Maybe this is the appropriate forum to post in since obviously most posting here have dealt with the service department.

I'm on my 2nd MINI because I decided to go from an 03 MCS to an 06 MCS. My 03 had a nagging problem with cold/hot starts that I was never able to get the dealer to fix it. After repeated trips, they could not duplicate. It was always a day off work adventure to the dealer as it is 100 miles away.

Now that I'm on my 2nd MCS, I had a few things needing taken care of so I took the day off and headed to the dealer. All but one problem I noticed on the way home was still there. The one problem that they fixed, so far because it doesn't happen unless the car is cold, is the pulley belt squeeking. There was some type of advisory to align the alternator. It may have fixed the problem because I see no side to side movement in the belt anymore.

*The other 4 problems are still there. Grinding noise when turning left. LSD most likely as other threads point out. They say the cv boot was rubbing because it wasn't worn in yet on an 1800 mile car. It's normal. It must be normal because it is still there.

*The driver window rattling. They adjusted the window. Nice adjustment, I can hear it just as good as before.

*The driver seat moving when braking or accelerating. They couldn't duplicate it because I apparently have it in a certain position where the problem exists. Apparently so, I can not only feel it move, I can see it.

*I'll give them this one because it doesn't happen all the time. The brakes squeel just at the point where I completely stop. It's still there as well and just as loud and embarrasing.

I'm not sure what to do to actually get it fixed. Would it help to document this with a video and send it in to them? Since this is my second time around, I'm fed up with the service provided. The problem is, MINI only having a few dealers in this area make my nearest at 100 miles away and the after that, 300 miles. I would think if they only want to put dealers in a few locations, they would make sure they are up to the task of fixing problems. Oh, they did fix one but I believe that is only because MINI told them what needed to be done.

I'm planning on getting my video camera and capturing the problems when they occur. Then send this in to the SA and maybe they can figure out a fix so that when I get there they can actually fix it. Obviously their little bit of driving around or whatever isn't making the problems be known. Do those with recurring problems think this may help or would it be a waste of time?

 

You know my 06 MCS was doing the same thing, but it wasn't really loud. It sounded like I was stepping on a mouse or something. I think I only heard it when I was lightly hitting the break, like in stop and go traffic when I am mostly just coasting along.

Let me know how it goes, I really wish I could take it to any BMW service shop, because they seem to be all over the place.

 

Overall, I give the service arm about a C-. Sometimes they really help out, but a lot of times, it seems like the readers here know more than the service techs or managers!

Sucks doesn't it. Especially because they don't sell the factory manual....

Matt

 

I'm with ya on the frustration of getting your new car right with no problems... my 2005 windows both rattle with doors open, and the driver window has been fixed 1x already

My dealer is awesome, helpful, and generally will fix most problems right the first time, but not always...

for me it is also the ... take the day off of work... wait for the car, and most likely it is fixed.... I only live about 35 miles from my dealer, but with boston traffic, ect, it can take an hour+ to get there...

I've decided that I like the car enough to put up with problems, and am now waiting until my 10k check and oil change to get things addressed....

I will keep her, but frankly am unsure of what next manufacturer I will purchase from in the future.... Its kinda like any relationship though, at the beginning it appears almost perfect and then you have to decide if you want to live with the good and bad parts.... or break up

 

SB, I have to agree with you on this. You are not alone in being upset with the quality of service available to the MINI owner. Hopefully it will get better and more widespread in the future.

Personally I am hoping that there will be a growing aftermarket service alternative to the factory service. Keep you chin up, hopefully it will get better.

What I found convienient for myself is to collect the various little annoyences(sp) and document them with the SA and arrange to have them all done at the same time as the oil changes. That way I would be able to arrange for a "courtesy car" until they were finished.

 

I've had the same brake squeal problem on my '05... Only happens about half of the time, but it doesn't seem to matter whether the brakes are warm or cold. Of course, when I take it to the service department, the squeal doesn't happen... and the distinct dash/a-pillar/b-pillar rattles are gone too... and according to them, there's no vibration in the steering wheel. I dunno, maybe my hands are shaky at 50-70 mph...

I haven't been impressed with the service department to say the least... From my experience, the best way to get something done is to complain and whine until they give in. I got them to rotate my tires and that fixed the vibration in the steering wheel (but they won't do an alignment check to see why the front left tire is wearing faster than the others). Oh well... one out of three problems fixed ain't bad, huh?

 

Bluecanary, did yours sound something like this. It only occurs during normal stops. Something like stop and go traffic, nothing harsh. This is with the windows up. 1.7mb video

I thought I would look around and see if something was loose with the brakes that may cause a noise. Not being a mechanic, I'm not sure about this. Brake pads I'm familiar with usually aren't beveled at either end. In this picture you can see how they are cut at an angle. Is this a new style pad or were they always like this? It's the same with both ends.

 

When your post repair survey comes rate them honestly. If they did a poor job rate accordingly. Call MiniUSA and start a complaint with them. Posting here also helps. I know for a fact the monitor this board and do reply to problems. Be 100% factual and document everything.

 

And it's all made worse because you have to make an appointment, and some have to drive a very, very long way. When I get service, I schedule an appointment. I ask when I can pick up my car, and I'm told they don't know. Then I ask why I need to make an appointment, and they don't know that either.... Grrrr. So I just drop off early in the morning, no matter the appointment time, because that upsets my daily schedule less than breaking from work to get a car somewhere at 9:15 AM.
Overall, I like the Mini service more than what I got on an older Ford, and less than what's done for my Acura. But all overcharge (my opinion, acura wanted to charge me $600 for a brake job, when I asked why so much, they said because the had to machine the rear rotors! They weren't evey going to machine the fronts... Just pads, two rotors turned, and checking the brake fluid! I get rotors turned for $15 each at a local parts store.... Mini charged the State of CA ove $600 for a windshield, when I got a PPG one done later for just over $200) None compare to Joe's Fiat Service (for my 124 spyder) or A&E Performance (BMW and Mini shop in Campbell, CA) where I had my pully installed.

I still have never gotten a satisfactory answer as to why my milage computer and gas milage estimates are over 30% off actual....

Matt

 

lsd05jcw ... I'm in Boston also, which dealership are you going to?

 

Yeah it kinda sounds like that. Hmmm...

 

My 06 MCS has a brake squeal similar to what you are talking about (can't play the video here at work).

Noticed that it happens just before pulling to a stop (maybe the last 4 feet of a parking space). It is loud enough to hear in the car with the windows up. I've only got 2000 miles on the car, but the pads should be beded in, and I hear it even after driving long enough to have warmed everything up. Granted it was in the 20's this morning, however I'm pretty sure that it was happening even when it was 60.

I'm assuming that it is either the pad compound, or a bad antisqueak coating/pad. I don't know how MINI installs their brake pads. Perhaps I'll change pads to something else in the future for now it doesn't really bother me at this point, but if I asked the dealer to fix it and they couldn't get the job done (or at least tell me why it did it) I'd be peved too.

As for service I've yet to bring the car in. However I know an inside person, and I fully intend to bring a box of donuts when I go in for my first service to get noticed by the techs. The dealer is less then 10 miles from my house. Which was a major factor in buying the car. My Audi dealer was in Tyson's corner, which you NoVa people will know is a PITA to get to in the morning and evenings. On top of that the dealer (a three letter name starting with H and ending in L) didn't seem to be able to fix anything the first time. I finally started going to a local shop (Curry's Auto) when my "free" service ran out. They specialize in German cars and performance work, but do a good job on everything. The local dealers sometimes even send people to them when they can't fit them into their schedule.

 

My 06 Cooper S with ~2000 miles has the same issue. Most of the time when coming to a stop, the brakes squeal. I was at the service dept couple of weeks ago to get the front license frame installed and I just mentioned it to the service guy (I had just started to notice the noise, and I think at that point it wasn't as frequent, nor as loud). I was told it is "normal" and that some squealing is expected from the brakes. I'm pretty sure thats BS.

Anyone got an update after getting it checked? I'm going to set up another appointment and find out what the deal is.

 

SB, have you tried Hank Aaron just outside of Atlanta. After having terrible problems getting Global imports to repair my MINI, I am now going to be going to Hank Aaron. I have been treated very well by them and they seem to much more willing to do any and all warranty work. Global Imports seems to have a "blame the customer and refuse warranty" policy

 

Really? I noticed that too.............

 

It strikes me that there really is a fundamental issue touched on here that has nothing to with reliability or even QoS, but rather has to do with the somewhat monopolistic position that Mini dealers happen to be in. While some dealers appear to at least have some measure of customer concern, there seem to have been a number of horror stories reported in these pages that reflect the fact the Mini dealers are in an extremely unique position, in that they have a hot product and little to no competition to speak of. If a dealer decides for whatever reason that theres nothing to be done, theres little alternative but to either accept this judgement or call a lawyer. Over the longer haul this seem like an unhealthy situation.

I'm fortunate enough to live in the Boston area, where the reports are that the dealership I'm buying my car from is, at least, on the customers side. Nevertheless, while I'm excited to be taking delivery of my Mini in the next few weeks, I have to say that my decision to purchase was a close one. While I love the car and think its an excellent value, equally having just come off a horrific delership warranty experience with an unamed German make of car beginning with the letter 'A', I am concerned about the lack of options in terms of where my car can go in the event of trouble. Hopefully the plant shutdown and subsequent increase in production will herald a series of new delarships. Its a car that prides itself on its competion history, it be nice if it were sold and serviced under those circumstances as well.

 

Once my first scheduled maintainance is ready, I'll head over to Hank Aaron for the service. I talked with MINIUSA and Hank Aaron is not owned by Sonic which owns Nashville and Global.

Plus this gives me the chance to hit R-speed while in Atlanta.

 

Just a thought. Is it possible that the stock brake pads are the issue. I noticed mine make that sound when stopping in the situation in SB's video. It has not got that bad that it bothers me. I am just wondering if when I replace my brake shoes it will take care of the problem. Seems like the brakes have at least stopped making my web spokes look like black ones. maybe the lack of dust is making the shoe vibrate on the disk.
WMS has recomended Hawk street pads. Think I will give those a try.

James

 

For those in the Boston area ... go to Mini of Peabody ... they are a great dealership with excellent service. I've only heard good things about them and recently experienced it first hand. Going back there every time. Top quality!

 

Maybe this will become the NAM Dealer Service Rating Thread.

MINIUSA has not asked me but I would rate my nearest dealer's service (San Francisco BMWMINI less than 9 blocks away) a 1 out of 5. The MA knows very little about the car--much less than me and I only know what I have read on NAM. He also lied (confirmed by Classic, but not by MINIUSA) about warranty work.

So I pay for service at an independent mechanic (Bay Bridge Motors across the bay from me) and the fellow there recommended that I get warranty work done at MINI of Concord (two area codes away) because he believes they know MINIs.

 

Well, I must admit, I have the same problem with the brakes. I have a 2004 MCS and I just recently replaced the pads (with new BMW pads). They've been on for about 1K miles and I have some squeeking while stopping as well as when the tire rotates.

I've done all the work myself... I have taken apart the brake system a few times and cannot see anything wrong. I also cannot re-create the sound by manually spinning the wheels(with my hands). I think that it may be something with the pads. I am going to buy some new aftermarket pads and see if it resolves the issue. Oh yeah, this is only happening in the rear. The front brakes are just fine. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you all find anything else out.