Has any one had this problem yet with there wingmirrors,
When I try to adjust my right wingmirror with the toggle switch (by the handbrake) both wing mirrors move at the same time, If I just adjust the left mirror then it's fine.
I can't find anything in the forums for this annoying problem.
Any help would be appreaciated as I am becoming paranoid in regards to my mini as it keeps going wrong, Although this is my first electrical gremlin.
Sounds like you've got a sticky contact on your switch, and that the left is always sticking "on". You could probarbly pull it apart and fix it yourself, but if its still under warranty just get your dealer to replace it for free.
Went to dealer, they looked at car and have stated a new switch is needed, covered under warrenty but will take 2 - 3 weeks to get the switch which seems a bit far fetched.
Only problem now is I collected the car and the drivers window now rattles. 'Weird'
I'm having the same problem, the only minor difference being that adjusting the left mirror moves the right as well, whereas adjusting the right moves only the right. Looks like it's time for yet another visit to the dealership.
I completely empathize with your waning confidence in this car. I optimistically wrote off my first few problems to a "break-in" period. But this next trip back to the dealership will mark my 8th visit in less than 18 months. I bought the car in 2006 (it's a 2005 S Convertible) and it only has 19,000 miles on it. But the problems just keep coming. Here's a running tally thus far:
-convertible top stopped working
-glove compartment would not open
-clutch has begun to groan (and apparently will soon need to be replaceed. This after just 19,000 miles. A BMW mechanic tells me that the clutches on these cars are notoriously bad. I'm not evern covered on it unless I hit 30,000 miles before my warrantly expires in in August!!! I've driven stick all of my life and have never once gone through a clutch in less than 70,000 miles....go figure)
-multiple rattles in the dashboard
-rattling coffee cup holder
-loud rattling from rear left wheel well
-loud rattling noise in front of the stick shift
...and now the mirror problem.
The passenger-side window is also now rattling, and there is a persistent buzzing noise coming from the right side of the convertible top. All topics for my next visit I suppose.
I just want to go on record as saying that I have never been more disappointed with a car. I am really beginning to fear there will be no end to these problems, and now am thinking seriously about getting rid of this car before the warranty is up to save myself mountains of financial woes after the fact. I wish I could say that Mini customer service had taken steps to reassure me. But they've been completely useless. They do such a good job selling you, and such a terrible job keeping you loyal....so disappointing...
To those of you contemplating the question "Should I buy a Mini Cooper?" My advice: no, no, no...
Just wanted to follow up on my previous posting, specifically with regards to my clutch problem.
A rep from the National Customer Relations team did in fact get in touch with me. Despite his patience and great manners, the end result regarding my clutch was this: Mini, after much deliberation, has agreed to cover 50% of the cost to replace it. The other 50% will come right out of my pocket.
Their reasoning is, to paraphrase: if a clutch needs replacement within 30,000 miles, it must be due to driver abuse.
Wow!!! What a leap in logic. From my standpoint, if a clutch needs to be replaced within 30K (or just 19K in this case), it's a pretty clear indication that the clutch itself is deficient or defective in some way. Just to reiterate, I am 37 years old and have owned stick vehicles exclusively since I first got my license 21 years ago. I have never, ever, ever gone through a clutch in less than 70K, and have seen them last well beyond 100K on vehicles that I've owned. There is no way that the problem I'm experiencing is due to abuse on my part, and the mere suggestion is just absurd and proof of this company's refusal to stand behind its product.
Apparently, I am not alone on this issue. For some corroborating cases, do a Google search on "Consumer complaints about Mini Cooper". This should locate a link to a consumer affairs page. Bring it up and do a text search on "clutch". (Forgive the roundabout nature of this reference, but forum rules forbid me from posting a URL to another site...)
Furthermore, I have spoken to various mechanics (from BMW) who have confirmed that these cars have clutch issues. My service adviser at Mini in San Francisco even admitted as much, but kept insisting her hands were tied by corporate policy. So the dealer is bound by corporate, and corporate passes the blame right back to the consumer. Fantastic business model!!!
It saddens me to say that I will not be purchasing or recommending any other Mini's. I've also decided against taking the company up on their 50% offer. Though that may sound absurd, my local mechanic wants $1200 to do the whole job. Mini quoted me $1800 for the work, $900 of which I would owe. I will gladly pay $300 extra to see an honest man perform an honest day's work before I'll see another nickel of my hard-earned pay in the hands of these clowns.
Last edited by wrakocy; Jul 17th, 2008 at 10:20 PM.
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Electric mirror problem 
