[fioremini]

I must say that servicing my 2004 cooper with 10000k on it has been frustrating. I've been to Canbec 3 times for the same problem in 1 month, and they can't seem to get it right (stalling, rough idle, hiccups, and then check engine light), Not to mention the fact that they will keep your car for 48 hours, but only work on it at the end of the second day. I had a service appointment for 9;00 am, but they didn't look at the car until 3:00pm the next day. 1 day later, the check engine light is back on. I think they're so overbooked, that they just reset the check engine light, and gave the car back to me.

After the 3rd "check engine" problem, I demanded that they come and pick up the car themselves from where I work. They agreed to do it by 1:00 pm Wedneday. It's now Thursday night, and I'm still waiting.

I have decided to take my car elsewhere. I had a good, long talk with the service manager at BMW Laval about the repair issues, and he wasn't suprised. He said that a lot of their customers are former Canbec clients, for similar reasons.

My car was running just fine before Canbec did the "voluntary emissions recall" work on it, now, it's a mess, and I'm no longer enjoying my car.

The (former) Mini sales rep who actually sold me my car, suggested I get my car serviced elsewhere. I should have listened.

So folks, avoid Canbec BMW if you are experiencing REAL problems with your car, they are not competent enough to fix Minis, and you'll have to go back time, and time again.

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Fioremini

[jambo101]

Thanks for the heads up

[MiniDSW2005]

Hi fioremini:

Same here, but the problem happens to my father's BMW X5; Appointment was set at 8am, but they start to drive it into the garage at 1pm.(after their lunch... )... and then at the end, they still had not fix the problem... (Door frozen, cannot close, and they just put something like WD-40 to moisture the hinge which allows the door can be close at that moment...)

Then we bring the X5 to Brossard BMW, and I must say their customer services, skills and knowledge are way much much better than Canbec. And of course they did fix our problem and have the tech to explain what happen to the car. I am no wonder why there are so many BMWs with Canbec sticker are waiting for services at BMW Brossard.

I bought my car at MontRoyal Mini (Which belong with Canbec), but I am sure once my MCS needs services, I will bring it to Laval or Brossard BMW.

[SoonToBeMini]

I had a defective run flat when I took delivery of my mini and they took care of it relatively quickly. Well they had me inflate the tire every day for a week cause it was leaking all its air overnight and they didn`t have time to do it sooner. Now that I think of it waiting a week for them to change a tire is a bit excessive but anyway. I left them the car the night before the appointment, and picked it up the next evening, with a brand new tire and on time just as they had told me. I thought it was a bit strange that they didn`t want to give me a ride to work (in dorval 15 mins away) they would only drop me at a subway station. I`m planning on going to Laval next time around it`s more convenient for me, that is if they want to take my mini even if I bought it at mont-royal...

[fioremini]

Hi SoonToBeMini,

Mini Laval will service your car regardless of where you bought it. and they will provide a courtesy car (no charge except for insurance), but if you have a FAQ # 27 on your insurance policy, you can waive the rental insurance fee, and you will be fully covered by your own policy, but if you crash the courtesy car, you'll have to pay the deductable according to your own insurance policy, so the 15$ no deductable rental insurance isn't such a bad thing. But, if you have to go back over and over and over, it'll get a little expensive.

Didn't Canbec offer you a courtesy car? Oh, let me guess...THEY HAD NONE!!! (for Mini owners anyhow). If you had a BMW, they'd have a courtesy car for you.

At Mini Laval, you can drop your car off after service hours, and get a courtesty car until 8:30 pm. So you don't have to rush there by 5:00pm (unlike Canbec).

I bought my car at Mount Royal too, and Canbec is closer to my house (5 minutes), but I need to get my car repaired properly, so I'm going to Laval, and hoping they can fix the problem(s). I'll keep you posted as to how long it takes, and if the service dept. actually has any respect for Mini owners.

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fioremini

[SoonToBeMini]

Sounds good let us know how it turns out. Canbec did offer me to lease a courtesy car but I didn't think it made sense for me to pay for a courtesy car while they take a day to change a tire. Specially since I had taken delivery of the mini only a week earlier I wasn't very receptive to this kind of arrangement.

In any case it just didn't t feel right to get the car serviced at a -physical- location different than where I had bought the car at (Mont-Royal vs Canbec, I know call me crazy). I felt like a total stranger at Canbec and didn't like that at all. I'm used to go chat with the sales rep that sold me my car while I wait for them to service it, maintaining a certain relationship with the dealer is always useful if it is ever needed. This can't be done at canbec so I just won't be going back there.

[DarkMiniCooperS]

I've had so many problems with Canbec that I could write a complete book... and it would be a best-seller!

Seriously, take you MINI to Laval or Brossard... Last time I went to Canbec, they cherged me 105.00$ to check my car for a DSC problem and they didn't fix it because I had a pulley on it... I called the service manager to get my money back but he said that if I wanted my money back, he would void my warranty...

Canbec are stupid people who spend their time on BMW cars and when they have free time, they will work on a MINI...

I can tell you from my long experience (77500km motored) that Laval or Brossard really worth the extra driving!

Go see J-P at Laval or Pierre at Brossard to get the service you deserve!

Trust me, Canbec are the worst people I've met in my whole life!!!

[DarkMiniCooperS]

We should all write to MINI Canada to make sure they are aware of their worst dealer, Canbec...

This way, things might change...

Dominic Beaucage is the service manager and he is the one to blame for all this... He hates MINI owners because we have some problems with our cars and he must "work" to get it fix.... he is sooo lazy...

[fioremini]

Well, it's good to know that I'm not the only one who has experienced poor service at Canbec...but it sucks that we can't get good service on the island of Montreal for our cars.

I agree, an open letter to Mini Canada might open their eyes. Although I already files a complaint with BMW customer service in Toronto, it really seemed like they couldn't care less either. They actually did nothing to make things right.

I did go to Mini Laval, and although they haven't taken my car in yet, they did promise to go over everything that Canbec was SUPPOSED to do, and they will let me know what was done, and what wasn't (they have a copy of the service papers from Canbec as reference).

Nothing ****es me off more than buying a new car, and not being able to have the problems ironed out in a timely, headache-free manner.

I think maybe we should get 100 Montreal MINI owners to show up at their service department at the same time, and have a word with the owner of Canbec. MAYBE then they might realize that they have a problem. They can ignore us individually, but not if we show up together, and DEMAND proper servicing.

Vive la revolution!!!! We will not be ignored!!!!

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Fioremini

[MiniByblos]

I agree, but I will have to judge for myself before I take a stand. Unfortunately, i'll have an opportunity real soon. I just came back from vacation and noticed my "Check Engine" light is on... I'll try out canbec and will give you feedback on my experiences. I would really like them to work out, as they're a 5 minute drive from my house...

[paco]

I've also heard stories of Laval customers wanting to change to another dealer. Personally, I've had bad experiences with MINI Laval.

They've managed to scratch the exterior paint on one of my doors and lately they scratched the interior trim near the reflector on the passenger door.

I've dealt with J-P once over the phone, and he was professional. The problem is, you get the service depending on which rep. you talk to and the dealership's service manager. For example, Laval's service manager never called me back for the scratched interior.

I now have the check engine light lit since before Christmas. I'll have to get an appointment soon enough, so I'll let them know what I think about the scratched interior.

I wish MINI would start MINI-exclusive repair shops.


--
paco

[MiniByblos]

Well I decided to completely forego Canbec and based on the feedback from MINI2, I made an appointment with Mini Brossard/Park Avenue BMW. My appointment was last friday. So my feedback goes like this:

1. Quality of service was pretty good. I wasn't made to feel like I'm supposed to take a back see to the BMW's. I had a blown thermostat, it caused my "Check Engine" light to go on.
2. Mechanics seemed to have good knowledge of Mini mechanics. I asked a mechanic what version of my software he was installing, he admitted that he didn't know, but asked a collegue and came back to me. I appreciated that I didn't get a ******** answer.
3. I saw 3 other MCS's come in and out that day. Two of which freequent these boards frequently. It was nice to exchange tips with other Mini owners.
4. Another MCS was getting an air intake and a sway bar installed. THe dealer didn't blink and was willing to install these aftermarket parts without any discussions. It seems that this dealer is adopting a much more open approach to MINI mods.

So in summary, this was my first service experience for my MCS and it was a positive experience. I definitely recommend making the trip across the bridge to Brossard to visit this dealer.

[fioremini]

You made a VERY wise choice going anywhere but Canbec. I'll have to check out Mini Brossard...

Lately, I've been going to Laval, and I'm quite happy. The service is quick, polite & headache free. They also provided decent courtesy cars, First car was a 2005 BMW 320 (nice car, but a lot larger than I'm used to after driving a mini for 6 months), second car was a 2004 Cooper S (I have a regular cooper, and MAN OH MAN!!! I LOVED that Cooper S!)..

Anyhow, Mini Laval has taken care of my problems, and my car is healthy again. Unfortunately, now I 'm hooked on the Cooper S...

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Fioremini

[DarkMiniCooperS]

Yes, MINI Laval are really great!!! I would deal with them everytime, but they are a bit far from my place... MINI Brossard is the closest, and they haven't deceived me yet!

Anything but Canbec!!! Do it for you, do it for your MINI, and do it to make sure they'll lose their MINI license too!

[mightydread]

well guys i have 1 problem from mini Laval. i started looking for a new car around November.
wasn't sure if i wanted another Subaru or somthing else. but after taking a mcs out for a test drive i found my dream car. so i started surfing the net . found mini2 wow what a great help. i think i went back 3 times to the dealer before i order it , i wanted to make sure i didnt miss anything , but of course i screwed up . i thought the lsd came with the mcs.cause on the mini.ca site there was no option for it yet. so on jan 21/05 i order it.
i cant remember which day i went back to mini.ca to go look at what i ordered. i see the option for the LSD up ( dam ) i called my MA right away . but it was to late ,production was starting in less then 48 hrs he told me i ll try and order it, but it was to late.
after telling him i was very disappointed I'm not getting LSD , he said doesn't matter u have the dsc and asc .so lsd is not really worth it .doh i just spent 42000.00 on a car and I'm miss ing out on one of the best things mini just added on to the mcs. they also told me that they cant add it on after. i am willing to pay for aftermaket add on.
am i really missing out on something ???

please tell me what u guys think

thanx
mighytdread

[Kenmini]

Unless you're a GREAT Spirited driver that likes to take off at full throttle out at a green light or out of acorner, I done think having a LSD would make much of a difference to you. Thats was what the sales guy told me when I was at the dealership ordering mine . ( A great sunny thrusday ! ) In my Opinion, a combination of ASC+T and DSC is already enough for me. if you want to compensate for not having the extra traction/ control from have a LSD installed, I guess the first route would be buying a much expensive ultra performance summer tire ... ( I.E. Bridgestone S-03/S02, Mic. Pilot sport ... )

[mightydread]

why u dont think lsd would help with winter driving ???

[Kenmini]

well I never said LSD won't help winter driving. In fact I don't even know myself.

[mightydread]

lol ,, well we will just have to wait and see eh

[Patrick27]

May all owners of Minis be reassured, the service at Canbec is as rotten for BMW owners as for Mini owners.
I have bought my first BMW spring 2004 at Canbec; a 530 so its not even a small model, and not only the service is worst than what i got in my whole life with other makes of cars at other dealerships (even with a Chevrolet i was treated better at GM dealers) but it is totally incompetent.
At the evidence there are several problems, some of organisation, some of lack of knowledge, and worse of all, they seem not to bother with there mistakes.
For those who think Dominic Beaucage hates Mini owners, i think he doesnt have any consideration for ALL car owners.
At the present moment I will not be to specific because I am waiting to see the conclusion of my 3rd formal complaint (after having visited another BMW dealer who made me discover something worse than I could ever imagine)!
The only advise I can give everyone, is to avoid Canbec.

Patrick