[scottw44]

For those of you following my story of yesterday, it gets worse. Car pulls more to left than it ever pulled to the right. And the car was hit.

We want a new vehicle, period...

Our story is below...updated to include today's events. I wish I was making this up...



My wife and I just became owners of a new Mini. This is my wife's first new car since college, and we were both very excited.

While awaiting delivery of the car, I lost my job. I didn't know where my next dollar was coming from, let alone my next car.

Debra Sullivan, our salesperson was great, and she was even able to hold the car until I negotiated a new position. I can't say enough good things about Debra and how smooth the whole purchase went.

However, it begins to go downhill from there. On the way home, we noticed that the car was pulling heavily to the right. We checked inflation and corrected.

The car will still pulling, and we contacted Mini. To our shock we were passed right to the service department. My other cars have all been Toyotas, but the sales person is always available to insure initial satisfaction. Might I add not one of my Toyota's has had any issues at purchase that come close to the problems we have.

I waited 3 days for a call back from service, and then was given an appointment for 8 days later, at 7:30 in the morning. As I live 40 minutes from the dealer, I felt a loaner car was in order, and after some trouble managed to have a loaner car agreed to and was told it would be waiting for me. We were then further shocked to learn that there is a suspension issue with the car, and it must be tested and measured. If there is s known issue, why not check the car first?

On the way to service, I get pulled over. Seems like the writing on the temporary plate has washed off. Fortunately, the officer understood the situation, I explained I was enrooted to the dealer, and showed my list indicated the plate issue. He let me go, but again, this is not what I need at 7am.

Now I am at the dealership, and I am amazed at how disorganized it is compared to Toyota. I must say, I was really expecting a lot from BMW, and was most overwhelmed.

I sat down with my serve advisor Max. Unfortunately, he does not control schedules and was honest enough to let me know that the car might not be ready today. The whole reason I waited 8 days for a 7:30 appointment was to not lose my wife's brand new car overnight. We were then informed that the small scratch on the hood, even though it is there with purchase must be addressed by the dealer. I also showed Max a small scratch in the driver window that is also there from purchase. He politely took notes, but again let me know that I may not be getting the car back, what with the multiple issues.

I just want to let you know that the post purchase experience has been anything but satisfactory. The cherry on top was I waited 35 minutes for a rental car to brought over. When It came over, one front tire had steel threads showing, the other was flat, and I had wait to receive another vehicle.

At 1pm today I called for status. Max was at lunch, so I called back again at 3. I was promised a call back as the status had to be updated on the car. After waiting 50 minutes, I called back again. Max was unable to be located and I was told several times by someone named Ann Marie that I have to speak with him. Again, I have a job and can't just sit on hold, or wait for call backs that aren't coming.

Finally, after being on hold for 35 minutes, I spoke at length with Mr. Woody , who is the service manager . I was advised that service is rarely less than 2 days. This too me is just unacceptable as I had a friend in the area drive to the dealership and was informed that as of 3:30 today, the car that I dropped off at 7:30 had not been moved. Mr. Woddy asked me what he could do to help. I replied, get me my car back today. He could not commit to that but assured me it would be done tomorrow. I explained that I have a new job and berween 1-3 would be easier for me. Mr. Woody was unable to grant my request.

I then spoke with Larry Bonito at Mini, and learned that their have been some service conflicts with Mini, as apparently there are only 2 Mini technicians at the service center. When we bought the car, we were sold "BMW," now we are told, you have a "Mini," we can't do that for you.

At day's end, we heard from both Max, and Mr. Woddy, and was informed that the car would not be finished.

Fast forward to Thursday...we receive an email at 5:50 that the car is done. I decide to try and be happy, and head off to pick up the vehicle. Upon arrival, I was informed that my wife's car was in an accident at the dealership.

At this point, it's like, how much more can I handle.

I have received several letters from the dealership asking me if I am satisfied. I clearly am not. It would seem that in the extra days the car sat while I was unemployed that it could have been checked and prepped better. Had it been prepped right it wouldn't have been in for service, and now in an accident. To top it off, the car pulls more to the left than it did to the right. What the heck was done in the last 2 days?

The only acceptable solution to my wfe and I is a brand new replacement vehicle. I am looking for ideas on how to go about it.

kind regards,

scott

scottw44@bellsouth.net

[Paul]

Maybe you should put your dealer forward:

www.mini2.com/dealers

[scottw44]

Hi There:

This is a nightmare. My goal in the short term is to get another car, and I want to get some opinions on how to do so.

I also need #'s and email addresses for Mini Central and BMW of America.

I am willing to give the dealer the chance to make things right, but am in complete disgust over the whole situation.

scott

[scottw44]

Thanks...we are trying to not let the experience sour us on the vehicle, which my wife loves.

The dealer is supposed to call at 10am this am...if not, I will call the Mini # you provided.

kind regards,

scott

[scottw44]

I just spoke with the companies sales manager. Bonnie was very kind about the situation, and they have agreed to buy back the car.

I am sorry that it ended up this way, but it appears something is amiss with the suspension and this is probably what's best.

We will not let it sour us on Mini, but we are sad to see her go.

Fwiw, the sales side of Lauderdale Mini have been a pleasure to deal with, from purchase to refund. I know the service side fell short, but I do want to give kudos to the sales side.

kind regards,

scott

--
reply to:
gratefulcyclist@hotmail.com

[wynnonna]

Wow! Sorry to hear about troubles with your MINI!

You took your MINI to Lauderdale for service and mentioned it was 40 minutes away; is that 40 minutes north of you or 40 south? I'm asking because my dealer (sales & service) is South Motors in Miami, and, while in some instances their sales leaves something to be desired, I have had EXCELLENT experience with Christian in their service department; though, you can forget about a loaner car...

Will you be getting a new MINI? If so, you might consider South Motors for service in the future .

As someone else posted, key is to always be nice. You catch more flies with honey and all that.

Best of luck for a speedy new faultless MINI!

Cathy

[scottw44]

Thanks Cathy. We really would like to get another Mini, and would consider ordering an 03.

My big concern is the suspension...from this group, it appears that suspension issues are quite common.

I live on the Boca Delray border btw, so Braman and Lauderdale are the closest for service, and both are 40-50 minute drives. I would hate to spend my life going back and forth to the dealer.

So, what do we hear about the 03 and suspension?

scott

[wynnonna]

Hmmm,

don't know what to tell you about the suspension. My MINI is an April build, delivered in May and I don't suffer such issues.

I've got other issues thank you very much .

Cathy

[scottw44]

I have seen a few threads related to pulling, both left and right, and want to try and learn a little more.

thanks for the reply

[Mini_me]

Actually the suspension has been changed. Do a search in the faults and fixes for the details and maybe even photos if they are still there. A breif summary:

There were cases of car pulling left (which was a hot topic in faults and fixes in 2001/early 2002) This did not occur on all cars. One guy had his suspension replaced 3 times and the last time, it was fixed. He photographed the new and old parts for all to see. The old suspension comes up into the space onder the bonnet(hood) whereas the top of the new suspension comes just below the gap that the old suspension came through.

My 2001 Cooper had the old suspension (but without the left pull). My 2002 Cooper S has the new suspension (and again no pull).

Hope this helps, and remeber to do a search in faults and fixes or even check to see if there is an FAQ on the issue.

[scottw44]

I am aware that we are in suspension# 3, but that did not stop my car from pulling.

From roof leaks, to rattles, squeaks, pulls, etc, we Mini lovers sure endure plenty for our passion.

We have been thinking about this all weekend, and I am still on the bubble of whether or not we should order another one.

It's just that there are a lot of little quirks, and beteen a sick wife and a complex career, there is not a whole lot of time for commuting back and forth to service.

We will probably hang back and evaluate feedback on the 2003's, and once they have some mileage on them, we will probably better know what to do.

thanks everyone for the candor and info.

scott