Ok I just got back from the Dealer. My Countryman S was making a high pitched whining noise. there is a tube that goes from the intake to the turbo and on on that hose there is a boot the connection. The boot has a screw used to hold the connection, the screw had been overtightened at the factory. This caused the boot to go out of shape and break apart. Those pieces of the rubber boot that broke off had gotten into the turbo and damaged it. They wanted to say I had done this. I argued with them and said there is now way I had even touched it. They wanted me to pay for a new turbo. I said this needs to get escalated up to Mini Corporate. Luckily the Field Engineer was at the Dealer today and I met him there and we both took a look at it. In the end the are replacing the part under warranty. Has anyone else had this happen?

 

No, but it sounds like a typical Mini dealer trying to blame the customer. Glad you got it resolved.

 

I can't believe how insulting some of these dealers can be to their customer's intelligence.

I wonder what would happen of everyone would start including the name of the dealer who tried to screw them?

 

The dealers are good at passing the buck...lol.. Its a shame really.. They should cover it.. Im glad for yah..But I would have a hard time ever going back to your dealer again..

 

Just playing the "other side"... Lots of MINI owners are enthusiast and modify all sorts of stuff. I am sure dealers see modded cars all of the time and everyone handles them differently. Items that are tightened with screws at the factory are tightened with usually air ratchets or air guns that are for that exact part to be assembled and they are set to a specific torque setting. This ensures quality control and nothing is too tight or too loose.

Looking at the situation through the dealer's eyes I can totally see how they may have thought that an owner messed with the vehicle and caused the issue. I am accusing your of actually doing it, but understand the dealer is not out to "get you" and looking out for their best interest. If they replace this under warranty without any sort of escalation or Puma case then if MINI USA denies the claim then the dealer eats everything. Dealers don't like losing money, especially from their biggest revenue generator (Service).

 

I don't see any issue with including the name of the dealer at all. It would be useful information to those who are in the process of selecting a dealer.

 

+1

And I did actually did see this happen but on an early R56. That area can have some issues staying on tight if removed and re-installed incorrectly due to blow-by accumulation.

Glad to see the process worked bigdog and your MINI will be fixed.....