[MiniMoke]

After posting my rant on this site,

http://mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3142

I decided to submit a copy to MINI USA, this is what they wrote back...

Hello Mr. Laipply,

On behalf of MINI USA, please accept my apologies for the
difficulties you feel you will be exposed to. I will try to
answer all the questions you asked of us. (P.S. We always
pay attention to all customer comments, including your
MiniMoke forum postings, with great interest.)

In order to select 70 future MINI dealers across the
country, we had to make some tough choices. Our aim is to
provide nation-wide coverage and reach as many of those
interested in the MINI passenger cars as possible. I hope you will
understand the difficulty of these decisions and our
rationale. We apologize for not being able to provide a dealer
for you near Perrysburg. We placed MINI Dealers in as many
major cities in Ohio as we could, including Columbus,
Cleveland, and Cincinatti.

I read your need to have a BMW dealer perform your service.
Your MINI will be able to be serviced under warranty only
at future authorized MINI Dealerships. Future MINI Dealers
ARE affiliated with BMW, but only future MINI Dealers (NOT
all BMW Centers) have been trained and have the special
tools to properly repair and service MINIs. MINI technicians
are specifically trained to work on this unique vehicle.
We understand that your distance from a dealer can present a
unique scenario. We have implemented a comprehensive
service, transportation, and warranty program which your dealer
can give you the details on.

I read your concern about the quality of the MINI. When
reading Internet forums, please keep in mind that tens of
thousands of MINIs have already been produced. MINI takes all
of our customer concerns very seriously. Please also be
aware that the US has several months production lead time on
the European models.

Your accessory armrest idea is a good one. We will do our
best. If we receive more requests for it we may "just make
it". (This involves designing, budgeting, engineering,
tooling, manufacturing, marketing, and then distribute it.)

We hope your Internet forum experience with the MINI will
not keep you from joining the MINI family.

Respectfully yours,

MINI USA
Customer Relations


Scary part is I did not give my screen name (MiniMoke), only my first and last name.

[coopercrazy]

Well, at least you know they are definitely reading the forums!

[Spoolin']

That makes me happy. It's good to be heard.

[RedShift42]

Quote:

Originally posted by MiniMoke
Scary part is I did not give my screen name (MiniMoke), only my first and last name.

Whoa, that is kinda creepy.

Ever get that feeling you was bein' ...watched??

But its also very encouraging.

Hi Guys! Glad to know you care as much as we do.

Now who do I talk to about signing up for one of those armrests?

[Dogger]

Quote:

Originally posted by MiniMoke
Scary part is I did not give my screen name (MiniMoke), only my first and last name.

I have a sneaky feeling you 'signed' one of your posts using your name and surname some months back - even so, it looks like BMW USA are really on the ball..

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by MiniMoke
After posting my rant on this site,

http://mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3142

I decided to submit a copy to MINI USA, this is what they wrote back...
.....

Wow! Thanks for sharing that with us. I'm impressed with that response and feel better and better about doing business with these people.

Just one question for you, how much of the thread existed at the time you sent a copy of it to them?

[MiniMoke]

About the time you posted this...

Don't think it hasn't crossed my mind (several times).



Thing is I cut and pasted my letter into their "please respond" page. They must have done a search on the words, as I purposely did not include any info about MINI2.com

Here is what I wrote them.

US MINI Wish List : Wants vs. Needs
Needs:

1) Fault free MINI's
2) Able to service a MINI at ANY BMW dealership.

Wants:

1) One Titanium silver adjustable armrest w/black leather
padding. This can be a dealer accessory, just make one!

2) Want BMW to hold release of all US bound cars until all
build quality issues are resolved. Remember BMW, (yes I'm
wagging my finger at you) :

Build Quality + Reliability = Reputation!

PS. I am buying a MINI in Maryland, living in Ohio, and
having it serviced in Michigan. That is, when the dealership
is built, Sept 2002 maybe? Until then I have a Two-hour
drive (Cleveland), or a 2.5-hour drive (Columbus).
Can you think of any scenarios in which I might have
problems with service?


__________________
Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.



It nice to know they are watching this site. Hope not my house, better go check...

[BruceK]

Thanks! That means they got to read most of what I posted in the thread. Actually, I guess they read it twice since it now looks like they are very familiar with this site.

"We understand that your distance from a dealer can present a unique scenario. We have implemented a comprehensive service, transportation, and warranty program which your dealer can give you the details on."

In reading the above quote, I am hopeful they really do understand the consequences of living a great distance from the dealer -- and that it will not be that "unique" of a situation based upon the broad appeal of this car and the very limited dealer network.

I've got my fingers crossed that the "comprehensive service, transportation, and warranty program" is worthy of BMW and the MINI.

[PigLick]

MiniMoke, how long did it take them to respond to you? I also wrote them using the MINIUSA.com "please respond" a few days ago, and haven't gotten a reply yet.

This is very encouraging though, if they pay even a little bit of attention to this site there can be no doubt in their minds that a lot of prospective MINI owners are acutely aware of the quality issues, and that it would be in their best interest to make sure that they are completely resolved before selling these cars in the US.

PigLick

[rich]

Quote:

Originally posted by MiniMoke
Your accessory armrest idea is a good one. We will do our best. If we receive more requests for it we may "just make it". (This involves designing, budgeting, engineering,
tooling, manufacturing, marketing, and then distribute it

...Seems quite tongue-in-cheek