[appmacguy]

I last week 29/4/04 bought a used Cooper from a Mini dealer in the UK I love it to bits but I am have several things that are not what I expected from a Mini dealer.

The service book hasn't been stamped in 19 months 8592 miles! The car had 15594 miles on it when I bought it and the service indicator was saying around 7500 miles to the next service. However the break fluid indicator was -70 days. I presume this is overdue!

I have not been given the remainder of the TLC vouchers (yet)

I have been given the book for the Radio Wave stereo and it has the Radio Boost

The Mini vehicle history certificate is dated Novermber 2003 although I have only owned the car a week.

The car pulls to the left, I mentioned this to the sales guy and he said the cooper S 17" alloys do this. Is this true? Also on breaking approaching traffic lights I have has the stearing wheel turn itself to the right about 1/4 of a turn like someone was turning the wheel.

It's been nearly a week now and I still havent had any of these queries resolved. Should I approach the dealership principal or give the salesman a little more time. Help with any advice would be appreciated as I don't have peace of mind with this vehicle and the reason for buying from a dealer was just this.

Must admit I don't regret choosing a Mini as they are such a great car!

Thanks in advance!

[MJ.]

Where do you start......!

Firstly get the dealer to verify that the service was carried out, see the paper work or computer records as I believe that the service indicator can be reset by anyone, not just dealers. TLC vouchers (when they arrive) should also verify the service history. Definately get the fluid checked asap (dealer should really have done this before delivering the car).

As far as the alloys are concerned, yes the 17 inchers do 'tramline' and depending on the surface can do it v badly, not sure that 1/4 turn at the lights is quite within guidelines though! Get in touch with your dealer immediately, maybe go straight to the manager. Ask to drive another cooper with 17 inch wheels or maybe an 's' to see how they compare, often the service guys will drive it too as they know more about mechanics, rather then the fob off that can be got from 'some' sales staff.

Do it asap and don't let them spoil the experience!! Good luck

[SteveM3]

I have been told the best approach is actually to give the salesman a list of the
problems otherwise they may try and solve one or two and hope you give up.
Let them know they have a timescale to put these problems right, ask citizens
advice on what is reasonable. Then go back with your list and check with them
they have solved all your problems. Don't be fobbed off by the "oh they all do that
sir" it's just a sign they are being lazy. My S with 17's tracks straight and brakes
straight. I'd be very concerned with the braking imagine that trait magnified by the
force of an emergency stop. Be polite but firm and I personally wouldn't take it any
higher in the dealership unless they fail to solve all the problems in the time you
give. Most important to repeat myself is use lists or letters not just converstaion
so they can't say later "oh I don't recall you saying that" etc. Nearly always once
they see you are determined but friendly they will wake up and gets things done.
Best of luck, good choice of car

[daniel_davies]

I just happened to look in on your post appmacguy and more or less the exact things that you say are happening with your 17" S Spokes alloys are happening on my MINI. Ive only had the alloys just over a week now as i upgraded from 15" 8 spokes. Before the upgrade on the 15"'s my car drove perfectly and was faultless. Since the upgrade, although not all the time, my car seems to pull to the left a little bit. The worst thing though, and once something that doesnt always happen is that under usually slightly heavier breaking the wheels seem to turn themselves?! Just exactly as you described infact, its bizzare.

Im not too sure why its doing this and it doesnt happen all the time but when it does its quite un-nerving as it does pull the steering a fair bit round, if you werent holding it tightly, it would turn itself. I hope this is just an issue of maybe the wheels need tracking or balancing or something. And i hope it can be solved quite easily but anyone else feedback on this would be greatly appreciated as i dont think its a big problem and hopefully something that can be resolved quite easily. Let me know how you get on aswell appmacguy and i hope that you get it sorted out.

[appmacguy]

Hi all!

Thanks for all the advice. I am waiting on the dealer getting back to me but he said the service department will get in touch. It's now been nearly 48 hours and I have not had a call from them yet.

Daniel, what you describe is the same as mine, the steering seems to pull itself to the right and although not all the time it's happened 3 times in a week so far and it's like the power steering decides to turn itself or the Brake Force Distribution brakes the rhs front wheel more than the left. Let me know how you get on.

Just another thought, how do I know if my March 02 Mini has had all the recalls done like the handbreak problem.

Cheers!

[TheBlackKnight]

Quote:

how do I know if my March 02 Mini has had all the recalls done like the handbreak problem.

If your car didn't have the receipts / work order papers when you bought it (I kept all mine) then any BMW dealer should be able to tell you.

The steering pulling was an early fault on the cars, along with dodgy BC1 computer modules. My September '01 Cooper suffered with the latter but not the former.

[DEVO]

Dumb question, but did you actually test drive the car before buying it?

[TheBlackKnight]

No because it was brand new :-) One of the first Coopers to be built as I understand! But yes, I did test drive a Cooper, not the exact Cooper I bought!

[MJ.]

One little helpful hint about the braking/pulling at the lights. When you feel this keep going to the next junction, brake the same, then go back to the earlier one to see if it happens again.

I have one junction that i use nearly everyday and when i have to stop quickly the car seems intent on parking up in the ditch!!

[DEVO]

Oh well, live and learn. Hope everything gets taken care of.

[Vron]

I am having similar problems - no Service book / TLC/ Instruction book or Sat Nav CD with mine - dealer promised to ring me back yesterday (had the car 2 weeks now) and hasn't - he hasn't rung today either and I am yet to receive my 'goodwill gesture' promised because they were a week late delivering my car in the first place

[TheBlackKnight]

Quote:

I am having similar problems - no Service book / TLC/ Instruction book or Sat Nav CD with mine - dealer promised to ring me back yesterday (had the car 2 weeks now) and hasn't - he hasn't rung today either and I am yet to receive my 'goodwill gesture' promised because they were a week late delivering my car in the first place

Just kick off mate - after all he's not your friend, just a bloke supplying you with what you want. You've paid big bucks for your new baby so don't take any prisoners - personally I would phone every day and tell him that he can expect a phonecall every day. Back it up with a rude letter. Put it in writing. Escalate it up to head office.

Seriously, I think that as a nation we are a load of pansies who take the muck that big companies dole out to us without complaint. Time to start standing up for our rights!

Can you tell I just watched 'Brassed off Britain' on BBC1 ;-)

[Vron]

Does anyone know of a 'top' person's name at mini headquarters to send a letter of complaint to? - Very disappointing to have such bad service on such a great product.

[TheBlackKnight]

Quote:

Does anyone know of a 'top' person's name at mini headquarters to send a letter of complaint to? - Very disappointing to have such bad service on such a great product.

Personally, if it was me - I would get their head office address and write to 'The Manager' or 'Complaints Department'.