[R1]

I have had good dealings with Robert Sterns myself. Warranty work was all done fine.

Got to admit that Cotswold MINI in Cheltenham were very good, but I was with them for a while mind.

[Richard Crofts]

Quote: Originally Posted by CYCO (original)

Well said Richard, I think that Adam needs to try speaking to the dealer rather than posting things like this , yes they have made a few **** ups over the seven years i have had MINIs , however all have been dealt with no problem , remember its good to talk !!!!!!

TBH I don't have an issue with slating dealers online, but in fairness the issue adam has had are not the easiest things to fix first time round, and Sterns are not the only dealer to have a poor record in regard to gearbox, clutch and flywheel issues on the MINI.

Like you say its good to talk. TBH I had one thing have to go back to them as not fixed first time! However as long as I get a courtesy car and they are pleasent about taking it back till its right I don't have an issue. Its not the fact they get it wrong (everyone gets things wrong, even the pros) its how they handle the issue!

R1 ... I have to agree, I always got greeat service at Cotswold Cheltenham... my first dealer! I can't say I found Gloucesters to be as good though...no bad, just not as good as Cheltenham.

[adam_Randell]

Quote: Originally Posted by CYCO (original)

Well said Richard, I think that Adam needs to try speaking to the dealer rather than posting things like this , yes they have made a few **** ups over the seven years i have had MINIs , however all have been dealt with no problem , remember its good to talk !!!!!!

you think i havent mate? it IS the worsed MINI garage i've been to

[adam_Randell]

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Crofts (original)

TBH if you have had a prang, however small, I can understand them refusing to do the repair to the arches under warrantee. It is plausable that even a small impact can loosen or break the clips holding the arches on, which then over time work thier way off. You can only hope that on occassions like this that a dealer is sometimes really kind and does the repair FOC as a good will gesture, but they are IMO well within thier rights (and it makes better financial sense) to refuse the work FOC due to the damage possibly being as a result of your fault (the accident!)

You sound like a salesman lol. I'm not bitc*ing about them quoting for a new bonnet or stripes. everyone seems to be totally missing the point there its the face that they quoted for 2 fog lights, when i dont even have fog lights?!?! and ive had the side lights off tonight while fitting a new bumper, and there is no scratches, cracks, scuffs or anything wrong with them.

[Lucky Dave]

Im shocked at this thread!

I take all my minis there and to date every issue I have had with any of the cars has always been resolved first time.

I also recall when all other dealers were saying a noisy LSD was just "how they were" Sterns went the extra mile and actually fixed the fault on my car and reported the findings back to BMW which resulted in known fix which is now done at all BMW dealers around the world!

Additionally the common fault on the mini cab of the only one rear window closing was also fixed by sterns.

When I fist had the car I did attempt to use another mini dealer but as none of there techs actualy had or drove minis themselves I felt I would get better service from a garage whos techs like the cars they worked on enough to buy one themselves!

I went to the service desk asked do you have any techs who drive minis? it was that simple.

I now ask for the same chap buy name each time and I would not take my car anywhere else.

In fact I even take my non BMW cars to Sterns as I rate there workmanship highly.

PS I know Mr Stern reads this forum so Im gonna get real good service now!!!

[adam_Randell]

I use a MINI garage i am totally happy with now. Have to travel an extra 30 mins to get there but its worth it!

[Lucky Dave]

I am aware of a BMW bike dealership who found a customer giving them a real bad write up on a owners forum, and the customer had, how shall I put it...... laid it on a bit thick!

The guy was taken to court, he tried to blame the forum for allowing it, but in the end the guy had to pay the dealership damages an amount based on the viewings of the post!

Forums are dangerous places to speak it would seem!

[adam_Randell]

Surely thats not right? Freedom of speach and all that??

[Fizzoid]

Quote: Originally Posted by adam_Randell (original)

Surely thats not right? Freedom of speach and all that??

Reedom of speech, what's that?
Anyway, not if it's slander. I remember the Mitsubishi Lancer Register being closed down a few years back, after a tuner got slated on there.

[adam_Randell]

wow serious stuff eh

[wibbly]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lucky Dave (original)

Im shocked at this thread!

I can only agree with what Lucky Dave has said really...

I've taken my car to Sterns for almost 4 years now, never had a problem with them, OK, the Service Reception is a bit BMW'ish (ie they look down their nose a bit at you, however that did change when we 1) laid down the law a bit and 2) got chatty with one of the service receptionists) but the standard of work is excellent from the Service Technicians and if there has ever been anything wrong with the car it has always been sorted out exceptionally well.

I think you have to establish the ground rules with them, and work from there. If you have an issue with service, then talk to the Service Manager and work from there.

On the whole though, my experience with them has been excellent and I have never been concerned to refer people to them!

[sommat]

with regard to problems with main dealer in worcester area if you not happy try new independant do-mini,top bloke great service at less than half stern`s hourly rate premises not as flashbut then again you not paying for them!!!! try do-mini@live.co.uk I spent lots with sterns and was always left feeling second class to bmw owners and never left happy. They even forgot to collect my car once and left it on my drive for a week with the keys in it!!!!

[paule3]

I bought my Cooper D from Robert Stern last december, infact I traveled from home to Worcester rather than go to Benhams (Wolverhampton) which is my local dealer. I made 2 trips to Robert Sterns, one for a look round and a second to order the car. I have generally been happy with them, the sales guy phoned me quite often letting me know how things were going, and he phoned me the other day as it had been 6 months since I bought the car and wanted to know how things were with it. He wasn't very impressed when I told him a problem I'd spoken to him about hadn't been resolved - he'd passed it on to service!

[acidHL]

Are we talking about fog lights or spots?

The sales staff at Robert Stern are excellent. I can't honestly fault them.

I myself had to have some major repairs done to my Cooper after the flooding last year and despite a couple of grubby finger marks on the dash the work was superb. The only delay was my insurance company in actually getting an assessor to my car but once it was ok'ed the car was ready within the time frame a huge volume of cars waiting to be serviced. Apparently they kept the servicing department open right through the weekend to deal with the volume.

Having said that my sister-in-law did have some issues on her Clubman that required it to go back a few times. The fault here, I think, rests with the factory rather than the servicing department.

Do remember that if you buy your car from one dealership you can always have it serviced at another.

[ScoobyDoo]

I cant believe Sterns has been slated..... I have purposly travelled an hour in 8am traffic from Dudley to Worcester so I could get my car booked in here and from when I arrived to when I left I was treated with professionalism.... I was even shown to the courtesey car personally not just had the keys thrown at me then had to look at the tag for the reg no, like at my local dealership.
And when I collected my car, it'd had a full wash & valet and was bought round me to me and they even held the door open.....

Ive not had to deal with the sales dept. but if there service is as good as what I personally received from the service dept. then I can see why they were dealership of the year for so many years running.....

[Mr Silverblood]

I am clearly from the other Worcester, in that other England marked "New", but seeing my city's name in a thread, brings a smile to this lads eye.

Werd to Worcesterites the world over!

[Richard Crofts]

LOL

Nice!

Theres also a dealer in Hereford/ cheltenham and anouther independant MINI garage in Holt Heath near Worcester called ThinkMINI ... so like was said above, if your cars out of warrantee and you want to get work done by an ex bmw mechanic you could use them or the other local BMW dealer

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mr Silverblood (original)

I am clearly from the other Worcester

Bet you pronounce it War Chester though?

[Richard Crofts]

lol .. ooooohhhh! Fight fight fight... US Vs UK

[mini_mart]

sterns are amazing: i complained on this thread a while back, BUT after contacting them i could not have been more wrong.
i told them about all the problem i was having with my mini so they, picked it up (im in wolverhampton) and left me a brand new BMW 3 series hire car .
gave it a full check over and its like new.
I will not buy an mini anywhere else with a service like that