others don't. As a last ditch, if everyone says "no" check your vehicle insurance policy - it may cover loaner costs for major repairs.

 

I believe most mini dealers provide loaner cars when you take your car in for repair regardless, whether the work performed is covered by warranty or not.

When you go to a mini dealer's website to schedule a repair, there should be a section where it asks if you will need a loaner vehicle (usually a base model countryman or clubman is what's provided) all free of charge.

If the dealer offers this service, it may not be part of the warranty but rather something as a goodwill service.

If you don't see this option on their scheduling system, the dealer may not offer loaner cars. Best call the dealer, goodluck!

 

As others have said that is the dealers choice. My dealer does offer them but it has to be a reserved loaner otherwise they may not have one.

 

I took my JCW in to have them replace the roof decal (they put the wrong one on). I would have been happy to sit around at the dealership...but they offered me a brand spanking new Cooper S....so why not go for an extended spin? Didn't ask for one...I wonder what I would have gotten if I'd actually asked for a vehicle? Um on second thoughts, probably the same thing.

 

This vehicle is under the original MINI manufacturer's warranty (48 months). Needless to say, when your transmission dies after 7,700 miles and you are towed in by MINI roadside assistance, getting online to schedule a maintenance visit isn't the first thing that crosses your mind. I can always wait until Friday to drive to the dealer and beg them to let me look in my glove box for my warranty. I just thought someone on this site might have an answer in the meantime.

Won't bother you folks again...happy Thanksgiving.

 

You should be covered for a loaner vehicle. Folks on this site are typically helpful. I was told I am covered with a loaner (if available) when I bring mine in for maintenance or warranty work. If they don't have a loaner they will set me up with a rental. I would go back in and get the loaner.

 

Your dealer can answer your question.

 

IME loaners are a dealer thing .... not a MINI thing. The MINI warranty does not provide a loaner.

It is a question I ask a dealer b4 I buy. Some dealers will always provide a loaner if one is asked for. Some only provide a loaner if you bought from that dealer. One dealer I used, promised a loaner but were out when I went in. So they covered full cost of a rental vehicle.

If you get MINI USA involved in your warranty claim you can ask .... especially if the repair will take time.

If you purchased 'extra' warranty from a third party then 'it depends.'

{of course in over 10 years of driving MINIs, I never had a significant maintenance or warranty issue, so my experience is limited. dealers I have experience with provided loaners when I left the car for maintenance - this being a dealer service they advertised}

 

In that case, I may be okay. This is the second MINI I've bought from this dealer and have had all maintenance on both vehicles done there. I guess I'll find out in the next few days if it's a major transmission problem (my guess is that it is) and if so, whether they'll spring for replacement transportation.

As many have said before, it's not whether you have a problem (sooner or later you will), but how the dealer handles it that matters.

 

I'm sorry corcoranwtnet that you 1) are going through this with your Mini and 2) have less than good responses by your question here.

You can't fix stupid especially when Stupid is an idiot too. These forums are for exactly why you posted. You have a question and you came to the right place. To be treated with less than respect is just plain embarrassing. So for the butt wipe response on pants, I apologize for the a$$!!

I don't normally like to respond in a thread that I don't know the answer for but in this case I'll make an exception. I feel for you on your problem. To have it happen over a holiday just makes it worse.

I fully expect it will get fixed quickly and to your satisfaction. I hope your dealership makes the unconvinced of the warranty issue as painless as possible.

Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

Mike

 

Not the transmission at all. From the service order: "found right outer CV joint broken, removed and replaced right half shaft".

I found it interesting that this wasn't a wear issue, but rather a sudden, catastrophic failure. There was no indication of a problem (clicking, etc.) until the loud grinding noise. And this on a car with only 7,100 (not 7,700) miles. It was in shop only 2 months and 300 miles earlier, for oil and brake fluid changeout, so a torn boot would have been noticed.

Dealer was apologetic about the delay in their ability to inspect the car, but explained the pre-Thanksgiving crush of business was to blame. Repaired today, courtesy car wash, all good.

 

with my MINIs there was a book in the same pouch as the owner's manual

this book is the SERVICE & WARRANTY INFORMATION.

I'm gonna guess that less than 1 in 10 owners know it exists

and less than 1 in 1000 read it.

 

Yes, I would have read it, but unfortunately it was in the glove box when the car was towed to the dealer's lot.