So, the offical word from So cal today is that they do not have production slots until the first of October. I called NW mini in tacoma, he said they had no production spots left for 06, and that their spots were not open until mid summer 07. Get out! isn't that crazy? If I go to Ohio, I can get the car mid to late sept. Just not sure I want to place 2300 miles on my car immediately. My boyfriend is all for the road trip. I want the car, but I am not all for blowing my money out the scoop! I just think, oh thats 800 worth of mod's I can do. And, of course, everywhere I drive, I am noticing mini's. Feeding my obsession. Tossing us into a mini frenzy. Regardless, I bimmer up for sale. I will miss her... but not that much after I am speeding around in my mini!!

 

Have you called Niello in Sacramento?

 

Some out of state dealerships that are also sponsors of NAM (eg: MINI of the Hamptons, Classic MINI) might be able to both sell you the car and arrange shipping, to avoid those miles!

 

Don't use Niello... they SUCK and will charge you a stupidly high premium!!

Check out Classic- its well worth the trip! (I've done it... and the experience was great!)

 

Classic does have slots but they do charge for the Ohio Certificate paperwork that runs $275.50. They had some 4-6 week delivery spots but those are now gone.

Sticking with SouthBay Mini in So Cal. One of the few non mark-up MSRP dealers left here. Late November early December delivery.

 

Try Amanda at South Bay, you won't get a mark-up. Tell her Paul sent ya.

If South Bay does not have an open slot, then take the Classic spot. Time is running out for '06 openings so you should take what's available. Have you checked the price on Transport? Might be cheaper than driving, especially if there are more cars coming out this way. Group deal kinda thing.

 

When I bought my '03, P&W in Pittsburgh had one sitting beside mine that the salesman said was being shipped to Calf. After visiting MINI of SF, and seeing their $3500 mark-up on an "S" I understand why the buyer was paying $1400 to have it shipped. $2100 for goodies!!

 

Thats what I'm getting up here in SF Bay Area.. going with East Bay Mini..for the no mark up price but said it will be Nov/Dec delivery. Its worth it.. I need to sell my BMW Z3 anyway...

 

Actually, no they don't, and haven't done so to any of the many people I've talked to who've bought there.

 

[quote=thefuturequeenofnebraska]Don't use Niello... they SUCK and will charge you a stupidly high premium!!
quote]

Actually, Niello does charge a $1500 markup. How do I know? My husband bought his with the markup. When I went in to buy mine, they dropped it because we were 2nd buyers, used Niello for our VW, and brought in a lead. Ooh, and they also gave me about $250 worth of free stuff (wool sweaters, hats, mini models) to boot.

As to whether they suck? Both my husband and I have had great service there. After he ordered his, we'd just go in and they'd let us take one out for a spin because they knew we needed a fix. I don't have much experience with their service department though, so I can't say.

 

They must have stopped doing it then, because ourselves and several others we know ordered ours at MSRP.

It's a strange world sometimes.

 

Hey everyone! I placed my 330 up for sale today. Classic wants 1500 for closed transport. If we road tripped it, the cost would be around 1k. I am going to price other transport companies tomorrow. Does it matter if I open transport vs closed? I have been shopping mod's all day, and I can spend that 1500 quite easily. I guess the easier route is SB, but the more gratifying one is classic... decisions..decisions. Hey, what do you all think about the H/K stereo vs stock stereo. I have h/k now. love it. Whats the poll?

 

Come to Cinci MINI, it's great! You can stop and see me before you leave (I work there).

And if you transport, transport CLOSED. And I love my SC whine...so I would have to save that money from the HK unit and do performance mods.
-Cody

 

You might check out Rasmussen Mini in Portland OR. Not that far from Calif. and they were good to me.

 

With open transport, you run the risk of damage to the car from birds using your car for target practice. You could also have your car hit by debris from another truck (think about rocks from a gravel truck hitting your car...). Even though your car would be covered by your auto insurance, do you want to start your ownership experience by putting it in the body shop right after you take delivery?

 

Hey polizi, I am from dayton originally. It seems for long distance travel closed trucking is better. Hey, what do ya'll think about the clear bra? I think every girl needs one! The longer I wait to orde, the more things I find to order on my car. Does this happen to everyone?? I mean, geez, I wanna upgrade the pully, swaybar, rims, racing flag, ipod adapter, the exhaust, the air intake thingie.. look, I don't even know the correct term, but I know I wanna make my MCS go faster!! And just think, I haven't even found a name for her. As for dealerships, I will decide tomorrow and let everyone know. I have already had a call on my bmw. yeah!! Does anyone who shipped their car have any shipping co suggestions?

 

Don't wait too long to order; otherwise, you may not be able to get your car because all available production slots have been taken....

The best way to get a line on shipping companies is to check with the dealer you select. My only recommendation (as I alluded to in my earlier post) is to go with closed shipping. Sometimes Classic does a group ship out to California and you can get a lower shipping cost for closed transport.

 

I will ask mike at classic tomorrow. He was very helpful today when I spoke to him. One way or another, I am ordering tomorrow! Do you have an opinion on the clear bra?

 

Climbergirl,

IMO, you should get your Mini at a dealer local to your home. That way you have a head start on setting up a good relationship with the service department. Don't forget about the free services and any warranty work.

While you may want to start modifying your car right away, I suggest that you wait a while. Drive your car, and drive others with various mods to see the differences, if any. You need to determine the type of driving you'll be doing, and this will be a big help in which direction you want to take the mods. There will always be time to make modifications. What's the old carpenter's saying? --- Measure twice, cut/saw once!

Good luck...

 

You can try Universal Mini for Southern Cal. We're picking our up in about two weeks with a 10 week order to delivery time and no mark up. Seems that they only mark up cars on the lot but ordered car don't have mark ups. Our MA was Tim, nice guy and didn't try too hard to puch extras on us.

 

I don't have any experience with clear bra type products. The concept sounds great (anything to avoid having to do endless touch-up to the front paint is a great idea). I guess the one thing that has kept me from going the clear bra route was an experience I had with my Corvette - the nose picked up a razor (from a box cutter that fell off a truck?) on one drive.... There is nothing that would prevent a razor (or, for that matter, a nice sized rock) from damaging your car; so is the clear bra all that much of a benefit?

 

You might try Mini of Murray in Utah. If you pick it up in October and the weather cooperates you could certainly do some climbing on the way home.

 

soumailia,

Now thats a good idea. Except, I have brachial tendonitis and tennis elbow. Go figure. My other half could climb and I could belay I guess. But that's like putting a man with ED in the middle of a harem. Just not fair!! I am even off work for a bit because of it.

I called Universal city, they tried to sell a mark up. I told them I wouldn't do it, so the delivery date went from october to dec. SB's slot is late nov to dec anyway. Universal also wanted to "cushion" their mark up with added items like alarm, and aux input, longer warrenty/maintanence plan to 4, 50k. That made me go... hmm.. but, I don't like doing business with people who don't shoot straight from the hip so to speak. Plus, someone mentioned building a relationship at my dealer. I already service my bmw at SB. I think my best bet is SB. It teaches patiences... which I need to practice for the break in anyway.

 

Why not? Gets you right through the break in period. I bought from D&R in Indianapolis.

 

I like that idea. Should forward this to my wife. Don't forget pictures!