Hello Gang!!!

I've been learking on NAM for several months and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I never thought that my first NAM post would be to report a problem but rather to share photos and happy moments with all of you. After significant research, ordering and waiting for the arrival of our new 2008 MCS we took delivery. Yippee Yahoo!!!

Ahhhhhh but not so fast... Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow me to share a “Let’s Motor” moment.

At the MINI dealer getting acquainted with our 2008 MCS: During the first once-over things were going quite well until my wife said “why is there moisture in the (left rear) light assembly?” The MA comes over, tries to wipe it off (the moisture is on the inside) and then opens the boot. We lift up the rubber boot mat and the carpet seems moist in spots but when the panel is lifted up (where the tools are) there is a puddle of water to the left of center. The MA immediately says that the boot may have not been completely shut when the car was washed. Ok I said, that's plausible, but how does that account for the moisture in the light assembly? We take note of the water and move on...After completing the exterior inspection (not without other issues that I'll discuss at another time & post).

Time for the test drive: We hop in the MCS, buckle up and guess what? My wife says there's more water! This time ther's lots of water droplets on top right and bottom of the rubber floor mat on the passenger side foot well. The MA immediately comes over and begins to inspect the carpet at the TOP of the rubber mat but does not lift up the bottom of the floor mat or make an attempt to remove it (BIG MISTAKE!) and reiterates the car wash alibi and then on to ‘the water must have been on our feet’ story (it was a bright, hot, sunny, 90 degree day and the pavement was bone dry). I reached up near the top of the floor mat, carpet and behind the glove box an all seemed well… Again, we took note of the water issue (as well as a few more minor issues) and we’re off to a rather brief test drive.

After completing the test drive, interior / exterior inspection and documenting what appeared to be minor water issue along with a few additional dealer IOU's we agreed to take delivery (after all, NO automobile is absolutely perfect) paid for the MCS and attached the plates. Since I won the coin toss I had the honor of driving our new MCS home. (Of course, singing all the way while getting phenomenal mileage I might add). Upon arrival, I parked the MCS in our garage and we went out to dinner with our friends. The night was a delight, lots of food, drink and sharing our MINI adventure with our close friends while knowing full well that by nights end they too would be making arrangements of acquiring their very own MINI.

The next morning, I'm up early and out to the garage to marvel at our new toy. I turned on the garage lights and there was what appeared to be thin coating of condensation on the windows. I'm thinking...well this is a first…I checked the other cars and they did not have condensation on them. I walk over to the MCS only to discover that the condensation is on the INSIDE of the MCS!!! I pulled the MCS out of the garage for more light and there was indeed interior window condensation AND a few water droplets on the rubber floor mat on the passenger side foot well. I removed the floor mat and discovered that the carpet was SOAKED!!!

The good news is that the dealer (MA & SM) have assured me that they will make the MCS perfect!

Now that the short 2008 MCS Honey Moon is over should I be anticipating a divorce?

For the record: I do not have a sun roof

So what-cha-think fellow MINIACS?
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Be on alert for mildew stinkiness.

 

Maybe it fell off the boat on the way over and they rescued it :-( Hope they get it fixed soon otherwise the new car smell will be replaced with mildew oder the rest of its life.

 

OH WOW! Sorry to hear your first experience was like this! I would bet that they either left the windows open during the shipping and/or washing, or it was flooded. I'd suggest you ask your insurance company or SOME insurance company (or heck, just ask PB&CJ&whatever his screen name is - name is Cris - he's an insurance guy) what the indications are of a flooded car. Otherwise, sounds like you've got some serious seal problems! Good luck, and I hope it improves!

 

Water leaks can be very difficult to detect as water may travel along hidden paths before it collects at some point.

Fortunately for you there are several ultrasound water leak detection tools ( OmiSonic by Omitec is one of them ) which identify the point of any water leak no matter how small or concealed it may be.

Any self respecting car dealer should have one and testing the car is a quick and straight forward process. If your dealer doesn't have one you may suggest that with a convertible car in their model range it is an essential piece of equipment that no dealer should be without.

 

Doesn't sound like an insurance issue. Comprehensive coverage would cover water damage caused by flood. But not water damage caused by any mechanical issues.

That's a matter between the owner and the auto manufacturer.

And don't worry about the name confusion... I've been called worse. Recently. And the real name is also wrong... but you were close !! (Chris)

 

But CR&PW&JB (I got it right this time!), are there any indicators (from insurance investigations, notes, etc.) that the OP can look for that will determine if it was just a stupid car-wash-w/-windows down situation, or if it's more serious...like flooding?

I can't believe it would be a solely-seal issue if the water collected in the lowest point of the vehicle (the footwells). If it's continuing to have condensation INSIDE the WHOLE car, that's some pretty serious soaking...Especially if it's inside some of the assemblies...

I've had "detailing" done (ok guys - i HAD to let someone else do it! I had to ship the MINI overseas!!) where the carpets were still moist and caused condensation...but not DAYS later!

 

If the car was involved in a flood, it would have happened prior to the owner taking delivery. That means the policy was not in force for him at the time of the loss (flood, or whatever happened to it).

Nope, still not a matter for his insurance company.

 

I concur. The insurance company is not responsible.

Could you please outline the KEY INDICATORS of a flooded automobile?



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Personally, I think you signed over your own death sentence by accepting and taking delivery of what appears to be a defective vehicle. I would reject the car and force the dealer to take it back. You indeed paid top dollar for a PRISTINE product, not a car with water leaks/condensation = Many headaches down the road

Of course this will be an uphill battle. I would get a hold of my attorney and discuss any legal options you may have in case the dealer rejects your request to have the vehicle replaced.

This is your own fault for accepting the car. I would have run away.

Sorry to be so brutally honest. Seek legal counsel and see how you can dump the car back to the dealer.

I have owned 4 MINIs in the past 6 years and none of them has ever had a single water leak. Water leaks are not acceptable defects under any circumstances on a modern automobile.

Good luck.

 

Mine was perfect at delivery, give them the change to make it right but keep a log of everything

 

Water leaks could be manufacturing defects or structural issues that are difficult to repair. I personally would have never accepted this vehicle even if it had been given to me for free.

When you buy a MINI, a BMW product by the way, you expect a certain level of quality control for the top dollar being paid. While bad apples can be had on virtually any brand and type of mass produced car today, it is simply not acceptable to pay MSRP for a car that has some undisclosed defect.

Make the dealer MINIUSA do the right thing and have them replace the car plus give you a priority allocation at the factory.

People: Demand better. Don't be afraid to set the expectations for your hard earned money.

 

to make a long story short, I had a new pool in the rear footwells of my 07 mcsa and mini usa gave me a new mcsa and priority delivery - 2 weeks. I am happy now. good luck.