Long!

The car is now being taken by Roadside Assistance to MINI of Manhattan as Hassel refuses to fix the vehicle they tampered with. MINI corporate says my engine warranty is not void, my VIN is just flagged for aftermarket parts which are now not in the vehicle and the vehcile was returned to stock as dictated by the MINI rep and done while at Hassel by their Chief tech. So none of my wire splicing is even part of the equation any longer. Since this has dragged on I've done quite a bit of digging on Hassel and they've got a bad reputation beyond even my car and this goes for Bimmers too. I say stay away because they are aweful at every level in the Service Department. They lie like its the truth and you'd never know, not to mention they try and double dip warranty work by charging the unsuspecting customer by saying the work was not covered by warranty. I worked specifically with Jason Barach (service advisor), basiacly a pawn, not a bad guy but never follows up about anything. Jim Delveccio (filled in for Service Manager John Choe while he was away), lie through his teeth and real smooth like, never followed up with me or DMV when called. John choe (Service Manager) another liar, never followed up my multiple phone calls and has no mechanical experience so he's really not qualified to be a Service Manager.

Here is the saga from day 1 as it was sent to the NYS DA's Office:

[FONT=Arial]Monday, June 2, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]My 2007 Mini Cooper S began to run poorly after start up. I called MINI Roadside Assistance to have the vehicle picked up and brought to Hassell MINI in Freeport (“Hassell”), which is where I purchased the vehicle and also the closest MINI dealer/repair facility to my home. After Mini Roadside Assistance dropped the vehicle off I spoke with Jason Barach (service advisor). I asked for a loaner vehicle and was told none were available. Jason said he would call me the next day, but that call never came. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Tuesday, June 3, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]After not receiving a call all day, I contacted Jason myself at 5:42 PM on June 3, 2008. Jason told me that they would not work on the car because of aftermarket items that were installed. I objected and told Jason I would call back the next morning to speak with the Service Manager, John Choe. The next morning I spoke with Jason again after attempting to talk with Mr. Choe, who was conveniently unavailable. Mr. Choe never attempted to call me back. Jason told me they would only repair my vehicle under warranty until after I disconnected the aftermarket items and returned the vehicle to its original configuration. I also asked to speak with the MINI tech who was requiring the changes and I was told they do not speak to customers. I told Jason this was illegal under the Magnessen-Moss Act as the dealer could not put pre-conditions on the service of my vehicle, but Jason refused to discuss it and said the management did not care about the Act I mentioned. He again demanded that unless the products were removed from the car, no work would be performed. Although I felt the position of Hassell was unfounded in light of the warranty covering all the aspects of the workings of my new car, I, as a consumer had little alternative if I wanted to have my car repaired but to acquiesce with their demands as the costs of having the car towed from Hassell to the next closest authorized MINI repair shop in Huntington Station seemed too cost prohibitive at the time (since I was being denied repair under warranty, I was no longer covered by MINI Roadside Assistance). [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Wednesday, June 4, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Thankfully, I am experienced in automotive repair so on June 4, 2008, I was able to borrow a car to drive to Hassell from my workplace in Copiague to disconnect the items and return the vehicle to its factory configuration as demanded in order to receive service. Had I not known how to work on the items they demanded I remove, the vehicle would have had to have been brought to another shop to have the parts removed, which again seemed too cost prohibitive at the time. Eager to have my vehicle repaired promptly, I reluctantly capitulated to their demands in the interest of having the vehicle repaired. The items Hassell demanded I remove were a voltage Stabilizer and a sensor data logging module that records boost pressure and intake air temperature. Neither of these items should have any effect nor cause mechanical damage to the engine. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]After disconnecting the items at the dealership, I met with Jason who told me he would be in contact with me the next day. As Jason was not in the service area when I disconnected the items, he asked if I had removed the items from the vehicle. I told him no because that was not what had been demanded. Furthermore, I advised him that I did not have the proper tools or time to completely remove the items, but the items were completely disconnected and the car was now in the original configuration demanded. In an effort to expedite my repair, I indicated to Jason that I would be willing to pay for the repair if Hassell could show, either during or after repair, that my aftermarket items caused the engine problem, provided, however, Hassell honor the warranty and cover all costs of the repair if they found no connection between the vehicle’s problem and my aftermarket items. This proposition was verbally agreed to by Jason who indicated they would “take care of it” and get in touch with me. We shook hands and I left Hassell with the impression that my vehicle would be worked on either that day or the next. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Thursday, June 5, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]The next day however (June 5th)) Jason called me at 1:11 PM and advised Hassell would still not work on my vehicle due to Hassel’s contention as a result of the MINI Technician’s belief that the aftermarket items caused the damage. Jason asked if I had any proof of what the items were and I told him the I might for the voltage stabilizer but the other item was a homemade data-logger that was custom made. He said this would help the Tech to change his mind.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Friday, June 6, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Frustrated by the waffling I was experiencing with Hassell, I again tried to speak with Service Manager John Choe on June 6th. As I was told he was away from his office and would be back, I left a message and was told \to expect a call from Mr. Choe later in the day, but a call never came. At this point, I contacted MINI Customer Service later that same day and spoke with Representative Rachel (P: 866.275.6464 ext. 8846 - they will not provide a last name nor employee number). I explained the situation to her and she said she would have to contact the dealer and find out more details before she could help. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Monday, June 9, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]On Monday, June 9, 2008 I was called by Rachel and was told Hassell MINI was preparing an agreement that would cover the proposition concerning repair I had suggested and that MINI Corporate already agreed with my position that the warranty would cover the repair if my aftermarket items were found not at fault. I was told the agreement would be provided shortly. I waited all day Monday and called Jason several times throughout the day to determine when I could expect to receive the agreement, but was continuously told it was “being worked on” and would be ready shortly. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Tuesday, June 10, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]On Tuesday, having still not receive the promised agreement, I contacted Jason once again who assured me the agreement had been prepared and would be faxed once Hassel’s General Manager, Robert Portesy, approved it. As Tuesday morning became Tuesday afternoon and still no agreement had been faxed nor word received from Jason indicating a delay, I once again contacted Rachel at MINI Corporate to complain about the manner in which this was being handled. She indicated she would try and call Hassell to help expedite the process. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Wednesday, June 11, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]By late morning on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 I still had not seen nor heard anything from Jason, so I called Jason again who advised he was still waiting for Robert Portesy, the General Manager to approve the agreement. As at this point a week and a half had passed, during which time I had no vehicle, my frustration was increasing steadily. I contacted Rachel in MINI Corporate again and was told she basically could do nothing further for me. With nowhere and no one left to turn to, I again tried to speak with the Service Manager, Mr. Choe, who by the way had never once returned my call during the week and a half which had elapsed, and was now told he was away on vacation. I asked for his backup and was forwarded to Manager Jim Delveccio who proceeded to re-iterate what Jason had told me about the General Manager needing to approve the agreement. Wednesday afternoon I was called by Jason who told me the General Manager would not approve the agreement and in order for Hassell to repair the problem with my vehicle, I would have to prepay the diagnosis before they would begin the repair. Infuriated by the incessant run around, I tried contacting Robert Portesy, the General Manager, to address the matter directly with him, but was told he was out and that I could leave a message and my call would be returned. Why I expected someone in a supervisory capacity at Hassell to contact me when no one there had during the past week and a half is beyond me, but I was getting pretty desperate at the thought of not having my car for what was looking like 2 weeks and was willing to believe in miracles. Needless to say, I still await Mr. Portesy’s call, together with that of Mr. Choe and here we are more than 2 weeks later. I again contacted Rachel in MINI Corporate and pleaded for her help, but she told me again that she could not force Hassell to do anything even though she and MINI Corporate agreed with my proposition and position. With no choice but to pay in advance in order to have my vehicle diagnosed, I provided my credit card for the deposit demanded in order to expedite the repair of my vehicle and was told they would begin looking at my car. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Thursday, June 12, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]The next day, June 12,, 2008, receiving no call concerning the status of my vehicle’s diagnosis, I again had to contact Jason to find out status and I was told they were working on it. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]Friday, June 13, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]The following day, Friday, June 13, 2008, I was finally called by Jason only to be advised the technicians had worked on the vehicle, but now waiting for a tool that might be in on the late afternoon or the Saturday delivery and would be used on Monday, June 16, 2008. He also said that the Tech had the tool in his personal tools at his home either way in case the tool did not come in. Looking to see what exactly was going on with my vehicle, I went by the dealership late Friday under the guise of removing one of the aftermarket items. As Jason accompanied me to my vehicle, he told me it had been put back together after the work which had been performed due to the need to keep the vehicle outside, but I could tell everything that would have had to have been moved was in the same place as prior to the problem and that nothing had been done. Jason asked me again if I had found the paperwork for the voltage stabilizer, I told him I had and I would make it available the next time I was there. I also told him I had done searched online with Google looking for what the Tech thought I had (Tech called it a “boost box”). I told Jason I found a number of items but of course nothing even remotely resembled mine. He asked that I forward what I found. Jason also told me that he was hoping they would find that what was wrong and the MINI Tech would authorize it to be fixed under warranty. Jason also mentioned it was a cam lock tool they were waiting for.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Monday, June 16, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]On Monday, June 16th I forwarded the Google search items to Jason as he had requested. I then waited for Jason’s call advising the tool needed had been received and the vehicle worked on, but that did not occur. Calling Monday afternoon, I was told Jason left the office and therefore I spoke to the Customer Service receptionist to determine the status of my vehicle’s repair. I was told that my car was “almost done” and to call in the morning the next day, Tuesday, June 17th. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Tuesday, June 17, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]I waited until about 1PM on June 17, 2008 to call Jason, but after not being able to reach him after 3-4 attempts, I again spoke with a Customer Service receptionist who advised my car was repaired but that Jason had to complete the paperwork and that I should call him back after an hour when he was done with lunch. After calling Jason at 3PM and leaving him a message, Jason called back about 10 minutes later only to say the tool was on backorder and that the information concerning my vehicle being “done” was incorrect. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Wednesday, June 17, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]As I write this today, June 17th, I await confirmation from Jason tomorrow, June 18, 2008 as to when the backordered tool will be available. Needless to say, my disgust and frustration cannot be put into words. Its 1:45PM and no word from Jason after he told me he would receive the report in the morning. I contacted Jason again at 3PM and left him a message that I was waiting for details on the where abouts of the tool. Spoke with Rachel at MINI Customer Service and told her that I wanted some consideration from MINI in that I felt it was not right to have to pay for a car I did not have and wanted to be re-imbursed the cost of the lease and insurance for each day I was not able to use the vehicle. At 4PM I called and spoke with Jim Delveccio and he mentioned to me about DMV’s call on Tuesday June 17, 2008. I mentioned to him I was aware of that but I wanted to know where the tool was and he mentioned they were still waiting for a compression check tool. I told him I had not herd from Jason as promised about the details of the tool backorder. He tried to get Jason but was unable and told me he would call me back, Jason called me a few minutes later saying the tool was out with FedEx and they were trying to track it. Again spoke with Jim Delveccio about the fact that I’m being told first it was a cam lock tool, and now it’s a compression check tool. He said he spoke with his head tech yesterday and was told it was a compression check tool. He also told me the new 2007+ MINI’s use a different plug than the previous MINI models and any other cars including the BMW’s so they needed a special tool. This is a blatant lie as all the new MINI’s since 2001 use the same plug and even the new BMW’s use the same plug (Denso Iridium IK20). All 2005 BMW’s except the M3, 50% of the 2006 BMW’s, 30% of the 2007 BMW’s, 2008 BMW 550, 2008 Honda Element, 75% of the 2007 Honda’s, 75% of the 2006 Honda’s and on and on. I called Rachel again and told her about Jim’s lie and that it would be mentioned to DMV, the NYS DA and the FTC.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial] [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial] [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Thursday, June 18, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Spoke with Nancy Eckhardt of DMV and told her of Jim Delveccio’s lie concerning the compression test. She said she would be speaking with him that afternoon. Jason left me a message about 4PM to ask for permission to remove the Kleemann part for the car and that they wanted to re-do the spliced wiring. I left him a message authorizing the request and that I wanted them to remove the Kleemann unit by unthreading the nut that was holding down the ground wire to the chassis and putting the part in the back seat.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Friday, June 19, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Called Jason to find out status and he told me the MINI techs were off today because they worked last Saturday. This is interesting since last Friday Jason told me the techs would not be in last Saturday. Which is why even if the tool had been received, Jason said they were waiting for, the car could not have been worked on until Monday. Was told they wanted to re-do the MAP sensor wiring with shrink wrap because the splice with tape was not good enough. I spoke with Rachel went over everything from yesterday and got the address to notify MINI of the refusal to repair. (MINI USA PO Box 1227 Westwood, NJ 07675). Rachel has not called me back concerning my request for re-imbursement from MINI.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Monday, June 23, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]I tried to speak with Rachel concerning my request for re-imbursement from MINI, I left her a message request such. Called Jason at 4 PM and I was told the car is having its DME (computer) reprogrammed. Jason told me its been going on for a couple of hours and has another 2 hours or so to go. Pretty interesting considering my brother in law said it should take no more than 1 hour and he is an engineer for BMW. Jason called me around 6PM and told me the techs found oil leaking from the oil seal behind the crank pulley. He also mentioned it looked like one of the pulley bolts looked like it was tampered with. I told him I was the only person that did work on the vehicle and I never touched the pulley and that since the pulley sits low in the engine compartment rocks or debris could have hit the bolts and he said no way. It sounds to me like they are concocting problems so they can get out of covering the bill. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Tuesday, June 24, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Spoke with Nancy Eckhardt from DMV and told her of Hassels’s latest claim, she told me she had yet to hear from Jim Delveccio after she tried to contact him last week. I tried to speak with Rachel concerning my request for re-imbursement from MINI, I left her a message requesting such and explained to her Hassel’s latest claims. Called Jason and he does not pick up, called again to try and speak with John Choe and he is not available, asked to speak with Jim Delveccio and he does not answer his phone. Jason called and said the repair would be $1100.00 to replace the seal and reset the timing. Received call from Nancy Eckhardt suggesting I go to Service facility and speak with John Choe to resolve problem. She said Jim Delveccio suggested this when he finally returned her call.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Wednesday, June 25, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Called Service to confirm John Choe was in and he was. I went to Service facility to speak with Mr. Choe. I ran into Jason who was perplexed as to why I was there and I told him it was to speak to Mr. Choe, I saw him speak to Mr. Choe then walk away with him. He came back a minute or so later and told me Mr. Choe was busy and would see me in about 30 minutes. I waited about 5 minutes then I saw Mr. Choe approach the front desk and then he asked for me. We spoke in his office, he was unsure of why I was visiting him. I told him it was concerning my Mini and that the only acceptable resolution was for them to fix my vehicle under warranty as it was obvious the initial reason for attempting to void my warranty had nothing to do with the real problem. I told him I was dissatisfied with his lack of communication and respect to my calls and messages I left and that he had yet to call me back. He said I was away for two weeks and I asked him when he got back and he said last Thursday, I mentioned that it was now Wednesday and that I should have received a call by now. He then proceeded to say he never got my messages. I also made him aware that I knew that the pulley they said was tampered with had nothing to do with the oil seal. He said oil seal? What oil seal? I explained that the oil seal was supposedly leaking and the timing was off and needed to be adjusted. I explained that the original reasons for refusal were not applicable and could not be linked to the clearly mechanical only problem. I also reminded him it was going on 3+ weeks now and the vehicle could be lemon lawed at 30 days. I also expressed my disgust at how his personnel lied about compression testing and that the plugs and the MINI were not different as Mr. Delveccio clearly fabricated. Mr. Choe flat out refused and told me he would be glad to put the car back together and I could take it somewhere else. I said that was unacceptable as the car needed to be fixed properly before it was run and that I would unwillingly pay for the repair and would see them in court. John then said he would only repair the vehicle if I paid by certified check. I told him he could not force the method of payment on me. I then reiterated that I wanted the car fixed and I left. Spoke with Jason to see when the parts would be coming in and the car repaired. He said the next delivery would be around noon and he would keep his tech late to finish it if he had to.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Thursday, June 26, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]I waited until about 4:30 to call Jason as I had not herd from anyone at Hassel. At 5:30 PM I received a message from John Choe asking for me to call him back and that he would call me back first thing in the morning. Unfortunately when I called him back at 6:10 at Hassel he was gone but I did speak with Jason who told me John Choe had taken my paperwork from him and said he would handle it. Jason had no idea what was up with my vehicle even though he had the day before they were waiting for the oil seal to compete the re-timing.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Friday, June 27, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]John Choe left a message for me at 12:20 and said I should call him back. I called him back and he said they had refunded the diagnostic charge and they would not complete the work on the vehicle and he wanted me to pick up the vehicle. I told him I expected Hassel to have the vehicle taken to the next nearest MINI dealer for repair and he refused. I told him I would get back to him. I spoke to Rachel at MINI Customer Service and expressed what had transpired and she said she would get back to me. I called Rachel again at 5:15 to find out what was going on with my warranty and she said would get back to me shortly. I called Hassel to speak with John Choe again and Jason told me he would definitely call me back before he left for the weekend. Needless to say I had no call from John Choe. Spoke with Rachel again and Roadside Assistance will be picking up my car on Monday afternoon and bringing it to Manhattan Mini.[/FONT]

 

Well I felt bad for you until I read your other thread about this...

I guess you started a new one to avoid the "background" that creeped up in the other thread
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=142757

BTW: To bring everyone up to date from what I gathered from reading the "other" thread...

You soldered into the factory wiring harness a voltage regulator at the ECU point (you claim this is for a stereo setup in the future) in addtion to other soldering points for additional sensors you added and you plan on suing if a mini dealer won't fix your car under warranty and can't prove that your modifications caused it. You claim that the law which allows us to use non-factory brand oil filters and spark plugs allows you to do this and is your point of support they must adhere to....

Well let me correct a few things in your mind....
RULE #1, never ever ever modify the factory wiring harness in a modern car if you want a warranty. Mini puts a sticker on your window where you can see it for a reason, to protect them from people like you. BTW: you argument that the burden of proof is on them not you that your modification didn't cause the issue isn't true as your modification does not comply with any industry standards and quality controls and I should mention you are also wrong about America, the legal system is not "Innocent till proven guilty", the criminal system is. In lawsuits the burden of proof is on the plantiff, and your wife the lawyer should know this, otherwise my man OJ would not be poor as he would not have had to hand over everything he owned from a civil wrongful death suit (not picking on OJ, I can find many of these examples in the news)

Rule #2, Forgetting everything else...the wiring harness is the single most expensive and complex item in your car since your engine is made of many different parts not a single one like the harness. Why would you modify it when their are junction points where you can use connectors that do not require you cutting, soldering and taping.

Rule #3, Something about your story doesn't make sense with the voltage regulator for a stereo. Why place it there... when doing stereo work you always make every attempt to make the stereo independent of the vehicle's internal systems as they are not designed for that kind of electrical power, this is why you use a special, separate battery and dedicated wiring for any stereo system that is not "stock" style.

 

I just finished reading your very long post (as warned by you) and was going to comment on the very poor treatment Hassel was giving you with your MINI but having read the other thread started by you and posted by Corey986 I now have no sympathy,sorry.

 

[quote=Corey986;2337299]

If the other thread was soooooooo necessary how come the administrator saw fit to my second thread. The second thread is to highlight the abismal treatment by Hassel.

None of which matters because the MINI Factory rep resolved it to his liking and I was not charged. So again your rule does not apply as the items that were in the car were not found to have casued the problem!

WRONG AGAIN:
My wife had her staff do full out researech on this and as per numerous consumer protection laws and the Mag-Moss Act the burden of proof is on the Manufacturer

WHATS YOUR POINT THE SECOND TIME AROUND????????

YOU OBVIOUSLY CAN'T READ NOR COMPREHEND THE WRITTEN WORD/S! THE VOLTAGE "STABILIZER" WAS PUT IN TO KEEP THE ECU/ECM/DME'S VOLTAGE STABLE REGARDLESS OF DRAWS FROM THE REST OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IF I WANTED TO PROTECT THE STEREO FROM DROPS I WOULD INSTALL A CAPACITOR.

What's histerical here is I'm in the process of weeding out a dealer that can't stand on one toe when it comes to customer service. So now others are aware of how bad Hassel can be, especially those of us that are performance enthusiasts.

In addition I'm standing up for the rights the Federal Gov't has provided and making sure the Manufacturer does not try to abuse me, the consumer. This is good for consumers because it keeps the OEM's honest.

WAKE UP!

Shawn

 

The other thread has no basis at this point because as I said to begin with my items had no part in the problem.

The MINI Factory Rep used butt connectors to reconnect the wiring, pathetic hack work. I'll be re-doing his work with OE factory connectors when I get my car back.

This new thread is about the dealer and its disgusting treatment. This could have been resolved in 3-4 days had they handlked it properly even if they didn't want to fix the car!

What a sad day when a voice for consumer protection gets drowned out by a sheep trained to be obedient.

Shawn

 

If you wanted to do mods, WHY did you lease instead of buy?

I feel sorry for the unfortunate person who buys that car when you turn it in at the end of the lease...the VIN is flagged and it will become someone a headache for an unsuspecting person.

 

Just in case anyone is wondering where I got the "lease" reference...

 

VIN flag means nothing, as long as nothing is in the car at time of service the second owner should have no issues. Besides the car will be out of warranty when I'm done anyway.

Shawn

 

For those of you who are performance enthusiasts this should be of concern as the manufacturer & dealers are looking at everything, forget the harness since its a dead issue. They are looking at air filters, exhausts, downpipes, etc. If its not BMW/MINI your going to be scrutinized and be VIN flagged regardless of any proof of damage. I'm sure this will extend to suspension parts like sway bars, bushings, control arms, shocks, springs and camber/caster plates, pads, rotors, etc. They will try and find a way to pin the problem on you. For those of you that don't plan on performance mods you've got nothing to worry about.

Shawn

 

modify a leased car, pay the price.
karma is a pretty cut and dried thing, eh Unorthodox?

 

The headache is going to be for UNORTHODOX when MINI gives him the final bill to fix the car back to its original working state so that it can be sold. UNORTHODOX does not own the car, MINI does. Why people modify a LEASED car is beyond me.

 

All I can say is . what did you do?

 

Wow, that's rough! In any case despite all the flak unorthodox is getting, you have to admit the service experience he is getting is pretty horrible - no return calls, no communication, just a lot of frustration.

At the very least a good service department, at this point, would be completely honest with the customer, lay down all the facts, work out next steps, and just overall open the lines of communication. Sounds like the SA is trying to avoid customers, and that's his freaking job. He needs to be replaced w/ someone who actually understands the concept of service.

 

Im guessing that if the customer mods a car incorectly like that, and bashes twice like he has, that he is an unreasonable person to deal with and the dealership dosent want to be bothered with him. i myself have asked similar clients to take there vehicles elsewere.
After all, we only have one side of the story. the side of the one that cobbled up his car!

 

How many years of wrenching/electrical/tuning do you have under your belt? Besides I see again another person that can't read nor comprehend. There was no botched install only a dealer that wasn't happy with the items installed, the vehicle is back in stock form and I still have yet to get my car.

Mini of Manhattan (factory owned dealership) has my car now, they were talking 2-3 hopurs diag because they just want to strart from scratch. Amazing how when Hassel started Diagnostic from scrtach they wanted 67-8 hours diag, sounds pretty fishy to me!

People either read and comprehend or don't comment!

Shawn

 

Another expert on the law!

My name is on the note since its the laws of NY that applies. My last two leases have been this way. I have a set end of lease purchase or I can turn the car in and owe nothing.

If the car behaves I'll probably buy it so it'll still be my car anyway.

Thanks for the lesson on my lease terms!

Shawn

 

Lease just means buy with a smaller monthly payment for the lease term.

If anyone has anything useful to say please drown out the stupidity!

Shawn

 

yeah well it seems to me that U has created the mess he's in, and he's searching for somewhere to place the blame--and gain some empathy in the interim. While it may be true that Hassle MINI is giving him the runaround, U has no one to blame but himself for attempting to make major mods on a *leased* vehicle. Payback can be a real biotch.

 

Mods on a leased vehicle... not a good idea in my book. And yes, as unreasonable as the original poster is here, I'd love to hear the dealership's side of the story. Not saying that the dealership has been as responsive as they could have been, but this seems like a major mess from the get-go. No sympathy from here.

 

All I can say is if the OP did splice into the wiring harness he should have removed the mods before he took the car to the dealership for a problem. Have it towed home, undo the mods, THEN to the dealer. I remember a person who did an air intake mod and blew a head gasket or seal and the SoCal dealer wouldn't fix it because of mods (he took the part off). He hassled with them for weeks (like Unorthodox did) and finally moved it to another dealer who fixed it right away under warranty. IMO for someone like the OP (who claims to have done stuff like this to 2 other cars) to just show up at the dealer with those mods is looking for trouble. And guess what, that's what he got. Quoting some obscure 30 year old law as your main case isn't gonna work in the service dept very often. They fix cars, they don't know legal mumbo jumbo.

 

At this point the OP should apologize to everyone he contacted at the MINI service center. Maybe they will let him off without a lawsuit. This thread is a lesson on everything you should not do.

 

I feel sorry for everyone involved, what a mess...

 

I think we're done with this thread. The OP started it to talk about his experiences and he's done that. I wish him the best of luck in getting his issues resolved with the dealership and MINI. That said, this is starting to become a "yell-fest" at each other (mainly from the OP)...people that have no ability to effect the warranty/service outcome. Let the OP deal with MINI and let's move on.

Mark