I wanted to create a thread where we could consolidate history of buyers without the dash storage. I have been communicating with Mini USA customer service about this and want to share the info I've learned so we can all collectively move towards getting this fixed.

- replacement parts are available to the dealers, but there is no "kit" (the word they keep using) which would have all the parts and a unique part number.

- the kit should become available in about a month or so (so said the rep, conveyed to him by "specialists" - again more customer service terms)

- when the kit becomes available a bulletin will go out to the dealers to make them aware. At that point management at Mini will have decided if they are going to cover the cost of the parts and labor to install, or tell us tough luck you have to pay for it. If your dealer orders the parts for you before that time Mini will not cover it, nor the installation.

- Mini knows exactly which cars by VIN and build date are missing the storage compartment, so no, your dealers service department will not be able to fake it and say your storage box is broken and replace it on warranty

That's all I know right now. I'm hopeful that they will install these for us for free as it is clearly the right thing to do. Never the less it would not hurt to let Mini USA know how dissatisfied you will be if they do not.

So here is to hoping for a happy ending where we all eventually bring our cars in to have this fixed and finally have a complete car.

 

Thanks lava. I can't imagine MINI charging us for the dash storage kit. With most cars this situation would be no big thing, but the R56 has so little storage space that every additional bit is important.

 

Cool, thanks Lava! My storage compartment is currently non-operational. I'll be pretty sour if everyone else gets one from now on and we early adopters won't! That would suck!

 

Exactly. And somewhere inside Mini there are some people who ultimately have to make this decision, and I want them to know how we feel about it. But who is it, and how do we reach them.

 

Im also one of those "missing" my dash storage box. Im hoping that MINI will do the right thing and not make us pay to get something that rightfully belonged in the car in the first place.

 

Ditto...

Am I the only one who is irritated everytime someone picks up a new R56 and it's working for them? (Nothing against those folks!)....MINI needs to do us right here.

 

just picked mine up tonight, dash works. 4/23/07

 

No upper box on mine, either.

 

Thanks Greg. I'm going to bring this up when I call about my MFSW.

 

Yesterday my MA told me they just aren't doing them anymore. I did not press him on it, I figured he easily could be misinformed. I'll anxiously keep a close eye here!

 

He is mis-informed. As a read of the NAM messageboards shows the cars now come with the storage compartment working as promised. You know more about this than he does. In the end the MA's opinion does not matter as much as the service manager who will install the parts.

If anybody has any other details from their own experience please post the info. Otherwise just be sure at some point to call AskMini, speak to a customer rep, and let them know you want/expect the dash storage to be installed. There are certain talking points that we all should be aware of and use when discussing the issue.

- The MCs and MCSs ordered today come with the dash storage - standard.
- Early builds of the US MCs and MCSs included the dash storage - we all saw these at the various auto shows where the cars were shown. Many photos from the Detroit show were posted (I saw and operated this storage compartment myself at the Philadelphia Auto Show.) We all expected our cars to come so equipped, and today they in fact do.
- I consider the absence of the dash storage a defect that they must correct. Mini has already issued a bulletin to dealers acknowledging that these storage compartments were being closed because a defect caused them to rattle. I will not accept this as a change in "spec" - it is a defect.

 

I went to my dealership today and was told they hadnt heard of a fix yet. They received a bulletin from MINI telling them to seal the compartments but didnt. Mine was their first '07 and came to them already sealed. They think I may not even have the compartment which doesnt really make sense in light of the earlier builds at the car shows, etc. My SA is making some calls and is supposed to be getting back to me shortly.

 

Bought mine on 3/31/07. Build week or month? is 1/07-
No storage compartment. I have brushed alloy interior. I was able to remove the panel, however. The is a space for a cd changer and wiring.
I'm irritated because when I was test driving the demo car, the MA made a point to show me the "compartment."

 

My MCS does not have the in-dash storage. Let's face it, this car needs all the storage it has available.

 

My dealer's service department checked my car and the storage box and hinge assembly was not present in my car, likely removed at the VDC. If the panel was removed you would just have a hole that exposed the inside of the dash.

I appreciate you inquiring. Perhaps if Mini gets a flurry of calls something will get moving. They are making the parts and putting them in new cars now - how about us early buyers who are waiting on these parts. Throw us a bone.

 

Called last night about this and my MFSW. He had no official news but "felt" the box fix would be in a month or so and the MFSW would be more like two months. He said call every 14 days or so to check on progress. I need to find out how to get on the double secret, multiple items missing too long, compensation needed list.

 

Got a VM from my SA, apparently the parts are not available yet. He did say that a "service action" is planned for the future, they are still determining the best way to fix it so there will be no rattles and wont be a cheap fix. Unfortunately they have not given any sort of dates for this service action as he called it.

 

My 07 has the compartment and it rattles. talked to the tech and he mentioned the bullitin to screw the box shut.
He said he wouldn't do it. still tring to fix the rattle.

 

Trinity - the fix should not be expensive. They have an assembly that does not rattle now - they are installing it in the new cars they are building.

Jimbo, was yours an early build? Week 4 or earlier? Or do you have a later build with the revised storage door - and it is still rattling? If you have an early one then you should be entitled to the new parts when they become available.

 

It's an early build (1/07). I've so far resisted the temptation to somehow open it myself and see what's back there. I'm also waiting for the multifunction wheel I did not get. Oh well, I guess it's not too bad all things considered.

-JL

 

Lava thanks for taking this on, I am an affected car, my dash compartment was sealed pre delivery.

 

I just figured that more ears, and a central place to post what you know would help.

Jim, maybe we should start a similar thread for the MFSW. I'm waiting for that too, and increasingly thinking I'm going to pass on it when it comes...

 

I picked up my 07 2 weeks ago. I popped out the cover - it was held in by push pins- and found the wiring only. My service writer told me the opening cover only comes with a cd changer. I live 1 mile from bmwna and know some executives there and I will get an answer.

 

Any update? I'm really itching for this extra space.

 

I have an early car with the storage....It rattles so bad I wish it were glued shut! I have a service appointment next week so I'll see if they have the fix or not.