I HATE MY MINI SERVICE!!

Oh i took my MINI in for his first service call yesterday. I went to a club even a few weeks back, and someone noticed that my chrome grill was popped out on one side. I was a little upset, but it pushed right back in, so I thought, oh no big deal. Well, it came out again, and this time wouldn't stay. So I called my service center, said I had an issue with my grill, and and I would like it replaced. They said, sure, they would take a look at it, set me up with an appointment a week later.

Went it, sat around 2 hours waiting for them to fix it all up. Looks good, they where even nice enought to wash up my dirty little car.

Well, I drive to work today, I get out of my MINI, walk past the bonnet, and hanging almost totally off my car is the chrome grill. I poke at it, and the entire upper section comes off in my hand. At this point I am just so pissed it isn't even funny. I toss the part in the back of my car, and go into work. Sit down at my desk and make the call.

Its like I spent 2 hours at the service center to watch TV and drink water. The fact that its actually worse then when I bought it in. I'm so upset I feel ill.

OK, I think I'm done venting. At least you all can understand how upset I am. Poor Bean.

 

Ahh,

British craftsmanship and American Knowhow and attention to detail. What more could you want?

Sorry about the trouble. Cheers

 

honestly...it's not the end of the world...I really don't feel your pain while reading this. You should be so lucky that's the only issue you have.

 

I'm being sarcastic here, but also realistic...because when it comes to MINI Service, "if it doesn't generate a fault code...the problem does not exist!"

Seriously, good luck with this. I'm sure they will get it right the next time you bring it in. Maybe I'm of the "old-school" way of thinking, but whatever happend to: Do It Right The First Time?


-boognish

 

That's a very strange problem (first I've heard of it), but I'd rather have that problem than any of the ones I have had. At least you know it's not mechanical and it's 100% fixable (just not on the first try).
Your sig picture takes up half my screen. Site guidelines say 100 x 500.

 

oops, well i never read that stuff..i just posted it and figured if it accepted it then it's okay.

 

snip

Yeah, but it's cool.

Earl

 

My wife's cabrio's headlight was WAY off target a while back. Took the dealer 4 visits to finally realize it needed to be replaced! WHatever bubblegum and scotch tape they used to fix it hadn't worked

We've since found a new dealer/service center.

 

--This is so true, about fault codes! If the computer says everything's fine, well, it must be! Whatever happened to the mechanics who could FEEL what was wrong with a car, who had been working on vehicles since they were kids, etc.?

 

Take a deep breath and try to relax...although I can certainly understand/relate to your disappointment. Service experiences vary, I'm sure, but mine have always been fantastic. I'm sure when you go back it'll be pretty embarassing for them...they'll get it right.

 

I guess I wouldn't be so upset if the car was say, over 6 months old, but I got it in October! 3 Days after I had it, I was back because the rear whiper didn't move. I've talked with some of the people from my club, and they say I should drive to another state next time. Bound to be better. I just want my car right the first time, how hard can that be?

 

I know people are saying that really isn't so bad and you should be glad it isn't worse. I don't think so. When you buy a new car, you don't expect the front grill to fall off and when you take the car in to have it fixed, you expect it to be fixed. It really isn't a good thing if MINI owners come to expect/accept this sort of thing or expect worse.............I would hate for non-MINI owners or potential MINI owners to read a thread like this......... ..and think you can't/shouldn't expect any better from MINI. That would say something pretty bad about our cars. Sure it isn't the end of the world, but you have a right to be frustrated.

 

Honestly, I understand the upset cause I love my car, too, and yes you should get everything mint, but isn't this a bit too much upset? The world sucks sometimes, but that's life, right? Just be honest but polite with them, ask them to promise that you won't have to wait, and I'm sure they'll do well by you. Who knows, you may become an especially valued customer if you play it right. Just don't forget- life is great, you've got a MINI!

 

I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!! MINI's have so many issues that it's embarrassing. Window motors, creaks and squeeks, Yo-yo's, cold start stumble, rear hatch that won't close properly, wheel bearings going bad on new cars, cracked wind shields, grills that fall off, motors that let go under 30,000 miles, oil drain plugs that strip out, windows that roll down on their own, bonnets that don't line up, ECU reflashes that make things worse, and service departments that can't fix any of it. It's driving me crazy. I've had more problems with my '05 MCS in one year than all the cars I've owned put together. As neat as the car is, it is an inferior product.

 

I quite respectfully disagree (hoping i'm not "whistling past the graveyard" here),
Tatt

 

Small wonder that Mini is low on the list for dealer satisfaction. They get their asses handed to them by the Japaness and other manufactuers. I dread the day that I have to take mine in for something minor. I just let enough issues pile up so it makes the 50 minute drive (one way) even worth while. I dont count on them to get it right the first time, understand what I'm talking about or even give a hoot if they care. Its about much fun as a root canal. You look at the other high end cars type of service and you wonder why people dont complain, well they just do a better job - and the cars cost more. Not to say we Mini owners dont deserve the best service possible, but it is what it is. I'd much rather go to my independent guy any day. The coffee may suck, but it seems that we are more than just a number to them.

 

Sorry to hear your story... You might try asking Lois for service recommendations... She might be able to tell you where she takes Sunnie..
(LouiefromStLou)

Good luck with future services!

 

Many would/will disagree. Optimism is a good thing, but it won't fix a MINI.

 

man, that really sucks.

um, can't you just 3M double stick tape (trim mounting tape they call it)
the thing back on? how is it mounted anyway? my car came with
the aero kit so don't know.

 

Best line in this entire thread.

And seriously, this is exactly what some places seem to need, a kick in the ***. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to rectify the issue at no cost to you immediately after they see your not-smiling-face as you explain that they clearly didn't fix your issue last time.

 

Ding ding ding.

That's the one thing I'd say is the worst about this site. People like the initial poster come in and talk about all the problems they're having with their cars and then hardcore Mini people tell them that all those defects(let's be honest, they're design defects) are just "characteristics" of the car's "personality" and if you don't like/accept that, then you were never a "real" Mini enthusiast in the first place.

Well, I guess I'm not a "real Mini enthusiast" either, because I am of the opinion that as much as we pay for these cars, the damn things should work 100%.

Especially this guy's. An '05?! What the hell?! You'd think they had all the bugs worked out by now!!!

 

It's these little tabs that click into a series of slots all along the grill. You have to be careful or you tend to snap one of the little connectors, and it's a PITA to get the thing off again to replace it.

 

The second time around, I would be surprised if they wouldn't give you a loaner so you dont' have to wait...it wouldn't hurt to ask. I realize it doesn't solve the issue, but you wouldn't be stuck in the service lounge. Good luck!

 

Honestly though, do you really hate MINI?

Or just your seemingly incompetent service department?

I'm not trying to diminish the problem you've had, I understand it's frustrating to have just take delivery on a new car only to have to bring it in for service a short time later even if the problem is something minor.

But, honestly just because a dealer stinks (service or sales) does that mean that the entire brand is crap? Before you answer though remove MINI from your response because I hear the some conclusion jumped to for other brands both here and on other boards.

Just because a dealer stinks doesn't mean a car does... I long ago decided to never buy another GMC from a dealer in Northern Virginia. I came to that decision not because I disliked the vehicles or thought they were of poor quality, actually quite the opposite. I decided I wouldn't buy a GMC in Northern Virginia because all of the dealer's stunk, and I refused to give them my business for sales or service...

 

You must have a really small one.