Mini Delivery - Not happy

[chrisworton]

So i've signed my mini deal yesterday, and upon signing i was told that i would pick my S up on Saturday, which was agreed as my MOT runs out on my current car the day after and needs work doing to get it to pass.
Well ive had several conversations with Mini today about things like part exchanging and Taxing the car. During this time theyve changed the date to Monday, then to Wednesday and now i should expect it Friday next week.

Apparently the stone chip that's on the drivers side door needs to be fixed (which they knew about when they told me it would be ready saturday) and they have no spare cars for me to use in the meantime.

not very happy with them as im without a car for a week and i do a lot of work driving!

This is my first dealing i've ever had with Mini and im not best pleased. Thing is when they told me Monday, they said Monday because they didnt want to over promise and under deliver!

Grr!

[chrisworton]

Sorry, should have posted this in the delivery section. Just realised.

[Paul]

What dealer, and is it a used MINI?

[Snowie]

From this thread http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...-cooper-s.html

It is an R56 Cooper S demo on a 58 plate.


you should be unhappy with the dealer and not MINI if the dealer has given you wrong information / can not live up to the promises made.

[toastedMINI]

I agree with snowie,beig an ex-salesman myself i would contact the dealer themself,it is not MINI, although they represent them,it is a shame you could not get a new MINI cooper s rather than a 58 as a friend of mine has just picked up a new Cooper S CHILI for about £17000

[minicoopa]

This is pretty standard behaviour from Mini dealers based on my experience. I brought a used Mini from Mini cherished a few months ago and I've not been impressed with the service at all. I asked them to colour code the arches and they did a very amateur job. The arches are out of alignment and one of them looks like its peeling off in the middle.

When I complained to them, they told me that this was the best they could do. I've totally gone off using Mini main dealers.

[Scrogg]

If it's just a stone chip preventing you taking delivery this Saturday (I find that extremely hard to believe, but then I'm just an old cynic) and the dealership has already agreed to have it rectified, why not take delivery 'as is' and book the car back in at a more convenient time to have the work done?

[envy]

I have always found Benhams service to be below par, i travel to Sutton Coldfield for all servicing & work, they are much better with the whole thing. A friend of mine has had his Cooper S engine re-built three times there (two of which were the result of their mechanical failures)

If you do need to get another MINI, call Matt at MINI Sutton Coldfield, he's a decent guy and above all truthful.

Anyway, i would tell them that you are not happy with the service and speak to the sales manager. Depending on how you want this resolved, i would either state you want the deposit back, or have the car and return it to get the stone chip fixed (they will just get an external company to fix it anyway).

This kind of delay however does concern me. It should not take this long to simply repair a stone chip. It wouldn't surprise me if something mechanical has went wrong and they need to fix it prior. Be careful!

[mooneymini]

If you are really concerned, I would start thinking about cancelling the order.

There are plenty of deals to be had, so don't be worried that you would be paying more money elsewhere.

Worst thing to do is be forced to rush into buying a car fast due to needing a car fast. If the car is not right it could end up costing a lot more money for you if you want to change it sooner than expected.

My advice is to rent or borrow a car for a week or two so that you can go and drive some hard bargains with your local dealers and get a better car with no stone chips in the first place for cheaper.

edite: I have bought quite a few cherished mini's in the past 5 years and the longest any of them have ever taken from signing the paperwork is 5 days.

[chrisworton]

Thanks for everyones response. I started to think that maybe i was just being impatient because i want my mini as soon as possible but maybe you have a point.

I agree with everyone saying it's the dealers fault not MINI's, and its just unfortunate that i seemed to have a bad start with this dealer.

I think i'm going to give Sutton a ring then and see if they can help. if they can find me one with a similar spec that can be sorted sooner then it might be worth it as i cant work without a car.

As ive signed the paperwork for the loan already do you think they will be able to transfer the loan to a different mini or would i have to cancel and re-apply?

Also, does mini select allow me to cancel my agreement? it's only been a few days since i signed the papers.

Thanks again for all your help, this is a real helpful forum!

[minicabrio]

Every finance contract has a cooling off period - a period of time where you're able to cancel the contract without penalty

[chrisworton]

Yeh thought as much, just checking though!

ive looked on mini cherished and i cant get anywhere near the same specs for that car for the money

they say apparently that its taking that long because they needed to do the usual checks when selling a cherished mini, and becuase they do a proper paint job of baking the paint afterwards etc. now unless they are respraying the entire door i dont see them treating the door for just a few spots.

ive seen the marks and they are on the edge of the door, it looks liek someone has opened the door onto the wall. its not bad at all but im not sure if i can just ask them if i can have the car and book it in at a later date?

[Tallpaul]

Quote: Originally Posted by chrisworton (original)

they say apparently that its taking that long because they needed to do the usual checks when selling a cherished mini, and becuase they do a proper paint job of baking the paint afterwards etc. now unless they are respraying the entire door i dont see them treating the door for just a few spots.

Elms MINI in Cambridge prep'd an approved used MINI for me in 48hrs to seal the deal. It is amazing what a motivated salesman can arrange!

Specify the day you want the car and tell them to book it back in for any outstanding work when there is an available courtesy car. It's a simple request, no need for bad feeling on either side - just be polite but firm.

[chrisworton]

Right. I've spoken to the dealer about getting the car early and booking it in at a later date and they've said that that the mini is currently at the shop waiting to be done, however this doesnt necessarily mean it's going to be done soon, it can be done any time over the next week.

I've still requested they try to get it back and book it in another time. waiting for a response now.

[minicabrio]

If it hasn't been worked on yet, I don't see why they couldn't get it back and prep it for collection for you