I recommend reading this...http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...-they-work.htm Here is more ->http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...arranties.html Bottom line...probably a very bad deal.

 

Good reading and thank you -I assume extended maintenance contracts are also of dubious worth? Cactusklaw

 

My MINI has arrived the dealer this morning. I will pick it up tomorrow. photos to follow...

 

I was going to post something to that effect. It is frequently invaluable to read forum postings to gain from others experience; however, it is important to keep one's brain engaged while doing so. When I read a recommendation that is clearly anecdotal ("it worked for me" or " I heard that...") I make a point of doing further research. Back "in the day ", you went to the library and went through the card catalog (remember that?), pulled some books, and tried to find some answers. Now you can Google it. It's much faster and easier, but there is a greater potential to get really bogus info. It comes down to what or who you believe is authoritative. I consider this forum authoritative on many subjects. When it comes to things like engine break-in technique or extended service plans ...not so much. I need to read what the German automotive engeineers that designed and built my Mini have t say about the proper break-in of the engine and tires and clutch and brakes. Sure...I went to the racing motorcycle engine guy's page and read what he had to say. Then I read what Mini says. Who is authoritative about a 2010 Mini Cooper S ? The motorcycle guy who profits from being controversial , or Mini Cooper? Mini wants you to be a satisfied customer. The motorcycle guy wants web traffic. Hmmm. Who do I trust? BTW...If Mini Cooper (BMW) was offering the extended service I might be slightly more inclined to consider it. The dealership is NOT BMW/Mini ...it is caveat emptor (buyer beware) big time when you are dealing with a car dealership....even your Mini dealership. These maintenance contracts are big profit items for the dealers and sales people. In fact, it is not really clear that you should take your car to the dealership once the free service is expired. (Actually , it is clear to me...I won't.)


N.B. {My dealership is Brecht. They have had some crappy reviews in the past.; however, In my experience, Amanda (and Rod) have been top notch. They haven't tried to BS me or "sell" me. I found it very refreshing, but I still pay close attention...and I have no intention of letting their service department do anything beyond the free three year maintanence}

 

Cool....dealerships here in CO are closed on Sundays...old blue law. Look forward to seeing pictures!!

 

Did your car come in Today Sunday? I was told by my MA that Mini does not deliver cars on Sunday! The OL has today Nov.8th as my delivery date.
Was your car on the Turandot? Mine was, they could have had mine on the same truck. Long beach is on the way.
Ron

 

Did they actually deliver the car to Brecht today (Sunday) ? Cool.

Here is a posting from Onemini (Jonathan) at Mini2.com that looks useful.

The orange and purple are my additions.

checklist

Interior:
check the seats for marks or tears and make sure they operate properly
Check the dash and all instrumentation. Turn the car on and make sure all the warning lights go off, ( mine didn't)
make sure the radio / CD etc work properly
check the climate controls
Make sure you get your mats if you ordered them
Check the headliner for marks or tears, make sure the sunroof works if you ordered it.

Exterior
Check all panels for dents, dings and scrapes.
Check all glass for pits, and cracks - especially look for potential stress cracks on the windscreen
Make sure all doors and panels align properly, ( seen lots of comments about problems in this area)
Open the door and the hatch
Check to make sure the doors all lock and unlock -
Make sure your keys are programmed properly. Get Both key fobs.
Check your wheels and tires - they should be perfect - no dings or scrapes. Check the pressure in all 4 tires.
Open the hood - even if you have no idea what goes on underneath. Make sure there is nothing obviously wrong - signs of oil or water or other dirt on the engine and underneath of the hood.it should be spotless.

Other

Make sure all the options you ordered are there - Good idea to (quickly) check the oil and radiator coolant level....Then
Turn the car on and walk around it when its running - listen for any out of the ordinary noises.Keep the hood up - listen for any odd noises ( remember new car motors and exhaust systems tend to smell)
Drive it off the dealer's lot with the radio off and a window open. Take the dealer with you. Make sure the car doesnt pull excessively as you brake hard. Make sure the car goes straight with hands off the wheel.

Document all and any problems when you are there and make sure the dealer agrees to fix them. If they are really severe don't accept the car and make them fix them asap. Ask for a loaner.
Remember to have your Mini covered by your car insurance before you drive it off the lot.

<img>Optional: Instead of heading South on 15, go North to Lilac Road (Old Castle Road). Go to Valley Center and either turn around and go back to 15 or keep going to Escondido then back to San Diego. Those roads will feel like you're making a car commercial.

 

yes, car arrived at South Bay MINI in Torrance, CA. They are doing pre-delivery inspection and preparation today. It will be ready early tomorrow morning. I will pick it up tomorrow afternoon...

 

Don Carlos is coming up Baja California now. I calculate it should be off the coast of San Diego about 11:00pm Monday night and into Port Hueneme sometime before noon on Tuesday unless speed drops.

That is 11:00 Colorado time, 10:00 San Diego time or 0600 UTC

 

Every so often I read very thoughtful and well thought out posts often pruned from the muck of exageration and controversy.Yours is such a post where fact and opinion are separated and very decent syntax prevails. Best and- Thank You Cactusklaw Abq. New Mexico

 

Good Luck -Cactusklaw

 

Absolutely straight up RDuke. I think you succinctly nailed it, and I feel exactly the same way.
In the meantime, we're getting close! And I love your advice about where to drive after leaving our dealer!

Jay

 

Anyone else from the Turandot still waiting to hear anything?

I know there's myself....

Who else is lurking out there?

 

I posted this Sunday afternoon,

Did your car come in Today Sunday? I was told by my MA that Mini does not deliver cars on Sunday! The OL has today Nov.8th as my delivery date.
Was your car on the Turandot? Mine was, they could have had mine on the same truck. Long beach is on the way.

On a side note, the port is about one hour north of my house. And my dealer "Long beach" is about 45 min. south of my house. All Iican think is it was damaged in shipping. I did have the temp gauge installed @ the port. But the install time is only 2. hours. I wish my MA would call the port, and up date my time line!
Ron

 

So sorry that I'm just now popping in to comment on what a gorgeous ride Napoleon is, but I was out motoring all weekend! :D

So what do you think, was the HK worth it or what?!?!

 

rduke, thanks for the list! I probably wouldn't think of any of that, I'll just be so excited to finally have my Mini! The OL says it's at the dealership, which is what I expected. I can't wait for Wednesday. I might have to do a drive by tonight and see if I can see it.

 

I have a feeling mine was damaged as well. Since it was one of the last four cars loaded onto the ship, it should've been one of the first off, so how'd they damage it?

Nothing like buying a new car that has already been in an accident. I'm going over mine with a fine tooth comb when it arrives, if it's not perfect, I'm walking away.

I love my BMW, but so far my experience with MINI has been less than satisfactory.

 

Dear Rduke222 et al, Just had a call from Mini -Sandia Mini Abq. Fellow on phone
tells me that starting this Oct 2009 BMW /MIni Cooper is offering an extended Warrantee moving the one in place from 4years /50,000 to 7yrs/70,000 for 2,500. or 7yrs /100,00 for2.850 .He repeated this was not offered by dealership but Mini Cooper -he further stated that this price if bought now locks in price and is not taxable by the State.Do you still feel this a price gouge? Maintenance package was 1,450.000. which he seemed to downplay saying only that though it can be done elsewere your trusted mechanic's prices were also rising and might not be too disimilar which I find dubious. Picking "PIP up wednesday.Cactusklaw ABQ

 

That certainly sounds like a much better deal, in terms of cost vs. length of coverage. I'd love to get a sense of what's actually covered, and what standards they can use to refuse honoring the warranty. Wonder if that's online somewhere...
Good that it's through MINI, though, and not a third party.

J

 

For those interested, Don Carlos is now showing up on 'marinetraffic'.

IF, the big IF, it keeps going at this pace, should reach Port Hueneme well before noon tomorrow. Probably closer to 8:00 or 9:00 Colorado time.

Poor Fiona has been on that boat for almost a month, time to get her off and in the sun!!!! May have faded from SS to PW after so long in the bowels of DC.

BTW, did anyone get to see the special on the Faust? Really interesting and possibly answered the question as to why Fiona wasn't on Turandot as originally scheduled...a question of time versus tides!!!

Meanwhile

 

Oh we are such obsessives... I was just about to post the same thing. Been waiting for the DC to get into the Ensenada square on marinetraffic! Pretty cool how you can click for waypoints to estimate time. Wonder if this will all dissolve from memory once we get our cars...

Jay

 

wait is over. I picked her up today from South Bay MINI. everything went very smooth. The vehicle is a blast. 2.9% financing is sweet

had to drive from Torrance to San Diego 120 miles. I did frequent gear changes on the highway to keep the engine running at different rpm. handling is superb, steering response is immediate. H/K stereo has a deep bass that I am very happy about...

 

Very sweet 5 or coast route?

Glad to hear that you liked the HK....since that is why we are waiting so long.

Congratulations!!!!!

 

Just think how good we'll be at it the next time

Wife thinks she may be wanting the Speedster once it becomes available

Meanwhile

 

Hah! Yeah, it's pretty sweet looking. We are VERY close!

J