[danb]

I will be picking up my new MCS next week, and Im wanting to know what to look out for before I accept it. I may get a chance to see it on Saturday (pre-PDI)

The only thing I can think of atm is the bonnet gap when closed, but Im sure there are lots of other common faults, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

[DerekH]

Hi Danb i would check that all you have speced has been added to car, also look to see no marks on body or paint flaws, and make sure you get a tank of fuel from them, phone the sales man before you pick it up to remind him of some mini freebies

[CC07ERS]

Go over it with a fine toothcomb as when you leave the forecourt the battle begins.

[msh441]

Here's some stuff I posted a while back on NAM. Maybe it will be helpful:

KenCooper was talking about somthing like this in an earlier thread on NAM:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=91476

...and here on www.mini2.com:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-f...sted-here.html
---and---
http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-f...st-2007-a.html

I don't know if there was an official pick-up checklist printed anywhere, though. So I tried to make somthing up.

Me, personally... at the dealership/parked... I would look for:

-All options present? Go down your build sheet line-by-line.

-Dealer programmed accessories. Are the windoes, turn signals, radio, and other programmable features working the way you want? Check now, it's free. The dealer may charge a service fee later for re-programming.

-Uneven panel gaps? Run your finger along the different panel seams. hood, doors, boot and bonnet. If you feel (or see) the gap "pinch" together, ask them to fix it.

-Windows, trim and seals. No cracks or dings in the glass. All seals appear smooth and even? No budges or gaps that might suggest a future leak?

-All panels securely attached? Everything appear solid at the edges? Blank fenders, too? Grab 'em. Give 'em a wiggle. Rear spoiler, too?

-Bonet, boot and doors. Do they all open and close in a uniform manner? Latchs secure? Levers and handles feel solid? No notcheyness, snags or starngeness? Everything appear to seal up tight? Listen for wind-noise during your test-drive, too.

-Is the bonnet making contact with the line running near the turbo? See here for pics: http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/22/p...nnet/#comments
If so, ask for it to be relocated, or a rubber "bumper" strip to be attached for some additional protection in that area.

-Even paint coverage and color? Make sure to look in a well lit area. Outside, if possible.

-Dents, dings, scratches or scrapes in the surface suffered during shipping (rare, but happens)?

-Fit and finish of interor. Look for stitching issues in the seats. Even/uniform carpeting coverage. Headliner, too. Scrapes or scratches on the side panels, dash or color line.

-Steering wheel & Column. Doest it tilt and telescope as designed? No strange noises going lock-to-lock?

-Windows go up & down? Smooth consistant motor speed?

-Full sunroof operation (if applicable)? Tips both panes and fully retracts.

-Check the fit and function of all the control nobs and switches. Check 'em one-by-one. Stereo, too. Don't be afraid to play it LOUD at the dealer. Use the radio. Used the CD player. AUX-in port, too. Make sure it all works. As well as the fit of the speakers in the doors and dash. This includes your remote key, too.

-Interior lighting. Changing colors as designed. All other door sill, footwell and reading lights working (wherever they may be)?

-Air conditioning blowing cold and all climate controls working as intended? Check it if you've got it.

-All lighting equipment operational? Lights, blinkers, etc... headlights aimed properly.

-All fluids present and topped off? Sounds silly, but... I never assume.

-Tires. Check tire pressure and double-check they are mounted in the proper direction. There are little arrows on the side that show which way they should be rotating. Improperly mounted and inflated tires can effect somthing as simple as gas milage... or cause somthing as bad as a firey crash (a mild exaggeration if you look at the big Firestone/Bridgestone fiasco a few years back). This is particularly important with runflat tires, since it is not likely that you will notice the feel of an underinflated tire.

-Paint & Finish - go over the entire exterior paint with your hand to identify the smoothness of the finish, there have apparently been damaged/repaired areas during transport that are not the same as manufactured quality.

-Rear headliner - is it firmly attached to the interior roof above the rear passenger windows.

- Car jack and wrench - they should be identified as 5DD on the Vehicle Inquiry Report.

- Clear plastic paint-rub circles for the bonnet and hood intact? They are located where the rubber "stand-offs" meet the painted bodywork, to eliminate paint damage.

Then go for a test drive:

-Rattles or squeeks? all cars have 'em... but any that concern you, bring up to the dealer.

-Transmission noise and function. Upshifts and downshifts well? Any noises out of the ordinary tranny whine?

-Engine noise and function. Does it sound smooth? No misses, pops, surges or stumbles?

-All gauges appear to be working as intended? No bouncing speedo or burnt out LEDs in the display screens (very rare, but it happens)?

- Cruise control - Operate as normal, not inadvertently cut-off during operation.

[zwartsj]

Quote: Originally Posted by DerekH (original)

Hi Danb i would check that all you have speced has been added to car, also look to see no marks on body or paint flaws, and make sure you get a tank of fuel from them, phone the sales man before you pick it up to remind him of some mini freebies

ill be picking up my mini pretty soon. what sort of freebies are you talking about?
and is the full tank of fuel a freebie as i have only seen like a 10nner being put in normally ?

[robturkey]

MSH441 can you expand on what these are that you talk about?

- Clear plastic paint-rub circles for the bonnet and hood intact? They are located where the rubber "stand-offs" meet the painted bodywork, to eliminate paint damage.

I am collecting in 2 days but could not see these anywhere around the bonnet.
Thanks Rob

[FergusM]

I deliberately got my car un-polished so I made sure nobody induced paint circles when preparing the car. When I got it home I went over itmyself with Swissol stuff and now have 2 nice layers of wax on the car. Good way to check for any issues on paintwork.

I'd also try to get a quick run round the block and listen for rattles... on mine the car rattled from new from the storage compartment in the dash. It goes in on Wednesday to get it looked at.

And..probably find that daytime running lights are switched "on"...maybe worth getting shown how to change that (along with number of indicator flashes) before leaving. Not faults as such but should be 30 seconds to switch over by the dealer.

[my_mini]

Thats a very long list but heres one that I encountered......make sure that your door trim is the same on BOTH doors!!!

[Robot Features]

hey guys

picked up my new MCS last week. all in all it looks pretty damn good. however, with all new cars its almost inevitable to find a few glitches here and there.

i noticed on mine a few panel gaps and on my satnav screen i have a tiny dead pixel. the question is, what will they have to do to fix, and is it really worth it. everything seems fantastic!

i personally think its not worth obsessing and being TOO picky. you will always find something

Mic