Fault After Fault - At Wits End!

[COOPERUK]

I am now desperate for advice. I bought my Mini Cooper just over a year ago. 3 months after I got it the problems started - first the fuel pump needed replacing. A few months later the steering column/rack was replaced. A couple of months later the power steering pump was replaced. We complained to our local Mini dealer. He gave us £150 compensation - WOW I hear you say! Exactly. I thought I might as well get some stripes and spots put on. The money from them did not go very far. I ended up paying £270.00 on top of what they gave me. Anyway, shortly after this I started having problems with it again. Strange noises from the suspension I thought. I took it in and they said yes, they could hear noises but did not know what the problem is. Don't worry they said, it's still under warranty. Just what I wanted to hear - NOT!

So, it's a month later now and the noise is still very much there - I'm sure it's the suspension creaking.

I am so annoyed, but I don't know what to do any more. I am so sick of taking it in to them all the time.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP!

[stellablade]

I sympathise with you. I've had a catalogue of faults since getting my car last August: faulty throttle housing, steering rack, rattling exhaust, replacement cat, rattling windows, interior rattles, rattling tailgate, new seat back (to stop the squeaking), seatbelt wiring loom replaced, the list goes on. I actually wrote out a letter of rejection but decided to give my car a stay of execution. I figured out that the chances of getting a brand new car with problems is still higher than it should be. The way I look at it is I've had nearly all the common problems associated with the MINI, hopefully things will now settle down. And almost all the faults have been fixed. Any other mechanical problems during the next few months and it really will be the last straw and I'll post the letter off.

I've only put up with things because I love this car so much, it's a joy to drive (as you know). Have you considered rejection? Perhaps let them have one more stab at sorting out the suspension problem?

Quote: Originally Posted by COOPERUK

I am now desperate for advice. I bought my Mini Cooper just over a year ago. 3 months after I got it the problems started - first the fuel pump needed replacing. A few months later the steering column/rack was replaced. A couple of months later the power steering pump was replaced. We complained to our local Mini dealer. He gave us £150 compensation - WOW I hear you say! Exactly. I thought I might as well get some stripes and spots put on. The money from them did not go very far. I ended up paying £270.00 on top of what they gave me. Anyway, shortly after this I started having problems with it again. Strange noises from the suspension I thought. I took it in and they said yes, they could hear noises but did not know what the problem is. Don't worry they said, it's still under warranty. Just what I wanted to hear - NOT!

So, it's a month later now and the noise is still very much there - I'm sure it's the suspension creaking.

I am so annoyed, but I don't know what to do any more. I am so sick of taking it in to them all the time.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP!

[COOPERUK]

Thanks for your help. It's so difficult like you say. I love the car so much, but it's driving me mad! It makes sense to think carefully about getting a new one. I don't want to start with new problems all over again! Each time another problem is fixed I think that's got to be the last one, surely nothing else will go wrong now. But, no such luck yet. Maybe I will have another go at taking it in to the dealer. I think they see me coming and dread what I'm going to say! They know me so well now - know my mobile number without asking now!!

Good luck with yours - you must have a lot of patience!
xx

[stellablade]

I've spent most of the past year unemployed, so at least I've had enough spare time for the constant trips to the dealer! Otherwise I'd have most likely had enough and rejected the car earlier. It's still been bloody inconvenient though.

[Coopergeezer]

Write a letter to your dealer and tell him to take it up with the channels availble to him with BMW. I would write down all of the faults you have had, and tell them that you do not expect these kind of problems from a BMW product. I would also enlighten them to how the overall ownership experience has been very disappointing and caused you a great deal of stress. Trust me, they will listen.

[COOPERUK]

Thanks for your reply. We have sent our dealer a letter of complaint - that's what got us the £150!! We said everything you have suggested as well. We did not get any feedback from them in writing though. We had to chase after them to see if they got our letter as we did not hear anything from them for ages. That's when they told us about the compensation (!?!).

[pob]

I'm reserving judgement on mine until I get it back tonight. 12 faults (including bodywork) on a brand new car is poor. The dealer is talking about £300 goodwill gesture, but if it isn't fully sorted when I get it back I've told them the car will be rejected.