Convertible Fault Poll - Please Contribute!

[mjg315q]

As per another thread, it seems that some of the new cars are experiencing common faults. This appears to be putting some people off buying the car or equally, making some people sell theirs.

I'm wondering if this is a real reflection of the situation or whether it's just because such issues are naturally given a lot of focus on this forum.

Hopefully this poll (although not entirely scientific) may give an indication of the magnitude of the issues.

If you have a Mini Convertible then please take the time to register the types of problems you have or (like me) have not had.

Thanks, Peter

PS, the poll faults are typical ones that I have seen described in this forum that are likely to be specific to the convertible, if you have another, please leave some text below to describe the problem.

[minicabrio]

Good idea this thread.....

My other faults are mainly build quality issues:

1. Rear Fog Lamp Cover Fell Off (FIXED)
2. Chrome trim above bootlid loose (Part has now been on order for 3 weeks)
3. Rattle now developed on underside when the car is at low revs or idling (will be looked at when it finally goes in for a roof remedy)
4. Bootlid doesn't shut flush (Have been told to wait and let the bootlid 'bed in'

[minimalini]

MCSC :We've had the alarm go off 3 times in bad weather .

Previous MCS rattled like a rattle ..... but I still smiled every time I drove it !

I don't understand why people are worried that, for example the roof has worn - for £100 TLC is supposed to reduce the stress- ok it is a pain to go to the dealer- and when supply is tight spares will be tight at launch .Chill a bit - stick some tank tape over the holes and keep the roof down so no-one can see it.

I like to focus on the positives of which for a car of it's ilk there are so many !!I can't imagine a VW Passat club doing a Cotswold run , for example ...( or a Passat club existing - nothing against Passats but you get my drift )
The fact that Mini owners still wave to each other after 2.5-3 years is amazing .

It is also rather self-defeating to talk to people like Autocar about any problems - I hope the same people don't complain when their resale value is affected ( and will they compensate me for my associated loss?).

What's my point - life's to short to keep worrying about problems - let's start a " what I really love about my convertible " poll

(On a slightly more serious note , one of the beauties of these types of forums is that you are usually better armed than the Dealer when discussing problems - I've just had 4 wheels for my BMW replaced FOC - value c£2k by using another forum's knowledge )

DJS - one happy husband of a happy MCSC owner

[dinger]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio-uk

4. Bootlid doesn't shut flush (Have been told to wait and let the bootlid 'bed in'

What a load of tosh these MINI dealers come out with.

Faults so far......

Hood marking badly.
Rattle on or in dashboard.
Rattle above driver on the right side of roof.
Wrong CD head unit.
Alloys look like there rusting.


And lack of power from a 1.6 engine also very concerning are the 2 lengths of steel running underneath the car in a cris cross formation,but bolted on as an after thought to reduce scuttle shake this really looks cheap and tacky and when you take into account what mother nature will throw at these cars I am pretty sure these will rust away and fall off.

[Babaza]

I've had no roof problems at all.

The alarm goes off when it rains though but I'll get that sorted when I have time - Not enough to put me off.

[eddie_DV52_CCZ]

guys you should have learnt from the first coopers, they were crap. always had loads of problems.

You should always wait a year then buy one.. its the best way, yoru car will have been tried and tested by thousands off people and will be much better.

your all greedy getting one striaght away, ---> jealousy.

you know the the ones built in about 12 months will be better...



But to have one of the first too people to look at is cool... worth it?

[NTT]

My problems have been as follows:

1. roof panel rattle (fixed)
2. passenger seat squeak when empty (lessened)
3. glove compartment unlockable....still waiting to be fixed after two frustrrating trips to dealer
3. rear trim drivers side lifting...new problem (after 2k so waiting for fix)
4. oil dripped on seats when hood attended to (fixed)
5. further oil leak on seats after all the heat we've had (fixed today...begrudgingly at first)
6. wrong stereo (after mess up with compatibility of MFSW and sony...now non MP3 playing
7. boot lid not flush...only informed then today having seen a few other convertibles and now sure mine is not right
8. alarm going off in heavy rain...only informed then today
9. oh...and the roof wear in about six different places...waiting for a mini fix


Mmmm little things, very irritating things especially with the rubbish service we have been getting from BMW who know very little about the cars...passified today by a manager at mini who accepted all matters were problems that needed resolving and offered a full tank of petrol to make up for all the trips (and the 100 miles they put on my clock to apparently sort out the rattle) wow how lucky

Lets hope it is all sorted soon

on a good note I still haven't properly seen another on the road and everyone still stares and points I hope in admiration and curiosity

seven fix trips to the dealers and counting....

[harddrive]

I have order a new mini cooper s convertible that is due for delivery in December.

These problems that people are having are slightly scary so I was wondering if you the owners could answer a few questions?

Are the faults only occurring on a set model i.e. Cooper?

Are the faults from a set month of production i.e. July?

Even though you are having these issues if given the chance to go back and order the car again would you?

Thanks

Chris

[dinger]

Quote: Originally Posted by harddrive

I have order a new mini cooper s convertible that is due for delivery in December.

These problems that people are having are slightly scary so I was wondering if you the owners could answer a few questions?

Are the faults only occurring on a set model i.e. Cooper?

Are the faults from a set month of production i.e. July?

Even though you are having these issues if given the chance to go back and order the car again would you?

Thanks

Chris

The faults are across the model range.

And no its just not just the July production.

If i ever bought a car with the idea of keeping it after the warranty expires I would not choose a MINI Cabrio model in any shape or form TBH.

[harddrive]

Is the wear showing on all coloured roofs or is it just on blue for example?

[mjg315q]

Quote: Originally Posted by harddrive

Even though you are having these issues if given the chance to go back and order the car again would you?

Thanks

Chris

Chris,

Give the poll time to come up with some real answers (10 replies is a very small sample).

I'm pretty fussy about cars and have owned about 10 new ones in the past 3 years. (including BMW, Merc, Honda & Lotus). I can honestly say that, at this point in time, there is no other sub £30k car that I would prefer instead. Bearing in mind that any problem will be fixed and the smiles per £ value is amazingly high

Hopefully we can get a good number of respondants to the poll to make it wortwhile otherwise the data will be very unreliable.

Cheers, Peter (Nothing to prove faction)

[spur]

It is also rather self-defeating to talk to people like Autocar about any problems - I hope the same people don't complain when their resale value is affected ( and will they compensate me for my associated loss?).
Self-defeating? Are you sure? Maybe people have gone to Auto Car because they have spent more money on this car than they have ever spent before,they have been having lots of problems which the dealers will not give any answers to and are a bit worried. Maybe by letting the press know, BMW will now start treating customers with a bit more respect and tell them what is going to be done to rectify the problems. I have waited OVER 2 years for my MCC and all my dealer keeps telling me is BMW are aware of the problem. after telling me 2 weeks ago he would ring me with what was going to be happening about the roof problem, i finally got through to him today and he admitted he had not took it any further. ALL this is just not good enough. I have told them i love the car and all i want is positive answers to the faults.As for loss of value, like the tin top in the early stages, people will still be queing up to buy and values will NOT be hit. Problems so far. 1 Roof wearing and white. 2. roof getting stuck. 3. boot not shutting properly. 4. windows badly rattling. (after going in for this already.) 5. front leather seats cut short, foam is showing. 6.Alarm goes off in rain. (after already going in for this already.) And other things. Still like the car, just want peace of mind.

[abs0lutely]

Other faults:
1. Cloth driver side armrest fitted to all leather car
2. Oversized fuse in passenger footwell prevents cover from closing
3. Sat nav CD doesn't work with TMC
4. Windows always come back up covered in grease

[usaminicooper]

This is one big problem, looks like Oxford can't keep up with quality making 180,000 cars in a plant designed for 125,000.

Cloth driver side armrest fitted to all leather car

That is one of the strangest things I ever heard.
What was the reply from service or your dealership?
abs0lutely: I'm sorry but that made me giggle...... That is pathetic, how did they not see that?????????

[Paul]

Bootlids are a pain in the backside, you have to slam it shut to make it sit tight...... or. I'm sure there's an adjustment you can make (by hand) that will sort it out. I'll have to ask an expert and get back to you with it, it's to do with a sensor being in the way on the LHS as you look at the rear of the car.