Mini maximizing

[greatbear]

Got my car back today, all fixed up. I have to hand it to Towson MINI, their service department is top notch (this coming from someone who prefers to do all car work himself, that's saying a lot). While nothing I took the car in for was serious, the dealer did everything right. To correct little cosmetic issues they replaced the steering wheel (leather was peeling), the left doorsill trim (was being 'stained' by water under a plastic overlay), and the driving lights (rusting inside the housings). Repaired a rattling of the dash by disassembling most of it to install updated mountings. Two minor emissions control issues were fixed. A TSB was issued for early cars having a potential problem of freezing door handles in wet, freezing weather, to be repaired by replacing the handles if the customer complains about it (I complained, even though I only 'almost' had the issue only once). And the repair and update for the glitch that was affecting the Navigation system brought about my only (expected) disappointment: I lost the Ann Richards-like British female voice so in character with the car, replaced by an American male voice. And the truly annoying "Americanization" is now being greeted with a disclaimer screen every time I start the car. This only makes me hate the litigious nature of our country even more, and wish that I could line up all the lawyers in the middle of a railroad track and plow through them all with a speeding locomotive. I'll even wear my seat belt and properly sound the whistle at all the railroad crossings and bridges. There is a hack to lose the nag screen and regain the female British voice.

I dropped the too-cool convertible this afternoon and picked up my car, all washed up and looking good after it's therapy. Nice touch.

Total cost to me to fix the car? Nada. Cost to BMW/MINI? Probably a cool grand and a half. Or better.

Comments

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you got the car back all spiffy and fixed up.

Nothing better than to have your car to drive, isn't it?

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Youbetcha!

[shake-it-up.livejournal.com]

You look so cute towering above your car. Happy birthday!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Thanks, big guy!

Happy Birthday

[perkk.livejournal.com]

Wishing you the best!

Re: Happy Birthday

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Aw, shux. Thank you!

[e-ticket.livejournal.com]

Wow. Is that because it's still under warranty? What did you actually bring it in for, besides all that other stuff?

And why was the voice replaced? Was there a lawsuit of some sort?

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Yep, still under warranty (4yr/55k). All the things they fixed were the reasons I brought it in. While relatively minor to me, they still take it all seriously and do what's needed to make it right. There were two recalls for emissions reasons (a short hose for the PCV valve (that I replaced myself because the original failed, but they put the 'official' part in) and a software update for the car's ECU).

The voice changed because as part of the fix for the nav system (the problem was the system would reboot when I would try to find 'info on location, such as looking for a hotel or attraction in the area I am currently in or on my way to) was to change the 'country code' contained in the vehicle's software. Previously, it was 'defaulted' to the UK. By selecting USA, the voice changes with it, and unfortunately, it also adds the safety disclaimer to cover their asses. It also changes the 'English" measurement units from yards to feet, as well as changes to the vocal idioms as well. I just thought the British was far more appropriate for the car. There is a hack to replace the British voice and rid myself of having to 'accept' the disclaimer every time I start the car.

Mini is serious about making sure that people's cars live up to their expectations, which is very cool. It's BMW's philosophy.

[cpj.livejournal.com]

Hold old is that mini?

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

It'ss be three years old at the end of March. It's an '03, and the warranty is god for 4 years or 55,000 miles.

[shawnsyms.livejournal.com]

Have a nice birthday, Phil. :0)

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Shawn!

[champdaddy.livejournal.com]

hope you're having a great bday, Phil...

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

It just got better, big guy. Thanks!

GULP!

[disccub.livejournal.com]

This only makes me hate the litigious nature of our country even more, and wish that I could line up all the lawyers in the middle of a railroad track and plow through them all with a speeding locomotive. I'll even wear my seat belt and properly sound the whistle at all the railroad crossings and bridges.>/q>

Remind me not to be crossing the road when you drive by.
Have a happy birthday anyway!

Re: GULP!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Hehehe, I was wondering if you'd chime in on that part of the post. Dontchoo worry, my bile is reserved for the seedier, ambulance-chasing opportunistic segment of the profession, and the part of our society that doesnt believe in personal responsibility. In other words, the ones that mess it up for the rest of us.

Trust me, YOU are safe. ;-)

And thanks!

[kspsibear.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday! greatbearmd


Have a good one, Phil!!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Thanks, massive man!

[mhkrabat.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday Phil, and MINI happy returns!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

MINI happy returns!

Hey, I LIKE that! Very clever.

Thanks bunches!

[spigotmd.livejournal.com]

I have been taking my car to Annapolis. To tell the truth I haven't been too happy with them. I think I might take it to towson from now on. I do have an appointment for next Saturday for a part that I ordered.


Hey what year is your car?


Oh yeah

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I never thought much of Tate, no matter which brand they sell. I guess hearing horror stories from people at work and having indifferent attitudes when I dealt with them. When I went to Towson, I was treated well, and their service department is top notch, and mod friendly as well. In fact, they will even install various mods for you if you want, and cover the labor if something should go wrong.

My car is an '03, I had it since the end of March '03. It's only had relatively minor problems, the most serious being a failure of the fan under the car that cools the power steering pump assembly (it's an electric pump rather than an engine driven pump more common on other cars).

Thanks for the wishes!