118 wrote:

I believe the only LED lights on the F56's of that age are the optional LED headlights, which have the LED DRL's and the 'LED' rear lights (which apparently aren't LED as such), and the numberplate bulbs too. Indicator bulbs aren't LED.

Every day's a school day!

Very poor and do they mean they only have one person who can operate the diagnoses equipment??

Did you have to pay for the loan car?

Either that, or just one set of equipment?

£12 insurance for the loan car, plus fuel.

And so it turns out to be a swollen wiring loom, which needs to be entirely replaced.

The part is expensive, and there's a lot of labour involved, perhaps about three days.
The current contribution from BMW, is that they will provide the part for no charge, and cover half of the labour. Vines are currently considering their contribution - if any.

I have the car back, and am assured it's safe to drive.

Nothing can be done for a couple of weeks anyway as they're booked up.

I seem to remember seeing on other forums that a fair few MINIs have had this done, albeit most in warranty, and yes it is a big job.

I’d try and do some research to see how common this is as maybe able to get the contributions increase. A days labour in a dealers is steep, very steep at £150+ per hour!

Ricardo wrote:

And so it turns out to be a swollen wiring loom, which needs to be entirely replaced.

The part is expensive, and there's a lot of labour involved, perhaps about three days.
The current contribution from BMW, is that they will provide the part for no charge, and cover half of the labour. Vines are currently considering their contribution - if any.

I have the car back, and am assured it's safe to drive.

Nothing can be done for a couple of weeks anyway as they're booked up.

Not good, stamping of feet required I think, come on its 4 years old these things don't just happen overnight!

Tis one of the reasons I have another brand now, Minis are a bit pi$$ poor sometimes, and then don't get me started on dealers, there all muppets in my book, I was told to hurry up and make a decision on the phone as "my technician need to get on"

On your repair if its the whole loom that has to be changed, that's an awful lot of trim that has to come off, car will never be the same in my book

Good luck.

ozzy wrote:

Tis one of the reasons I have another brand now...

Interesting, what brand now then?

ozzy wrote:

that's an awful lot of trim that has to come off....

I thought that, or is it? The loom in question is in the engine bay.

ozzy wrote:

Good luck.

Thank you.

Ricardo wrote:

ozzy wrote:

Tis one of the reasons I have another brand now...

Interesting, what brand now then?

ozzy wrote:

that's an awful lot of trim that has to come off....

I thought that, or is it? The loom in question is in the engine bay.

ozzy wrote:

Good luck.

Thank you.

Got an Audi RS3 time will tell when it goes wrong.

That loom may not be so bad, still 3 days to change, it must go into the cabin?

Need to get given the full low down on what they're going to do.

<<<<<<<<<<---------- we still have that one

Today's update is that there is no update.....

I've today agreed a price with Vines to do the loom replacement.
Expensive, but a very substantial discount on the original £2300 quote.

Apparently, the problem is caused by washer fluid leaking into the loom.
I've no idea where or how, but they tell me that this won't happen again as the washer fluid hose will be replaced and re-routed.

Sounds to me like a known fault that could have been avoided with either a re-call, or if it didn't warrant a full re-call, then a simple job FOC at an earlier service.

Work is scheduled to begin on 29th January.
I will get a courtesy car.

That’s exactly the fault and known about so for the sake of a few pound to re route the pipe it’s costing people £1000’s! Maybe Watchdog would be interested?

Ricardo wrote:

I've today agreed a price with Vines to do the loom replacement.
Expensive, but a very substantial discount on the original £2300 quote.

Apparently, the problem is caused by washer fluid leaking into the loom.
I've no idea where or how, but they tell me that this won't happen again as the washer fluid hose will be replaced and re-routed.

Sounds to me like a known fault that could have been avoided with either a re-call, or if it didn't warrant a full re-call, then a simple job FOC at an earlier service.  

Work is scheduled to begin on 29th January.
I will get a courtesy car.

That sounds pants to me, a known fault, on a car that is not used very much, problems like this take longer to show up!
I would be requesting it done for free.
Have you spoke to Mini customer services, they helped me loads with my R90 wheels even on year 4 when the warranty was a year already ran out

Or get on their Facebook, Twitter etc.

It worked when I had a issue.

My JCW was lightly used and the alicante steering wheel had gone flat and looked worn. Told it was wear & tear so wouldn't pay after contacting their social media sites they agreed to pay a contribution, told them it wasn't good enough so it was increase after going back & forward to SW free and half labour. Still refused and after more back & forward it was agreed they would pay 100% of parts and labour.

Also worked when I had a warranty job being done and Vines wanted to charge for a car, social media and within a hour totally free car agreed.

Opened the boot over the weekend, only to find two large pieces of black plastic trim.
Hmmmm, I wonder what they might be?

I looked up the part numbers. Turns out they are items 04 & 05 from this diagram

It would have been nice to have been told they were there.
It would also have been nice to have been told they've drained the washer fluid, as there's now nothing to rinse the windscreen. In winter. Lovely!
And the side repeater indicator bulb, which I sourced and fitted myself, suddenly works again. I guess that without any washer fluid to leak into the wiring loom, it's probably all drying out and coming back to life.

What a saga. Never mind, only 15 days until it goes in for repair.

Just dropped the car off for the big repair.
Let's see how long it takes.....!

Collected car Thursday evening, with everything back to how it should be.
Over 80% of the repair cost covered by BMW & Vines, I'd obviously prefer it to be free, but I don't think it's worth chasing it any further.

I would though thoroughly recommend having any MK3 gen MINI checked for the same fault, and if they find anything amiss, to get it repaired before it becomes a very expensive problem.

Post repair update:

I've since found a few new problems.
---There's a bare bolt sticking up under the bonnet, just below the windscreen.
---The front fogs only come on if you press the button with the force that only livestock could provide.
---The door puddle lights no longer work.

Called Vines, requested an immediate investigation and loan car.

Can't do that sir.
Quote "...you're assuming the loom fix broke these items."
WELL, YEAH!

Booked it, again.
Over a week to wait as the issues are not safety related.

Can't collect on Monday - fully booked.
Rest of week no use as I'm at work anyway.

Asked for a loan car that's equal or better than mine. No, can't be done. No Cooper Ss in the loan fleet.
They won't collect the car from me on Saturday as there are no drivers available on a Saturday.

I'm left, by a premium brand, feeling that I'm wrong, and cannot have any of the simple customer services I request.
Atrocious.
Doubt I'd ever buy anything BMW related ever again.