Hey guys,

Just bought a new countryman yesterday. The type s with the 6 speed manual. Can't wait until it is broken in so I can really rail it. The trim is peeling(can't believe I just spent 30k for a car with this, but I love it). Dealer said that the parts were made in Japan where the earthquake was and the parts are on the way now. They are replacing all my trim and giving me a 200 credit for any parts or accessories. Did I get snowed? They said they have some of the moldings but not all of them. My belief is that if you complain you will only get another batch of the crap. Why not wait until you know mini has a proper fix? Or am I just living in a dreamworld thinking that Mini would take care of me?

Hans

 

No, you are not dreaming.

It took Mini several months to manufacture the new chrome trim in sufficient quantity. Now they are coming in because production of the trim has resumed.

Mini has had this problem since early 2011 when they had to switch suppliers for the chrome trim. The Japan plant was out of commission due to the tsunami and the new trim supplier provided a defective replacement.

Some owners have been driving brand new CMs with chrome tape blowing like flags in the wind since May. So until the real fix was available, people that were really upset had more defective chrome installed on their vehicles as a short term fix until the new chrome was available.

I have a new 2012 CM coming in next week to Port Hueneme, I am hoping that it either had the new chrome installed at the factory or that they fix the chrome at the VDC in CA.

 

Thanks man. I absolutely love this car. The Wife is trying so hard not to be jealous but I think she wants some of the features in her car. Congrats on the 2012. I fell in love with this one on the lot and couldn't wait(even though we thought long and hard over the bench rear seat). What options did you choose? I got everything I was looking for but the mini connect, but the manual was more important. Good luck with the new car.

Hans

 

Question for any who have had the replacement completed.

Just got a followup message from the SA stating the new pieces are only different in that there is an improved bonding process and not a different look or design to the chrome. He also stated only the affected pieces are being replaced by Mini under warranty.

So only those who actually have gotten replacements; how does this measure up to what you experienced?

 

The information that your service advisor gave you miniwpbear is correct. It is not different in look or design. Mini states that they have tested the new bonding process and that it is a permanent fix. I don't know if only the affected pieces are being replaced by Mini under warranty, because my dealer replaced all pieces, even the ones that looked Ok. I can tell you that I am in Texas and that since I have had mine replaced, it has showed no signs yet of failing. I am hopeful that the new "heat tested" trim holds up.

 

I'm glad to hear the replaced all pieces, affected or not. It's an hour drive one way to our Mini dealer...it's on the opposite side of the city...and I'm not willing to make 10 trips for this. I'm not upset that it happened. I knew it was a possibility before I took delivery so it was a risk I accepted but I expect it to all be fixed in one trip and I'm willing to be patient...to a point...for that to happen.

 

@ Justmenmymini - My dealer is NOT replacing all of them.

 

Then my MA and I are going to have a chat. It's 90 miles roundtrip for me to have this taken care of and as of now, I have one piece peeling. I'm checking daily for the rest to fail. I anticipated the drive for maintenance and other warranty issues that might arise but not like this and not this many trips with only 2500 mile on the car.

Guess we'll be rethinking that Clubman purchase....bummer too because we love the car. Unfortunately I live in a state with only 3 Mini dealers.

 

OK guys, mine's done, and it took all of 45 minutes including signing in and a quick chat with the SA. They're still pretty vague as to whether this is a definitive solution, but they assured me that if and when it does come about, they'll be in touch.

They have replaced only the defective trims, which I think is fair. The others show no signs of trouble whatsoever. If any new ones do come along and they don't match perfectly, they'll have to change the lot. No freebies over here though Even so, I do like to keep up a good relationship with the dealer, rather than blowing up every time something goes wrong, as Boxcar said: I've now parked it out in the sun to see what happens.....

 

called my dealer this morning and was told the chrome trim is on back order, need to wait for about a week, but the SA also insist they never heard Mini is giving out the $100 credit, does anyone has successfully received the credit in s. cali?

 

Here's my girly DIY repair:

As soon as I discovered the corners/edges of my chrome tape were lifting... i gently pulled up the loose pieces up/out a little more and put a tiny drop of nail glue underneath, using a toothpick. i gently smoothed and re-sealed the tape, tucking it back into the trim line.

quick fix... until the dealer comes up with a permanent solution

 

Working with the SA to get parts in from Germany. My understanding is that it's not just new foil tape, but the whole black, plastic carrier piece is replaced as well.

As to whether the tape itself is being replaced by something more permanent remains to be seen.

 

When I submitted my CM4 for a problem with an adaptive xenon headlight and an exhaust leak, my local dealer identified problems with five of my chrome beltline trim strips (all the ones from the rear doors on back). They ordered replacements and all but the left rear quarter strip were replaced. The remaining one is estimated at two weeks out. The replacement strips look exactly like the originals, but good. They're not just the chrome tape, but everything up from the surface of the car. Still waiting on the remaining strip.

 

Do you have pics of the replacement pieces by any chance?

 

What was wrong with the headlight? Did you really already have an exhaust leak on a brand new car? What is the deal with Mini quality control?

 

(1) My CM4 was in a collision with a Honda Odyssey that removed the right front corner of the MINI.
(2) Following about 7 weeks work and over $13K charge, I had my MINI back, but with an exhaust leak near the engine and a replaced xenon adaptive headlight system that didn't do the adaptive thing.
(3) My local dealer who identified the need for replacement trim strips also fixed the exhaust leak, disassembling things back to the CC and then putting it back together.
(4) The new headlamp unit installed was faulty, they tried everything, then ordered a second complete headlamp unit which was also faulty. We finally got things working right by installing the (formerly working) module from the old unit found along the road - then the headlamp worked right.
(5) The available replacement trim strips were installed (looked just like original) but one, the left rear quarter, is on back order for at least a couple of weeks.

So, the exhaust leak was not MINI's fault. The non-working headlamp system was, as was the replacement. Things are not perfect with access to parts from MINI USA yet - many things come from Germany with long delays.

But Fenton is back on the road!

 

Oh, OK thanks for the clarification.

I hope no one was hurt in the accident.

 

Got a call from Mini today saying my full set of replacement trim is now in along with the passenger side visor replacement. I am going to get everything installed on October 22nd since this is the first I will be able to make the 140 mile each way drive.

 

Called my SA yesterday the parts will be in in two weeks. They are just replacing the rear 3 pcs. I hope the other pcs. last forever, my biggest worry is the hood pc. i hope if it starts peeling it is still under warranty. Other than that I love the car. My only other concern is the longevity of the auto transmission. I should have gotten a stick. I do like the turbo though. Does anyone have any info on the credit mini is supposed to give? thanks Larry

 

Any tips for getting the Mini credit for the hassle this trim issue has caused? When I get the replacement on Oct 22nd that will be the 2nd set up replacements I have gotten. Have seen many on here getting a credit for their inconvenience between $100 and $300. Do you need to call the 1-800-ASK-MINI before going to the dealership since it sounds like this is a Mini credit and not a dealership credit?

 

I'm personally not accepting anything less than a complete replacement of the entire set. This was the commitment by the dealership, and I have not yet submitted my customer satisfaction survey. I'm holding my response until this is fixed. I live 90 miles form the dealership and I'm only going back once.

I've dealt with issues like this before (on Fords and Chevys) and I can tell yuo form experince a dealer will drag this out if you let them.

An an Engineer, I can tell you the root cause of this defect was likely manufacturing process control and will affect each part a little differently. So the time to failure can vary. Given the high frequency of failure of these parts, it's likely each part will fail at some point. So I wouldn't accept anything less than a full replacement of all parts.

I was not aware these parts were manufactured in Japan. Having said that, I can now understand the delay in shipping the replacements due to the Earthquake.

 

Hey guys,

All the parts are here and I'm taking it in for tint and the install of the trim tomorrow. They are replacing all of it. I'll keep you updated.

Hans

 

any update?

 

Took my car to the dealer today. Only 2 of the pieces were actually peeling.

Service guy said something along the lines of "well if those are peeling, chances are the others will start peeling too".

Didn't have any in stock, so they ordered a complete new set. They are even replacing the ones that show no sign of peeling.

No word on whether the new pieces are any different. New parts should be here in 7-10 days so I will find out then.

Not sure where they are manufactured, but he said they would be shipping from Germany.

 

Hey guys,

They replaced all of the trim and it looks great. Got the tint done too. Will have pictures soon. Didn't get washed when I took it in. Is this the usual?

Hans