[the-ruff-puppy]

By the way, mine's 2-spoke as well.

[BazKing69]

Quote: Originally Posted by bubblegoose (original)

You're better off asking for MINI UK to give you a good will contribution. They pay the parts & you pay the labour. This way you'll be entitled to 2 years/unlimited mileage fitted parts warranty if you have the same fault again within that 2 year period.
If I was your service advisor & you came in causing a stink straight away then I wouldn't be willing to help & advise you on the facts. Coming in on a saturday just before they close to cause a stink isn't really advisable if you want the dealer to help you. At the end of the day.... its not the dealers fault, its MINI UK's so why hold the service advisor/department responsible?!?! They're there to help you in situations like this not to fight you. After all, its business to them whether its you paying for it or MINI.Dave.

Can I take this opportunity to point out that I have worked in the motor trade all my life, so know the in's and out's of how dealers work. Trust me. As I said, I would broach the subject with a curious front, and see what they can or might be willing to offer or do for me. I am not a rude person, but do expect a certain level of help when I ask for it. If the shutters go down and THEY get unhelpful, thats when the rude customer appears. And I can assure you that making noise does get the problem sorted.
While I accept it is not the dealers fault, or the poor *** who happens to get lumbered with this complaint, the fact is they have been appointed by Mini UK themselves to be their customer facing representatives. In which case, it is their responsibility to liase with BMW UK direct to see what they are willing to offer the customer, not the customers.
And regardless of if the car is out of warranty or not, I dont see why I should pay main dealer rates to rectify their common fault. You cannot have a steering wheel in a bad state of repair, as quite frankly it could be dangerous.

[bubblegoose]

Quote: Originally Posted by BazKing69 (original)

Can I take this opportunity to point out that I have worked in the motor trade all my life, so know the in's and out's of how dealers work. Trust me. As I said, I would broach the subject with a curious front, and see what they can or might be willing to offer or do for me. I am not a rude person, but do expect a certain level of help when I ask for it. If the shutters go down and THEY get unhelpful, thats when the rude customer appears. And I can assure you that making noise does get the problem sorted.
While I accept it is not the dealers fault, or the poor *** who happens to get lumbered with this complaint, the fact is they have been appointed by Mini UK themselves to be their customer facing representatives. In which case, it is their responsibility to liase with BMW UK direct to see what they are willing to offer the customer, not the customers.
And regardless of if the car is out of warranty or not, I dont see why I should pay main dealer rates to rectify their common fault. You cannot have a steering wheel in a bad state of repair, as quite frankly it could be dangerous.

Thats fine, do what you want to do. All i was trying to do was give you an insiders opinion & advice on how to get a warranty on the part that will be replaced should the problem arise... otherwise u'll have no chance.

Hope u get it sorted your way

[BazKing69]

No I understand. By insider I take it you work at a Mini dealer??
I have been in the motor trade all my life including service advisor for a few years so know the drill for parts warranty etc
I am just trying to estabilsh if anyone has had their wheel replaced outside of warranty so that I have a bit more ammo if I need it. I know how unhelpful and ignorant my local BMW dealer can be unfortunately.
Any confirmation would be appreciated.

[bubblegoose]

Quote: Originally Posted by BazKing69 (original)

No I understand. By insider I take it you work at a Mini dealer??
I have been in the motor trade all my life including service advisor for a few years so know the drill for parts warranty etc
I am just trying to estabilsh if anyone has had their wheel replaced outside of warranty so that I have a bit more ammo if I need it. I know how unhelpful and ignorant my local BMW dealer can be unfortunately.
Any confirmation would be appreciated.

steering wheels have been replaced under a MINI UK goodwill decision... not under warranty.
I would strongly advise you to go to your dealer & ask them to put a goodwill request in to MINI UK with 100% parts contribution & you pay the labour.... (Its minimal in comparison to what the steering wheel costs approx. 300 quid!!!)
That way, you're happy cos u get 2 years warranty on the fitted part, the dealers happy cos they are getting business & MINI UK will look favourably on you if another case with your vehicle arises. (They look at previoius claims/cases to give their full decision) So its in your best interests to go with the above suggestions

Hope this helps & you get it sorted in the end

[BazKing69]

I see what you are trying to say, but as per previous posts, it is a company car that we have permenant use of.
Therefore, I am not prepared to fork out money for anything on a car that is not mine. The boss is aware of the situation, and isnt prepared to fork out hundreds on non urgent things either, and seeing as he has just bought his third Mini for the company, all serviced through the local main agent, it might be in THEIR best interests to show some interest in getting this sorted FOC. TLC packages are all very well, but all the cars are outside of manufacturers warranty, so there is no need to keep taking it there at £80/hour for anything apart from free services. Some may look at it as well, if you do that then it will do you no favours with them in the future. Well I look at it as do the company a favour to keep their business (3 cars, 4th Mini due soon) or I will just recommend to the boss that he takes it to a specialist and saves a fortune just for the sake of not having a 'BMW' stamp!
The boss hasnt got the get up and go let alone the time to go and see them, but I am more than happy to do it on his behalf, and he is too. Its a mini common fault. The customer shouldnt be expected to pay anything for a BMW Mini common fault, in an ideal world, but I know how manufacturers work.
Oh well, going to pop in at some point and see what they have to say.

[bubblegoose]

Quote: Originally Posted by BazKing69 (original)

I see what you are trying to say, but as per previous posts, it is a company car that we have permenant use of.
Therefore, I am not prepared to fork out money for anything on a car that is not mine. The boss is aware of the situation, and isnt prepared to fork out hundreds on non urgent things either, and seeing as he has just bought his third Mini for the company, all serviced through the local main agent, it might be in THEIR best interests to show some interest in getting this sorted FOC. TLC packages are all very well, but all the cars are outside of manufacturers warranty, so there is no need to keep taking it there at £80/hour for anything apart from free services. Some may look at it as well, if you do that then it will do you no favours with them in the future. Well I look at it as do the company a favour to keep their business (3 cars, 4th Mini due soon) or I will just recommend to the boss that he takes it to a specialist and saves a fortune just for the sake of not having a 'BMW' stamp!
The boss hasnt got the get up and go let alone the time to go and see them, but I am more than happy to do it on his behalf, and he is too. Its a mini common fault. The customer shouldnt be expected to pay anything for a BMW Mini common fault, in an ideal world, but I know how manufacturers work.
Oh well, going to pop in at some point and see what they have to say.

so u or ur company are not prepared to pay 40 quid labour charges to get a brand new steering wheel that will have 2 years warranty when the fault may become apparant again?!?!? I find that quite strange IMO... I would completely understand if the vehicle is still under warranty, but it isn't. Things go, things break, things wear out, things snap... Its what happens when a car gets older. I know the trim on the steering wheels is thin but you have to accept that, that is the quality & may happen again in the next 2 years. What u going to do then... demand another FOC??!! I very much doubt you will get that unless you pay the 40 quid now & u'll be quite within ur rights to expect that. Thats what you get by buying genuine MINI parts.
If you go to a specialist to have the problem sorted... its gonna cost you the price of the steering wheel (which they themselves will purchase off a dealer) and their labour charge (allbeit cheaper). It doesnt make sense to me....
Pay £40 quid to a dealer to get it sorted
or
Pay £300 or more to get it sorted from a specialist.

I know which one i would do & also... looking at it from the above point of view, I thought u wanted to spend as little as you could on the vehicle. Going to a specialist doesn't help that fact does it?!?!

[BazKing69]

I'm waiting to see what the dealer offers me in terms of a replacement and what part of that I will be expected to cover.

Quote:

Things go, things break, things wear out, things snap... Its what happens when a car gets older.

Please dont patronise me with lines like that. I accept that you have wear and tear, but i'm sorry, I dont expect a steering wheel on a 3 year old 'BMW' Mini to go like this...If you think this, obviously common fault, is acceptable and can put it down to wear and tear then you obviously think too much of your Mini and BMW...
Lets be honest, there is a reason why the BMW Mini was and is so well priced. A quick look at the quality of the materials used on the interior confirms why...

[t400]

just backin up everyoneon here.

mine peeled


took it back, they replaced it.


Bosh


do the same, accept no less, or no more bs

[BazKing69]

This is why I am getting so annoyed as apparently they have to consult BMW/Mini UK first to get a provisional decision, fair enough, but it has now taken nearly a week apparently and still no answer...
So many people seem to have got a straight swap with little hassle, hence I get the feeling I am being mugged off now and my faith in BMW Mini aftersales is dwindling...
Is it because I dont drive a 7 series and am not willing to throw hundreds of pounds at them for no reason?

[venox22]

just heard back from mini, they are going to supply a new wheel FOC but i'll have to pay for fitting, *** that i'll fit it myself!!

[BarryS]

Venox22, was your car outside warranty? By how much?
I have the scruffy peeled wheel problem and the dealer tells me it's approx £500 for a new one fitted. (I don't see why I can't use my existing air bag module either?)

[mikeythemini]

Its not just Minis - BMW 5 series

[venox22]

mines a 52 plate, so nearly 8 months out of warranty

Mention this thread to them, then ask them to ask BMW in germany for a goodwill warranty claim