Power Steering Pump and BMW Customer Care

[ianod]

Hi everyone,
As many of you have experience, my power steering pump went before christmas and confirmed by bmw diagnostics last monday. Have attempted a goodwill request with BMW customer care, but all I got was a rejection and told the car is outside their 'parameters' for financial support. Ok the mini is 2002 but in great condition, full BMW service history an 64K mileage...am I wasting my time?? or should I keep pushing? 900euro is alot to fork out for this time of year for something that they are aware of plus I've heard other mini's outside warranty getting 80% support.

So my question is does anyone know of another method of approach, or more senior level of customer care I could contact? as the current one just send out standard responses and denies it is an issue with minis!!

cheers

[Owen]

Speaking as someone who worked as a Manager in the Dealer Network for the last 7 years, asking for goodwill outside warranty on an 8 year old car really won't work. If the car was maybe 4 years old, and outside warranty 15 months that'd be a push, but they might do it. 6 years outside warranty is pretty much not going to happen.

While the steering pump has failed on a few MINIs, it's nowhere near what the forums would lead you to believe. It's I think either a 2, or 3 percent failure rate. Remember, there's more than a million new MINIs on the road. That rate would need to be an awful lot higher for it to be a 'known problem with MINIs'. Most people on this forum haven't had an issue, with the exception of one, which was a 2002 car also. As it happens, because it happens to the minority of MINIs, rather than the majority, it's just a case of bad luck, rather than something MINI needs to recall all million for.

Your best bet is to contact irlmin on the site here. He's Ger, and Ger has a source for reconditioned (Better than new) pumps, which he can fit for a fraction of the 900 euro you were quoted.

[ianod]

cheers Owen, I'll contact irlmin and hope he can help me out. Thanks

[Owen]

No problem, hope it wasn't a harsh reply, but I think the outcome of going this way is much better. Ger and his brother Aiden only work on MINIs and Minis, and have been doing so since he had hair. They're the best in the business bar none.

[ianod]

not harsh at all, knew i was chancing my arm but worth a shot

[Dineikaite]

Hello,

I have the same problem with a 2005 mini one with 100k miles. does anyone know of anyone who can fix it closer to Drogheda, i believe Ger is based in Cork.
Thanks
Evelyn

[irlmin]

Hi Evelyn ,
Yes we are in Cork , if you feel like a trip down we can fit it while you wait , PM me if you want further info and price etc ,
G