MINI2

richhamer · Oct 8th, 2004, 08:35 PM

Bought my MINI when I lived up north so have no knowledge of dealers near Oxford. Noticed that the leather on the base of my drivers seat has come away from the seat exposing the foam in the seat, a known fault.

Took the car in to North Oxford MINI who immediatly agreed to change the seat. Offered a loan car. Great, thought I.

Arrived back at the dealers to collect and was told the seat was fixed and the car was cleaned outside. I walked out to the car, noticed they had washed it REALLY badly (half the back end caked in dirt, smears all over the glass), opened the door and the seat was exactly the same!!

When I went back in they had another look then said, "well, we don't think we can make it any better. Its a known fault but if we recover the seat it will be just the same so there is no point in doing it."

Well it wasn't like that when I bought it, the other seat is fine and all the cars in their showroom are fine so obviously whether it is a known fault or not, an improvement is possible. I pointed this out to which I was told any fix wouldn't work.

If this was the case, why did they offer to change the seat? Why did they tell me it was fixed? Why did the job sheet say it was fixed when they hadn't touched it?

Surely they should at least make an attempt at repairing the fault. Surely, I have the right to expect that they try?

6 hours and all they do is wash the car. Badly.

Lorri · Oct 8th, 2004, 08:40 PM

Hey Rich, long time no see... what are you doing down South?

That's really bad service all round... I'd write a letter of complaint

richhamer · Oct 8th, 2004, 08:49 PM

hey Lorraine!!

Cr*p service!! Changed the sig now too to show my feelings to a wider audience. Don't worry, I'm not done with this

Yeah liking it down here. Starting to meet a few people and works not bad. Bloke at work got an S just like yours!

Just not a fan of my MINI dealer. Service is due soon too. Might be a trip back up north for that

Lorri · Oct 8th, 2004, 09:04 PM

No plans to change it yet then? We've been thinking about changing ours, then we decide not to then.... ohhhhh decisions decisions

I think Steve's been into Almondbury, amongst others (I think it's the saleswomen that are the real attraction

)
I would hope you'd get better service up here but thats not the point is it... it should be good everywhere

richhamer · Oct 8th, 2004, 09:20 PM

heh! There is a nice one at Almondbury!!

I rang them after leaving the other place. They say they know of the fault and should be able to "at least offer you some improvement". Going to email them piccies as a 330 mile round trip on the off chance isn't really practical!

Was going to get an all black S this summer. Almondbury offered me a cracking deal, ( I mean really amazing!!) but when I found out the property prices here even their offer wasn't good enough

Think I'll wait for my pay review in April and if I'm not crying I'll take the plunge. Oh, and it won't be from North Oxford Garage!

Wish they still did Indi Blue though. I'd have another in IB/W.

nickschin · Oct 9th, 2004, 10:02 PM

just so u know, i found that garage useless as well.

left me waiting for 10 minutes before even talking to me

sales guy was useless and uninterested, i talked more about the car than he did.

left me with really bad impression.

i ended up getting my mini over 60miles away from where i live but there was no way i was going to send the car i wanted to oxford. didn't think they deserved it! ended up getting much better service elsewhere and they got my money!

Minty · Oct 15th, 2004, 07:46 PM

you could always pop it in to Damon Hill...they are not that far away

Minihabit · Oct 16th, 2004, 11:05 AM

Mmmm,

We have just ordered our car from this garage and found the Saleslady (person?) Sarah really helpful!

She new the car spec's very well gave us a really good test drive (in 2 diffierent models) and more importantly spoke to my wife (not to me) when she found out that she was the person who was buying.

After sales - only time will tell!

Brian

MartinSSZ · Oct 16th, 2004, 02:07 PM

We've never had a problem with North Oxford, always really helpful and get the job done.

They managed to bring our order for a Cooper S forward by about 6 months and we ended up with a launch day car - we've since had two further MINIs from them - Richard (Loosemoose)'s ONE and the new Cooper S Convertible.

Maybe you caught them on an off day, I thought they were considered one of the good 'uns

Martin

chughes163 · Oct 16th, 2004, 09:06 PM

I got my car from them. Sarah was very good although she was new when I brought my car. Obviously, she didnt know the spec's too well but was pleasent and friendly which was what we wanted.

The last service i went in for wasnt great - waited 30 minutes before I could get served. But the work was well done and I came to the conclusion that the service was free so dont be too fussy!

Harpo · Oct 17th, 2004, 11:49 AM

I bought mine from NOG, and have no issue whatsoever.

Maybe you got a Friday person!

richhamer · Oct 17th, 2004, 12:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Minty

you could always pop it in to Damon Hill...they are not that far away

Its booked into Almondbury in Huddersfield for next time I go back home. Send them photos and they've said they'll change the seat. Pretty definite fix I would think!

Might bring it to Damon Hill for service though. Like you say, not too far

Bails · Oct 19th, 2004, 02:32 PM

I've bought 2 cars from NOG. Never had a problem.
Sarah the sales person I found very professional...always called you back and
always replied to emails.

Sounds like your were unlucky.

richhamer · Oct 24th, 2004, 03:18 PM

Latest on this is MINI UK replied to my email stating that they contacted NOG asking them to ring me.

Heard nothing.

Phrozen · Oct 24th, 2004, 09:41 PM

Dont like North Oxford Garage at all

when i go in there they completley ignore me.

The only peeps i like is the 2 guys behind the service bit there friendly and helpful.

ScoobyDoo · Oct 25th, 2004, 10:26 AM

Did you see the BMW Service Dept. in NOG or the MINI sales when you went in?
Sometimes there can be a difference, although there shouldn't be.

richhamer · Oct 27th, 2004, 01:30 PM

It was the MINI team. They have seperate locations for the 2.
I used to deal with the BMW service team at my old dealer and they were great.
I always found the BMW guys at Scotthall Leeds really helpful too.

cfranklin · Oct 27th, 2004, 05:07 PM

I too have had problems with NOG....I, like you, have brought the car at a different dealership and altho they say they will help there are always problems. They have denied problems then a recall comes out and they admit it. I am thinking of getting my service etc done elsewhere but the closest dealer is either Leamington Spa or Damon Hill in Coventry!

Jackie in service was the nicest person there...always helpful etc but she left about 9-10 months ago now.....

Phrozen · Oct 28th, 2004, 01:24 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by richhamer

It was the MINI team. They have seperate locations for the 2.
I used to deal with the BMW service team at my old dealer and they were great.
I always found the BMW guys at Scotthall Leeds really helpful too.

im gettin my mini from scotthall leeds, even the nog garage isnt far away at all.

Oct 8th, 2004, 08:35 PM	#1
richhamer Northerner in t'south Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Solihull Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 354 Online	North Oxford Garage Bought my MINI when I lived up north so have no knowledge of dealers near Oxford. Noticed that the leather on the base of my drivers seat has come away from the seat exposing the foam in the seat, a known fault. Took the car in to North Oxford MINI who immediatly agreed to change the seat. Offered a loan car. Great, thought I. Arrived back at the dealers to collect and was told the seat was fixed and the car was cleaned outside. I walked out to the car, noticed they had washed it REALLY badly (half the back end caked in dirt, smears all over the glass), opened the door and the seat was exactly the same!! When I went back in they had another look then said, "well, we don't think we can make it any better. Its a known fault but if we recover the seat it will be just the same so there is no point in doing it." Well it wasn't like that when I bought it, the other seat is fine and all the cars in their showroom are fine so obviously whether it is a known fault or not, an improvement is possible. I pointed this out to which I was told any fix wouldn't work. If this was the case, why did they offer to change the seat? Why did they tell me it was fixed? Why did the job sheet say it was fixed when they hadn't touched it? Surely they should at least make an attempt at repairing the fault. Surely, I have the right to expect that they try? 6 hours and all they do is wash the car. Badly. Gone Coming December '08

Oct 8th, 2004, 08:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lorri I can feel it Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sheffield Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 11,780 Offline	Hey Rich, long time no see... what are you doing down South? That's really bad service all round... I'd write a letter of complaint M2CB09 ~ It's a Golden Celebration

Oct 8th, 2004, 08:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
richhamer Northerner in t'south Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Solihull Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 354 Online	hey Lorraine!! Cr*p service!! Changed the sig now too to show my feelings to a wider audience. Don't worry, I'm not done with this Yeah liking it down here. Starting to meet a few people and works not bad. Bloke at work got an S just like yours! Just not a fan of my MINI dealer. Service is due soon too. Might be a trip back up north for that Gone Coming December '08

Oct 8th, 2004, 09:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lorri I can feel it Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sheffield Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 11,780 Offline	No plans to change it yet then? We've been thinking about changing ours, then we decide not to then.... ohhhhh decisions decisions I think Steve's been into Almondbury, amongst others (I think it's the saleswomen that are the real attraction ) I would hope you'd get better service up here but thats not the point is it... it should be good everywhere M2CB09 ~ It's a Golden Celebration

Oct 8th, 2004, 09:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
richhamer Northerner in t'south Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Solihull Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 354 Online	heh! There is a nice one at Almondbury!! I rang them after leaving the other place. They say they know of the fault and should be able to "at least offer you some improvement". Going to email them piccies as a 330 mile round trip on the off chance isn't really practical! Was going to get an all black S this summer. Almondbury offered me a cracking deal, ( I mean really amazing!!) but when I found out the property prices here even their offer wasn't good enough Think I'll wait for my pay review in April and if I'm not crying I'll take the plunge. Oh, and it won't be from North Oxford Garage! Wish they still did Indi Blue though. I'd have another in IB/W. Gone Coming December '08

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Oct 9th, 2004, 10:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
nickschin runningmini My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oxford Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 64 Offline	just so u know, i found that garage useless as well. left me waiting for 10 minutes before even talking to me sales guy was useless and uninterested, i talked more about the car than he did. left me with really bad impression. i ended up getting my mini over 60miles away from where i live but there was no way i was going to send the car i wanted to oxford. didn't think they deserved it! ended up getting much better service elsewhere and they got my money!

Oct 15th, 2004, 07:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
Minty Man in the know! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Rugby Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 3,967 Offline	you could always pop it in to Damon Hill...they are not that far away MINI-3 @ Cotswold MINI \| BMW-four @ Cotswold BMW \| E-Mail Me \| Minty - Part of the IT Crowd!

Oct 16th, 2004, 11:05 AM	#8 (permalink)
Minihabit MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: BUCKS Local Time: 08:27 PM Posts: 26 Offline	North Oxford Garage - good experience Mmmm, We have just ordered our car from this garage and found the Saleslady (person?) Sarah really helpful! She new the car spec's very well gave us a really good test drive (in 2 diffierent models) and more importantly spoke to my wife (not to me) when she found out that she was the person who was buying. After sales - only time will tell! Brian

Oct 16th, 2004, 02:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
MartinSSZ Yellow and Proud My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Shoreham-by-Sea Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 758 Offline	We've never had a problem with North Oxford, always really helpful and get the job done. They managed to bring our order for a Cooper S forward by about 6 months and we ended up with a launch day car - we've since had two further MINIs from them - Richard (Loosemoose)'s ONE and the new Cooper S Convertible. Maybe you caught them on an off day, I thought they were considered one of the good 'uns Martin

Oct 16th, 2004, 09:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
chughes163 MINI2 Muppet Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Location, Location Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 890 Offline	I got my car from them. Sarah was very good although she was new when I brought my car. Obviously, she didnt know the spec's too well but was pleasent and friendly which was what we wanted. The last service i went in for wasnt great - waited 30 minutes before I could get served. But the work was well done and I came to the conclusion that the service was free so dont be too fussy!

Oct 17th, 2004, 11:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
Harpo Havin' fun... My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: ...on the run. Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 4,629 Offline	I bought mine from NOG, and have no issue whatsoever. Maybe you got a Friday person! The Return of The Ridgeway - Sunday May 25th 2008 The Arctic Circle Run - Summer 2008

Oct 17th, 2004, 12:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
richhamer Northerner in t'south Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Solihull Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 354 Online	Quote: Originally Posted by Minty you could always pop it in to Damon Hill...they are not that far away Its booked into Almondbury in Huddersfield for next time I go back home. Send them photos and they've said they'll change the seat. Pretty definite fix I would think! Might bring it to Damon Hill for service though. Like you say, not too far Gone Coming December '08

Oct 19th, 2004, 02:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
Bails MINI2 Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 21 Offline	I've bought 2 cars from NOG. Never had a problem. Sarah the sales person I found very professional...always called you back and always replied to emails. Sounds like your were unlucky.

Oct 24th, 2004, 03:18 PM	#14 (permalink)
richhamer Northerner in t'south Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Solihull Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 354 Online	Latest on this is MINI UK replied to my email stating that they contacted NOG asking them to ring me. Heard nothing. Gone Coming December '08

Oct 24th, 2004, 09:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
Phrozen Mini-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 08:27 PM Posts: 200 Offline	Dont like North Oxford Garage at all when i go in there they completley ignore me. The only peeps i like is the 2 guys behind the service bit there friendly and helpful.

Oct 25th, 2004, 10:26 AM	#16 (permalink)
ScoobyDoo Back in a first gen. My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: DBRally Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 1,396 Offline	Did you see the BMW Service Dept. in NOG or the MINI sales when you went in? Sometimes there can be a difference, although there shouldn't be. http://www.dbrally.net

Oct 27th, 2004, 01:30 PM	#17 (permalink)
richhamer Northerner in t'south Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Solihull Local Time: 07:27 PM Posts: 354 Online	It was the MINI team. They have seperate locations for the 2. I used to deal with the BMW service team at my old dealer and they were great. I always found the BMW guys at Scotthall Leeds really helpful too. Gone Coming December '08

Oct 27th, 2004, 05:07 PM	#18 (permalink)
cfranklin MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2003 Local Time: 08:27 PM Posts: 113 Offline	Nog... I too have had problems with NOG....I, like you, have brought the car at a different dealership and altho they say they will help there are always problems. They have denied problems then a recall comes out and they admit it. I am thinking of getting my service etc done elsewhere but the closest dealer is either Leamington Spa or Damon Hill in Coventry! Jackie in service was the nicest person there...always helpful etc but she left about 9-10 months ago now.....

Oct 28th, 2004, 01:24 AM	#19 (permalink)
Phrozen Mini-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 08:27 PM Posts: 200 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by richhamer It was the MINI team. They have seperate locations for the 2. I used to deal with the BMW service team at my old dealer and they were great. I always found the BMW guys at Scotthall Leeds really helpful too. im gettin my mini from scotthall leeds, even the nog garage isnt far away at all.

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