[sheri3466]

Hi Everyone. Wish I had found this forum a few months ago. I bought an ex-demonstrator Mini Cooper S in April of this year. It was registered new in November 2006. My husband noticed the rattle early on, but I had other issues with a mis-aligned tailgate and uneven tailgate hinges. Recently I reported the rattle, and my dealership 'sorted' the problem. Not. I telephoned them today, and I had a recording of the 'Diesel' noise, and they are now going to do the tensioner thingy.
I cannot stress enough my disgust at the hassles I've had with my Mini. I traded in my previous Mini Cooper S (She was called Doris, I miss her terribly!!) and I never had a problem with that car. BMW - get your finger out!!!! Will post after the tensioner is fitted to see if there is any change.

[CC07ERS]

Quote: Originally Posted by sheri3466 (original)

Hi Everyone. Wish I had found this forum a few months ago. I bought an ex-demonstrator Mini Cooper S in April of this year. It was registered new in November 2006. My husband noticed the rattle early on, but I had other issues with a mis-aligned tailgate and uneven tailgate hinges. Recently I reported the rattle, and my dealership 'sorted' the problem. Not. I telephoned them today, and I had a recording of the 'Diesel' noise, and they are now going to do the tensioner thingy.
I cannot stress enough my disgust at the hassles I've had with my Mini. I traded in my previous Mini Cooper S (She was called Doris, I miss her terribly!!) and I never had a problem with that car. BMW - get your finger out!!!! Will post after the tensioner is fitted to see if there is any change.

Welcome to the site , & the mess that is the r56. Your not alone to be very disapointed with th new mini, seems like they put the car out for the punters to trouble shoot. Roll on 23rd sept till mine goes.

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by CC07ERS (original)

Welcome to the site , & the mess that is the r56. Your not alone to be very disapointed with th new mini, seems like they put the car out for the punters to trouble shoot. Roll on 23rd sept till mine goes.

If that really was true, although I don't believe it is the case, it would just be like the R50 when it came out.

Those who bought an early R50 will remember:

1. The threat of the exploding fuel tank
2. Pulling to the left strongly
3. Steering columns that needs replaced
4. REALLY annoying squeaky seats
5. Rattles from just about everywhere.
6. no doubt more I can't remember

The difference with the R56 is that a small number of cars have problems, this was not the case with early R50 cars.

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

If that really was true, although I don't believe it is the case, it would just be like the R50 when it came out.

Those who bought an early R50 will remember:

1. The threat of the exploding fuel tank
2. Pulling to the left strongly
3. Steering columns that needs replaced
4. REALLY annoying squeaky seats
5. Rattles from just about everywhere.
6. no doubt more I can't remember

The difference with the R56 is that a small number of cars have problems, this was not the case with early R50 cars.

I was there in 2001.....

Had all of the above apart from steering column plus:
Radio not shutting down and draining the battery
Windows opening and closing all by themselves...

..... and am still here now and as of Saturday will be giving the the R56 a go too...

[Wipeout]

Quote: Originally Posted by sheri3466 (original)

Hi Everyone. Wish I had found this forum a few months ago. I bought an ex-demonstrator Mini Cooper S in April of this year. It was registered new in November 2006. My husband noticed the rattle early on, but I had other issues with a mis-aligned tailgate and uneven tailgate hinges. Recently I reported the rattle, and my dealership 'sorted' the problem. Not. I telephoned them today, and I had a recording of the 'Diesel' noise, and they are now going to do the tensioner thingy.
I cannot stress enough my disgust at the hassles I've had with my Mini. I traded in my previous Mini Cooper S (She was called Doris, I miss her terribly!!) and I never had a problem with that car. BMW - get your finger out!!!! Will post after the tensioner is fitted to see if there is any change.

Oh well. I "rejected" a Mini Cooper S in April. It probably became an ex-demonstrator. If you've bough my car I feel really sorry for you. I also traded in a car which worked well, and regretted getting the Cooper S. Best of luck, and don't take any nonsense from them.

[craigd]

I have the diesel noise on my car. I am currently waiting on Steven Knowles from MINI coming to see my car (also looking at the sound of rushing water from behind the passenger side of the dash), been waiting since the 21st Aug for him to come to Scotland..

This is my second R56 "S" (my first one was reject at the end of June with approx 5 problems still outstanding after they fixed 7 of them) and my first one made the same noise. I have been told by the dealer that this is a "characteristic" however, I have spoken to numerous mechanics and asked their opinion and they have stated that the noise cannot be normal and to fight for it to be fixed.

If the car is not fixed, then I will be back fighting to get rid of it... I am astounded that the replacement car has some of the same problems as my car which was built back on Nov last year. Seems to me that they have not learned or fixed problems from over 6 months ago

hopefully the meeting with Steven Knowles will go OK and I get some sort of resolution..

[iain cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Wipeout (original)

Oh well. I "rejected" a Mini Cooper S in April. It probably became an ex-demonstrator. If you've bough my car I feel really sorry for you. I also traded in a car which worked well, and regretted getting the Cooper S. Best of luck, and don't take any nonsense from them.

I am absolutely amazed at the amount of cars that are being rejected on this forum, and decided to make enquiries as to what happens to the cars after rejection.

As I suspected all along, they do become mini cherished, and are moved to other dealerships to be resold.

I was told that everyone's perspective of a "problem/fault " is different, and what I may complain about, another person will not, especially as they have bought a secondhand car.

If they are ultimately not happy with the purchase, they will by and large trade it in for another secondhand car, but probably not another mini !!!

It's also interesting that over the last few months I've seen more and more secondhand minis for sale in non mini dealerships.

It all makes sense now.

[craigd]

Quote: Originally Posted by iain cooper (original)

I am absolutely amazed at the amount of cars that are being rejected on this forum, and decided to make enquiries as to what happens to the cars after rejection.

As I suspected all along, they do become mini cherished, and are moved to other dealerships to be resold.

I was told that everyone's perspective of a "problem/fault " is different, and what I may complain about, another person will not, especially as they have bought a secondhand car.

If they are ultimately not happy with the purchase, they will by and large trade it in for another secondhand car, but probably not another mini !!!

It's also interesting that over the last few months I've seen more and more secondhand minis for sale in non mini dealerships.

It all makes sense now.

my car was re-sold by the same dealer that could not (or would not) fix all the faults on my car. And when I asked if they had managed to fix all the faults on the car before selling it onto someone else, they refused to comment.

God help the new owner...

[CC07ERS]

Are you going for a refund this time Craig

[craigd]

really depends John on how they deal with the problems. Don't think I would win this one, but you never know. All hinges on what the guy from Mini Technical says when he sees the car.

If they can't fix it to my satisfaction, I will be going for refund....

[sheri3466]

Hi Again, everyone, I took a video of my car for evidence. It's going in Tuesday for the tensioner thing. The lass who phoned me to book the car in said the engineer was horrified by the noise of my car. Wish me luck. By the way, Steven Knowles has already seen my car for 'uneven hinges' which had to be replaced and the tailgate re-aligned - he was in Scotland in May. craigd, I'm in Scotland too - could you keep us posted and tell us all what happens? I've had about 16 cars, I love driving - and this is the worst experience I have had buying a car.

[specky 1]

Just aquick update on mine. It went into Almondbury BMW on Tuesday night to be there Wednesday morning (cold) for BMW technobod to listen to. He diagnosed straight away that the car needs tensioner, chain and other stuff !!!. They have so far fitted new tensioner and have tried it from cold this morning and reported back to me that all is ok. They still have the car as they are awaiting a NEW alternator and belt tomorrow. So should get it back sometime in the afternoon.
Again, i'll keep you posted on results over the weekend.
SPECKSTER.

[sheri3466]

Just an aside for all us on this forum. I e-mailed the Mini Garage I use to look at this forum, since I regard it as evidence relating to my fault.
Would you all take a look at the (borderline nasty) reply I got? I have since sent an equally curt reply, stating that I have taken a video of my own car, I've attached it to a USB pen drive and it will be put on my keyring when they take the car in next Tuesday for them to look at. How bad is it that this forum is not recognised by BMW? This forum has given me support to know I'm not complaining about something irrelevant. They are disregarding us, let's all make sure they don't get away with it!!!

[]Fairbairn (Giffnock) - Service Manager
[Gail Sheridan
Thursday, September 06, 2007 8:22 AM
RE: May I ask a wee favour of you?



Good Morning Gail
In my position as service manager and Tom Church workshop manager, we will and cannot become involved
in reading non BMW website information as this information is non technical ,correct information
Thank you BR Kind Regards

[craigd]

Quote: Originally Posted by sheri3466 (original)

Hi Again, everyone, I took a video of my car for evidence. It's going in Tuesday for the tensioner thing. The lass who phoned me to book the car in said the engineer was horrified by the noise of my car. Wish me luck. By the way, Steven Knowles has already seen my car for 'uneven hinges' which had to be replaced and the tailgate re-aligned - he was in Scotland in May. craigd, I'm in Scotland too - could you keep us posted and tell us all what happens? I've had about 16 cars, I love driving - and this is the worst experience I have had buying a car.

Hi Sheri, will keep you updated.

My car is going in on the 17th to get the blinds and armrest replaced, the car will be in for 2 days, so hope Mr Knowles can make it up then to see the car, or that will be another trip to the garage..

I am not surprised by the response from your dealer, they think we are all thick and no nothing about cars..

[sheri3466]

Craig, when you say blinds, do you mean that annoying thing where the sunroof blind opens while you are driving? I was told there was nothing you could do about that. I moaned about a horrible squeak from the armrest, and they 'fixed' that - I don't know if it was replaced or not. Can I be cheeky and ask which dealership you are using? I had a good relationship with my dealership with my previous Cooper S, so I'm really disappointed. Are you expected to deal with that horrid noise until the 17th?

[craigd]

Yeah Sheri, my blinds move on their own. That is the fault. They are replacing my blinds. The armrest is a problem with the lid not fitting right and that is being replaced. I am using Menzies in Stirling (purely for convenience, certainly not for their service )

Hope to have the problems sorted after the 17th, then just waiting on the illusive Mr Knowles...

[AndyP]

Quote: Originally Posted by sheri3466 (original)

Craig, when you say blinds, do you mean that annoying thing where the sunroof blind opens while you are driving? I was told there was nothing you could do about that. I moaned about a horrible squeak from the armrest, and they 'fixed' that - I don't know if it was replaced or not. Can I be cheeky and ask which dealership you are using? I had a good relationship with my dealership with my previous Cooper S, so I'm really disappointed. Are you expected to deal with that horrid noise until the 17th?

Sheri, we had the exact same problem with our sunroof blinds; when you accelerate the front one drops back and when you brake the back one slides forward. We had the front blind replaced by Eastern MINI in Edinburgh. They were supposed to do the rear one too, but for whatever reason they only did the front one. And that took THREE trips to get it done, so lost confidence in them to fix the rear one.

I'd suggest you get back to your dealer about replacing these blinds, because a replacement does seem to work. Knowing Craig's luck with his car though, he'll get it back and they will be as bad as ever.

A.

[sheri3466]

Thanks, guys. Craig, as you can see, I'm using Fairbairns in Giffnock. The staff have been supportive up to now, as they did not sell me the car, but even the dealerships must be getting cheesed off with all these faults. I'm only going to keep the car as long as necessary until I can afford a replacement vehicle - so now I'm going to pick your brains. What car would us Mini lovers get if it wasn't a Mini (without breaking the proverbial bank)? I loved my previous Mini & swore this was the car for me - sporty, quirky but with a quality (?) build. Is there anything out there that can compete but without all the problems???? I have to exclude VW, as they messed me around previously with a VW Polo GTI - they replaced 2 wheels then 3 more due to a fault (the top-of-the-range split rim BBS alloys were corroding!) and refused to give me a different wheel type. I loved the old Rav 4 (never kerbed and it was like driving a huge toy truck!), but hate the boring look of the new one. Suggestions on a postcard!!!!:-)

[specky 1]

Off to pick car up this morning, but have been in touch wi stealer and they said that on Thursday morning the car made the noise again from cold !!!!! NOT WHAT THEY TOLD ME FIRST TIME. These people are really doing my swede in now. Told them that if car makes noise over the weekend, they will have back on Monday morning and i want my money back. Had car 40 days and they've had it in workshop for 10 of those 40 !!!!! . RUBBISH.


BMW.... GET A GRIP OF YOURELVES AND YOUR PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


PS..... this could be the shortest time i've ever owned a car for, and if it goes back it will be the first tim in 25 years i wont have owned a car !!!!!!

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by specky 1 (original)

Off to pick car up this morning, but have been in touch wi stealer and they said that on Thursday morning the car made the noise again from cold !!!!! NOT WHAT THEY TOLD ME FIRST TIME. These people are really doing my swede in now. Told them that if car makes noise over the weekend, they will have back on Monday morning and i want my money back. Had car 40 days and they've had it in workshop for 10 of those 40 !!!!! . RUBBISH.


BMW.... GET A GRIP OF YOURELVES AND YOUR PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


PS..... this could be the shortest time i've ever owned a car for, and if it goes back it will be the first tim in 25 years i wont have owned a car !!!!!!

To be honest I would be inclined to reject the car out of hand and ask for a replacement. The more you allow BMW to mess around with it I feel the less your likely to get a replacement car.

I've just rejected my 207 CC due to engine and paintwork issues and refused any rectification work. Wrote a letter to both Peugeot and the dealer with photo's and rejected the car. Thankfully they are replacing it and have upspecced to the THP engine. I'm just hoping the problems peeps are experiencing with their MCS's don't apply the 207's Engine, I think they are basically the same powerplant.