[tomstork]

I'm very interested in people's opinions on this; sorry if it's kinda long:

I took my MCS in for some warranty service last week: the A/C had died (the compressor wouldn't switch on, the aux cooling fan ran constantly--even when the A/C was switched off). I'd taken it to my usual mechanic (Euro Imports in Alexandria), who said he thought it was probably a pressure sensor in the compressor, and not just a relay, as I'd hoped.

A little background: I live in Washington, DC, where there aren't any Mini dealers; you have to go to Mini of Sterling in Sterling, VA (20+ miles), or to Tate Mini in Annapolis, MD (30-ish miles). I chose the former, since it's much closer to work. I called on the 25th of July, explained the symptoms, and they wouldn't/couldn't give me an appointment before 5 August. I dropped it off evening before, got my loaner car (actually a rental, a Ford Taurus), which they said was free until the end of business on the 6th; the car would be ready on the 6th. I also asked them to reset the oil mileage light (my garage changes my oil and doesn't have the reset tool) and to change some of the key memory settings. They said they'd be happy to do the oil light, but that the key settings would cost an hour's labor -- $92. I said no thanks, then, to the key settings.

On the 6th I called at about 3:00 PM to check up and make sure the car would be ready (I'd have to move things around to go out and pick it up if it were ready, otherwise I could let things slide). I was assured by the service manager that it would be ready that day.

But then, at 4:30, I get a call from this same person, saying that a) the A/C problem was a "body control module" (I believe that's what he said); b) they don't have the part, and they can't get it until Thursday at the latest; c) since they were paying out of pocket for the loaner car, they'd either like me to bring the loaner back and have me drive my still unfixed car around until the part came in, or split the cost of the loaner with them! I made it clear that I wasn't very happy about either option, and he then (supposedly) called MINI, who (he said) told him that they'd cover the rental.

Thursday comes, and in the afternoon, I get another call saying that the part still had not come in. Fine; I keep the Taurus and wait another day.

Friday comes, and I get a call around Noon, and the car's ready. I drive out and pick it up (it hasn't been washed, FWIW), and drive it home.

The next time I start the car (it was running when I got in to drive off), I notice the oil indicator has NOT been re-set.

The receipt says nothing about a "body control module;" it says that the work consisted of replacing a...compressor pressure sensor!

The receipt also has a sticker on it saying that, if there's any reason I can't give them a "5" when I get my service survey, I should call the service manager -- the same guy I had to browbeat into giving me a loaner car while my warranteed car was being repaired, and who also apparently gave me a less-than-fully-accurate explanation of what the problem was.

So I ask you all: what would you give them if you were in my position? If this isn't a 5, what is it? If it is a 5, what would it take to get less than that?

Eagerly awaiting your opinions!
- Tom

[Daddu]

Don't feel like you have to give them a 5.
Give them what you feel is equal to the service you got. Sounds like a 2 or 3 to me. IMHO

[Maz]

Only give em Five if they have done all the work requested, on budget, on time, and to a level that YOU are satisfied with. If I had your service experience a Three would be considered generous.