[tavis1]

Hello all and So Cal MINI owners.

A brief back ground explanation. Since taking delivery of my MCS in February I have had some warranty issues. The first place I went to was Long Beach MINI three weeks after purchasing my MCS. Problems were Passenger door speaker buzz, and check engine light. First they don't take cars on Saturday so I had to miss work. The first time they diagnosed a faulty O2 sensor but didn't have the part in stock. Said they fixed speaker buzz- they didn't. Wife had to take time off when O2 sensor came in to have it replaced. She told them about the door speaker was still doing the same thing and they still didn't fix it.

In July I started calling around about V38, oil change, dash rattle and replacing lettering on the truck because I had it removed for the boot stripes. Called Bob Smith MINI and after talking to them after five minutes I was convinced they knew nothing about the MINI.

I then called Universal MINI, They sounded great. Went down early for the work. Waited around nine hours. They did fix the rattle and did the oil change but, did not do the V38 down load or lettering on the trunk And when they brought the car to me the seat was wet. I found the lettering stuffed in the visor and the service manager said we would put it on but he was going to put it on crooked. I told him I would do it myself. I then asked about why they didn't do V38 and he said they couldn't duplicate it and the techs have gone home for the day. They also left the stereo antenna disconnected so I only had one radio station.

This last Friday I went on vacation to Las Vegas. I made an appointment with Desert MINI And the service was incredible! We arrived on time and the service manager Jim Simmons said I was booked but he didn't have a MINI Tech that day because his guy called in sick.
I was getting ready to lose my mind when a regular BMW tech walked in and Mr Simmons pulled him aside and asked him if he would take care of it. The tech said sure and it would take two to three hours. Well to my amazement they kept updating us every ten minutes. In less than an hour they had down loaded V38, fixed the stereo and washed the car! They rock! I went back inside and shook his hand and thanked him.

In conclusion, Why are MINI dealers in So Cal such crap? Why can't they get there crap together? Why did I have to travel to another state to get work done? If a regular BMW tech can fix a MINI why can't MINI techs? For that matter for us owners that live a great distance why can't we take our MINI's to a standard BMW dealership especially since it seams they do a better job? I know that people have had problems with other So Cal dealers such as Assel and Nick Alexander MINI. That only leaves a couple left.

Here is what I purpose. For So Cal owners to unite for one day that has had crappy service and call MINI USA and E mail them on the same day so they get the message. This is total BS! I have already filed complaints with MINI USA with the three above. However I do plan On calling MINI USA to tell them on what great service I did get from Desert MINI. I also plan on calling Mr Simmons boss to let him know what an excellent staff he has. Are you with me?

SO CAL MINI SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ITS TIME TO GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER NOW!!!

Tavis1

[grnmene]

Hi Tavis1 -
Here's a tip... Try Alexander Mini in downtown LA. Weird part of town and a pain in the butt to get to (I-10 through downtown is always a pain), but they are the best car dealer I have ever dealt with. Every time I go in, I'm treated extremely well, get a loaner (usually an MCS), the car is fixed right the first time and it gets a complete detail - all por nada.
grnmene

[Andromcs]

Travis1,

Curious, where did you buy your Mini?

Thanks!

[tavis1]

Quote: Originally Posted by grnmene

Hi Tavis1 -
Here's a tip... Try Alexander Mini in downtown LA. Weird part of town and a pain in the butt to get to (I-10 through downtown is always a pain), but they are the best car dealer I have ever dealt with. Every time I go in, I'm treated extremely well, get a loaner (usually an MCS), the car is fixed right the first time and it gets a complete detail - all por nada.
grnmene

Thanks for responding. I don't know if you know Craftnurd on this site but she went to Alexander for a paint flaw on her car and something else and they trashed her car. They gut paint dust all over the inside and left a footprint on her seat. They tried to clean it up but it didn't come out all the way. When she went to pick up her car after noticing the dust she said she smelled cleaning agents from when they tried to remove it. When she brought this up to them they tried to pas the blame on to her. I have just plain had it with these dealers. I have issues on almost spending $30,000 dollars on a car and then getting crapped on. Especially since I have to drive two hours to the nearest dealer. I will admit there is two dealers I have not tried and that is Crevier and Irvine. Desert MINI however does kick the snot out of what I have been to so far.
Tavis1

[tavis1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Andromcs

Travis1,

Curious, where did you buy your Mini?

Thanks!

I bought it from Long Beach. Are you in the market for one?
Tavis1

[johnsocal]

For fun we should get a bunch of Socal mini owners together (there is alot of us) and spell out the word "BAD" or "CRAPPY" with all our cars and then email that picture to MINIUSA, all SOCAL Mini Dealers, and auto mags like Autoweek, Motortrend, Car and Driver and etc.

We could do it in the beach parking lot in Seal Beach next to the pier since we could line our cars in the parking lot and take the pic from high- up on the pier thats right next to it. As long as we did it early we would have enough space to do it.

After we are done venting we all could all go eat at Ruby's at the end of the seal beach pier and talk about the good-stuff about our cars.


Just a thought

[tavis1]

Quote: Originally Posted by johnsocal

For fun we should get a bunch of Socal mini owners together (there is alot of us) and spell out the word "BAD" or "CRAPPY" with all our cars and then email that picture to MINIUSA, all SOCAL Mini Dealers, and auto mags like Autoweek, Motortrend, Car and Driver and etc.

We could do it in the beach parking lot in Seal Beach next to the pier since we could line our cars in the parking lot and take the pic from high- up on the pier thats right next to it. As long as we did it early we would have enough space to do it.

After we are done venting we all could all go eat at Ruby's at the end of the seal beach pier and talk about the good-stuff about our cars.


Just a thought

I think that is a great idea! Just have to get more folks. I know craftnurd is up for it.
Tavis1

[johnsocal]

Quote: Originally Posted by tavis1

I think that is a great idea! Just have to get more folks. I know craftnurd is up for it.
Tavis1

I actually only have about 400 miles on my Mini (with no problems) since I got it a few weeks ago, but since it will need service and repair sooner or later Im all for supporting those who have had bad service since its in everyones interest to get Socal dealers to improve.

Im sure if we gave everyone a few weeks notice and let the small local Seal Beach paper know what we are doing we could get some Press and that could scare the hell out of local Mini Dealers and their $5000 markups.

Wouldn't car mags and local papers love to hear how some dealers charge $5000 over MSRP but cant seem to afford to take care of their customers.

I bought my car from NY's Mini of the Hamptons just to avoid their price gouging and Im sure the would make a nice quote in a local paper. Mini dealers get paid directly from MiniUSA on any Mini they service or repair under warranty regardless where they originally bought it so it would be interesting to know if MiniUSA's HQ's might be slow in paying Mini dealers for services they provided as well.

[grnmene]

I'm always sorry to hear about bad experiences at dealers, particuarly one where I've had such great experiences.... I know there have been other posts about Alexander that weren't all good (some terrible), so I guess everyone has their nightmares.

BUT, I think your idea about the picture is great!!! I just wish I still lived down there - I'd definitely be up for it, just to show my support for other Mini owners. Unfortunately, I moved to Oregon last year, so unless I'm back down on business soon...

grnmene

[johnsocal]

If service is poor now with the car only been out for a little over 2 year can you imagine what it will be like 2-3 years from now when there even more Minis on the road that are even older and more likely to need service.

I dont think Miniusa planned on the Mini being so successful in the USA and they certainly didnt expect for the Mini to so incredibly popular in Southen California that 2 years after it introduction dealers are still charging $5000 above MSRP.

The downfall of the Mini brand will not be the success or failure of the car itself but the success and/or failure of the dealers ability to service those customers. Whats the point of having a great little car thats fun to drive if your local dealer is a nightmare.

[Andromcs]

Tavis1,

Yes, I have an order-in at Classic Mini in Cleveland to purchase an '05 with a LSD so I am waiting for delivery in late Feb. or early March of '05. I did my test drives at Bob Smith and they want me to purchase there but the premium is $3000. The sales people have been very cordial and I like to use local businesses...of course this is an hour from me so not so local, but the premium is outrageous. To get the MCS from Classis I will pay $1200 in shipping or about the same to fly out and drive back with my wife. Of course this is a fun trip! I have heard a couple of times that the service department at Bob Smith is sub-standard...it has been recommended to me to go to LA to get anything done. After reading the posts here, it looks like I'll need to drive to Nevada! What has been your experience with the service departments if you didn't buy at their dealership...are they OK or did they give you trouble about it?

Thanks!

[johnsocal]

Instead of BAD or CRAPPY like I previously suggested we should spell out "FIX IT" or "HELP US".

Why we are at it we should make it a New MINI car show in the Seal Beach parking lot that right on the beach. Its the perfect location to get Mini owners together to show off our rides for fun

[tavis1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Andromcs

Tavis1,

Yes, I have an order-in at Classic Mini in Cleveland to purchase an '05 with a LSD so I am waiting for delivery in late Feb. or early March of '05. I did my test drives at Bob Smith and they want me to purchase there but the premium is $3000. The sales people have been very cordial and I like to use local businesses...of course this is an hour from me so not so local, but the premium is outrageous. To get the MCS from Classis I will pay $1200 in shipping or about the same to fly out and drive back with my wife. Of course this is a fun trip! I have heard a couple of times that the service department at Bob Smith is sub-standard...it has been recommended to me to go to LA to get anything done. After reading the posts here, it looks like I'll need to drive to Nevada! What has been your experience with the service departments if you didn't buy at their dealership...are they OK or did they give you trouble about it?

Thanks!

Congrats on the new MINI. True the premium is nothing more than legal extortion but we have other choices to go other places to purchase. The big beef is we don't really have other places to go to for repairs. Well we do but they are crap so your stuck. When paying close to $30000 for a vehicle you shouldn't have to travel to a different state for service. The run down is this- The service managers have been nice it's just that not everything gets repaired you ask for, The tech screws something up or the car is left in a mess or they take too long. There is two dealerships in LA I have not heard any reports and not had any experience with and thats Crevier and Irvine. All the other are total crap!
Tavis1

[tavis1]

Quote: Originally Posted by johnsocal

I actually only have about 400 miles on my Mini (with no problems) since I got it a few weeks ago, but since it will need service and repair sooner or later Im all for supporting those who have had bad service since its in everyones interest to get Socal dealers to improve.

Im sure if we gave everyone a few weeks notice and let the small local Seal Beach paper know what we are doing we could get some Press and that could scare the hell out of local Mini Dealers and their $5000 markups.

Wouldn't car mags and local papers love to hear how some dealers charge $5000 over MSRP but cant seem to afford to take care of their customers.

I bought my car from NY's Mini of the Hamptons just to avoid their price gouging and Im sure the would make a nice quote in a local paper. Mini dealers get paid directly from MiniUSA on any Mini they service or repair under warranty regardless where they originally bought it so it would be interesting to know if MiniUSA's HQ's might be slow in paying Mini dealers for services they provided as well.

Press would be good. I agree with you 100% about MINI's biggest down fall will be how they lack repair facilities and crappy service. Can you check about getting the presses attention?

[tavis1]

Quote: Originally Posted by grnmene

I'm always sorry to hear about bad experiences at dealers, particuarly one where I've had such great experiences.... I know there have been other posts about Alexander that weren't all good (some terrible), so I guess everyone has their nightmares.

BUT, I think your idea about the picture is great!!! I just wish I still lived down there - I'd definitely be up for it, just to show my support for other Mini owners. Unfortunately, I moved to Oregon last year, so unless I'm back down on business soon...

grnmene

Thanks for your support.
Tavis1

[craftnurd]

Hello... I am the afore mentioned craftnurd Nick Alexander was cordial, and they even were up front about my paint needing to be fixed... But as to the service aspect of it, they kind of blow. They have offered to come flat bed my car back to the dealer, and bring me a loaner, for something that should have been done (as they told me it was), or that would take 20 minutes (or less) to do... Now, the way I feel about it was I drove a loaner for over a week (MCS40), but they told me to expect a certian level of service, and I got a sub-standard level. To clarify, it wasn't paint dush on the car (I don't think), but a crappy detail job (white "film" all over the car). What took the guy "all day" to clean, took me two hours to do on Sat... But anyway, I didn't pay to drive a loaner all the time. So, I am going to go to another SoCal dealership to get programming done, made an appt. at Irvine, so we shall see... I honestly think its a hit and miss deal with service- unfortunately, it shouldn't be that way! I am all in for the picture! I even have a few press connections!

[tavis1]

Quote: Originally Posted by craftnurd

I even have a few press connections!

A Gal after my own heart . Sorry Craftnurd if I fudged your story up. Please keep us posted about Irvine.
Tavis1

[EBMCS03]

Ok I just read this... I almost forgot about it. So have we decided which day to call MINI and e-mail them via Owners Lounge to get our voices heard?

[tavis1]

Quote: Originally Posted by EBMCS03

Ok I just read this... I almost forgot about it. So have we decided which day to call MINI and e-mail them via Owners Lounge to get our voices heard?

I think Sept 17 sounds good. That gives time for people to read this thread and the subscribers to read it. Got a On line survey today for Desert MINI. I gave them high remarks across the board. Then at the end It has a comment section. I used that space to slam So Cal dealers again.
Tavis1

[MINI Division]

I'm with MINI USA. I've passed this message on to a MINI National Customer Relations Representative who will be in touch with you soon.