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Redeemed: past participle, past tense of re·deem (Verb) Verb:
1.Compensate for the faults or bad aspects of (something): "a disappointing debate redeemed by an outstanding speech".
2.Do something that compensates for poor past performance or behavior.

So I was able to get my car back today. Of course they waited until 5pm so I could sit in traffic on the freeways. But never the less I have my car back.

I have had Mini Coopers for almost 9 years now. My first Mini I had for five years. Loved it so much. My current Mini is almost four years old. I had upgraded to the Mini S and I love it too! I bought both of my Mini Coopers in Irvine, CA. The dealership there has been excellent, I really like them and trust them.  I get three free oil changes with my mini. I go once a year for my annual oil change. It is required every 10,000 miles but I don't put that many miles on so I just go once a year.

So two years ago when a Mini dealer opened closer to our house I decided to go there. Well the experience in my opinion was horrible. I felt that all they wanted to do was sell me things I didn't need. Looking back now I understand why I had to buy a new battery at that time but I was angry. See you can only buy their battery, no other battery will fit and they are expensive. I can't remember the other thing that happened at that visit but I left there with $600. less in wallet when all I went in for was the free oil change. So I told myself that I wouldn't go back and I didn't. Last year I went back to the Mini dealer in Irvine.

Well when my battery was dead yesterday I didn't want to risk driving the car to Irvine so I went to the local dealer. I told them this is crazy, we put a new battery in two years when the car was only two years old. My last mini had the same battery for 5 years. Because of the constant draw that the computer requires the car needs to be driven more or eventually (apparently every two years for me) the battery will no longer hold a charge. The Mini S has a computer that drawers even more from the battery. I get that and because of that it is not covered under warranty.

Well they did redeem themselves.  They covered the cost of the battery but asked that I buy a device to help keep my battery up to par when it's not being driven. I agreed to that. Since I already had the car in the shop I went ahead and got an oil change too. They also gave me a discount coupon for the oil change so I walked out of there today with a charge of $l58. which was fine with me. The annual oil change cost is close to that price anyway and now I have this little device which will hopefully keep this from happening again.

Believe me, the Mini Cooper is a very nice car, don't let this experience of mine ever keep you from getting one if your desire one. My next new car will be another Mini Cooper!

But........I will still be going back to my dealer in Irvine because they are superior to this local dealer. Posted by Debby@Just Breathe at 9:58 PM 
Glad you got it fixed. Minis are so cute!

June 21, 2012 at 4:19 AM 
I'm glad you went there because they kinda sorta made it right, but yep, I'd go to the other one next time.

June 21, 2012 at 5:02 AM 
Glad that you were able to reach a compromise. I think the Minis are so cute, and I like a smaller car ... unfortunately, I need to be able to haul around our 4 grands (one still in a car seat and one in a booster), so I drive a mini van.

June 21, 2012 at 5:07 AM 
I've never appreciated dealerships. Never. I'm glad they redeemed themselves but I don't blame you one bit for going back to Irvine from now on!

June 21, 2012 at 6:59 AM 
At least they tried. It sounds like you need to cruise around the block every day and you might be fine. My husband car has never gone very far, but we just recently replaced the battery. It was probably in there when he bought it about 6 or 7 years ago. It has helped the starting of it (it's an older car). I didn't realize batteries charged when the car is running until recently.

June 21, 2012 at 7:09 AM 
Of course that is a drive to Irvine, but I have to agree with you; go where the service is the best! Glad though that you are up and running again and that the local dealer did come through a bit.


June 21, 2012 at 8:26 AM 
Glad you got your cute adorable car back!

June 21, 2012 at 9:44 AM 
too bad good customer service isn't automatic these days...

June 21, 2012 at 9:53 AM 
The car is soo cute but they're not too swift. Knowing you could have been a repeat customer but not treating you right....

June 21, 2012 at 12:19 PM 
Every time now when I see a darling Mini Cooper I will think of you.
I love these cars but have never rode or even driven one. Their just too cute.
If and when I do trade mine in I will consider one of these.
Glad they redeemed them selves somewhat.
Hope you continue having a good week.

June 21, 2012 at 12:31 PM 
Glad all worked out. Blessings to you Debby.

June 21, 2012 at 2:40 PM 
I will bet that after driving an SUV for so many years, sitting in a mini would feels so strange, like I was in Smurfland, right? :D Soooo cute!

June 21, 2012 at 4:13 PM 
Okay I am bad on the cost of a yearly oil change - you just have to get one a year and it is that expensive. Wow. You must really love your mini's - lol. They are cute. sandie

June 21, 2012 at 5:04 PM 
I probably have to get an oil change every three months, but that is at 3,ooo miles. I can't imagine once a year only.
 
You only have to get the oil changed every year? You must not put a lot of miles on the car. Glad it worked out with the battery charger thingy.

June 23, 2012 at 2:44 AM