[PghArch]

My MINI (or at least the car destined to be mine) was built on July 31st. It arrived at the port of NJ on August 13th. On August 27th we called MINIUSA and they said it had arrived at VPC, the next day a call indicated it was through VPC. Later calls have all indicated a work order was printed, but the car never made it through VPC (as of September 10th at least).

Yesterday I called the dealership again to try to get any information from them. They eventually called back and indicated that they believed the car had sustained some damage at some point which was being repaired. I specifically asked and they were unable to tell me what type of damage, all I found out was that on a previous car it had been a scratch in the hood that delayed it. I was unable to press the issue as I got the call immediately before a meeting I was due into at work.

So, anyone else taken delivery of a car which you knew to have already been damaged and repaired? Anything particular I should look out for, ask for? At what point am I better off saying enough is enough and trying to work out arrangements for a different vehicle?

Thanks for the help.

[NEMINI]

If you ever saw the figures of how many cars get damaged before getting to you it would scare you from ever buying anything new.... regional distribution centers and final dealer check before calling you to pick it up exist solely for the reason that these things happen. Metal and plastic car inside a metal shipping crate loaded onto a ship .... said ship is not built like a luxury liner to "ride nice and smooth" so some bumping and jostling can occur .... not a short comfy ride our Babies have to endure accross the pond ya know .... they'll fix it up as good as new .... just do like your supposed to and inspect it before you sign for it and HAPPY MOTORING

[chiph]

Depends on how damaged it was.

I have a friend who had a Volvo C70 that was damaged at the VPC. When he went to pick it up, the dealer was "Oh, since it wasn't titled at the time, it doesn't count." Four years later when he goes to sell it back to them, their story had changed to: "This car has been damaged, so we can't offer you as much."

If it's a paint nick, or a plastic piece that needs replacing, no big deal. A fender/wing that needed a respray is another matter.

Try and find out what exactly the problem was, and if you're not comfortable, decline the car and order another one. If you decide to go ahead and get the car, get the repairs documented in writing, and that it ocurred before you bought it.

Chip H.

[MiniGirl]

Hi PghArch....
I had a similar problem with my S. It arrived in port August 19th and seemed to take a very long time to get through the VPC. Every time I called I was told that the work order had been completed. What work order? I found out yesterday when I picked up the car that the right front fender had a 3-inch scratch. It had to be fixed by the VPC before they would release it to be trucked up here (California to Washington).

I couldn't tell anything had even been done. It looks great. I was concerned if the repairs didn't hold up to the rest of the body would it still be covered. I was told that it has the same warranty as the rest of the paint/body. I guess it happens to a lot of cars during shipping, and not all dealers even disclose the damage. My suggestion is to check out the car very carefully, and make sure you can't tell where anything happened with out them showing you.
Good Luck

[PghArch]

Thanks for the encouraging words. At least my dealer was forthcoming about mentioning there was damage, and they don't even know what it is yet either. They did confirm I will be told exactly what happened when the car arrives. A close friend of mine had to go home after a half day of work today; she was a few blocks away in NYC at this time last year. Makes me feel kind of petty about worrying over what is likely a scratch or piece of broken trim.

Best wishes to all this evening.