I just took my 2010 MINI Convertible for service as the A/C was blowing just outside air (not cold air). After having the car for 2 days to fix the rubber door strip, South Bay MINI service called and said there was a hole in my compressor due to hitting a pothole or something in the road and it would cost me $1400 to replace it. I this right??? I can't afford that so now I won't have A/C in my MINI

 

Are they claiming that its not under warranty because YOU broke the part? I would argue that if the compressor is in a place that this can even happen, that its a design flaw. My advice would be to take it to another dealer and just complain about the AC not working and give them no information at all and see what happens. If that doesn't work, call MINI corporate. And if that doesn't work and you do indeed have to pay for it yourself, I'd take it to an independent shop instead of the stealership for a quote...

 

Compressors don't get damaged by hitting potholes - condensors maybe. And condensors are much less expensive than compressors. $1400 to replace a condensor is highway robbery.

 

Yes and I'm sorry I'm not up on my car parts but they did tell me that it was punctured by something I hit or ran over and therefore was not covered under the warranty. I, too, am surprised that they would place a part like that on the bottom of the engine?? Anyway, thanks so much for your replies; this is great and I'm very appreciative!!!

 

I would call my insurance agent. If it really was damaged by road debris, it would be an insurance issue less the deductible. The insurance company will assign an adjuster and they will take it up with the dealer. They have far more resources than you to argue with the dealer.

 

Thank you!

 

VERY good point!

 

I think they said condensor too. It is right in front of the radiator and in a prime spot for getting holified.

 

So it is a design flaw then....

 

Well, its not something that would normally be hit, but the condenser is near the front of the car. Do you remember driving over anything or hitting anything on the highway?

 

To repeat, it is easy to damage the condensor with minor road trauma; to damage the compressor would require an impact that you would have noticed.