Re: Ordering--have questions

"Trey Behan" wrote in news:qLaJa.41473$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com:

Just as I'm on the verge of ordering a BRG/white S "nicely equipped," > I'm hearing some disturbing rumbles from MINI owners. Any comments > here would be very welcome. Complaints include: > > (1) Persistent rattles and squeaks from interiors and dashboards > (2) Mysterious malfunctions of the rear hatch lock, and > (3) Worst: Really poor or nonexistent dealer warranty service > > (1) would detract a great deal from the "motoring" experience, since > I'm expecting this car to feel *tight* and well-built > (2) would be a nuisance, but correctable IF > (3) weren't already staring me in the face. MINI's are sold at BMW > dealers, and are their "cheap" line. I've already had difficulty > getting sales assistance when visiting mine, even though I was > well-groomed, neatly dressed (in a BMW/Williams Formula One polo), > driving a near-new Miata, and prepared to write a check for a new car. > The stories I've heard involve MINI owners being given two-week waits > for service while being shunted aside for 7-Series owners who just > drove up. Has anyone had experience with the basic warranty, the > three-year maintenance package, the roadside assistance program, > and/or dealer service in general? > > I'm concerned that the car is just too new for even factory-trained(?) > mechanics to have enough expertise in dealing with its teething > problems, that buying a company's "low-end" product will cause > undeserved inconvenience and frustration, that maybe this car's build > quality isn't yet what it's cracked up to be, and that as long as > demand continues to exceed supply no one from MINI sales to MINI > service gives a damn about customer satisfaction. > > TIA for replies, > Trey Behan > > PS: Is the Harman-Kardon system really worth the extra bucks, given > that it'll be heard in a small and relatively noisy car? > > > > >
  1. My Mini the the tightest, quietest car I've ever owned. All I have personally to compare it to are Hondas (which are pretty quiet) and a Pathfinder (which isn't). But I've found it to compare well with any other car I've ridden in. This includes in the area of road/operating noise too--with the windows shut, it's a very quiet car. You do have to keep hard items tied down, though, as there are plenty of hard surfaces for them to rattle against.
  2. No malfunctions in this respect. Most of what I've heard has been with people not understanding that it's an electronic lock, so it doesn't work if the battery's disconnected, and you DO have to press the "unlock" button on the key/remote twice to unlock the trunk (because that unlocks ALL the doors--one press just does the driver's door.
  3. I've only been to the dealer once for a fix--and that was some kind of recall on a suspension bolt. I never noticed anything wrong, but figured I'd better take it in. The dealer set me an appointment right away, and fixed it fast when we brought it in (and detailed the car for free). Our buying experience was also very good--they totally sucked up to us like we were buying a 7-series. In fact, when there was a screw-up over when our pickup appointment was, they gave us free shirts and hats, and fell all over themselves apologizing that we weren't getting the "Mini Experience."

I have no complaints about the quality of the car or the service. But then again, I'm one of those people who seems to have fewer of those kinds of problems than average (I read the manuals religiously, and always try reasoning before shouting--I'm amazed at how far these two habits can get me).

Reply to
Bikeboy
Loading thread data ...

Hey, thanks for that input! That's the second refutation I've read here about dealer indifference to MINI customer issues. BTW, I'm in high-ticket retail (and its attendant customer aftercare) myself, and I agree that your "reasoning before shouting" habit DOES produce exponentially better results.

Gratefully, Trey Behan

Reply to
Trey Behan

Reply to
Jamie Reagan

I have to agree that this is the best car I've ever owned. I was surprised by how quiet the interior is for such a small car. As for the hatch, like someone else said just remember to double click the unlock button on your key, or unlock all the doors from the interior.

Mike

Reply to
Mike

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.