[buggy]

DON"T TOW IT WILL VOID WARRENTY!!


I just got royally screwed over by my dealer, Keeler in Latham, NY. When I first walked in I stated plainly it must tow a 700# ATV with trailer. Over and over they said, "no problem", gave me web sites for the sports link and trailer hitch. By the way I traded in a 2003 Chevy pickup at a loss to buy this car. AFTER I buy the link and hitch a dealer in CT told me that MINI will not Honor the warranty if it is rigged for towing. I couldn't believe it after the numerous assurances that the MINI S can tow 1400# from the dealer.
I will be consulting my lawyer to start a deception sales lawsuit against this dealer and contact the AG in NY to file a complaint.
Those of you that have your MINI rigged for towing, BEWARE, you are NOT covered under warranty for your drive train.

What lying *******s!!

[ButtonIt]

What does it say in the MINI handbook? If it states in the handvook that the MINI can tow, then surely they are legally bound to honour warranty on it?

[AprilWhine]

Also, being flat towed will void the warrenty. I have a tow dolly to tow my MINI behind a motorhome.

[buggy]

call 1-866-askmini.

They are VERY CLEAR about it.

[Fevs]

how the hell do you tow with the S the pipes are in the way and if its a cooper why do bmw/mini sell a tow bar kit for the car

i never had any problems with mine
i am all confused

[keitht]

It clearly says in the manual page 76 in mine

You cannot tow a trailer with the MINI COOPER S

[dco43054]

There is a kit out there that re-routes the exhaust for the MCS and then mounts a towing point where the exhaust formerly was in the center of the car.What MINI thinks about it, I don't know. But it would be pretty hard to void the whole warranty based on towing. If you had drivetrain problems, I could see it. They don't know what you're pulling. But if the power windows went out, it would be pretty hard to deny repair.


Dave

[Bilbo Baggins]

There is a kit to mount on the MCS without having to re-route the exhaust system from mini-fini at http://www.minifini.com/Default.aspx . it all looks very nice and can be used for several different accessories.

There is also an official MINI part number,here:"AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH AUTHORIZED MINI DEALERSHIPS SPORT-LINK™ - MINI PART #82 11 0 154 539"

It does not change the warranty issue, but mini-fini is supposed to be an official MINI accessory manufacturer. So why would it exist if the factory won't back it?

[Jim Ray]

There is an easy answer to this question. The MINI belongs to you, not BMW.

Just do what I have done in the past. Fit a legal tow hitch to the car, and tow your trailer. Drive it like you own it while towing. Don't load it with more than the rating for the cooper, stay from "Sport Driving" while towing. Drive a reasonable speed, allow plenty of distance for braking, avoid the need for panic stops.

If you do this, it will probably not harm the car. I have towed U-Haul type trailers with early Toyota's across country, and gone on to drive them for over 100,000 miles after.

I have towed extensively with a turbocharged vehicle that the manufacturer did not recommend towing. No damage.

It is your life, your car, and not all things in life come with a guarantee. If you can't live with that, trade it in and pursue the suit against the dealer.

Remember that almost always, car salesmen will tell you what you want to hear to get you to buy a car. That is why the dealer had the statement on the contract that you signed as you purchased your car. "Verbal statements by any member of Bogus motors are not legally binding".

If you want to tow it, tow it, just don't pretend to be in a rally while doing it. Remember, if BMW did not make that rule, some yahoo would try to pull his mobile home with it.

Sorry,
Jim