People generally speak up more when complaining versus being satisfied. You'll see it anywhere, not just on a MINI forum. It's rare to see any type of forum in which people discuss how things are fine.

 

Absolutely. I've been satisfied with other cars in the past and have said nothing on public forums. It's only when I am particularly disappointed or upset that I come to rant.

A quiet populace is generally a happy one.

 

I wish. It wasn't an option because of the fact that the vehicle was being towed ~100 miles to the dealer. They weren't going to deliver a loaner back to me, and I wasn't about to drive all that way to pick one up. And besides, I didn't feel much like driving 100 miles on the freeway in limp mode. If I had done so, they probably would have dinged me for driving the car in a damaged state and further exacerbating the problem.

At least I didn't have to accompany the car and at least it's going to be delivered right back to my doorstep. But alas, no loaner.

 

OP said he didn't ask for one. And I am sure he could have got one if he asked. He has a good car to drive. It's actually better this way his car gets to keep an extra 100 miles off of it. The drive from the dealer to him will be on a flat bed.

 

Not sure those surveys mean anything to Mini/BMW https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...was-i-bad.html
No one ever called or emailed me about my issues. That's alright, I don't have to deal with them anymore.

 

Maybe it's just me, but I would never ever think of buying a car where the dealership was 100 or more miles away...You chose to live where you do, I guess you have to live with it... (not trying to be a ****, just saying...) If you lived in Alaska, a Mini with the nearest dealer being in Seattle probably wouldn't be at the top of my list...

Then again, I've got 4-5 Mini dealers withing about 1/2-1 hour... (Baltimore, Montgomery county, Annaplois, Alexandria, Stirling...)

 

FWIW, the survey do matter, the SM's pay is based upon his/her average score. I would read the questions fully and answer them honestly. If you feel like the score is low in lots of categories, call them and see if they will make it right. If the car is in the shop for much longer see if they will make your payment for you or provide some accessories to make it right. I would not just blast them with all 1s but also all 10s might not be in order if they were not as you might expect (good communication, sympathy, etc). Yes it sucks it is a new car and has issues but it just a fluke and not 100% of cars from any manufacturers are prefect...stuff happens and you are just the lucky receiver. Sorry, I empathize with you but unfortunately shtuff happens, see if you can get some stuff to make you feel warm and fuzzy again.

 

I'm throwing the BS flag on this one. High compression and large valve openings mean no room for the open valves at TDC. That means that the pistons hit the valves if the piston comes up when the valves are open. That is exactly what happens if the cam jumps timing by far enough--for instance, if a timing belt breaks. Or if a chain skips enough teeth.

You can get around that by making very large valve pockets in the piston tops, or by leaving lots of room at TDC, or having valves that don't open very far. None of those things are good for power or efficiency--so if you want power, you have to live with the possibility that smashed valves can happen.

 

I've already hinted to the dealership manager that he needs to "make it right", especially for a longtime BMW and MINI customer. I'm sure he knows what I mean. But his response seemed uncaring and did not mention any kind of freebies or payment coverage. Maybe it just hasn't been long enough yet, but I would have hoped for at least a free accessory to calm me down and stop me from going on an anti-Long-Beach-MINI tirade on the internet.

 

My closest MINI dealership is Universal City - about half the distance. I actually have at least 5 or 6 dealerships less than 100 miles away. But I ended up at Long Beach because they were the only dealership with a Lightning Blue 2012 MCSa in all of California at the time.

Heck, I was even willing to drive to another state to pick up the right car. I'm sure glad I didn't do that.

 

I'd suggest a call to Mini USA in New Jersey. The are very good people to talk with and they have a way of getting a dealer's attention. I had a rather minor but irritating issue with mine during the first month, and they were excellent, and a dealership suddenly became very responsive to my needs.

 

Your comments almost comes across as coercion to me. Not sure that I would do anything either if I were the dealer and I sensed that.

It appears to me the dealer wants to give you a "good" car. Give em the chance to do so.

Sit down and have a heart to heart man to man. That is usually the best way.

 

Sorry, but I don't think I have any patience left for a heart-to-heart. As much as I like the idea, I am just thoroughly PO'd and wouldn't be able to keep it cool.

Today will be their 5th or 6th chance to follow through on their claims and promises of delivery. So I'll relax today and give them the benefit of the doubt. I've been told to expect the car today, and that is what I expect. If not, I most definitely will get on the phone to MINI USA.

 

I know how you feel. I was concerned too before buying mine.

However, after doing quite a bit of research, I've learned that the justa's have a better than average reliability record.

Unfortunately MINI still seems to have not fixed the issues with the S models (tho some people have had good luck, the odds aren't as good as I would like).

 

If what happened to you happened to me, I would be seriously angry, but seeing how the problem really is MINI's fault and not the dealer, I wouldn't expect any freebies.

But I would expect a dealer to show some concern and to be in touch each step of the way. Sounds like your dealer may not be all that it could be.

Good luck.

 

I hear you on that. We owned a Justa before and had no problems at all. In some ways I was expecting the same problem-free experience here.

On the other hand, I was a 1-series owner before and used to frequent the 1-series forums. I owned a 128 (equivalent of a "Justa") and had no major issues, but a lot of the 135 owners had problems with their high-pressure fuel pumps and turbos. The Cooper S is like the little brother of the 135, so I'm not sure why I expected anything better.

 

First time owner of a brand new 2012 Mini S. AND first post

Picked mine up last Sunday (Mini Stevens Creek), drove it home 50 miles. Started it in the morning and it started jerking and the half engine light came on. Drove it to the dealership, took a loaner home.

They replaced a bad Injection Solenoid. Needless to say I was pretty pissed having a brand new car for only 1 day and less than 100 miles and already taking it back to the dealership.

It has sense been a week and about 300 miles on the car and no problems. Crossing fingers I will be fine for some time because I love driving this little sucker!

 

The mini motor is by no means a excessive high compression engine. it only produces 120 or so HP. reliefs in the pistons can easly prevent valve damage and allow for good power. why mini does not do this is very odd?
with this said if mini would only engineer a better motor, more than likely not added a whole lot more cost, owners would love their mini's even more.
and if this was something they could not get around, simply build the motor stronger, problem solved, customer happy.

I will still more than likely buy my new mini, hopefully i dont have to go through any of these crazy problems.

 

That is why i plan on buying the justa. I have driven them once, super fun, i dont think the extra power will be missed.

 

I would miss it. Just not the same thing. But everyone has their priorities and preferences.

 

I can say that my justa has plenty of power when I need it.

But then again, I've never been a speed-hungry person. I've driven fast cars, and while fun to an extent, not important enough to go through reliability issues (some of which are pretty serious).

I used to ride motorcycles - now they are fast. And the take off power is exhilarating, but also addictive, maybe too addictive!

(or maybe I am just getting old... )

 

My logic was the same -- I can give up some performance in exchange for reliability. So far its been exactly that way. My Justa just motors along every day. I change its Mobil 1 every 5000 miles and rotate its tires every 4000. Other than that, all I can say is that it gets dirty once in awhile and I have to put gas in it every 400 miles. So far its every bit as reliable as my last Honda, and a heck of a lot more fun.

I've driven an "S" several times, and its fun, but in my mind the Turbo adds too many complications that I decided I wanted to avoid. I've owned a couple of turbocharged cars, and their performance advantage is undeniable. But at this stage of my life (and financial status) I prefer reliable and uncomplicated. My Justa is great.

 

I would tell the dealer, I am not comfortable with this brand new vehicle and I want a different one. See what they have on their lot. Just my $.02. From what I've read some Minis have never had a problem from day one. Some have had problems from day one and the remainder of it's life. A lemon is a lemon. Just ask the service manager how he would feel about this situation if it was his!

 

Again differences between individuals. I love fast cars and have withdrawals if I don't have availability. Motorcycles are just too dangerous to me so I don't drive them. My kids do and they worry me to death. I think I'm making progress for them to ditch the bikes.

Fast cars keep me young. Mini's are fast in one way (twisties) my GTO is fast in another. (Straight line speed.) I need them both.

I think your getting old!