Claire Bear - From the 'Shire

[Claire_Bear]

Hi All,

Names Claire, stay approx 30mins from Glasgow.

Purchased my Mini Cooper S on the 28th May 2009.

Loved every minute while driving it. Such a fun car :)

Pity the Harry Fairbairn Giffnock Garage have made it such a miserable process.

At the moment I've not done anything to it. Just a decal on the side.

Will get some pics up within the next few days.

Forgot the spec

Black-Eye Purple
1.6 S
06 Plate
22K on the clock
Panoramic sunroof

Problems to date: spoiler had to be resprayed (burnt through paint when polished by Giffnock), rear drivers quarter panel scuffed by Giffnock, 3 different makes of tyres... courtesy of Giffnock, no lockin nut provided, broken sunroof... That is all - I think

[TheDoctor46]

:welcome:
and yes, get some pics up asap!!! Whats the problem with the dealer that made the process sooo bad??

[Claire_Bear]

Customer service hasn't been upto much at all to be fair.

Got the mini with a lot of problems, theres a wee list above.

At the moment I'm running a Dunlop on the left side and a Pirelli on the right. A dunlop on the rear left and a goodyear on the back right. So... I was a bit puzzled when I drove the car home and felt a pull to the left. I put it back in to the Giffnock garage. They had "fixed" it. I drove it home. Still pulled. Then I saw the tyres and though... oh... that may be the problem.

So I managed to twist their arm and get a locking nut from them at the weekend there so I'll be changing the two dunlops to the front to see if it makes a difference.

It's made my mini adventure a rather poor one :(

[Stewart]

Hi and Welcome…..So when you say your paint etc burnt and scuffed was this done after you purchased it and when they were prepping it for you. Only ask as I’m putting my wee Cooper in for a service there and going to ask then not to touch it other than the service. The cars on the front lot are a total mess. I bought my car from Menzies and I told them just to leave it, I did not want it cleaned..

The person receiving the car will be getting told there is no dents or scuffs…
:blush:

[Claire_Bear]

I'd tell them not to touch it. You know your car and know how to clean it to your standard.

My rear quarter looks like it's been washed with a brillo pad. Yummy! Lol.

This was done to the car during "prep"

I inspected the Mini before purchase and after purchase. It was like night and day.

It's a shame because the purple is a really nice colour but it feels ruined now. Just superficial though. It can be fixed.

Personally I would not goto the Giffnock garage ever again unless I absolutely had to. Im avoiding it at all costs.

They sell cars well but the after care is poor.

If it's just in for a standard service it should be ok but be sure to check your mileage before you put it in. My mini had extra mileage on it when I got it back.

GOOD LUCK!!

[MINI William]

Looks very nice :yes nod:and welcome to NMS.Sure mayb I seen you last sunday

[Claire_Bear]

Thanks

You seen me?!

Not sure where I was last Sunday. Can't really remember what I had for tea tonight never mind last Sunday lol.

Think you stay a bit away from me? I'm over the West Coast.

[AeroJonny]

You can't be surprised by the poor show at fairbairns when you take into account it's just another arnold clark garage.

That being said, I use Fairbairn's Irvine dealership for servicing etc when I'm at home and they're pretty damn good for aftersales!

[MINI William]

I was heading through to the west on the M74 was a BEP cooper s prob wasent you just that thers not alot about

[Claire_Bear]

To be fair. When I went to Irvine on Sunday the guy at the parts department was helpful.

I'll be taking my mini to the Irvine branch for a service in a month or so. It's just down the road from me. First service since I bought it so glad to hear they're better than Giffnock.

[Stewart]

Thanks for the Info…Thinking now I’ll say at the garage that way they might remember my requests. Still fancy a go in an S.

Why these garages do not have a proper detailer :argh:as apposed to a valeter, who lets face it could be anyone with a bucket of water……..The Clubmans on the lot were shocking.

[Craig]

Welcome to NMS Claire :welcome:

another Black Eye Purple motor.. :thumbs up::thumbs up:

I have had pretty much the same kinda issues as you (bad paintwork, broken sunroof and a mechanical issue). The last two are what the car is going back into the dealership tomorrow for, along with a faulty boot release which failed this week and I had to call out MINI Emergency.. :rolleyes::argh:

Hope to see you on a run. :thumbs up:

[Mini Ecosse]

Hi, :welcome:

[Smitty]

Welcome :bigwave:

I had a few teething problems when I picked mine up too (faulty rear light cluster, full coolant system failure, rubbish valet/paintwork). It's put a bit a dampener on the "new car" feeling, but stick with it. Once you get it all fixed....these cars are BRILLIANT FUN :D :D

[stoney]

:welcome: i am around your area so may see you about :thumbs up:

[D3 JDA]

Welcome to NMS claire get your name down for a run soon:thumbs :bigwave::thumbs up::clap::clap:

[audrey]

Hi Claire :bigwave:

[GCA3N]

Welcome to NMS Claire :welcome:

another Black Eye Purple motor.. :thumbs up::thumbs up:

I have had pretty much the same kinda issues as you (bad paintwork, broken sunroof and a mechanical issue).


Do you think there i a common theme here is it possible that both your cars were targeted for their colour:Whistle:

[Ivano]

Hello and :welcome:

[AndyP & Lenore]

:welcome:

[Gismo]

:welcome: not the best start to your MINI adventure

[zimbo]

Welcome to the site Claire, hopefully your mini experience will only get better :thumbs up:

[NorthSea888]

Nice Car !!! :welcome:

[Claire_Bear]

Thanks you guys for the very warm welcome :thumbs up:

Greig!! - Yur a Largs man, watch what your saying about my precious mini, I know where you stay :lol: I work in Largs so probably see you about.

Craig BEP is the best colour to get - I'll be putting a few noses out of joint here, hehe. Polishes up really well, nice and glossy. I'm a bit of a cleaning pervert.

It's a shame to hear a few other folk have had some paintwork problems. At the moment it's not bothering me too much but I'm a bit of a perfectionist so no doubt I'll get it fixed at some point.

The S is great fun to drive and sound amazing. Pops nicely when I drive into the street. Gets the looks as well :)

Had a wee flick through the gallery so fingers crossed I can start with the modifications soon. All input would be greatly appreciated.

[Delboy]

:welcome: Hope your mini experience improves - I had a poor start myself :sad: but it's all behind me now, I hope :D

[GCA3N]

Thanks you guys for the very warm welcome :thumbs up:

Greig!! - Yur a Largs man, watch what your saying about my precious mini, I know where you stay :lol: I work in Largs so probably see you about.



Actually moved 2 weeks ago back to Arran , but my mum owns a hairdressers/boutique in the town so will still be about. Only winding the big man up about his choice of colour.;)

[baptie]

*waves* @ Claire

Welcome along Claire, hope you enjoy your stay.

crackin motor, will keep an eye out for you.

[Claire_Bear]

Lol I know your mums shop!!! I love the bags in there. Discount my way :thumbs up:

Purple can be for boys too... he's just in touch with his femine side ;) Only jokin Craig

[Hamish]

:welcome: ... enjoy your stay, we're a friendly bunch... oh and I love your choice of username... :thumbs up:

[Craig]

Lol I know your mums shop!!! I love the bags in there. Discount my way :thumbs up:

Purple can be for boys too... he's just in touch with his femine side ;) Only jokin Craig


Thick skin me... ;) some would say just thick... :laugh:

[Big Gordy]

Thick skin me... ;) some would say just thick... :laugh:

Not so thick around the middle now tho are we SLIM:Whistle:

[shaunbhoy67]

welcome :thumbs up:

[S111_SOT]

:welcome:

[Crombers]

some would say just thick... :laugh:

Well...................yes :thumbs up:



Welcome to NMSland Claire

(& eh.........what's the 'Bear' bit about?)

[Claire_Bear]

Claire Bear because I'm like a teddy bear and always good for a cuddle :D

Just a nickname thats stuck with me.

[Hamish]

Claire Bear because I'm like a teddy bear and always good for a cuddle :D

Just a nickname thats stuck with me.

It's cool... I wouldnt shout about being always good for a cuddle, there'll be a queue of NMS memebers to your car at the 1st meet haha :D

Enjoy your stay, I've got to know some great people on here... was well worth joining up. :thumbs up:

[Duncan Stewart]

:welcome:

[RyanK]

Welcome

[Crombers]

Claire Bear because I'm like a teddy bear and always good for a cuddle :D

Just a nickname thats stuck with me.

Ah great, cool :thumbs up:

Was thinking of other 'bears' that often frequent this site :Whistle:

Get yer name down for the HOB run, that'll see you 'in with the bricks' :yes nod:

[GCA3N]

Claire Bear because I'm like a teddy bear and always good for a cuddle :D

Just a nickname thats stuck with me.


Does that mean your hairy with sticky oot ears:Whistle::p

[Colin]

:welcome:

[AlanJRobson]

Welcome along..

I'm through in Ayr a few times a month..shall give you a flash if i see you.

[Claire_Bear]

Lol hairy with sticky out ears. Aye not far off it :thumbs up:

I'm not really down Ayr way much. I'm up North Ayrshire rather than South.

Give us a flash tho, sometimes down that way.

Crombers... a wee bit feart about putting my name down for a run just yet :sad:

[GCA3N]

Crombers... a wee bit feart about putting my name down for a run just yet :sad:


The site is gr8 but the runs are, for me anyway, the best bit.

[Claire_Bear]

Hehe but I'm awfa shy :blush:

Just thought it'd be best I'm a more established member before I head out on a run.

[GCA3N]

Hehe but I'm awfa shy :blush:

Just thought it'd be best I'm a more established member before I head out on a run.


Stop being daft, every run there are the old timers and loads of first timers, Del is on his 2nd run I'm on my 4th and there are I'm sure other 1st timers. You really will love it, I can never stop smiling on these runs, see loads and loads of minis together is actually really cool, besides need some normal Ayrshire folks to make up for the weirdo fyfer's, east coasters and northerns:Whistle::lol:. Get is sorted Clair. We are leaving from glasgow if you want to convoy.

[Claire_Bear]

Let me think about it :thumbs up:

[GCA3N]

:yes nod::thumbs up:

[Stewart]

Hehe but I'm awfa shy :blush:

Just thought it'd be best I'm a more established member before I head out on a run.

Here I’m shy and everyone is great on the runs. Next Sunday that will be my forth run and fifth outing with the crowd if you include the festival of speed. I did my first two runs within a week….and one was heading to the very north of Scotland with these dafties.

Greigs right all you do is smile……….Plus its great seeing all the cars and what the Members do to them.

[Craig]

claire. I will be offended if as another bep owner you dont come on a run. :(

As other have said its a great laugh and everyone is very friendly. :-) :-) go on you know its makes sense. :-)

[Claire_Bear]

Well I had no plans for the mini but now I've got this mad obsession with carbon fibre.

Pricing the JCW Scoop, door handles, petrol cap and mirror (with the indicators on the side).

I don't have Sat Nav so I think that's contributing to the fear. Just hoping I don't get lost lol.

[AndyP & Lenore]

Well I had no plans for the mini but now I've got this mad obsession with carbon fibre.

Pricing the JCW Scoop, door handles, petrol cap and mirror (with the indicators on the side).

I don't have Sat Nav so I think that's contributing to the fear. Just hoping I don't get lost lol.

Claire, Lenore and I are organising the Heart Of The Borders (http://www.newminiscotland.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=16550) run on Sunday 30th August. We always look after new "runners" and would make sure someone who is more used to runs looks after you on the run to make sure you take the right turns etc. Also, it's not a race, it's a social run around the countryside. So, if you would like to attend, you're more than welcome and I promise you will be looked after.:thumbs up:

A.:D