Discussion
I suspect I know the answer to this.
I've had a 2010 MINI Clubman Cooper D for a couple of months now (Before any smart arses pipe up, no I'm not asking if I'm a mug for buying a MINI
) Since I collected it it's suffered from a range of irritating rattles and after two weeks the dealer took the car in and successfully cured the problem. Since then however, more rattles have developed and it reached the point where it had to go back for more investigation. The car is currently with the dealer and I've just had a phone call;
Source of front rattles: suspected broken rear view mirror, replaced under warranty. Apparently has made a big difference to the noises in the front.
Rear rattles suspected trim on rear doors, will need taking off and investigating £160. If any further work is required they will quote on top of that.
I reluctantly agreed to the £160 as it has been driving me crackers but I have no idea if this is reasonable or not. The car is an approved used but the warranty apparently doesn't cover rattles. I suppose if they manage to fix it for that price I'll be fairly satisfied but what comeback do I have if the problem is still not solved despite me being £160 lighter?
Is this a reasonable sounding situation in your opinion or have I been taken for a ride?
I've had a 2010 MINI Clubman Cooper D for a couple of months now (Before any smart arses pipe up, no I'm not asking if I'm a mug for buying a MINI
) Since I collected it it's suffered from a range of irritating rattles and after two weeks the dealer took the car in and successfully cured the problem. Since then however, more rattles have developed and it reached the point where it had to go back for more investigation. The car is currently with the dealer and I've just had a phone call;Source of front rattles: suspected broken rear view mirror, replaced under warranty. Apparently has made a big difference to the noises in the front.
Rear rattles suspected trim on rear doors, will need taking off and investigating £160. If any further work is required they will quote on top of that.
I reluctantly agreed to the £160 as it has been driving me crackers but I have no idea if this is reasonable or not. The car is an approved used but the warranty apparently doesn't cover rattles. I suppose if they manage to fix it for that price I'll be fairly satisfied but what comeback do I have if the problem is still not solved despite me being £160 lighter?
Is this a reasonable sounding situation in your opinion or have I been taken for a ride?
Terminator X said:
Rattling engine leads to rattling car 
TX.
I was expecting that! As it happens I am now driving a petrol MINI One with less than 3000 miles on the clock as a courtesy car and that rattles even more than mine! I really think that from my experience MINIs seem to be horribly badly put together. TX.
KTF said:
£160 is probably what, an hour or two of labour to take off the door card and poke about behind it?
Have you been for a drive with someone in the back poking the various bit of trim to see what one is making the noise?
I did yesterday. The guy who I took for a drive was the same chap that fixed the original rattles. He seems really switched on and is a genuinely nice bloke. He practically climbed into the boot while I was driving along! He identified the rear view mirror problem as a common fault and it seems that may have sorted the rattles in the front.Have you been for a drive with someone in the back poking the various bit of trim to see what one is making the noise?
While it may not be a S Class Merc it isnt exactly a cheap car for the size it is. I would have thought that for the price they are, the fact they are made by BMW and are marketed (rightly or wrongly) as a premium project you could expect a certain level of quality. If it was a cheap KIA or something I could understand a few imperfections.
Anyway I've asked that the work to investigate the rear door rattle is not carried out, I figure that I can remove the door card myself and for a lot less than £160.
Anyway I've asked that the work to investigate the rear door rattle is not carried out, I figure that I can remove the door card myself and for a lot less than £160.
Assuming it was supplied by the Dealer - I'd expect them to sort it FOC as goodwill.
I'd be amazed if it took over 20 mins to remove a doorcard - I'm sure there will be a guide on Youtube / a forum and do it yourself - silicon spray / WD40 / Silicon in a a tube, will sort 99% of rattles.
I'd be amazed if it took over 20 mins to remove a doorcard - I'm sure there will be a guide on Youtube / a forum and do it yourself - silicon spray / WD40 / Silicon in a a tube, will sort 99% of rattles.
An update,
I collected the car from the dealer on Friday. Now £150 lighter for the privilege. New rear view mirror fitted, no discernible difference in front end rattles and the loud buzzing behind the speedo is still there particularly noticeable when cold.
Rear end rattle is less noticeable but despite the poking around and application of felt tape (which is what they charged me for) it is still there.
Otherwise the car still develops buzzes and creaks when it feels like it and its still a frustrating experience when driving because I'm always listening out for the next rattle.
Where should I go from here? I know that compared to many problems I could have it is trivial but its bloody frustrating none the less. Its a 3 year old car with 40,000 miles on the clock and it is giving me more grief than my 12 year old base model Ford Focus did. That cant be right.
I collected the car from the dealer on Friday. Now £150 lighter for the privilege. New rear view mirror fitted, no discernible difference in front end rattles and the loud buzzing behind the speedo is still there particularly noticeable when cold.
Rear end rattle is less noticeable but despite the poking around and application of felt tape (which is what they charged me for) it is still there.
Otherwise the car still develops buzzes and creaks when it feels like it and its still a frustrating experience when driving because I'm always listening out for the next rattle.
Where should I go from here? I know that compared to many problems I could have it is trivial but its bloody frustrating none the less. Its a 3 year old car with 40,000 miles on the clock and it is giving me more grief than my 12 year old base model Ford Focus did. That cant be right.
24lemons said:
Its a 3 year old car with 40,000 miles on the clock and it is giving me more grief than my 12 year old base model Ford Focus did.
Serious suggestion: sell it and buy another newer Focus.You'll get a decent Focus for the value of your Mini, and will enjoy what you now realise is actually a better car, no?
I think I would stop taking it to the dealers or any other garage now.
All cars have some rattles, granted some have just the odd one over the odd bump, but some have considerably more.
A Mini has a very short wheel base and narrow track (compared to a large saloon) and so will be subjected to more of the roads imperfections which will find your rattles. Its also likely to have reasonably stiff suspension and have low profile tyres being the 'S'. All a recipe for rattle generation!
By all means, try and fix the rattles yourself, but don't keep paying a dealer to do it.
Sound silly, but I like to turn the fan speed up a bit, quite like the noise of the air over the odd rattle. Or open a window an inch that noise over powers rattles too!
Or as others say, put some tunes on!
All cars have some rattles, granted some have just the odd one over the odd bump, but some have considerably more.
A Mini has a very short wheel base and narrow track (compared to a large saloon) and so will be subjected to more of the roads imperfections which will find your rattles. Its also likely to have reasonably stiff suspension and have low profile tyres being the 'S'. All a recipe for rattle generation!
By all means, try and fix the rattles yourself, but don't keep paying a dealer to do it.
Sound silly, but I like to turn the fan speed up a bit, quite like the noise of the air over the odd rattle. Or open a window an inch that noise over powers rattles too!
Or as others say, put some tunes on!
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