Holy Crapola Bat-Man, look what they did to your MINI Cooper!!

[paco]

Well this is it, I am ED.
Talk about lack of service at BMW Dealers!

I've had my _black_ 2002 Cooper for only two weeks, and they've already managed to disappoint me!
It went in this morning for repairs (hand-brake light stays on and it has the seat-belt rattles), and they not only didn't fix any of the problems but they also took the liberty of changing the boot latch (wtf ?! the rattles are coming from the seatbelt pillars) and SCRATCH MY PAINT!

I had specifically told the "technical advisor" NOT to wash the car, since it was very dusty and I prefered to wash the car myself (I wanted to buy some Zaino or NXT and all the necessities this week!). So they rinsed the car, and went ahead and did a super botchy-quicky job to remove the dirt with a mit (I suppose) and scraped the car.

I now have a big scratch on the driver's side door panel (I can feel it with my fingernail)l and some minor scratches and swirls all over the car. The "technical advisor" is telling me they cannot buff the paint to fix the problem as it will remove the clearcoat.
He looked puzzled and asked me: "Welll... What do you want me to do ?" ARGH!!
And he was trying to feed me that "we didn't do that" crapola

He's supposed to call back tomorrow to have his "detailing specialist" try and fix the problem, but I'm a bit paranoid as to what they'll do to the car next! Last time they applied wax on it, it stained all the trims.

What should I do ? Is it possible for them to switch the whole door or the door's panel ? I know there are abrasive products out there (like ScratchX and 3M's), but I fear it'll only lessen and mask the problem when I want to get rid of it
I thought going at a good bodyshop and having them estimate how much job is needed, but what will they be able to do then ? Buff the paint ? Plus, I don't know any good bodyshops in Montreal, Can.

Help!! Suggestions needed!

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paco

[Paul]

If they replace or respray the panel you could end up with a small colour difference, and that would probably drive you even more nuts! I'd wait and see what they can do, but make sure they know if the repairs are not up to scratch (sorry about the pun) then you wont accept them!

[paco]

Hi Paul,

I spoke with a bodyshop this morning, and they told me I had to sand the part, and then re-paint and re-clearcoat the affected area.

I'll have them estimate the job tonight.

Is there a possibility they could buy the official MINI paint or is this risky of not having the same colors ? My Cooper is Jet Black.


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paco

[paco]

Well I went to a bodyshop today who was about 90% sure I could get rid of the scratches by sanding them. He referred me to a detailing specialist.

Did anyone ever wetsand their car ? Is it hard to learn the technique ?
Or should I revert to the detailing specialist and not dare wetsand my Cooper ?

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paco

[HObzy]

I wouldnt do it yourself, you will leave yourself open to more abuse by your dealer i suspect. Get the quote from your body shop and show it to the dealer and start politely negotiating. They made the cock up, so they need to be given the chance to sort it out and restore some of your faith in them. Take photos of everything as well.

Good luck.

[futalfufu]

I had some scratches wetsanded out and it didn't cost much at all and you can't tell where they did it.

[paco]

HOBzy, yes I will take pictures with my digital camera. One can never be too sure!

futalfufu, this is reassuring! I have an appointment tomorrow at 12h00 with the detailing guy. And then I'll call back my dealer to give them hell. They didn't even call me today, as if they don't care at all. I wonder if I could manage to have them pay the repairs and give me a credit for the troubles.


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paco

[paco]

All is well! Today I went to a local detailing shop (Brent's Auto Salon in Montreal, Can), and he was able to remove the scratches effortlessly with his buffing machine (thanks Brent!) . He told me the scratches were only in the clearcoat.

And best of all he did it for free!

He told me I would need a good compound, so I'm wondering if I should feel adventurous and go the lonely route or have them detail my Cooper. I guess the lonely route is more rewarding in the end, but I might not be able to get as good a result as he would.

You can check this thread about it:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/maintenance-mini-care/54091-meguiars-nxt-generation-tech-wax-zaino-show-car-polish.html

My MINI dealer didn't even call me today. You can bet I will call tomorrow morning and let the manager know what I think!!!


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paco

[spadsept]

Hum,

I'm suppose to get my car in to Laval for a second time for a defective airbag... I'll be cautious! Last time i went there, only 2 of 4 problems were fix... My front light aren't align, they say they are! Yeah right, I'm only an Artistic Director that don't know about aligment... I guess i'll have to show them myself ! I had a rear wiper problem... no rubbing on half the window, it's the famous rear arm problem, but they manage only to charge me a new blade on a 2000 km car... And of course, after this big ''fix'' , i had some problems this winter because they did'nt change my wiper arm for a 2003!

Yep, last try... I'm starting to feel sorry about sending them buyers. A new dealer is in town, i hope they'll be more caustious about their clients. Mini is a small world!