Hey Guys,

I'm a newbie to the site and I'm a new owner/first new car buyer of a 2012 Countryman S ALL4. I have an issue and I hope that you guys would be able to help figure out my situation.

I bought my countryman at least 3-4 months ago and ever since I bought it, I've been to the service center 5 times.

The 1st time was when I just got the car. I obtained the vehicle when on a Saturday and the next day I noticed that my radio was acting up and I was unable to read the screen or control the volume. I had to wait two weeks for a loaner and had the radio replaced.

2nd Time: Once the radio was replaced, a week or two later the radio screen was again acting up. I returned to service, they "reprogrammed" it and the issue is supposedly corrected but from time to time the Sirus Channels on the radio tend to reset and then go back to normal. (Weird)

3rd Time: The car would lower in volume as I'm driving home or to work. I am unable to raise the volume up for quite a while. I was told that it was the radio again but then they came back ad I was told that it was the AMP in the car. Supposedly it has a safety function where it shuts down part of itself to prevent overheating and that it is a feature on the car. I have brought this matter a number of times before to Mini but this is the first that they came back with an answer to me. - Is this true? Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

4th time: In the Countryman, there are buttons on the bottom of the center console that control the fog lights, sports mode, window lock, and traction control. One day, they all stopped working. I brought it to service and they held it for 3-4 days I believe. They come back to tell me that the wires were loose and got disconnected. (Unbelievable, right?)

5th & Final Time: Last weekend, I got a check engine light and a reduction of engine power notice form the MINI. I brought it to get serviced again and they told me it was the thermostat and that boost levels were too high causing the car to think that it was overheating. (Which is something I see many members stating on this forum). They thermostat was replaced and I got my vehicle back.

I was unable to speak to my service rep as she was out and I came in late last night to recover it. I will be calling her today to speak to her about these issues but I wanted to get you guys opinion on my situation.

What do you guys think? Is my car a lemon? Should I exchange or get a refund? How would you guys proceed?

Hope to hear from you guys!
Thanks!

 

The New York state Attorney General's website does a good job of explaining NY's lemon law.

 

Thanks, I've looked into it and I spoke to Mini - they want me to create a claim for this matter... I feel like they are beating around the bush.

what to do, what to do (-_-)

 

Document everything and prepare the paperwork as described by the NY state law.

It will only help you get a resoution sooner rather than later.

Don't bother talking to the dealer about lemon law. They have no authority to file or honor a claim. You need Mini of America. It's a division of BMW of America and they're in NJ.

Try this

sophy.mak@miniusa.com

Describe in detail your concerns. Follow the guidelines that NY law ask for and see where it goes.

I know first hand btw.

 

Thanks a ton, Knownman!

Is Sophy with the claims department at MINI? I will send Sophy an email and keep you all posted on the progress. I hope this all does get resolved sooner than later.

How did things end with you?

 

I had many issues with the engine limp mode standing my wife and kids several times. I documented the issue, called MINI USA consumer care to file a claim. In parallel I filed a safety claim with NHTSA and filled a lemon law claim with my state (SC). After several offers back and forth with MINI and a bit of a "threat" on my part to share my terrible mini experience broadly, they offered to take the car back and replace it. Stay on them !