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Mini Cooper: BEWARE!!!! There aren't parts .. - READ ONLY

38 messages,  Last post on Dec 12, 2008 at 8:29 PM

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What is this discussion about? MINI Cooper, Auto Repair, Convertible

Messages Page 3 of 5

#12 of 38 Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? by carla6

Jul 11, 2007 (1:18 pm)

I own a 2007 Cooper S that I got in April. I am currently shelling out big bucks every month for it to sit in the service shop....for the THIRD time since I got it. BIG DISSAPPOINTMENT is an understatement. After doing my research and talking with the mechanic at the shop, they are seeing a LOT of 2007s come back in with electrical problems. The kicker is they have no clue how to fix the problem(s) and he outright admitted that to me. I feel helpless in this situation and have no clue when I will get my car back. To date, it's been in the shop for a cumulative month. Has anyone successfully gotten some service out of Mini USA??????? All I have seen so far as unfortunate people in the same boat as myself and I am highly concerned about what I just bought with my money...

#13 of 38 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [carla6] by lilblue32

Jul 12, 2007 (5:56 am)

Replying to: carla6 (Jul 11, 2007 1:18 pm)
Regrettably no, there is absolutely no recourse. MINI USA doesn't care at all. Every time I've called their 800# I've spoken to Mitch. Mitch will not connect you to anyone different (he says he can do whatever anyone else can to help), give you the name of anyone else to whom you can speak (he can do what anyone else can to help) nor do I believe he really even passes on concerns. Mitch is VERY effective at allowing NOTHING up the chain at MINI and doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to help you out in any way.
My AC still continues to be an issue, I have to have the absolute precisely right combination of bass/treble for my speakers to NOT rattle/hiss and my seat warmers have minds of their own. In the winter I'll appreciate this, in July in Florida, I do not.
I'm developing a marketing campaign to help formally communicate consumer problems on these cars to the car buying public. If you'd like to contact me away from the forum to participate, please contact me at DONTBUYAMINIaol.com.

#14 of 38 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [lilblue32] by carla6

Jul 12, 2007 (6:13 am)

Replying to: lilblue32 (Jul 12, 2007 5:56 am)
I will not even waste my time calling MINI USA because of all the feedback I have heard just like yours. Is this something that the Better Business Bureau would be of any help with?

#15 of 38 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [carla6] by lilblue32

Jul 13, 2007 (5:35 am)

Replying to: carla6 (Jul 12, 2007 6:13 am)
I would try anything to get some help, but it' unlikely you'll find it. I'm not sure with the rate at which they sell these cars in the states, ANYTHING will speak to them more loudly than THAT. It's a fad car that's incredibly popular. Until their sales drop because of the issues, there won't be any changes made, nor will they do anything to assist unhappy customers. It's business.
I'm waiting delivery of "Don't Buy A Mini" shirts. If you'd like one, let me know.

#16 of 38 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [lilblue32] by minicoopers

Jul 22, 2007 (4:23 pm)

Replying to: lilblue32 (Jul 13, 2007 5:35 am)
Unfortunately, the MINI is fun to drive (at least the Cooper S) but if you have most of your driving and maintenance experience in good old American steel, these cars are proving to be quite fragile and should be driven as such. I'm a current owner and plan on keeping what I have but I'd probably not purchase another one, especially with a turbo.
IMHO

#17 of 38 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [minicoopers] by bodble2

Jul 24, 2007 (8:52 pm)

Replying to: minicoopers (Jul 22, 2007 4:23 pm)
My MINI service advisor is of the opinion that the new MINI will not be too problematic, due to the fact that so much of the technology is inherited from the BMW 3-series, or carried over from the old MINI. But I think he may be glossing over things since both engines are new, and the suspension is new, to say the least. Thoughts?

#18 of 38 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [bodble2] by carla6

Jul 25, 2007 (10:36 am)

Replying to: bodble2 (Jul 24, 2007 8:52 pm)
I would have been surprised if he didn't gloss over things, just given that he works for the dealership. My 2007 is the first one I've owned and since I've bought it in April, I've had the fuel pump and the 'air sensor' replaced. Most recently I've had it 'reprogrammed' because the engine light wouldn't stop going on. What the mechanic on my case told me is that MINI has seen many cars coming back with electrical issues (in doing further research, MINI has a spotty reputation in the electrical area, depending on the year). It took the mechanic 2 weeks to turn my car back over to me, and that was only after I sent an email to the woman who sold it to me pleaing for help. MY ADVICE -- only by a 2007 if you have a second vehicle to drive when it's in the shop....

#19 of 38 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [carla6] by bodble2

Jul 25, 2007 (2:53 pm)

Replying to: carla6 (Jul 25, 2007 10:36 am)
"MY ADVICE -- only by a 2007 if you have a second vehicle to drive when it's in the shop...."
 
That's probably very sound advice. But the new MINI (especially the S) is tempting. With the added space, features, and refinement, it is almost like BMW 3-series hatchback at a discounted price! But I guess I should/can wait a year or 2 for the bugs to be worked out.

#20 of 38 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [bodble2] by carla6

Jul 25, 2007 (5:39 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Jul 25, 2007 2:53 pm)
Not to play both sides of the fence, but I have the S and when it hasn't been in the shop, I have had an absolute blast with it. It is a VERY enjoyable ride, has huge personality and gets a lot of attention. That said, if I hadn't kept my '93 Civic, I would have been driving a rental for 6 weeks out of the last 4 months.

#21 of 38 Re: Is there ANY recourse for this widespread problem??? [bodble2] by lilblue32

Jul 25, 2007 (5:49 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Jul 25, 2007 2:53 pm)
When I bought my MINI I thought it would be a good thing that the car was made by BMW. I forgot everyone I've ever known that's owned a BMW has had a ton of trouble with them too. They've been making MINI's in the states for enough years to have already worked the bugs out. They aren't trying to. Evidenced by the way they handle the recurring problems about which current owners keep complaining. They are just making more and more MINI's because people keep buying them. The problems aren't going to get better with "refinements and added features." They are merely adding more things that WILL go wrong with these cars.
My advice is very simply - DON'T BUY A MINI. MINI's ARE fun to drive, but they're a nightmare to own.

Messages Page 3 of 5

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