problems with mini

cheesed_off_dee

I bought a brand new mini copper D on the first of may 2008. It had its first service in October and I was informed they had to replace the sump as it was leaking, there was no evidence of this when driving, checking oil or when the car was parked.

Last week I started the car and a plume of smoke came out of the exhaust and as I was very near the local mini garage (not the one I bought it from) i drove it there.

The car is under warranty but as I had driven the car to the garage I had to pay for a hire car until they had checked it and determined the problem.

Initially I was told the head gasket had gone but they would not pay for the hire car until this was removed, my partner phoned and was told there is a crack in the engine block and would take 7/10days to fix and agreed to pay for the hire car until 24/3.

I had to phone the garage on the 24/3 to see if I continue to have the hire car as I had heard nothing. I am also having pay £9 a day extra insurance for the hire car as they only pay for basic cover with £600 excess.

Surely a crack in an engine block could not be considered normal wear and tear in a new car and could I request they replace the car with a new one? I have paid for cover so if I was in an accident the car would be replaced with a new one. I paid cash for the car so can't stop paying a loan until i'm happy with the out come.
Where do I stand?

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

Tbh think you are getting what you should expect from them, expecting a brand new car is a pipe dream.

Hailz86

I think other than keeping you up to date with what is happening, they are doing what can be expected xx

isplumm

Hi,

Well I am not so sure ... I do wander whether you could reject the car under SOGA - not for purpose .... I am sure that I have read of people doing that before for things like cars after this length of time ..... I would be tempted to get a proper mechanical review of the car by an independent expert to see whether there is any underlying fault with it ...

There are better experts on here, who can advise about rejecting something as expensive as a car after this time period - but I wouldn't dismiss this out of hand ... maybe talk to CAB?

Have a look at this website:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2006/sep/02/motoring.moneysupplement

The article talks about people wanting to reject a car after a certain length of time - it is not easy, but they suggest getting an independent expert to look at the car - same as I am suggesting.

Anyway read the article, see what you think.

Mark

Robertf

Why do you want a new car. If the existing one is made good whats the difference?

Sounds like they are sorting the problem. You could go to all the time and trouble of trying to reject the car, blow any relationship you may have built up with your local dealer, and then find that the new car has a problem.

vikingaero

Head on over to here:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/

bookworm1363

cheesed_off_dee wrote: »

as I had driven the car to the garage I had to pay for a hire car

Why? If you'd phoned BWM emergency services, they would have arranged a h/c for you. Have you actually spoken to them to let them know of the issues? Can't remember the direct line no now, but if you call 020 86812525, you'll get through to Mondial and they can put you through to the BMW/Mini dept. If you get no joy there, you could contact the head office in Bracknell, 01344 426565.

Good luck.

hollydays

You may have an expectation with BMW that the service will be good.Unfortunately that isn't necessarily the case.

bookworm1363

Very true, but they do tend to sharpen up once HO starts poking their nose in.

Robertf

We've always had decent service from BMW. No experience of mini, but I guess they are similar. I wonder if this is a case of high expectations?

vikingaero

Robertf wrote: »

We've always had decent service from BMW. No experience of mini, but I guess they are similar. I wonder if this is a case of high expectations?

Some service advisors have attitude to the two vehicles. They are quite happy dealing with BMW customers and less so with MINI customers. When I take my 530d in for a service I get the service I expect. When I had my MINI I got the distinct impression that dealing with MINIs was something forced upon the service advisors and beneath them. This was my experience of about 4 different dealerships.