My MINI is lemon!

[neverending4181]

I love my MINI to death. I wouldn't give it up for anything, however, I think I have a lemon. I purchased the car on the 23rd of May, and my friend noticed this strange "woo, woo" noise while driving on 2nd gear. Turns out that the factory didn't put enough transmission oil, so they had to swap the transmission to a new one, within a week of its purchase. The strange noise disappeared, and it actually shifts much better than before! But it came back . This time on 6th gear and the sound drags longer. Instead of a quick "woo, woo" it goes, "wooooo, wooooo." And it's getting really annoying! I have complained, and so has my boyfriend who has a bigger mouth than I do, to fix the problem, but they claim it's normal and that driving at 70-75 mph is too fast anyway . I am very displeased with the lack of service at Prestige MINI of Mahwah, NJ. I don't know if anyone else on here has experienced similar transmission noises, if so, it's a manufacture defect, but the so-called service at Prestige MINI is HORRIBLE! And I don't know what to do. Now while idle, it intermittently makes this annoying whining noise, as if something needs to be oiled up! And just today I discovered for some reason my mobile connected via bluetooth can place, and receive calls, but I can't hear them through them speakers of my car. Now it's working fine after being left alone. But seriously, they must have effed things up with my car because it was a showroom car, so God only knows who has been in it or where it has been.

This is my first MINI, my first brand new car I purchased after settling with hand-me-downs, and I am displeased with my vehicle, but yet, I still love it to death! I am going to bring my car to a different dealer, possibly Morristown. Anyone in the New Jersey area recommend a MINI dealer that is very reliable so I can actually re-gain my confidence of having my car being serviced? I don't even car if I have to drive all the way to Princeton, (I live in North Jersey), or go to NYC for that matter! PLEASE, any advice would be very helpful! Also, if anyone knows the number to MINI USA, please let me know so I can give them the heads-up that Prestige MINI is not so prestigious!

[Paul]

Not heard of this before, and saying 70-75mph is "too fast" for a Cooper S is ridiculous. Better tell BMW to limit it at 65mph then.

For dealer advice your area maybe ask in the regional forum: http://www.mini2.com/forum/new-york-new-england-region/

As the noise, woo-woo sounds like a stream train when I read it, is that even close?!



Whatever, it doesn't sound like a healthy noise and it does sound like you're getting the brush off.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by neverending4181 (original)

but they claim it's normal and that driving at 70-75 mph is too fast anyway

I am sorry to say that I did laugh when I read that quote! That has to be one of the most stupid statements from a dealer I've heard in a very long time

Sorry to hear that it's giving you so much bother, but it definitely sounds like it's time to find a new dealer! Best of luck.

Tigger.

[Arnbut]

Try this website too:
MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring
I'm having a trans replaced now too. Stick to your guns.

[djam43]

The" Whine" at idle is probably your alternator, I think there was a recall in UK for that problem.

[CC07ERS]

Be glad you have the lemmon law ive had 7 different this done under warranty in 4 months ,& nonly way i can reject is to pay a lawyer.

[neverending4181]

Quote: Originally Posted by Arnbut (original)

Try this website too:
MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring
I'm having a trans replaced now too. Stick to your guns.

Why does yours need to be swapped?

[neverending4181]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

I am sorry to say that I did laugh when I read that quote! That has to be one of the most stupid statements from a dealer I've heard in a very long time

Sorry to hear that it's giving you so much bother, but it definitely sounds like it's time to find a new dealer! Best of luck.

Tigger.

I KNOW! The people over there are ridiculous and they think I am an idiot. After telling me they think that 70-75 mph is too fast, they blamed the tire or the road for making that noise. If that is so, I would hear that same noise in my moms Jag or my sisters Hummer.

[neverending4181]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Not heard of this before, and saying 70-75mph is "too fast" for a Cooper S is ridiculous. Better tell BMW to limit it at 65mph then.

For dealer advice your area maybe ask in the regional forum: http://www.mini2.com/forum/new-york-new-england-region/

As the noise, woo-woo sounds like a stream train when I read it, is that even close?!



Whatever, it doesn't sound like a healthy noise and it does sound like you're getting the brush off.

The "woo, woo" noise sounds more like a hum, as if you're tapping the gas pedal and you just can't keep your foot steady at high speeds. If that's the case, I wouldn't be able to drive stick. But not like a train , that would drive me insane. I'll be driving, and they'll think a train is passing by. Sorry, I had to laugh.

[Arnbut]

Quote: Originally Posted by neverending4181 (original)

Why does yours need to be swapped?

It was making a shreek when shifting from 3rd to 2nd.
The dealership was a little difficult at first but I began to recite the Magnusum-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 to them (from memory) and they gave the problem more scrutiny.
The dealer seems honestly committed to getting my car running correctly or getting me into another car.
I'm cautiously optimistic...

[OttoMannS]

The MINIUSA phone number is:

1-866-ASK-MINI

Note to self: Never, ever buy a 1st year new car again.

[neverending4181]

I have updates on that "woo, woo" noise. Turns out I had to replace the wheel bearing on the front driver side wheel. I had to have the service manager test drive the MINI with me in the car, and was finally convinced! So now it drives normal, and no problems at all.

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by Arnbut (original)

It was making a shreek when shifting from 3rd to 2nd.
The dealership was a little difficult at first but I began to recite the Magnusum-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 to them (from memory) and they gave the problem more scrutiny.
The dealer seems honestly committed to getting my car running correctly or getting me into another car.
I'm cautiously optimistic...

What does the MM have to do with this? The MM is to protect consumers on things like changing your own oil and air filter not standard warranty items (and not performance mods either).

Anyway, the key is to stay on the dealer to make things right

OK, I re-read it and can see how it might apply but I do think that Americans lean way to much on it. There are people quoting it as a way to get their car repaired under warranty after they modded the heck out of it. That is not the purpose of it but Arnbut has a point.

[CC07ERS]

Quote: Originally Posted by neverending4181 (original)

I have updates on that "woo, woo" noise. Turns out I had to replace the wheel bearing on the front driver side wheel. I had to have the service manager test drive the MINI with me in the car, and was finally convinced! So now it drives normal, and no problems at all.

Now thats good news

[Arnbut]

I really like my NEW car, btw.
BRG/W with a trouble-free AT.