[daz111]

Today was supposed to be an exciting day for me and my 5 year old son has we were due to pick up a hyper blue mini cooper s convertible from a dealership an hour away from me.

Although it was a rainy day to start off with I was still eager to pick up my convertible and by the time I got to the dealership the rain had stopped and the day was beginning to brighten up.....there was hope for me that we may be driving home with the hood down.

When I got to the dealership it was about 2pm in the afternoon and me and my son decided to settle down for a few drinks(and it wasn't alcohol) whilst looking around the brand new mini dealership. I was greeted by the mini sales executive and I asked him that I wanted to inspect my car, which was kept undercover in the valeting bay.

Weeks before this car was delivered I did my very own checklist which was checking things like paintwork, hood and mechanicals, alarm, any wear on hood, checking fluids underneath bonnet(like oil, water, coolant etc) interior seats, tyres and alloys, wind deflector, electrics, checking roof operated at least 3 times, checking alarm with roof down with doors locked, checking seals and grommets were in place, checking glass meets hood and windows went down when they should and various other things. This list was built up from my own experience from when i was working at oxford for a few weeks checking and rectifying faults on new mini convertible as well as people on here that post threads with problems they have had with their mini convertible.

I had learned a lot about the convertible and problems that can occur and the staff at the dealership knew that I had a wealth of experience of the car from my time has am associate at oxford and from joining mini2.com.

Anyway on inspection of the car numerous problems occurred such has boot needed realigning it didn't shut properly and it was out of place, car had no water topped up in windscreen wash and headlight wash, checked dipstick their was only a tiny bit of oil in car, car had not been valeted properly various marks on exterior body and interior plastics, tiny marks on one alloy wheel, already wear marks on hood (remember I have not even driven car yet) and worst of all underneath passenger door where most people might forget to check on the corner where it covers there had been large scratches/gouges which had been painted over from the factory.

I was not happy and although I showed this to a manager he made calls to BMW and they said because car is mass produced this will happen on some cars. Well I wont accept that excuse car should be perfect if your paying over 20 grand for it. The paint work should be smooth underneath door.

Anyway a warning to anybody about to pick up a car do a checklist because there may be thing you may forget to check, also inspect car with a fine toothpick, dont accept any excuses. Anyway I have not accepted car, although they wanted me to take it and come back to have the work done on warranty, why should I? So anyway they have given me a courtesy car which is a brand new mini cooper s hardtop in hyper blue until they get all the above faults fixed.

Most of all I feel sorry for my son.

p.s. they took my part exchange too which I was happy about. I invite u all to ask me any questions and apologise for writing so much.

[MacGuruTX]

Hi Daz,
I have a S Cabrio on order and would love to have a gander at your checklist. Maybe it is something you could post? or exchange by email.

Since this is my first Mini, I'd really like to partake of your experience in finding issues?

Thanks,
MacGuruTX

[reills]

Wow Daz that stinks! I just turned one down (BRG S) sight unseen as the dealer was being a prat and telling me that the car was held up at the NJ USA VDC for a month due to a scratched spoiler. For my trouble he was willing to throw in the floor mats. You make me feel like I did, in fact, make the right choice.

Could you post your checklist for the rest of us to borrow? We who are getting a hard top can modify it to suit our needs... Thanks.

[daz111]

Hi thank you for replying to my post I will put my checklist on here within next few days has I am just getting over from my bad experience of today. My checklist has worked for me and has pointed out the problems from today and I do hope this list will help those due to pick up cars over the next few months. One other thing to watch out for is dont sign any paper work until you are completely 100% happy with car they tried to make me sign finance documents for a car that had not been handed over to me. Why should I start paying for the car that I dont have.

[MountainGal]

Daz111, I'm truly sorry to hear about your experience. I'm also relieved to know that we'll get a comprehensive checklist from a savvy customer. I emailed our dealership today wanting to know about the concerns that I'd read from folks who've already gotten their cabrios, and was disappointed when he replied that he hadn't heard anything about them, but that they would fix whatever's wrong.

Shouldn't they know from MINI that there have been problems with the convertible?

Is it appropriate to email that checklist to my dealer before picking up the car, and requesting that they run through it thoroughly before having me make the 90 minute drive to their location, also having to have somebody drive me so that I can drive Frieda back home? Not only is my time valuable, but I also don't think I could stand the kind of disappointment that you experienced today!

What do you think? - -

[deco]

Quote: Originally Posted by daz111

__deletia__

I will put my checklist on here within next few days has I am just getting over from my bad experience of today. My checklist has worked for me and has pointed out the problems from today and I do hope this list will help those due to pick up cars over the next few months.

__deletia__

//

daz111, i'm really looking forward to your checklist.

kthxbye.

b.

//

[MiniM3]

Sorry to hearing about a car that does not sound to have have had any PDI. Sould not have got past the dealer.

You systematic list sounds to be useful to us all that are due to collect the car in the next few months.

The boot seems to be a problem common to all convertibles.

Every car I have seen at my dealership seems to have a mis-aligned boot.

Good luck with trying to rectify the situation.

Jon

[Poisonedwell]

A great heads-up daz. My 05 MCS has been perfect so-far but if anything goes wrong in the future I won't have a detailed check-list to refer to. Good job!

[Geoff & Gill]

Hello Daz
I'm inspecting my Mini Convertible at Lovett's in Swindon at 9 am ON MONDAY !
That too is an hour away from me.
I would be eternally grateful if you could let me see your checklist before that.
They are trailering it to my home next Thursday ready for 1 September - which is why I am going to the dealership to inspect it first.
From what you have experienced it seems a wise move.
Thanks.
Geoff

[paa]

Fair play Daz, we put up with far too much crap in this overpriced country of ours, I just cannot believe the look on peoples faces when you actually point out you are not prepared to put up with sub standard stuff.

[leila]

Quote: Originally Posted by daz111

... and worst of all underneath passenger door where most people might forget to check on the corner where it covers there had been large scratches/gouges which had been painted over from the factory.
.

When you say underneath passenger door - where exactly do you mean, under the door itself or the doorsill (me confused - sorry!) ???

I'm picking up my MCSC on Monday afternoon although I did visit the dealer last week and got to sit in my new baby but I haven't had a good look at it as I figured I ought to wait until the handover on Monday.

Checklist is definitely the way to go, I've started one based on the posts I've seen on mini2 - only thing I checked this week was that both door/armrest jobbies are leather!

[abs0lutely]

Quote:

Checklist is definitely the way to go, I've started one based on the posts I've seen on mini2 - only thing I checked this week was that both door/armrest jobbies are leather!

Which reminds me: My cloth driver side armrest was finally replaced yesterday.

Very sorry to hear about the handover. It's good you checked it thoroughly. I didn't check to that extent (though did use a lot I've learned from MINI2), but it was good enough to drive out - the warranty can pick up any niggles :P

I also made a point yesterday of showing the roof-wear thread to my rep. I think he was quite supprised at the volume of posts. Dealership told me they will escalate the issue (and, to be fair, without needing much prompting from myself).

[Peter Crowl]

Quote: Originally Posted by paa

Fair play Daz, we put up with far too much crap in this overpriced country of ours, I just cannot believe the look on peoples faces when you actually point out you are not prepared to put up with sub standard stuff.

This brings to mind a story told to me by a friend in Ringwood. He and a friend were working on a British Leyland product - I believe it was a Mini - and under the mats in the back they found written in marker pen "Not Suitable for Export"

They raised holy hell but never got a satisfactory answer as to why a car that was deemed not suitable for export was deemed suitable for sale to the British Motoring Public and for no small sum either!

Peter
in
Denver

[minimememe]

I am sorry to hear about the problems you discovered with your new MCSC, daz. I hope they are not only resolved to your 100% satisfaction, but that the dealer goes above and beyond in some special way to compensate for the inconvenience they have caused you. I expect delivery on my MCSC by the end of October and would love to have a copy of your checklist. I think if enough of us stick to our guns in demanding a reasonably flawless car, MINI will get the message. Good luck to all who are getting a new MINI!

[daz111]

Hi everybody I would like to say thanks for replying to my post and has promised here is the checklist that found faults on my convertible. By all means use the checklist in any order you like and good luck with your new baby.

1. Underneath bonnet check that reservoirs are filled for headlamp wash and rear and windscreen wash you should be able to see the water. Check oil and coolant levels as well has brake fluid. Finally check fabric underneath bonnet is nice and clean.

2. Check paint work is free from any dirt marks, hairline scratches or any type of scratches, any paint drips caused from factory and most important of all check places that are not in view like underneath your doors (use a torch if necessary) around edges of boot and bonnet.

3. Check wheel spats(plastic around wheel arches) and sills are free from any wax or scratch marks.Also check underneath bumpers too.

4. Check alloys are free from any marks and scratches.

5. Check all lights are in working order has well has heated seats, folding wing mirrors, lights underneath both passenger and drivers side doors should be lit when you open doors as well has interior lights.

6. Make sure the dealer shows you how to fit wind deflector and put it away if you have one.

7. Check alarm works with doors locked and roof down. If you wave your hand around near dash board alarm should off.....but wait at least 3 minutes before waving your hand around (apparently your hand should set a sensor off).

8. Check remote hood with your key(if you put key in door and turn your hood should go up)

9. Check all glass lowers when you put hood down and also when roof up and windows closed check that the glass sits flush in seals and there are no gaps between top of glass and hood if there is a gap this could cause water to enter in car. LASTLY check all glass is free from any cracks or marks.

10. Check all rubber seals around door housings are not loose and are in place.

11. Check boot shuts flush. check at least 4 or 5 times if it doesn't shut properly then the boot needs realigning.

12. Ask the dealer to operate hood at least 3 times and check for any wear marks at this stage and then wait 20 minutes and ask dealer to operate hood a couple more times at least at this stage you might see if any marks start to occur on hood.

13. check that there are two holes on rubber on boot edge(the rubber that surrounds boot edge) these 2 holes are small drill holes for water to drain away). Make sure rubber is covering fabric in boot and not pinching.

14. Check dealer has FULLY valeted your car this will mean checking underneath all mats for any dirt marks, door pockets, plastics, and even underneath sills just run your finger under all 4 sides. Check for any polished marks not wiped away.

15. Check that you interior dash and door pockets are not scratched (colour coded and non colour coded plastics)

16. Check all seats work and move and no foam showing through.

17. Check headlamps and rearlights are free from any scrathes or marks.

18. Check all seat belts work.

19. And last of all check your glove compartment door locks and unlocks.

I invite all comments on my checklist and hope it all comes in helpful to you.

[Peter Crowl]

What I really like about your list is that it addresses things that I normally wouldn't look at until later - like exposed foam on the seats...

Since I'm using your list to begin compiling my own, I'm adding

Check Windshield Wiper function including rain sensor

Check Audio System function - bring both traditional and MP3 CD's

Check OBC function

Check MFSW function

Check Auto climate control function

Check all Stalk Control functions

Check rear window heater function

Check Mirror heaters and all washers for function

More? Probably?

This is great!

Peter in Denver

[daz111]

Great.....I think it is cool for all of us to work has a team to pin point these problems before hand, there were wear marks on the hood of my convertible do u think I should request a new replacement roof as well has the scratches they have got to repair and boot fixed. Anyway I am enjoying their courtesy car.

[Peter Crowl]

Quote: Originally Posted by daz111

Great.....I think it is cool for all of us to work has a team to pin point these problems before hand, there were wear marks on the hood of my convertible do u think I should request a new replacement roof as well has the scratches they have got to repair and boot fixed. Anyway I am enjoying their courtesy car.

I would get after the new hood straight away. We know they have problems.....

As I see it and I'm sure you agree - we're not buying Kia's here...we're paying top dollar for a BMW product. There may be obscure foibles but significant build quality failures will not be tolerated.
I work with Germans...they do not accept second rate efforts and I respect them for that...Now it's time for us to demand the same of them.

Peter in Denver

[MadisonMini]

This has been one of the best threads I've read on here.

Really have a sense of Mini owners and future owners banding together to solve problems.

My MCSC will be in the country Sep 3 and probably at my dealer 7-10 days later. Once I know it's in this country, I'm going to send the checklist to my MA.

One thing I'm going to ask way ahead of time to my MA: Do not place the dealer's name anyplace on the car (like boot sticker, license frame, etc...) That always drove me nuts and now paying this sort of money, I want my car clean without the "free" advertising.

Do dealers in Europe do a similar practice?

[Peter Crowl]

Quote: Originally Posted by MadisonMini

One thing I'm going to ask way ahead of time to my MA: Do not place the dealer's name anyplace on the car (like boot sticker, license frame, etc...) That always drove me nuts and now paying this sort of money, I want my car clean without the "free" advertising.

Do dealers in Europe do a similar practice?

I'm glad you brought that up! I'll have to look, but I believe Schomp only does a license plate frame...

I don't mind that so much if it's tasteful and if the dealer is taking good care of me...but overall I absulutely agree...it's my car, keep your logo off of it !

Peter
In Denver...who's from S.E. Wisconsin