I'm 30 days into the process of getting Mini USA to buyback my car, and all of a sudden they've decided that one of their factory techs must inspect the car, which by the way still has two existing problems.

At this late stage in the game I have two question and would like to know if anyone else has run across this:

1. Why the inspection, when just like myself, they have copies of all repair orders, as well as a copy of the sales contract and associated documents, requested by BMW/Mini and provided the same day?

2. Why the inspection, when the service advisor explicitly told me that someone from BMW NA contacted him and the service manager for opinions and recommendations, and that the service advisor told them they should do a buyback because I've experienced far too many issues with the car for far too long?

Incidentally, In the 36 months of I've had the vehicle, I've experienced numerous repeated issues with it since the second month of ownership as documented in the repair history. It's important to not that the this dealer not only sold me the car new, but has been the only facility to ever work on the car under both the factory maintenance and warranty plans

What's interesting is this inspection requirement came up during two weeks of when the dealership basically refused to take the car in for another repair attempt. Now they've agreed to do so just so BMW can send a tech out to inspect it.

In all the MINI and BMW buyback cases I've read, the only time the vehicle was inspected was the day the car was turned in, when the owner is met at a dealership by a rep from Impartial Services Group. At that point the vehicle is checked and the buyback payment is handed to the customer.

 

Your experience is interesting to me as well. I asked the sales manager for a trade assist and he says its up to MINI, that he'll notify them but they decide. He says they will come inspect the car and make a decision. I thought the dealership puts in for it. Does this mean the dealership doesn't really think the car should be traded?

 

The dealership is completely out of it at this point, they're merely a laison for the factory....

As to why the inspection, maybe look at it this way - if you were going to buy something, you'd inspect what you're getting, right?

Don't have any idea about the timing, but if you're concerned, why not get intouch with your contact at MINI USA and ask them about it?

 

Ah I see. Yes of course I'd inspect it. I thought I read somewhere on here that the tech only inspects when the car is given back. I wish I could find that thread now. It could be incorrect information. I just want to make sure I know the procedure.

I don't have a contact at MINI USA. But if I don't hear from them within a few days, I will contact them.

Thanks for the info!

 

What kind of repairs where done to your car? Ive had mini in the shop at least once a month since I've owned mine. Timing tensioner, cracked spark plug, water pump, fuel pump, melted hood scoop, master cylinder, clutch pin broke, brakes, and a few more. Now I'm fighting with them over only getting 19-21 MPG after they reflashed my car because the windows stopped working.

 

The fuel pump was replaced because it went 3 days after I took delivery. After that, the idle kept dipping low and then it would stall. I had a warm start issue. Somewhere, there's a thread on it. It had to be re-programmed. However, since the re-program, the idle still dips down but doesn't stall. Sporadically, the car will shake when I put it into gear if I don't let it warm up. But the biggest problem is that it has lurched forward when I'm trying to stop. Its happened several times and scared the hell out of me. There is a thread on the automatics downshifting and the small surge that comes with that. That's not my problem. The surge I experience is really strong. The car is really trying to go when I'm really trying to stop it.

What does your MA and your service people say about all the problems you've experienced? How long have you had yours?