[marrsbar]

Just thought I would share my experience of me versus dealer on the roof wear issue.

Having read up in depth on this site about the pontential problems with roof wear on the Convertible I decided to go ahead and order anyway, in the hope that the problem would have been fixed by the time that I received my car. Unfortunately, the hope was in vain as after only a couple of drives with the roof down I could see the dreaded white marks. They were very obvious. I decided that I would leave the problem until I was due to take my mini in for its first oil change at 10,000 miles.

Six months later... Ready for first oil change. I called my dealer and arranged to be booked in for a service. I mentioned to the sales girl who sold me the car that I had issues with the roof wear. She claimed she had never had anyone else in with that problem. Great, I thought, here we go.

I had several other problems, namely, the left arm of the roof misses its hole when closing so it has to be guided in. The passenger door Harmon Kardon tweeter buzzes terribly. The chrome tail pipe has blackened despite being cleaned and polished weekly and will not come clean. I also asked for new dust caps to be fitted as someone had stolen the originals. In order to avoid confusion I decided to list exactly what my problems were with the car and hand it to the service guy - I also stuck a copy to the steering wheel just incase the service guy took it upon himself not to pass my list on to the engineer!

To my suprise he was very helpful! He went through each thing with me and as soon as I mentioned the roof wear he came straight out and said "ah, you'll need a new roof, you'll have to bring it in again for that". He hadn't even seen the car! (My wear marks aren't THAT severe - I was just expecting the fix that people have mentioned on here to be fitted)

I waited a while as the oil change was done, then the service guy came back to me. He told me he had ordered a whole new roof, a new tweeter AND a new normal speaker for the passenger door, new seals for the windows to fix the streaking problem (I hadn't even mentioned that to him) and he said when I came in for the roof to be fitted he would fit another tail pipe. He had fitted new dust caps and adjusted the roof so the arm hit the hole properly when closing. He mentioned that they couldn't replicate the problem with the speaker and that the tail pipe is expected to go black again due to the carbon deposits (I know this but you should be able to polish the marks off surely!?) but he would replace both the speakers and the tail pipe anyway. He asked me if 6th June was ok and that they would need the car for 2-3 days so he would have me a courtesy car ready (I asked for a convertible 6-series but he just laughed heartily ) and that was that. They had given my car a good wash and topped up the wash bottles and the coolant which my sister didnt even get when she took her Z4 to the same dealers for its first service.

I went to the dealers expecting a fight just to get the fix for the roof - I was almost speechless when the guy told me all the things they were gonna do without me really even asking - all under warranty - AND I fitted the Denison ICE link to my Harmon Kardon stereo so I could use my iPod but they didn't even try to use that excuse when it came to the speaker problem. They haven't even charged me for the dust caps.

So...I'm currently very pleased with Fawdington Mini who, if all goes to plan and I do get my new roof, speakers, etc, have surely surpassed my best expectations to say the least.

Watch this space ... I guess I'll have to wait and see if they keep their word - I'll mark the speakers and the roof somehow just to make sure they DO change them!

Incidently, while he told me that he had ordered me a new roof he showed me a piece of paper attached to my service docket thing (their copy) which was on BMW headed paper with diagrams and pictures of a convertible roof - I can't remember what the title was but it was essentially 'Convertible Roof Wear'. The pictures and diagrams showed all the common areas of wear and the causes and fixes. I obviously asked for a copy but he would not oblige - quelle suprise. But at least it's evidence that BMW recognise that there is a problem and they have a fix for it. So for any of you out there still getting the 'It happens to all MINI Convertibles' response, keep pushing your dealer!

Problem is, having spent time at the dealers I now want to fit the aero kit at a cost of £1100 which I really cant afford - anyway, I need to fix my kerbed bullets first! ah well.

[LMB]

It's nice to hear a positive story.

[andyupnorth]

I've always found Fawdingtons to be very good, both for BMW and MINI. Also, Emma in MINI sales is a star!

[Cooper_S_Cab]

I am glad you have had a good experience with them. When I first tried to get my roof fixed they denied all knowledge of there being a problem. It did eventually get replaced and they were very good. the only problem I have noticed since is that there is increased wind noise when the roof is up, but I will get them to look at it at the 1st service.
I was told to keep the roof up for a week and not lower it, not sure why!
Since having a few problems initially they have proved to be very good, and I can recomend them thoroughly. They even gave me a 320ci as a loaner while my roof was getting replaced.

[marrsbar]

Quote: Originally Posted by andyupnorth

I've always found Fawdingtons to be very good, both for BMW and MINI. Also, Emma in MINI sales is a star!

I'd definately agree with you (so far). I've had good experience with the Mini side and my sister has had plenty good service from BWM. Emma is my sales girl and she is definately a star. She goes out of her way to help and has pulled several strings for me! I'll not say what just in case Mr. Grumpy Pants her manager is reading - I wouldn't want to get Emma McElanininaniny into trouble - who'll I buy my third MINI off then!?

[marrsbar]

I took it in this morning. I asked them to sort out the kerbed alloys for me while they had it to so everything will be all fixed except a couple of little scratches I can sort myself and shed loads of stone chips.

They give me a 330 Diesel Sport to knock about in until mine is sorted- it's like poo of a stick and I haven't even tried sports mode yet! Don't like the interior at all though! So dull!

I'll keep you posted on whether or not the roof issue is sorted and all the other issues they are seeing to - if you're interested.

[Gr8Dain]

Of course we (at least I am) are interested. I take ours in for our first service tomorrow (different dealer of course ).

[marrsbar]

Well they did everything they promised. New roof looks great. Stereo sounds fine. The left arm is still slightly iffy but it goes in the hole... I'll see how that goes. New chrome tail pipe fitted. When the roof is down it still makes contact in the places it did before where the rubbing/wear occured, but it's not as tightly pressed together...so I'll keep you posted if any wear develops.

They did a shocking job of washing, the wheels looked terrible but I can't complain since they turned it around in less than 24 hrs. They couldn't refurb the alloys as the guy was fully booked so I'll have to have that done another time. They also tried to pinch my wind breaker! I was a little gutted as I was looking forward to picking up my car all brand spanking new looking. But never mind - I'll have to give it a good valet myself. Only thing is, it feels very slow compared to the 330 I've been wizzing around in for the last 24 hours! Never mind.

They never told me to keep the roof up or made any mention of waiting before I used the roof mechanism so... with the weather being as glorious as it has been today I had the roof straight down before I pulled away from the dealers. First time I've had to have the air con on with the roof down - it's roasting outside!

I'll keep you posted on any wear.

[taz2822]

interesting about fawdingtons, Ive just the car into Priory for its first service and they say No way for the roof wear problem. Mini won't replace under warrenty. I think I'll check out Fawdingtons ( Car was bought in Devon)

[howardpm]

in the US tried getting their roof replaced because of the wear marks?


Howard

[mxyzptlk]

I've got an appointment for july 13th to have my first oil service, i hope it goes as well as yours did. I too have the roof wear and a short list of other minor fixes that need to be made.

[Gr8Dain]

Quote: Originally Posted by howardpm

in the US tried getting their roof replaced because of the wear marks?


Howard

Howard, I have mentioned it to Sterling MINI and they have previosly said that they know nothing about it. Just the other day, when I was in for a few little things, I mentioned it and the official response was that "they are expecting a bulletin about it really soon".

I am not pushing it until I hear that there is something that works. I just keep registering my concerns each time I go in.

Dain

[gaminicool]

I took my Mini in for an early oil change and mentioned the roof wear - they claimed it was normal. I registered my concern with 866-ask-mini. Perhaps if more call in they will take us seriously

I would like more info about this future technical bulletin.

[taz2822]

just went to Fawdingtons and even without SEEING the roof - they are replaceing it with a new one next week under warranty ALSO going to do the wifes cabby as well.

And considering WE DIDN"T BUY EITHER CAR from them i was pretty well amazed!!!

Hows that for dealer service.

No arguements, no fuss all sorted in 10 minutes.

A BIG BIG WELL DONE AND THANK YOU to FAWDINGTONS.

[Gr8Dain]

Is it worth it for my MCSC to make a trip to Fawdingtons?

[CoopLex]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gr8Dain

Howard, I have mentioned it to Sterling MINI and they have previosly said that they know nothing about it. Just the other day, when I was in for a few little things, I mentioned it and the official response was that "they are expecting a bulletin about it really soon".

I am not pushing it until I hear that there is something that works. I just keep registering my concerns each time I go in.

Dain

I mentioned it to the dealer in Colorado, Ralph Schomp ...they said they were looking into it

[Gr8Dain]

At least it wasn't a flat out denial.