Since you were an MA, maybe you could address this: My 2004 MCS would sometimes not start. I would have to release the clutch, reclutch and then it would start. It havppened about 50% of the time. The service people continually said they found no problem.

 

Sounds a bit like the infamous "Cold engine stumble" problem that plagued a lot of 2003 and some very early 2004 MCS. That problem was mostly an ECU software issue. If you have the time, you can dig up old threads that discussed the problem in detail and various fixes including the "Rye-PHIx"

Did they ever updated the ECU software?

 

Without meaning to contradict you... I don't know about car sales but Virginia does have a 3 (might be 5) day right of recission on mortgages and it's a pain in the keester because if you do a refinance, it's 3 (again, might be 5) days before you get the money.

 

as far as loaners go, my dealer (Schomp) is awesome, if there are no MINIs, then it's a Bimmer 3 or 5 series. Of course I bought my S there, and I dont know how they treat them thar carpetbaggers.

 

Ya sounds good Curious 2 see what happins w/ this

 

OK, they finally tracked down the issue......

I was told it was the VVT actuator? It was trying to activate the Variable Valve Timing when it shouldn't have. Not sure how that works, but, thats what they told him yesterday i believe.

 

That doesn't sound too re-assuring, doesn't it?

 

Well....since the topic was specifically pertaining to car sales, my original reply (no cooling off period in VA) still stands as correct.

 

I believe California also has no "cooling off period". (If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me!).

:I:

 

My new Mini popped an engine malfunction light at 340 miles. I took it to the service department 3 days ago and they still have no idea what's wrong. They claim to be talking to Germany about the problem but everbody is still scratching their collective head over it.

I was told that another car with the same problem came in today at 380 miles. Sounds like recurring issue.

At this point I'm thinking that I will ask the dealership to take the car back. It's a blast to drive but I need reliable transportation and my confidence is shaken.

 

C4 your negative comments are not needed. Please leave them at the door or not visit this particular part of the forum. You are detracting from others experience.

We're all entitled to our opinion, but we're not here to be subjected to constant negativity regarding our passion for the R56. I don't hate on the R53, never have and never will. The vast majority of R56 owners can say the same thing. You're out of line with your constant attacks.

 

It's OK the dealer didn't provide a loaner, but they should be paying the rental car fee.

It makes me crazy when dealers' service personnel email the manufacturer. I mean, what are these service people hired to do? I can email the manufacturer, too.

At 185 miles the customer can easily use simple law to return the auto and recieve their money.

Now, if the owner loves the new auto, then he/she may have the patients to see this through. I wouldn't.

 

Some of the posts in this thread got me interested in return laws. I went here http://product-liability.lawyers.com...e-FAQ.html#six to learn more.

They said:
Q: Is there a "cooling off period" where I can return a car I purchased?
A: Dealers aren't required by law to give used car buyers a three-day right to cancel. The right to return the car in a few days for a refund exists only if the dealer grants this privilege to buyers. Dealers may describe the right to cancel as a "cooling-off" period, a money-back guarantee or a "no questions asked" return policy. Before you purchase from a dealer, ask about the dealer's return policy, get it in writing and read it carefully.

 

What attacks are you talking about?

You can't handle the öther"side of the story? People need to be informed of the good and the bad of these new cars. May I remind you, I am on the waiting list for a new '08 R55, so I have more than a vested interest in closely following all happenings regarding the R56.

If you can't take my posts: DON"T READ THEM.

 

C4, I know where JohnBLZ is coming from. Keep in mind, I am one of your supporters, if you will. When you announced that you were leaving the forum I was one of few folks to ask you to stay. Why? You've owned a MINI, you've worked for MINI, you are knowledgeable, passionate and can make great contributions to the NAM community. The forum needs folks with your experience.

That being said, it's as if whenever you come across any bad news on the R56 you pounce on it seemingly in delight. From someone with a proclaimed "vested interest" in the R56, its a surprising attitude. This is just my take on it, I don't speak for JohnBLZ or anyone else.

Now, please re-read the first paragraph.

dean.

 

Dean, I appreciate your support and can't disagree with your comments. However, I am not attacking anyone here. To post the good and the bad doesn't make you an agressor. But if that is the ways he feels, so be it. When negative posts regarding the R56 begin to roll in, then is he going to label those posters attackers as well?

 

John BLZ,
I think the thing to realize is that people new to the forum often people looking in to R56's myself included dont realize that this is NAM. C4 is not attacking or being negative by the standards that have existed on these forums for years. go to the 1st gen forums and look at the early postings of problems. That comment would not have been out of place nor would anyone have gotten defensive. There is an ignore option for a reason. If you truly take a second to look at what people are saying and whether their comments are appropriate and still find them to be just a negative Nancy then by all means, ignore them.
Back on topic: Even if something like this happened to me I would either wait to see if the problem could be resolved or reorder. Granted with the way the service sounds at your dealership I might look elsewhere, but I would stick with MINI.

 

Not exactly, but for used cars you should have a right to a cancel option just fyi:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures...cts/ffvr35.htm

 

I did not see C4's comments as negative either, and I def want to see the good and bad of the new MINI if I ever decide to buy one

 

Show me another example of a particular individual that has made it their personal agenda to discredit something they have no intention in purchasing to the extent that this individual has. I respect his right to an opinion. I believe that all opinions have a place on this site, however I disagree with his persistence in dropping a negative comment on seemingly every R56 post. How many other posters have the mods asked to take a cooling period?

I could care less about then, I'm referring to now.

 

I was biting my tongue but I feel compelled to answer your post:

1) You are dead wrong. I am on the waiting list for a new '08 R55 Clubman which is essentially an extended wheelbase R56 with a rear door. As a 3 time MINI owner, I love these cars and have no ägenda"as you seem to imply here . Since my first brand new MINI in 2002, I ALWAYS like to learn the good and the bad about these cars. Sorry but that doesn't make me a troll

2) I still stand by my comments about the design details of the R56 that I personally (and others) find to be questionnable. If you don't like that, then that is your problem

3) It seems to me you have never been to an internet message board before. You don't have to agree/disagree with the opinions posted there. You have the option to click on the ignore button and be done with it

So there it goes.

 

One of ours does loaners for maintenance. It doesn't appear they do loaners for warranty repair. The other does loaners for warranty repair, but wants to give you a van ride to a mall for maintenance.

I'm wondering if the other dealer would do a loaner for me even though I didn't buy there...probably not.

 

1. I could show examples but what good would that do? You are very sensitive about the R56, but what if I continually bash the R53 is that funny? Or cabrios, or automatics, or GPs? (ok maybe making fun of the GP's is funny) but seriously. Are you offended that C4 is adamently pointing out flaws in the R56? or are you upset that he is pointing out flaws in a car you like? The R56 is not perfect, some like it some dont. so lets talk about what we like and what we dont. I can promise you (or at least i hope i can [crosses fingers]) that there are somethings that C4 and you and I can all find that we like about the R56.

2. And secondly you should care about then. Its about knowing where things come from. I mean literally we all join a community, shouldn't we take some time to understand that community and the people and personalities in it before we judge it?
Anyway I hope this post was listened to not just read.
Bryan

 

dwdyer, I work in customer service so in my mind if you wanted the customer back, whether it be for service, another car, or what have you, that you would do what you could to stand out from the other dealers. In customer service you are always told that a loyal customer is twenty times better than a merely satisfied customer.
Bryan

 

Excellent response Bryan

I was losing hope in finding fair and balanced people here in NAM