I had a similar problem with my Cherished transfer, checked with the DVLA and it was a problem at their end. (One of eight folks at the same dealers who were waiting for their cars.......) Got the car six days late but got some goodies off the garage even though it was not their fault. Spoke to a few folks in the trade and they reckon cherished transfers are becoming a real pain as the DVLA cannot seem to cope....

(Did hear of another case where they made a mistake at the DVLA and the registration transfer was held up by 7 days while they sorted the problem and investigated the cause.)

I would say that if you wait any longer than 14 days the DVLA should give you at least another months road tax, personally I would go for an extra six months.

Really frustrating part is I already have insurance running. On a car I don't even have. Might as well just toss money into a fire.

Latest news.
They picked up my mini yesterday. Currently driving around in a 56 plate cooper with the JCW sound kit and JCW light alloys. Nice sound and a bit more poke to it.

Got an update from the garage today. Leather panel on passenger side being replaced. Speaker grille on passenger side being replaced. Brake sqeak (thats what they called it) is common on 06 mini and they have had a few people coming in with the problem. Contact points greased and lubricated. Should all be done by tomorrow and all done for free.
Just waiting on their verdict to the poor wash of the car where I reckon they've scratched it.

Had a call this morning saying they'll be collecting the paperwork this afternoon, and I'll be collecting the car at 5! Woohoo! I wonder if they'll throw in any freebies for the hassle? As if!

Latest news.
They picked up my mini yesterday. Currently driving around in a 56 plate cooper with the JCW sound kit and JCW light alloys. Nice sound and a bit more poke to it.

Got an update from the garage today. Leather panel on passenger side being replaced. Speaker grille on passenger side being replaced. Brake sqeak (thats what they called it) is common on 06 mini and they have had a few people coming in with the problem. Contact points greased and lubricated. Should all be done by tomorrow and all done for free.
Just waiting on their verdict to the poor wash of the car where I reckon they've scratched it.

Good stuff! Lets hope it's all fixed and sorted! :hmph:

Had a call this morning saying they'll be collecting the paperwork this afternoon, and I'll be collecting the car at 5! Woohoo! I wonder if they'll throw in any freebies for the hassle? As if!

WOO HOO! FINALLY!!!! Post some pics so we can see it! :aargh:

I have had my mini 6 months now and every contact I have with my dealership from (and note) the day after I signed the paper work, I have come away with a bad taste in my mouth. I will not be using that dealership ever again.


I dont want to say who it is, but....

I live in Gloucester, and not the Cheltenham side...

Got my Mini back. They have replaced the leather on the passenger seat. Trouble is it looks like a loose fit compared to the other seat. The driver seat leather is tight. What do i do, I'm fed up with it.

Take it back and tell them you're not satisfied with the work!!! :mad:

I know it's frustrating but don't settle for imperfect repairs...:(

Hi Binchybabes,
Its going back on Monday. They are picking it up.
Got a problem with H/K stereo and ipod link, but thats another thread.
I've now said I want them to buy it back or give me compensation for the emails, phone calls and stress it has caused me....and the time out of my office.

Excellent stuff...

Make sure you get in writing what they are to fix on the vehicle. Are they supplying you with a courtesy car???

I think the best you can hope for is some compensation in my experience... but you could ask for a monetary settlement?

Hi Binchybabes, they have just taken my cooper away and given me a 'One' automatic.
Oh what joy!, ha, ha.
:p

Woo hoo! :D

Are indication how long they might have yours?

Morning Binchybabes, hope you are well.
This week they are looking into the shoddy work they did on the seat, feedback from stereo when connected to ipod and loose grille on rear speaker. Grille rattles and they said it has to come from Italy or Germany (I can't remember which). Hopefully today, probably tomorrow.
The Automatic is ok, I drive with my left foot resting on the dash board! (ha, ha)
:p

Surprise surprise!. Lind of Colchester have just phoned me.
Leather on seat - well that comes pre packed and stuck to foam. If the leather looks loose, they can't do anything about.
Speaker grille - thats being replaced.
Ipod connection - they can't find anthing wrong with it.

Lind say they don't pay out compensation, they didn't even offer me a good will gesture.
The amount of time its cost me, the emails, the phone calls, the stress. Its unbelievable.
:(

Surprise surprise!. Lind of Colchester have just phoned me.
Leather on seat - well that comes pre packed and stuck to foam. If the leather looks loose, they can't do anything about.
Speaker grille - thats being replaced.
Ipod connection - they can't find anthing wrong with it.

Lind say they don't pay out compensation, they didn't even offer me a good will gesture.
The amount of time its cost me, the emails, the phone calls, the stress. Its unbelievable.
:(

I have never spoke to anyone on my MINI travels that recommends Lind in Colchester, they are nothing but cowboys from what I have heard.

Well, its all very short sighted of them. I can quite easily slag them off. I've already had someone ask me where I got my Mini from. I told them Lind and to steer clear of them.
I was even thinking of getting a Cooper S in a year to 2 years time. If I do, it won't be from them.

Now's the time to get onto MINI uk customer services and tell them you want the regional technical manager to inspect the repairs to your vehicle as they are of an unacceptable standard...

They all say they don't offer compo etc etc... Contact trading standards!

Latest is, I sent the Franchise Director at Lind a snotty email saying if he believed in the product he is selling and the company he represents, then give me a call. I also said time is money and I'm sure if the boot was on the other foot, he'd be p!ssed off as well.
Typically, he left a message on my phone and said he'd call back on Thursday. If it was me and I was dealing with a client, I'd try and ring back in the next 5 mins or leave my number for them to call me.
I could get onto the Trading Standards, but they have rectified the problems (so I am told, I haven't heard from Lind today).
I 'cc' the Mini customer service last Thursday. Haven't heard anything from them.

Do I just forget about, or carry on. Its not worth the stress.

Don't give up! :D

Call MINI uk customer service and talk to someone there about it... Or send them an email direct and ask for a response within x days...

I think you do still have a case with Trading Standards if the repairs are not satisfactory!

I know it's a pain but you've paid a lot of money on the car and it should be right! :biggrin:

Hello Binchybabes,
Thanks for all your advice, it is much appreciated.
Finally got my Cooper back, they just turned up, no warning.
I haven't driven it yet, so I'm hoping everything is now ok. I did have the cheek to mention in my email to Lind that as they didn't offer any compensation or any good will gesture, they should throw in a JCW sound kit for free. No answer to that from the dealer, but no harm in trying. Franchise Director is going to call me tomorrow, looking forward to that!!!!

Its all very short sighted of them, they've lost a valued customer. I could be trading my Cooper in at some point for a newer model. They've lost out there. Even if they offered me £50 off the next service it would show willing.

Driven the car home. Stereo still playing up. Rattling still coming from the inside rear.
:(

Do I just forget about, or carry on. Its not worth the stress.
Hi Greenie,

I've been watching this thread for a while now.

Just wondering how old your MINI is, and how long you've had it?

I've had the mini since end of July 06. 3,500 miles on the clock.

Sent an email to The Franchise Director of Lind asking for a refund or replacement for the car as the problems have not be resolved. Also mentioned that its getting to the point where the local papers and the trading standards get involved.
Also sent Mini an email said I want to talk to someone in high authority and not anyone at Lind.

OMG! This is awful!

Let us know how you get on with MINI UK!

Can't say I got a whole lot of help from them as the problem/ complaint seemed to just keep getting passed back to the dealership! :angry:

Haven't heard from Mini HQ.
Franchise Director of Lind finally replied to my emails. He said he was going down to Lind of Colchester to talk to them. Blah, blah, blah!
I think he only replied as I mentioned local press and trading standards.

So, had the comfort open feature turned on in my car and had the scratches on the bonnet looked at. They couldn't polish out the scratches so car will be going to the body shop next week. Sales exec is coming to collect the car from my home and will take it to the body shop. If they can't sort out the scratches, they'll respray the bonnet. Once it's done, he'll drive it back to mine. Must say, I'm impressed with this bit of service. I didn't even have to ask for this when they said the scratches weren't going away, he just said that's what would have to be done.

Obviously, the scratches shouldn't have been there in the first place, but accidents happen. At least it's getting sorted without any hassle.

Mini HQ sent me this.......

We have spoken to Paul Smith, Aftersales Manager at Lind who confirmed that he has been dealing with your case. He advised that all outstanding issues had been rectified and that he has offered you compensation for the inconvenience caused to you. I have forwarded a copy of your e-mails to allow him to investigate your complaint and he will contact you directly to address the points you have raised.

The issues have not been rectified and I have not been offered conpensation by Lind. In fact the After Sales Manager hasn't been in touch at all.

Got to laugh haven't you!!!!!

Unfortunately I thought this might happen...:mad:

I would contact MINI HQ again and tell them that it has not been done to a satisfactory standard and send photos if necessary... Can you get access to other MINIs? If you can try and get some photos of the same seats and leather etc for evidence... If you can't then put post on here and ask the good people of MINI2 to take photos for you...

The dealership are going to tell MINI they've done it properly... At the end of the day the dealership can do it as a warranty claim and get another replacement they just don't want the hassle!

Don't give up! :)

Hi Binchybabes,
Hope you are well....
Got another email from Mini HQ. Basically telling me what I know already, that the aftersales manager is coming to visit me.
Had the Aftersales manager come and visit me today.
Ipod connection. He admitted he didn't know much about ipods. After giving him a demo of the problem with the ipod, he said he'll have to order the ipod connector and put it in a demo car. Then connect my ipod and see what the difference is. He didn't say when he'd get back to me.
Tried an ipod nano and an ipod video. Both had loads of hiss (well the ipod Nano hiss kept coming in and fading out in time with the engine. Ipod video had louder hiss but constant hiss)
Rattling noise, well he reckons its some little piece of rubber under the parcel shelf. I can sort that out, no problem.
The seats i can sort out later, its the stereo thats driving me nuts.