My BMW Mini COOPER S JCW
Discussion
Hi
I bought a 2006 reg BMW COOPER S JCW from a mini dealership back in the Summer of 2009.
The battery keeps draining so I took it to a different dealership that is closer to me. After various tests they have found out that it is the Ipod connector in the glove box that is draining the battery. Now this was on the car when I bought it from the other mini dealer. It is also connected to my controls on the steering wheel. The mini dealership that have diagnosed the problem asked me where I bought the car from and if it was on when I first got it. Answer yes.
The problem is they have just phoned me saying that they have no records, and the dealership who sold it to me have no records of it being factory fitted. This means that it isn't covered by the warranty and it will cost me £230 to replace it. I haven't changed anything on my car since I had it, so I know thats how I bought it. They are saying to fix it they need an invoice to say when it was fitted and where. My car is under warranty until June or July.
Secondly, they are saying that I will need a new battery, because the old one isn't a BMW one so its not covered by warranty, and that the battery isn't big enough anyway to cope with the power outputs of the car (or something
), and that a new battery would cost me £120.
Advice please!! What do you think I should do??
Was the Ipod connector part of a spec for the different packs on the cars when they were made?
Should I get their expensive BMW battery or is there a cheaper option!
Help would be much appreciated! Thank you!
Raz
I bought a 2006 reg BMW COOPER S JCW from a mini dealership back in the Summer of 2009.
The battery keeps draining so I took it to a different dealership that is closer to me. After various tests they have found out that it is the Ipod connector in the glove box that is draining the battery. Now this was on the car when I bought it from the other mini dealer. It is also connected to my controls on the steering wheel. The mini dealership that have diagnosed the problem asked me where I bought the car from and if it was on when I first got it. Answer yes.
The problem is they have just phoned me saying that they have no records, and the dealership who sold it to me have no records of it being factory fitted. This means that it isn't covered by the warranty and it will cost me £230 to replace it. I haven't changed anything on my car since I had it, so I know thats how I bought it. They are saying to fix it they need an invoice to say when it was fitted and where. My car is under warranty until June or July.
Secondly, they are saying that I will need a new battery, because the old one isn't a BMW one so its not covered by warranty, and that the battery isn't big enough anyway to cope with the power outputs of the car (or something
), and that a new battery would cost me £120.Advice please!! What do you think I should do??
Was the Ipod connector part of a spec for the different packs on the cars when they were made?
Should I get their expensive BMW battery or is there a cheaper option!
Help would be much appreciated! Thank you!
Raz
The iPod connector wasn't part of any pack when your car was made, so it's clearly been fitted afterwards, probably by an independent audio specialist if BMW have no record of it. If it is faulty, there's no point in paying £230 to have a MINI branded one when an aftermarket kit will do the job just as well. Have a look at the NewMiniStuff site for the various options. Obviously you need the Harmon Kardon version if that's the type of stereo you have.
I've had a Dension Ice Link Plus fitted for over 3 years, which works flawlessly. That's been superceded now by the Dension Gateway 100. It's plug & play, so can be fitted quite easily. Full fitting instructions are on the NewMiniStuff website - I installed mine in about an hour, and I'm no auto-electrician! They can all work with the MFSW.
Hope that helps!
I've had a Dension Ice Link Plus fitted for over 3 years, which works flawlessly. That's been superceded now by the Dension Gateway 100. It's plug & play, so can be fitted quite easily. Full fitting instructions are on the NewMiniStuff website - I installed mine in about an hour, and I'm no auto-electrician! They can all work with the MFSW.
Hope that helps!
Did the original garage advertise the car as having the iPod connector fitted as additional equipment when they were selling the car?
If they did I'd take it up with them and push them to replace or refit the connector to meet BMW's recommendations. Likewise with the battery. I've heard of MINI dealerships refusing to take cars in as part ex because they've had non-runflat tyres fitted as they don't meet the cars original specification.
Actually I'd take it up with the original garage regardless, they shouldn't have sold you a car with a faulty wiring modification and a substandard battery.
If they did I'd take it up with them and push them to replace or refit the connector to meet BMW's recommendations. Likewise with the battery. I've heard of MINI dealerships refusing to take cars in as part ex because they've had non-runflat tyres fitted as they don't meet the cars original specification.
Actually I'd take it up with the original garage regardless, they shouldn't have sold you a car with a faulty wiring modification and a substandard battery.
Thanks for your help.
I have picked it up now. Phwoar Ive missed driving it. Ive been driving a 2009 Mini one for nearly 2 weeks and as lovely as that was, Ive missed mine SO MUCH!
I cant actually remember if that was in the ad when I bought it, Ill ask Jammy later. I may well take it up with them though and see if they will do anything about it. Typical really, but at least Ive got it sorted within the warranty and Ive not had to pay for any of the work they have been doing on it, because they have replaced parts of the suspension and sat nav.
Its so shiney! I got new wing mirrors too for my birthday so they are going on soon
I have picked it up now. Phwoar Ive missed driving it. Ive been driving a 2009 Mini one for nearly 2 weeks and as lovely as that was, Ive missed mine SO MUCH!
I cant actually remember if that was in the ad when I bought it, Ill ask Jammy later. I may well take it up with them though and see if they will do anything about it. Typical really, but at least Ive got it sorted within the warranty and Ive not had to pay for any of the work they have been doing on it, because they have replaced parts of the suspension and sat nav.
Its so shiney! I got new wing mirrors too for my birthday so they are going on soon
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