[FONT=-moz-fixed] Randy,

This is David, we spoke the other day regarding my '04 MCS with the blown spark plug (you did my pulley and plugs on 10/23/04 at Steve's Auto Clinic in Northridge, CA). Firstly I need to thank you for recommending that I take the car to EF1, Fabrizio verified that the threads were in fact stripped, I don't know what would have happened had MINI simply put in stock plugs.... I'm sure more damage would have occurred. It's my understanding that the head will have to be re-tapped and the estimate is just about $800.00.

When the issue first occurred I contacted your shop through the form on your website and was promptly responded to by Brian. Brian first noted that this issue is common in the 02-03 MINIs and that it should be as simple as replacing the plugs. I pointed out that my MCS is an '04 and asked what would be covered under the Webb warranty in this case. His answer was "What ever it takes to fix the car basically." I've attached the content of that email as reference for you. At that point I felt confident that, regardless of the commonality of this issue (at least in previous model years), I would be covered by a warranty that I understood at the time the work was performed to mean that additional maintenance or damage potentially caused by the after market products installed by you, not covered by MINI, would be covered.

After discussing the issue with you on the phone you made me aware that this issue may have been caused by faulty engineering on the MINI and that since this is so common you do not in fact cover the repairs under your warranty but are referring me to a shop in your network as a favor. Following that conversation I reviewed your warranty in depth and found out that the warranty only applies if you determine that the failure is in fact yours, I did not realize this at the time the service was done, nor was I made aware of this policy. While I understand that there is a debate currently in the MINI community as to where this problem lies, with some parties noting that improper tightening can cause this issue (and that after market plugs should be checked periodically for proper tightening, a fact I was not made aware of at the time they were installed, nor was I aware of the post on your site regarding the issue) and others (yourself included) maintain that the metal/threading itself is defective in early model years of the MCS (and potentially my model year). MINI of course denies that the later is possible, or at least does not recognize the issue enough to warrant a recall or service advisory.

So I am left in the unfortunate middle. Is it possible that the work performed by you caused the damage in which case I should be covered by your warranty or is it possible that the plugs loosen on there own due to a poor design by MINI. I don't know how or if either could be proved.

So given all of the information please let me know what you are willing to cover in this instance. Also, I'd like to know if you have covered the repairs required by this problem in the past, either at your shop or through your warranty network and at what point you determined that it was no longer covered by your warranty or has this issue never been covered by you at anytime.

Thank you again for your time and assistance in this matter.

Best,

David



Attached: Emails with Brain at Webb Motorsports, read from the bottom up

What ever it takes to fix the car basically. It shouldnt be more than
reinstalltion of plugs though.

-Brian [/FONT]