Is it just me, or are the "faults" posts slowly getting less?

Sirobbo said:

The point you`re missing is that there should never have been these problems in the first place!
This (IMHO) is totally unacceptable and is why I`m getting out now.

Click to expand...

I agree with Paul on this one.
I have had new cars for the past 8 years and I have had problems with all of them.
I went against my own rule with the MINI. Never buy a new car in it's first production run. They always have teething problems.

The MINI is a brand new car on a brand new, never made before platform. Of course you are going to get faults!
Any reoccurring faults are unacceptable to MINI also. Thats why, like with me, they have offered to replace peoples cars.
I have never received such professional and personal treatment from any other manufacturer/dealer as I have with MINI/BMW.

If you bail out of buying your MINI now, I think you will be missing out!

This is an opinion from someone who's "been there".

Sirobbo said:

Can you name me another recently launched car (from a respected European manufacturer) that has had this many problems?

Click to expand...

Year: 2001 Make: VOLKSWAGEN Model: GOLF Recall Date: 09/22/2000

Type of Report: Vehicle
Potential Number of Units Affected: 4218
Manufactured: 04/2000 - 08/2000
Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF TWO BRACKETS USED TO BOLT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE BODY STRUCTURE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WELDED SUFFICIENTLY.
Consequence Summary:
THE CONTROL ARM COULD GRADUALLY LOOSEN AND ULTIMATELY SEPARATE FROM ITS BRACKET IN NORMAL DRIVING WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL. AS THE BRACKET LOOSENS, LOUD METALLIC KNOCKING SOUNDS IN FROM THE VEHICLE WILL BE HEARD.
Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRACKET AND IF THE WELDING IS INSUFFICIENT, WILL REPLACE THE CONTROL ARM.

--------------------

Year: 2001 Make: VOLKSWAGEN Model: GOLF Recall Date: 02/04/2002

Type of Report: Vehicle
Potential Number of Units Affected: 55000
Manufactured: 10/2000 - 09/2001
Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
Consequence Summary:
THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING LATE-FEBRUARY 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Source for above: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov

From http://www.carsource.co.uk

VW Polo..
Vehicle Identification Numbers:
WVW...6N.VY036320 to WVW...6N.VY056584
Build Dates: June 1996
Numbers Involved: 267040
Description of Defect: The valve hole in the steel rod wheel is 0.5mm out of its correct position. This results in a poor valve fit and loss of tyre air pressure.
Remedial Action: The affected vehicles are being recalled to have the original wheels replaced with quality assured examples.

or..

VW Golf..
Vehicle Identification Numbers:
WVWzzz1JzXP068857 to WVWzzz1JzXP417000
Build Dates: July 1998 to December 1998
Numbers Involved: 110
Description of Defect: It is possible that the heat discharged during the release of the front seat belt tensioners can set fire to the insulation mats behind the lower 'B' pillar trim.
Remedial Action: Recall potentially affected vehicle range and remove the insulation mats where fitted.

Or...

Aston Martin DB7
Safety Recall
10-Jan-2000
Vehicle Identification Numbers:
(--) 0011 to (--) 0391
Build Dates:
Jun 1999 to Nov 1999
Numbers Involved: 140
Description of Defect: There is a possibility that the front damper lower mounting bracket may detach due to insufficient welding and displaced damper may restrict steering action.
Remedial Action: Recall affected vehicles and check that damper mounting bracket is butt welded on all three sides. If not, replace bracket.

As you asked...

Also from http://www.carsource.co.uk

Bentley Arnage
Safety Recall 01-Jun-1999
Vehicle Identification Numbers: Various
Build Dates: November 1997 to May 1999
Numbers Involved: 597
Description of Defect: On the vehicles affected, the potential exists for the surface of each heated seat to reach an unacceptably high temperature. In extreme cases, this could cause damage to anything in contact with the seat cushion.
Remedial Action: Recall affected vehicles and fit an additional control unit to each heated seat.

Or...

Bentley Arnage
Safety Recall 07-Jan-1999
Vehicle Identification Numbers: Various
Build Dates: November 1997 to February 1998
Numbers Involved: 40
Description of Defect: The potential exists for the Foot Operated Parking Brake Manual Release Cable to move out of position and foul the steering column joint. The foul could prevent rotation of the column.
Remedial Action: Recall affected vehicles for modification. This modification involves checking, and if incorrect, re-positioning the release cable to the correct condition.

Or..

Mercedes V-Class
Safety Recall 25-Sep-1998
Vehicle Identification Numbers: VSA638 000001 to 123462
Build Dates: 1996 to 1998
Numbers Involved: 7000
Description of Defect: Tyre tread may break up and detach from tyre body.
Remedial Action: Recall and examine the potentially affected vehicle range and replace the tyres with quality assured units where found necessary.

You want respected European Manufacturers...

Ferrari 550
Safety Recall 21-Sep-1998
Vehicle Identification Numbers:107959 to 112010
Build Dates: January 1997 to August 1998
Numbers Involved: 190
Description of Defect: Due to the insufficient clamping pressure of fuel pipe ferrule attaching the flexible hose to the pipe and fitting, it is possible that a fuel leak may occur in the engine compartment.
Remedial Action: Recall all affected vehicles, remove the suspect fuel hoses, and fit quality assured replacements

And...

Ferrari F355
Safety Recall 30-Sep-1998
Vehicle Identification Numbers: ZZFXR41C00011042 to 111413
Build Dates: July 1997 to January 1998
Numbers Involved: 105
Description of Defect: The pivot pin that connects the throttle pedal to the operating linkage may break due to incorrect heat treatment of the pin. This may cause a loss of throttle control.
Remedial Action: Recall the affected vehicles and replace the parts concerned with quality assured units.


Last but not least for my demonstration...

Reliant Robin
Safety Recall 20-May-1999
Vehicle Identification Numbers:SCD1625A2WH062497 to SCD1625J6XD062732
Build Dates: August 1, 1998 to April 12, 1999
Numbers Involved: 152
Description of Defect: Poor staking of the steering coupling shaft universal joint bearings can result in inadequate bearing retention. This can lead to excessive steering freeplay, directional instability, and in extreme cases, loss of steering control.
Remedial Action: Likely to be affected vehicles will be recalled and checked to establish if they have been fitted with a coupling shaft from the suspect '1323' batch. If they have, the component will be replaced with a quality assured item.

Guys,

This is my last post on this site.

I respect your loyalty to the car and the brand however misplaced I perceive it to be.

I hope you continue to enjoy your cars.

It`s just not for me anymore I`m afraid.


BMW Mini,
Safety recall, Nope!
VIN`s, Who knows!
Build dates, From start of production run to ?
Numbers involved, BMW wont tell us.
Description of Defects, Unexplained pull to the left, flat batteries, cracking windscreens, electrical systems that Alfa Romeo would be proud of, Faulty gearboxes, Hatchbacks that are difficult to close, Fuel filler fiasco, Squeaking seats, Door windows failing to drop and breaking, etc,etc,etc,etc,etc,etc................
Remedial action, Replaced a few cars, fobbed a few people off, will generally rely on a customer base blinded by the driving experience and not the quality of the product.

All very interesting.
You have demonstated that motor manufacturers issue recalls.

How is it then that BMW have not, other than the fuel filler earthing strap, issued any recalls?

Perhaps it is because us beta-testers are still at work doing our unpaid toil.

P.S.

New faults to report.

MINI key ring £5.00. Screw thread stripped. May cause loss of keys. Remedial action: ignore request for replacement.

Owners Manual. Missing all page numbers due to mis-cutting of manual. May cause owner dis-orientation and incorrect operation. Remedial action: ????

What next.....