So, I am preparing to get an '07 Cooper, but four out of five dealerships that I have contacted are all charging $600 for some delivery package. When I asked what this delivery package entails, I was told that it includes floor mats, programming, and "preparation." Floor mats are $95. Isn't first time programming supposed to be free, and I'm assuming all the preparation is cleaning. So, they want $500 to program a few features (the ones that aren't user programmable), to wash the car, and maybe fill it with gas. This seems a bit off to me. This is in addition to documentation fees and processing fees. One of the dealers said it could be negotiated if I didn't want floor mats.
BTW: They are doing it on the '06 models, too.

 

Well that really sucks. What dealership did you order from? An MA at a mark-up dealership near me warned me about back-end screwings from the "so-called" MSRP dealerships. Is your dealer an MSRP dealership trying to get money out of you now that they have your car hostage?

 

More new model rape the customer BS it seems to me.

 

is this in addition to the "Destination Charge"?

I paid $550 for that and always thought it was ridiculous, but I guess it is pretty standard.

p.s. - oh yeah, my dealer had a "package" of things they put on their cars: floor mats, stubby, aux. input, but they are all things you could take off if you bought off the lot (except maybe the aux. input). it added up to about $500

options programming should be free and if it isn't MINIUSA should be notified.

 

that's messed up, is there another MINI dealer in your area?

 

Well, due to the lack of luck that I was having, I went to my father for some help (I'm only 19). He's always done very well with dealing with car dealerships. He talked with one of the dealerships and managed to get them down to msrp on the car and $99 doc fee with free floor mats. That will be $700 less than what I was prepared to pay, and it's $1500 less than what the most expensive dealer was charging. Also, she (MA) said something about the car being here in four weeks. This is a manual transmission Cooper. I thought the manuals were for March builds. But, March delivery is even better (if she is correct)!

 

4 weeks time is in March

 

Wow...sounds like you've been through quite a bit! I agree that those charges are insane. I miss the good old days when a dealer would throw in the car mats without even so much as giving it a thought.

At any rate, you're going to love your new MINI. Welcome to NAM!

 

Sounds like the dealer is taking advantage of the high demand! Look around.

 

One of the two dealers in Houston does that - you do get lifetime loaners or something for it. I think it was about $495. I didn't care for it at all, and since they wouldn't budge, I moved my business to the other dealer (even though it was about double the distance from me). Funny thing is, the dealer I went with gives you a loaner for free anyway when you bring your car in for service, etc! I'm glad I did go with them in the end since they were uber nice and gave me lots of little bonuses I probably wouldn't have gotten at the other dealer