Sunroof does not open when it's warm out
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 5
From: Hauppauge, NY
It's amazing how many dealers "have never heard" of so many common problems. Don't worry, though. The minute the car is out of warranty the same problem the dealer never heard of will magically become "common for this car - we see this all the time". Funny how that works.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
Update...Concord MINI has had Winston since Monday...They were not able to duplicate the problem yesterday, so they kept it an extra day. No problemo on my part, I just want it fixed. Today they were able to duplicate. They tried re-setting the program on the motor. Let the car sit, and tried again. The problem came back. They think the high temps in the car when the weather is hot causes the motor to over-heat. They are trying to locate one now. If they have one in stock, the car should be ready by tomorrow. If not, then by Thursday. But I think they will have a hard time finding a motor as this thread seems to indicate that the parts are on back order. No worries they hooked me up with a Z4 loaner car
. There were no MINI's to lend out so they let me have the Z4. They also had a 328, but I didn't push the issue. If I have the Z4 this weekend, I'm taking the girl on a cruise to the Wine Country.
Concord MINI has been excellent so far!!!
. There were no MINI's to lend out so they let me have the Z4. They also had a 328, but I didn't push the issue. If I have the Z4 this weekend, I'm taking the girl on a cruise to the Wine Country.Concord MINI has been excellent so far!!!
Update V3:
Niello got my MINI to act up! They're keeping it overnight and possibly replacing the drive unit tomorrow. We'll see.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Upsidedownsville, CA
It's amazing how many dealers "have never heard" of so many common problems. Don't worry, though. The minute the car is out of warranty the same problem the dealer never heard of will magically become "common for this car - we see this all the time". Funny how that works.
jjp007: Only room for 2 in the Z4
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, NY
hey miniclubman, I am assuming you purchased your mini from Habberstad. If you did, how has your experience been with service? I ordered mine from them a few weeks ago and it finally went into Scheduled for Production yesterday. Can't wait!
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Upsidedownsville, CA
I'll post again tomorrow...BTW, I'd be strongly hinting for a MINI loaner right about now. Did their diagnosis change each time?
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Upsidedownsville, CA
There must be something out internally about this as Concord MINI said it was the motor as well on their initial diagnosis. I should know today if it is fixed. I'm supposed to get a call by 3pm today.
Just checked on it again. They say the new drive assembly did the trick.
They're still "buttoning it all back together and want to make sure its detailed", though. ANOTHER DAY in a hybrid!
They're still "buttoning it all back together and want to make sure its detailed", though. ANOTHER DAY in a hybrid!
Last edited by User 051420; Jun 19, 2008 at 03:50 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Upsidedownsville, CA
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
nsarchett, when you say new drive assembly, what did they do? Did they have to order new motor for the sunroof (or order anything)? I have an appointment in July to fix sunroof issue and a few other problems and would like to plan ahead if something needs to be ordered.
Alright. Final word, hopefully.
I went to Niello to get my parking permit out of my MINI. Not surprisingly, my MINI was DONE and waiting outside. Of course, they still wanted me to pick it up tomorrow so they could detail and QC it. I insisted that I pick take it home tonight.
After more deliberation, I got it. Thus far, no sunroof issues. It even seems to open faster an much smoother.
I'll know which parts were replaced in a few days when I get the paperwork in the mail. I was in too great of a hurry to wait for them to draw it all up. I do know that the glass nor seals were replaced.
I'm happy so far, but don't think I'll go back to Niello for anything in the future. If it's not a mechanical breakdown, it's not getting fixed.
I went to Niello to get my parking permit out of my MINI. Not surprisingly, my MINI was DONE and waiting outside. Of course, they still wanted me to pick it up tomorrow so they could detail and QC it. I insisted that I pick take it home tonight.
After more deliberation, I got it. Thus far, no sunroof issues. It even seems to open faster an much smoother.
I'll know which parts were replaced in a few days when I get the paperwork in the mail. I was in too great of a hurry to wait for them to draw it all up. I do know that the glass nor seals were replaced.
I'm happy so far, but don't think I'll go back to Niello for anything in the future. If it's not a mechanical breakdown, it's not getting fixed.
I thought I already had my last word?
Final Verdict:
Replacing the sunroof drive assembly DID NOT repair the problem. The car sat in 95 degree sunshine for 3 hours and refused to open. My advice is to make MINI aware of the problem, but don't waste your time having the motor replaced until they come out with an improved model.
For me, I'm living with it.
Final Verdict:
Replacing the sunroof drive assembly DID NOT repair the problem. The car sat in 95 degree sunshine for 3 hours and refused to open. My advice is to make MINI aware of the problem, but don't waste your time having the motor replaced until they come out with an improved model.
For me, I'm living with it.
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 918
Likes: 0
It seems like that is the mentality that one must adopt for almost any problem with a MINI. I have to say I'm disappointed with the amount of flippin' problems these cars have.
Guest
Posts: n/a
i've been driving MINIs since 02 and I've learned to love their quirks.. it's what makes them special.
Ollie just has some... issues... I love him nevertheless.
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 918
Likes: 0
design defects, poor build quality etc, shouldn't be what make MINIs stand out. It's sad when I hear people say that rattles or other defects that service depts./MINI has failed to fix are what makes their car unique.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
nsarchett did you let the dealership know that the new motor did not fix the problem?
nsarchett did you let the dealership know that the new motor did not fix the problem?
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Upsidedownsville, CA
Not yet. I took the vehicle early with the understanding that the service department didn't do any QC checks on the vehicle. Thus, if they were to check it further, they would have kept the car longer. It's my fault for taking it early, theirs for saying it was "done".
They will keep checking and advise. I still have the Z4, and its nice cruising weather out. Do I keep the Z or get Winston back? Good thing I don't need the 4 seats though.But you are right...they (or us) need to let MINI know of our problem and hopefully we can get a TSB out to correct the problem.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Upsidedownsville, CA
Just spoke to David, the MSA of MINI of Concord, and he said they are still working on it. He says that he keeps the factory apprised of the issue. He told me there was nothing I could tell MINI at this point that they don't already know.
He was very cool, and didn't mention anything about returning my loaner car. Looks like I'm waiting for Monday to see what else they can find.
He was very cool, and didn't mention anything about returning my loaner car. Looks like I'm waiting for Monday to see what else they can find.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Upsidedownsville, CA
Even then so...I'm confident a fix will be found. It may take some time to sort it out though.