MINI needs to fix it with either a REAL chrome beltline or a quality simulated plastic one. I do not want another tape treatment. Like Mark said, I can see another tape replacement holding until the warranty expires, then its off again.

Overall it is very disappointing from a company like BMW - and a car that cost $34k. Both my wife and I love the way the car looks and drives, but the quality with this and a couple of other things is quite suspect and gives me pause about buying another MINI product. I know "chrome-gate" has probably turned off some of my friends to the brand already.

 

I have an early-March build. So far, it seems I missed the chrome problem and only got the software update that disables the USB.

I just sent in my JD Powers survey. Only problem I mentioned was MINI Connect - told them it was over promised and under delivered. Maybe they'll listen to JDP if enough people report.

 

Mine is still OK, but, my build was last December. I suspect MINI is dealing with the supplier of the trim pieces to determine what they tried different that showed up in the late March builds. If it is not a greedy make more money issue, it could be related to the tsunami. Whatever the problem is, it most certainly involves litigation and MINI will have to keep quiet to protect their (& our) interests. I hope I would be as tolerant if my MINI was peeling chrome tape.

As upset as you all are with the issue, I'm pretty sure MINI is grinding their teeth and looking a lot of lost reputation and customer base.

Pretend the chrome is perfect and go motor. That's what the car is for and that's why you bought it.

Bill

 

I received my JD Power survey yesterday. It definitely reflected especially in overall quality. If Mini will skimp on this part then where else did they save a buck and I will pay for down the road?

I really didn't want to tarnish the brand in JD Power, but I was torn to send a message to Mini that cutting corners is not acceptable.

 

As bad as this looks, I feel it is a minor issue. At the same time, I would definitely hammer them on a survey. (Surf Blue Delivered 5/6)

 

I have to agree with you MINItitan. Things happen; the world isn't perfect. Every part of the car is mass produced and some if not a lot of the items on the car are outsourced to other manufacturers.

At the end of the day it's just cosmetic and it can be fixed and replaced once MINI finds a solution.

 

Yes things happen. My 09 MCS has had only had one problem; at about 30 months of age the water pump went. Also my 09 Volvo at about 24 months had one wheel bearing go bad.

These are examples of "things happen". But when a new car which should have been tested and the company already had a tried and trusted method for chrome on previous cars...then no excuses.

 

I agree that the defect itself is not a major issue. The problem is exactly what miniwpbear stated above. This defect should easily have been discovered and eliminated during a sound new product development program. A simple thermal cycle would have caught the defect.They obviously didn't test this part sufficiently, so what else did they miss in the process of bringing this new design to market?

The other issue I have is the poor response from MINI regarding this problem. Yes; no one is going to die over bad trim. I agree we do not need a worldwide recall, or something to that magnitude. BUT the response I have had so far is closer to a simple brushoff, as if the problem were not even worth discussing.
I did not get a chance to visit my dealer last night, but I plan to tonight. We'll see what their attitude is towards this. Maybe it has changed...

Mark

 

I have to point out that there are pre March(ish) CM's that do not have this problem... I would imagine that any pre launch testing didn't show this defect. Perhaps just a bad batch or the third party manufacturer changed something

 

They may design it in house using design engineers and then outsource to a supplier, possibly the lowest bidder...as long as they meet the specifications. Or they may just provide the specs and outsource the entire design these days, and then constantly hammer the supplier on price. Every company has goals for increasing margins. So each new model they look at the previous designs and learn what they can do better, meaning lowering part costs with quality "as good as" or better. But what does quality mean? If the tape never peeled you probably would never realize it was tape. You might have thought it was metal and hence as good as previous models. But they screwed up, so not only is it going to cost them more, but it's going to cost them in terms of reputation, which is the bigger cost. They had better make it up quick and demonstrate that they are a reputable brand that's not just looking to cut corners. I hated that Nissan did that, and that finally turned me off to the brand as a long time Nissan owner of four vehicles.

 

Mine showed up too. I sent the "message" in mine... I'm not happy about it. Its taken way to long to come up with a fix. Maybe JD can get me hooked up..

 

I have a Pre-March built one, so no problems. I want to comment that in the grand scheme of things, this issue is really a very MINOR issue. We all could be having serious issues i.e.- engine, suspension, etc So when all of you who have commented on "tearing" MINI up on a survey, remember this, it is great to be honest in your feedback, but not okay to exagerate or embellish the issue. this will affect resale eventually.......I know we spent money on the vehicle, but we chose to buy/order first run MINIs....and the comment about the guy who has turned off his co-workers because of this issue...REALLY...maybe good those folks didn't buy into the brand! I am not out to make people mad, but enjoy the car for why you got it...to drive, smile and love life.....jusy sayin...

 

This is easy for you to say since you do not have this on your Mini.

First run is not an excuse. First, since pre-March no issues and second, it is not rocket science to use the same trim from older models if it was working just fine.

My final issue is that while I knew ahead of time the Mini dealer was far away I took comfort in knowing that I trusted the brand. Do we want Mini to think that lowering quality just to save a penny is ok? I do not.

Do you want Mini to be Kia where the plastic radio ***** fall off in your hand. Yes another minor issue in theory but at least the Kia dealer is next door in most cities whereas Mini is on average over 200 miles (That is what the Mini SA told me) from a customer.

As far as the survey goes I think the JD Power survey is a good thing. Mini should take the results and improve the shortcomings. I know Mini sent a survey but it was too early after delivery and was not as comprehensive.

The detailed questions and responses hopefully will make a difference to future Mini's.

 

It appears all the 'pre-March' CM owners seem to think this is a 'minor issue', but I'm sure they would feel differently if they had chrome tape hanging and flapping in the breeze from your brand-new $34,000 car only two weeks after driving off the lot!

Then, having to wait indefinitely as a committee in Germany convenes to "find a fix." Here's a suggestion, put real chrome on the car!!

And, to repeat an earlier comment I made, it really steals the fun out of showing off your new ride to friends - and hurts the overall image of MINI!

 

I'm in the same boat you are Boca my car landed in TX in early May... and I agree with your last statement the most!

 

Taco, Your right. Its not a safety issue so its not a HUGE issue, but to those of us whos cars its happening to its a big deal. It looks horrible..

And as for tearing Mini up on a survey.. I just answered the questions honestly. I'm in no way being unfair to Mini.. My car does stumble on acceleration, it does downshift hard into first gear and it does have chrome trim(covered by black) flapping in the wind..
If you had those things you may have answered your survey differently.. My VW was a piece of sh*t and they didnt get a good survey either.. But that car had 15 warranty claims in 18 months.. it deserved it..

I hope Mini will at least try and get this fixed quickly.

My dealer is 50 miles away..

 

I was in the vicinity of my dealer yesterday and stopped in to see if they would replace the chrome on my boot as it is peeling really badly. My MA told me the current policy is to not replace peeling trim with same sub-standard parts. Instead they are having us wait until the permanent fix is in. He said they are expecting it in early October. Oy...

Everyone takes a second look at this car. People who are 'car people' are especially intrigued by it. Anyone who looks it over is going to be turned off by this trim issue. I think Mini is compounding their mistakes by not replacing trim that is totally peeling off. I'm still shocked how cheap this chrome trim is. Here's hoping the permanent fix is more than cheap plastic covered with an improved chrome tape.

 

Seems like this magic date keeps moving farther and farther out. I agree with the person that posted this isn't rocket science. No excuse why a redesigned part shouldn't be out already. If it isn't happening in the rest of the Mini line, move production of these parts to supplier/process used on those and maintain the same requirements and standards the reset of the Mini line has on the chrome strips.

 

+1!

 

This is what I was told. (Yet another rumor)

MINI is in the process of changing out the chrome pieces to those made of aluminum like the hardtops. It is taking time for them to get out of their contract with the company that was previously manufacturing the chrome trim. Apparently the company changed the process (probably to save money & related in a small way to the earthquake) without informing MINI. Since MINI has a legal contract they can't get the parts from another vendor.

These issues do take time to go through negotiations and the courts. I'm glas I don't have to test my patience as my build was before the change. I'm assuming you'all get yours under warrantee and I will get to pay when mine fail in four years.

Bill

 

Thanks Bill. But, it seems that if the vendor changed the process WITHOUT notifying MINI and this occurred, then the contract would be void.

 

Void or voidable? There can be years worth of litigation involved in any contract dispute. Either way MINI should be stepping up and offering an alternative in some way. Of course I bet there is testing and other negotiations to be worked out even for the fix. No I don't think it is right of MINI to take a long time, but at the same time do you want a substandard fix or a good lasting fix (assuming MINI gets it right when the fix is presented which they never did for the trim on cabrio).

Michael

 

Count me in on this issue. Have had our CM for about 3 weeks. Havent spoken to Mini yet.

 

They held my car at the port for three weeks b/c it had the trim issue then didn't fix it. And I picked it up with a bubble under the back window which has worsened since it has rained several days. Only had it a week now and I think it will start to hang off shortly. MA says I'm on the list. The question is whether they replace all the trim or just as they go bad.

 

When my MA saw my car (6 weeks ago) It was only in one spot. He immediately informed me that all trim pcs will be replaced. (others trim pcs are starting to fail as well - it hit 104 in Houston today)