Tracking early R56s built without dash storage
#1
Tracking early R56s built without dash storage
I wanted to create a thread where we could consolidate history of buyers without the dash storage. I have been communicating with Mini USA customer service about this and want to share the info I've learned so we can all collectively move towards getting this fixed.
- replacement parts are available to the dealers, but there is no "kit" (the word they keep using) which would have all the parts and a unique part number.
- the kit should become available in about a month or so (so said the rep, conveyed to him by "specialists" - again more customer service terms)
- when the kit becomes available a bulletin will go out to the dealers to make them aware. At that point management at Mini will have decided if they are going to cover the cost of the parts and labor to install, or tell us tough luck you have to pay for it. If your dealer orders the parts for you before that time Mini will not cover it, nor the installation.
- Mini knows exactly which cars by VIN and build date are missing the storage compartment, so no, your dealers service department will not be able to fake it and say your storage box is broken and replace it on warranty
That's all I know right now. I'm hopeful that they will install these for us for free as it is clearly the right thing to do. Never the less it would not hurt to let Mini USA know how dissatisfied you will be if they do not.
So here is to hoping for a happy ending where we all eventually bring our cars in to have this fixed and finally have a complete car.
- replacement parts are available to the dealers, but there is no "kit" (the word they keep using) which would have all the parts and a unique part number.
- the kit should become available in about a month or so (so said the rep, conveyed to him by "specialists" - again more customer service terms)
- when the kit becomes available a bulletin will go out to the dealers to make them aware. At that point management at Mini will have decided if they are going to cover the cost of the parts and labor to install, or tell us tough luck you have to pay for it. If your dealer orders the parts for you before that time Mini will not cover it, nor the installation.
- Mini knows exactly which cars by VIN and build date are missing the storage compartment, so no, your dealers service department will not be able to fake it and say your storage box is broken and replace it on warranty
That's all I know right now. I'm hopeful that they will install these for us for free as it is clearly the right thing to do. Never the less it would not hurt to let Mini USA know how dissatisfied you will be if they do not.
So here is to hoping for a happy ending where we all eventually bring our cars in to have this fixed and finally have a complete car.
Last edited by lava; 04-23-2007 at 06:12 PM.
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He is mis-informed. As a read of the NAM messageboards shows the cars now come with the storage compartment working as promised. You know more about this than he does. In the end the MA's opinion does not matter as much as the service manager who will install the parts.
If anybody has any other details from their own experience please post the info. Otherwise just be sure at some point to call AskMini, speak to a customer rep, and let them know you want/expect the dash storage to be installed. There are certain talking points that we all should be aware of and use when discussing the issue.
- The MCs and MCSs ordered today come with the dash storage - standard.
- Early builds of the US MCs and MCSs included the dash storage - we all saw these at the various auto shows where the cars were shown. Many photos from the Detroit show were posted (I saw and operated this storage compartment myself at the Philadelphia Auto Show.) We all expected our cars to come so equipped, and today they in fact do.
- I consider the absence of the dash storage a defect that they must correct. Mini has already issued a bulletin to dealers acknowledging that these storage compartments were being closed because a defect caused them to rattle. I will not accept this as a change in "spec" - it is a defect.
If anybody has any other details from their own experience please post the info. Otherwise just be sure at some point to call AskMini, speak to a customer rep, and let them know you want/expect the dash storage to be installed. There are certain talking points that we all should be aware of and use when discussing the issue.
- The MCs and MCSs ordered today come with the dash storage - standard.
- Early builds of the US MCs and MCSs included the dash storage - we all saw these at the various auto shows where the cars were shown. Many photos from the Detroit show were posted (I saw and operated this storage compartment myself at the Philadelphia Auto Show.) We all expected our cars to come so equipped, and today they in fact do.
- I consider the absence of the dash storage a defect that they must correct. Mini has already issued a bulletin to dealers acknowledging that these storage compartments were being closed because a defect caused them to rattle. I will not accept this as a change in "spec" - it is a defect.
#12
I went to my dealership today and was told they hadnt heard of a fix yet. They received a bulletin from MINI telling them to seal the compartments but didnt. Mine was their first '07 and came to them already sealed. They think I may not even have the compartment which doesnt really make sense in light of the earlier builds at the car shows, etc. My SA is making some calls and is supposed to be getting back to me shortly.
#13
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: NorCal
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Bought mine on 3/31/07. Build week or month? is 1/07-
No storage compartment. I have brushed alloy interior. I was able to remove the panel, however. The is a space for a cd changer and wiring.
I'm irritated because when I was test driving the demo car, the MA made a point to show me the "compartment."
No storage compartment. I have brushed alloy interior. I was able to remove the panel, however. The is a space for a cd changer and wiring.
I'm irritated because when I was test driving the demo car, the MA made a point to show me the "compartment."
#15
I went to my dealership today and was told they hadnt heard of a fix yet. They received a bulletin from MINI telling them to seal the compartments but didnt. Mine was their first '07 and came to them already sealed. They think I may not even have the compartment which doesnt really make sense in light of the earlier builds at the car shows, etc. My SA is making some calls and is supposed to be getting back to me shortly.
I appreciate you inquiring. Perhaps if Mini gets a flurry of calls something will get moving. They are making the parts and putting them in new cars now - how about us early buyers who are waiting on these parts. Throw us a bone.
#16
Called last night about this and my MFSW. He had no official news but "felt" the box fix would be in a month or so and the MFSW would be more like two months. He said call every 14 days or so to check on progress. I need to find out how to get on the double secret, multiple items missing too long, compensation needed list.
#17
Got a VM from my SA, apparently the parts are not available yet. He did say that a "service action" is planned for the future, they are still determining the best way to fix it so there will be no rattles and wont be a cheap fix. Unfortunately they have not given any sort of dates for this service action as he called it.
#19
Trinity - the fix should not be expensive. They have an assembly that does not rattle now - they are installing it in the new cars they are building.
Jimbo, was yours an early build? Week 4 or earlier? Or do you have a later build with the revised storage door - and it is still rattling? If you have an early one then you should be entitled to the new parts when they become available.
Jimbo, was yours an early build? Week 4 or earlier? Or do you have a later build with the revised storage door - and it is still rattling? If you have an early one then you should be entitled to the new parts when they become available.
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