[Shamster]

Well - my MCS has gone. In the short space of time I had it (6 weeks) it developed the HK buzz, had the stumble problem and more recently the gear linkage vibration. I could see that the car was going to start spending too much time off the road and decided to try and nip the problem in the bud by rejecting the car. Given the problems I had with my last MCS I gave the dealer one chance to fix the car. Last week it transpired that the software update had not cured the stumble problem and trying to neutralize the HK buzz had resulted in new rattles appearing in the door panel. The gear linkage problem only became apparent when I was out on a run over the weekend.

I have to say that my dealer has acted impeccably just as they alway have - rejecting the car has been as smooth as it could have been. Hats off to Sytner Gerrards Cross for the professional way the whole affair was handled.

I do still plan on giving the MINI one more go - in maybe six months time, when hopefully the build quality will have improved more. It's just a shame that MINI continue to release cars onto the market with known problems - either that or their QA procedures aren't up to the job.

I just need to be able to resist the urge to order a new one immediately - but at least I can go back to the S speccing thread for one last time!

[dietcokeplease]

It's a shame Sham.

But seriously, I don't think the MINI will ever improve significantly - they've had over 2 years to sort it out. Those of us who have visited the factory will have seen some of the QA in progress which seems thorough. I think the problem is the poor quality and design of some of the parts - BMW have really scrimped.

With my favourite Postman jumping ship, I think my relationship with MINI is over (although other members of my family will continue). I've been seriously reading up on Scoobys and the like.

[MoonPie]

Sorry to hear Sham, sounds like you did the right thing

[midlife mini]

Sorry to hear it Sham, but good news about your dealer. What are you replacing the car with??

[Martin L]

Sham I think you've made the right decision and it's good to hear your dealer sorted it out so quickly

If my car's problems aren't sorted with the new parts that I'm waiting for I will seriously consider rejecting my car too

Enough is enough.

Following on from what DC has said I think it's a QA and not a design problem. If it were a design problem it would happen to all MINIs. That's simply not the case. My current MCS has faults my old MCS never had
Looks like they've taken a backward step on some parts

[Rick]

sorry to hear that Shams - hopefully we will see you in one form or another in the future

I must have been very lucky - I have never had a prob

[Nic D]

Same here Rick, i've never had any problems which have made me want to reject the car. Unlucky sham.

[Speedd]

Sorry to read this Sham.....

Very nice of your dealer to handle the problems that you've had so promptly unlike some dealers that have been mentioned before. As for the quality.. wellllll faults and fix's thread are littered with them but the car is a fine pice of driving kit available for that money.. well a Std. Coopers money.

The quality of the materials is a BIG issues that BMW have to look into.
Our door bins rattle more than a babies toy when we leave anything in them, i've sinced lined them with tissues and what an improvement. We've also go rattles near the seat belt retensioners but am too scared to book it in only for it to develop new ones


Tis a shame that its come to this for you and rest assured that you'll have a spare seat in CoopRaNite when I attend the MMM runs

I hope the rejection will not affect the MMM's. and who knows I may upgrade CoopRaNite to a PW/B next year

So what now?? A Nissan or Toyota?

[NEMINI]

What a shame ... I will agree it is a QA problem however I will also add there is a dealer prep problem too ... so many minor issues are happening as soon as they get in their MINI, dealers do not appear to be checking for anything IMO

[Washy]

Sorry to hear a bout the rejection. At least the dealer knows about customer service. My car is so much better than the one it replaced, but it too has the gear linkage problem and I agree entirely that 2 and a half years on the build quality is variable to say the least. It is a shame as the MINI is a truely good car.

I hope you get something cool to replace it with

[CooperS4us]

My new '04 MCS (Sept '03 build) has impeccable build quality. At 560 miles, the car drives like a dream and have had no issues with it at all. The H/K stereo is excellent and have had no rattles, squeaks or any other noises developing in the car. This car most definetely feels more solid than our 2002 Cooper CVT which we currently own.

Sham, glad to hear that your dealer has taken care of you and seems to be genuienly interested in keep you a satisfied customer. When you decide to re-visit the MINI in a few months, please do business with them again.

[AidenL]

It is a pity you are MINIless now Sham, hope you come back to the fold, and enjoy it more than ever, and you too DC !

[Goonery]

I do still plan on giving the MINI one more go - in maybe six months time, when hopefully the build quality will have improved more. It's just a shame that MINI continue to release cars onto the market with known problems - either that or their QA procedures aren't up to the job.
------------------

I'm sorry about your situation and that of others, the quality issues are IMO due to the suppliers in many cases, there is a continual drive to sort them out but unfortunately a lot of the spec and design was not actually direct from Munich, its a legacy of the mixed design team when the car was originally coming out of the Longbridge factory with Rover coupled with maybe over ambitious volumes, agency labour and a myriad of tiny factors that all contribute to the whole shebang. That said, the vast majority of cars built are really good and have few if any problems at all. Maybe I've been lucky, but I've never really had anything to complain about.
Hopefully your car will come back to Oxford for a thorough investigation, and whatever is found will be acted upon. It seems to me that perhaps 1 car in every 100 or so is a real nightmare, no stats to base this on, just a gut feel. Its got to get better and I'm confident that things are improving day by day.
Give it a while buy a nice litlle check design hat to wear when driving and then a Toyota Yaris, you'll be back soon enough

[Bk MCS]

I'm in CooperS4us boat, my September 18 built MCS has absolutely no problems what so ever, 800 miles now. No HK rattles, stumbles, yo yos, etc...

[stephen_cy_wong]

I hope you have fond memories with the Mini on your MMM adventures.

Quote: Originally Posted by goonery

Give it a while buy a nice litlle check design hat to wear when driving and then a Toyota Yaris, you'll be back soon enough

It's a good excuse to bring out your Tina Turner wig

[Spy Car]

That's a bummer Shamster....sorry you've had problem cars

[dcfkan]

Sorry to hear that Sham

I hope you'll still join us in MINI meets and all!

DK :apple:

[Shamster]

Quote: Originally Posted by goonery

I do still plan on giving the MINI one more go - in maybe six months time, when hopefully the build quality will have improved more. It's just a shame that MINI continue to release cars onto the market with known problems - either that or their QA procedures aren't up to the job.
------------------

I'm sorry about your situation and that of others, the quality issues are IMO due to the suppliers in many cases, there is a continual drive to sort them out but unfortunately a lot of the spec and design was not actually direct from Munich, its a legacy of the mixed design team when the car was originally coming out of the Longbridge factory with Rover coupled with maybe over ambitious volumes, agency labour and a myriad of tiny factors that all contribute to the whole shebang. That said, the vast majority of cars built are really good and have few if any problems at all. Maybe I've been lucky, but I've never really had anything to complain about.
Hopefully your car will come back to Oxford for a thorough investigation, and whatever is found will be acted upon. It seems to me that perhaps 1 car in every 100 or so is a real nightmare, no stats to base this on, just a gut feel. Its got to get better and I'm confident that things are improving day by day.
Give it a while buy a nice litlle check design hat to wear when driving and then a Toyota Yaris, you'll be back soon enough

Well - either there are people out there who are not as fussy with some of their problems or the cars are genuinely trouble free. I would be prepared to put up with some rattles and squeaks on a used car that was maybe a year old but not on a new car. But even these pale into insignificanec when you consider that other problems which are known still surface on brand new cars. I would probably have given them another chance to sort out the rattle problems but not the gear linkage and stumble issue. Again, with the stumble issue there are people here who are prepared to sit back and wait until their stumble issue is fixed. I just wanted to act quickly because time is of the essence when rejecting something as major as a car

[Goonery]

You did the right thing, I understand your frustration, I fell the same, and a little helpless in being unable to do anything directly except point out these issues to anyone I can get to listen.

[Ginger]

Really sorry to hear that Sham, hope this doesn't mean the ned to the Maniacs.
G