BMW softens suspension on new Minis

[PhilH]

Q.Why did Mini score 166 problems per 100 vehicles in the J.D. Power and Associates' initial quality study (IQS)? The industry average was 133.

A.Yes, we have had some quality issues with the first cars coming into the country, but the majority of the issues are actually what we consider concept and design issues, which means it has nothing to do with the way in which the factory built the cars.

I'll give you an example: Our No. 1 complaint in the survey was cupholders. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the cupholders, it's just actually the placement of the cupholders is such that you can't get a tall cup, a latte from Starbucks, in the cupholder. We sent every Mini customer, a month after they buy the car, a letter from me and they get this mug and it says, "We screwed up." We know you guys don't like our cupholders and this mug was custom-made for our cupholders and hopefully you can enjoy that latte.

The quality issue in the IQS report said we had a harsh ride. You know, we do. Beginning this month we changed the oil in the shock absorbers which has a dramatic effect on the compliance of the suspension system. We're real serious about quality and we're keeping an eye on it.

http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0305/09/d03-159692.htm

[Kaz]

Americans... :tsk:

[Mr. The Edge]

MINI Shock Absorber Improvement
Posted by: MINI USA Customer Relations on 2003-05-15 at 16:54:44
(posted from: Host: system150.bmwna.com IP: 63.95.170.150)

Message:

I’m with MINI USA. We’re so sorry to read you are concerned about the improvement to the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S shock absorbers. MINI USA strives for a balance between customer satisfaction and continued improvements to our car.

We know our owners treasure that Go-Kart like handling, so we devoted months of engineering time to address your requests and still deliver the performance you expect. The revised suspension set-up will allow for a more compliant ride, yet it will maintain your car's outstanding handling characteristics. Your MINI will handle as magnificently as ever.

The earlier suspension was not faulty in any way. This evolution is merely an improvement. MINI USA recognizes that superb handling is a key feature, and we assure you that the new suspension will deliver a very satisfying performance.

A few of you are asking whether or not this improvement is world wide or just offered in the USA. FYI, the shock absorber improvement will be in all new MINIs worldwide. Again, we want to reassure you that this change will in no way effect the unrivaled handling inherent in the MINI Cooper and Cooper S. If you have any questions, you can always reach us at (866) ASK MINI.

[Sean]

Originally posted by atyclb


We know our owners treasure that Go-Kart like handling, so we devoted months of engineering time to address your requests and still deliver the performance you expect. The revised suspension set-up will allow for a more compliant ride, yet it will maintain your car's outstanding handling characteristics. Your MINI will handle as magnificently as ever.


Yeah right! :blah:


This sounds like a another mistake in the making i.e. the lightened 3-Series steering debacle.

[ayn]

Ppl who wants cupholders should not be getting a MINI... damn Americans... There are times companies should not listen to consumer complaints... the "new" steering in the early MY01 330 was a good example... I see a suspension retrofit coming if they really soften things up...

So is this going to happen? My girlfriend is gonna put down a deposit for a MY04 MCS very very soon.

--Andrew

[Mr. The Edge]

Already done

[Sean]

Haven't they already implemented it into production?

[doeboy]

:thumbdwn:

Another perfectly good thing turning to crap because of the "average American consumers' soft buttocks and need to drink crap while driving" :rolleyes:

Maybe if we had better roads here that were less bumpy they wouldn't even have complained in the first place. :tsk: