Hi Kellis and All:

Just following the narrative here so I will know what to expect when my MCSa stops running. Thanks for keeping us informed although this must be a very disagreeable experience for you. I don't get to drive much so my car is still in its break-in period. So far I have not noticed my transmission sticking between any gears (I haven't used the paddles yet). Let's hope the mid-August fix is the cure.

Best wishes.

 

Depending on what you are doing with the accelerator, it could be normal. If you are winding the car out in 3rd (e.g. revs going up to 4,500) and then the DME senses you backing off the accelerator pedal as you approach your own threshold of maximum speed in 4th, the transmission will shift into 5th very quickly in an attempt to get into a fuel economy maximization posture. (And then shortly thereafter, the transmission will shift into 6th if engine RPM is not too low....)

 

It's back home now with V42.1 Update 7.1. We'll see how it does this time (the last chance Mini is getting - if it does this again, I'll take my check back, thank you very much). My wife said it ran fine on the way home, but I haven't driven it yet. I post in a week or so and report on how it's doing.

 

Hmmm, v42.1, update 7.1???? Based on another thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...534#post607534 (see post number 45 - there is supposed to be a release of v42.2 that was generally available as of July 26, 2005)

you might not have the most up-to-date code. I am not trying to start something; just passing along information.

 

I think there are variations based on locale - we are in Florida where the heat and humidity seems to trigger the problem. I doubt that at this point that the SA would try to **** me off any further by not installing the latest version - I've made it very clear that this was the last chance I was giving them to get it right.

 

So far, so good. All in-town driving with multiple stops and starts and not a sputter. Maybe they've got it right this time. The true acid test, though, is my wife. She says that she is still leery of the car and is afraid to take on any trip more than a few miles from home. If if acts up again, she says she it goes back to the dealer to stay and she's done with Minis.

I personally am still astounded at the carefree attitude that Mini has had to this problem. The dealer seems unconcerned as does the national office that customers have been inconvenienced this way. We've had multiple calls and mail surveys about our buying experience, but not a single call about the car itself. The closest to that that I have gotten was the suggestion that I call the Customer Relations number (i.e., this is so important to us that we want you to spend your time on hold waiting for "the next available representative"). The sole response we've had from the dealer (other than the pro forma apologies of the SA) is, that after the first visit, they gave us the floor mats we were going to buy. What a lousy way to run a business.

 

Keep your fingers crossed - I hope MINI has a definitive solution to the problem that so many owners are experiencing. I know I would be quite upset and wanting some substantive remedy beyond the actual fix - something like a warranty extension for the period between the initial problem report and when the definitive fix was delivered.

Welcome to business in the 21st century. There are so many competitive pressures on a company - even a company such as BMW is not immune to market pressure. Another example is the 6th generation Corvette. After all the money that was put into designing and testing, they still had a problem with the routing of something as fundamental as the brake lines. The market will not wait for a manufacturer to develop the penultimate car.

For me, the metric is whether the company is making a good faith effort to resolve my problem. However, to date, I have had no problems; so, I am something of an observer.

 

Welcome to business in the 21st century. There are so many competitive pressures on a company - even a company such as BMW is not immune to market pressure. Another example is the 6th generation Corvette. After all the money that was put into designing and testing, they still had a problem with the routing of something as fundamental as the brake lines. The market will not wait for a manufacturer to develop the penultimate car.

I run a business, too. If I ran my medical practice this way, I'd have lawyers lined up outside my door. Just saying that this is the way business is these days doesn't justify this mess.

For me, the metric is whether the company is making a good faith effort to resolve my problem. However, to date, I have had no problems; so, I am something of an observer.[/QUOTE]
I hope you are lucky enough to remain an observer.

 

I guess if there is a fatality or serious injury from the DME problem, then the circumstance may change (e.g. NHTSA may take an active role).

Conversely, if one of your patients is not satisfied with your diagnosis, they can get a second opinion and even go to another doctor for treatment. So, in some respects, medicine suffers from similar business process issues (but that is another matter entirely).