[cfranklin]

......you have a NON APPROVED exhaust!!!!!!!!

Mini Customer Services GB have just phoned me and said that my TLC is not valid and that I owe them for the service I had last week because I have a non standard exhaust.....which has been on for 12 months AND had TWO services previous to that!!!!!!!

Is there anything that I can do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated...


BTW its a Play Mini Exhaust....


Thanks

Chris

[KenL]

That's terrible.

How can having a different exhaust make it a problem to change your oil ???

I can understand them trying to get out of a warranty claim but to not provide a service you have paid for up front seems ridiculous.

Are there any terms and conditions in your TLC booklet which say you are not entitled to it if you have modifications to your car?

Will I have to take off my chrome side repeaters and Whalen shift knob when I go for my next service

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL

Are there any terms and conditions in your TLC booklet which say you are not entitled to it if you have modifications to your car?

Sadly, yes there is, and it says something like 'any modifications' or some such broad-sweeping phrase.

[RVW]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL

That's terrible.

How can having a different exhaust make it a problem to change your oil ???

I can understand them trying to get out of a warranty claim but to not provide a service you have paid for up front seems ridiculous.

Are there any terms and conditions in your TLC booklet which say you are not entitled to it if you have modifications to your car?

Will I have to take off my chrome side repeaters and Whalen shift knob when I go for my next service

[MiniMinor]

Thats a bit harsh considering you've already paid for it. Looks like someone at the dealers grassed on you to MINI.

[wwwebber]

I don't wanna put your nose out of joint here, but it sounds like you got off lightly. With your modification they could ask you to pay for all three services !!. Lesson 1, read all of the small print !.

Unlucky.

[Polmear]

Do you still have your stock exhaust?
Do they have proof (pictures that would stand up in court, you verbally agreeing that the exhaust was aftermarket on a taped call...) that the exhaust was on your MINI when the service was done?
If your answers are yes to the 1st, and no to the 2nd; put the stock exhaust on, take it in to the dealer, show them there's no exhaust mod, and tell them to "f-off".

[wwwebber]

Quote: Originally Posted by Polmear

Do you still have your stock exhaust?
Do they have proof (pictures that would stand up in court, you verbally agreeing that the exhaust was aftermarket on a taped call...) that the exhaust was on your MINI when the service was done?
If your answers are yes to the 1st, and no to the 2nd; put the stock exhaust on, take it in to the dealer, show them there's no exhaust mod, and tell them to "f-off".

One word stands out here - FRAUD !!

[LMB]

It says it'll be void if you have an "Aftermarket Engine Enhancement". I wouldn't put an exhaust into that category.

I can’t believe you're on your third service. The cars only been out two years so you much be doing some mileage.

I’m pretty sure the play Mini exhaust is relatively new as well so this must be your first service with it.

[sugster]

Read the text on RVW's pic.
Your car has not undergone any form of engine enhancement.
Since when is an exhaust part of the engine? Sure its connected to the engine, buts its not actually part of the engine.
The wheels/ brakes/ discs/ tyres are also connected to the engine. Anyone had there TLC cancelled because of aftermarket wheels - no?- thought not!

It would be interesting to go to trading standards on this or the Citizens Advice Bureau and get their view. Its free.

If you can't get it reinstated you should write to them and ask for a rebate on the unused TLC. If you pay up front for other services e.g. telephone, electricity, rent etc you get your money back if you don't use it. BMW/ MINI are no different to any other company in this respect.

Interesting to note that all its says on the back of the TLC booklet is 'General Terms and Conditions' It would be interesting to get a lawyers view on this. They should be more explicit on the booklet as to exactly what they mean by 'aftermarket engine enhancement'. If you enter into a contract they should make it clear what the terms are. At the moment it appears we, the consumer, have no rights and no redress.

I guess its the old problem, they employ lawyers specifically to safeguard their interests (i.e profits) and not to aid the poor schmuck who has forked out tens of thousands of pounds to buy one of their products and then they really make sure we can't afford the legal fees by making us buy all the other MINI branded merchandise.

We must have some lawyers on the site - make yourselves known - we promise not to harrass you (well I do at least )

Rant over *sorry*

[Polmear]

Quote: Originally Posted by wwwebber

One word stands out here - FRAUD !!

perhaps, but considering that an exhaust is not really an engine modification, and MINI wants to play games with words; I am merely suggesting that two can play that game.
I am just glad that our semi-enlightened government made the burden of proof fall to the manufacturer when they claim to void warranties due to unrelated aftermarket parts.

[blackflamer]

oh thats just great,i fitted my play mini ehaust yesterday and i have my service next week!!!

[Bonjour]

Kick up a fuss. Point out a new exhaust is not an 'engine enhancement', and see what happens. I think they're being opportunistic and after more money. The inconsistency of it all's quite poor really as I believe others have been fine having had far more done.

Always best to check with your service centre before performing any mods that are hard to roll-back though.

[MarkW19]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bonjour

Kick up a fuss. Point out a new exhaust is not an 'engine enhancement', and see what happens. I think they're being opportunistic and after more money. The inconsistency of it all's quite poor really as I believe others have been fine having had far more done.

Always best to check with your service centre before performing any mods that are hard to roll-back though.

I spoke to my service centre yesterday, and they said that an aftermarket exhaust won't void the warranty, it'll just mean that if anything goes wrong as a result of the fitment/usage of the exhaust, they won't be liable for it.

Since TLC = warranty, this is the case. Getting it in writing though before I install my magnex next week, because I've soon found out what BMW/MINI are like in this respect.

Also, an aftermarket replacement air-filter is fine to fit - it's actually illegal for a manufacturer to void the warranty because of a new air filter, if it's "chargable", down to a law passed in 1982.

Also, an exhaust is not neccessarily an "enhancement", it may sound better, but some actually negatively change the peformance of the car, restricting the engine. So that bit is rubbish. It can't possibly be an exhaust that comes into "engine enhancement", Turbo etc. yes, but not the exhaust. Just stand up for yourself, you'll win.

[MarkW19]

By the way, you said a "non-approved exhaust", if it's approved then are they saying it's ok? If so, which exhausts for a Cooper are "approved"?

[Bonjour]

I'm not really sure warranty does equal tlc. I have a different set of terms and conditions for both my warranty and my tlc.

What's the law that was passed in 1982? I'd certainly be interested in this, as I'm considering other mods for my car.

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkW19

By the way, you said a "non-approved exhaust", if it's approved then are they saying it's ok? If so, which exhausts for a Cooper are "approved"?

I bet the MINI sports exhaust (£425 + fitting) in the accesories brochure is OK.

On the observation TLC=Warranty I disagree.

TLC is a service package which is an option that people purchase. The warranty comes with the car.

There is a separate and longer description in one of the booklets that comes with the car. At handover my dealer spent time going over it with me - no doubt to warn me off doing things like adding an aftermarket exhaust

[MarkW19]

Well, the way I see it, is TLC is a warranty "package" chosen - TLC doesn't change the warranty in the slightest, it just affects the way you pay for it and when you have the services carried out etc. TLC is just a "front-end" to the actual underlying warranty.

[MarkW19]

Sorry, missed your post Bonjour. It's called the "Magnuson-Moss Act" of 1982, and it makes it illegal for a manufacturer to void a vehicle warranty just because of a new air-filter being fitted - IF the air-filter is chargable. Of course, if the filter usage and/or installation procedure affected another component then that particular component wouldn't be paid for/labour wouldn't be paid for, but they can't actually void the whole warranty because of it. I think the Act covers other automobile issues too, but this is the only one I know of (on the back on my K & N filter).

[Bonjour]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkW19

Sorry, missed your post Bonjour. It's called the "Magnuson-Moss Act" of 1982, and it makes it illegal for a manufacturer to void a vehicle warranty just because of a new air-filter being fitted - IF the air-filter is chargable. Of course, if the filter usage and/or installation procedure affected another component then that particular component wouldn't be paid for/labour wouldn't be paid for, but they can't actually void the whole warranty because of it. I think the Act covers other automobile issues too, but this is the only one I know of (on the back on my K & N filter).

Isn't the Magnusson-Moss act a federal law? As such it would hold no precedence over here.