[NEMINI]

I promised this awhile ago and finally getting to it now. Below in quotes is a letter I had sent to my Service center detailing the issues I've had at the time of writing, think of it what you may.

Quote:

Dear Mr. *****,

I am writing to you today in order to detail my ongoing frustrations with getting my MINI Cooper serviced at BMW Darien.
On November 12th, 2002 I took delivery of a 2003 MINI Cooper (VIN #*************) from MINI of Fairfield County (MoFC). Everything was splendid and my experiences with MoFC have been nothing but exemplary.
On April 23rd, 2003 I brought my MINI into BMW of Darien to have the strut bolt recall done and also to fix a torn handbrake boot (which was determined to be caused by the linkage and covered under (warranty).
The recall service was performed in a professional and timely manner and the boot was inspected. I was informed a new boot would be ordered and I would be mailed a postcard informing me that the part was in and service could be scheduled. After waiting approximately eight weeks and receiving no such noticed I call BMW of Darien to be informed that no such part was ever ordered. They apologized for the mix up and promptly ordered the part. After approximately two and one half months later on July 8th, 2003 my handbrake boot was finally replaced.
My next appointment which occurred on September 25th, 2003 was scheduled to have the first oil change done, a sunroof rattle inspected and repaired and my self installed alarm activated through the BC1 module at my cost. The oil change was done promptly and the alarm was activated. However, when I inquired about what was causing the sunroof rattle I was informed that the problem, which I had thoroughly described over the phone when making the appointment, could not be diagnosed nor fixed while I waited and that for it to be taken care of I would have had to have left the car overnight for a day or two. When I made the appointment I was told everything could be performed while I waited. Needless to say I was annoyed that I would again have to make a two and one half hour round trip to get an issue fixed because of poor communication. After begrudgingly agreeing to make another appointment to fix the sunroof rattles and paying for programming of my alarm I headed home. Almost home I realized I no longer had daytime running lights, they had been inadvertently turned off during alarm programming, subsequent inspection also has revealed that along with my daytime running lights being turned off so have my follow me home lights, my speed sensitive wipers, my halt on stop wiper function and my auto lock and unlocking of doors. Needless to say I was once again more then a little upset, this time it would seem I paid to have this screwed up. As luck would have it I already had to make an appointment for the above mentioned sunroof fix so I decided to get both taken care of at the same time.
On October 22nd I am scheduled to leave the car at BMW of
Darien to have these features reprogrammed in and the sunroof fixed.
Hopefully this time everything gets done properly.
After having self installed the rear fog light switch, I will also be having that programmed at the same time. Going on past history of being charged to have the alarm coded in I am assuming that I will again be asked to pay for the programming.
As of right now if I were to receive a telephone call from
BMW Corporate and be asked to rate my service experiences from
Darien, I would have to say three out of five stars at best. I feel if you and I work together, Mr. *****, this can be improved to both of our
benefits. To this end I have a proposal.
Considering the botched job the last time I paid for
programming, amongst the other noted problems, I feel that as an absolutely minimum the programming of the rear fog lights should be done free of charge. While this will not completely alleviate my disillusionment with service at BMW Darien, it will go towards repairing a strained relationship.
I look forward to any ideas, thoughts or comments you have.
Please find below several methods with which you may contact me
to further discuss this situation.

Sincerely,

Gene ********

It was agreed to that the rear fogs would be enabled for free. That was the good part. The bad part is when I went to pick up my MINI (I had to call them to see if it was done, never recieved one) the programming was done wrong again. The rear fogs were enabled and the daytime running lights were enabled but the alarm that I had previously paid for was disabled, along with other features not being turned on as requested. I was livid at that point and went straight back in and they agreed to fix it right then and there. 45 minutes into what I was told would take 15 minutes, my MINI is finally ready. Or is it? They got most of it right now, finally, but forgot to enable auto-unlock when ignition off. I was then told they would pull it right in and do it all over again but as it was already getting onto 6.30pm and rush hour traffic was in full swing I wanted to go home. It's been agreed upon that my next visit they shall reprogram it one more time, for free, and try to get it correct. I can hardly wait

Thats my 'service' so far.

Gene