We are in the process of building our Countryman so the dealer can order it. After our test drive today we sat down to talk and he showed us spec sheets of some Countrymans that they already ordered...not special orders for customers, just orders for cars to sell on the lot.

There were two options he wrote in which we asked about. One is called "quantum". He said this is a sealant they apply to the paint as it is very susceptible to acid rain and bird droppings. It costs $695. He said it is applied to both the outside and the inside. Are any other dealers doing this? Is this something good to get?

The other thing is he said they usually apply some tinting to the windows and the sunroof and that is an additional $470. Is this normally something the dealers recommend for every mini?

Any input would be appreciated as we aren't sure whether these are just dealer add-ons where they are trying to make some extra money. Thanks!

 

First of all, you can but a bottle of polymer wax and apply it to the car and it will do the same thing they want to charge you $700 for. Also buy a spray bottle of "Scotch Guard" or 3M spill guard from a craft store and you can apply that to your interior, as long as its fabric (not leather or p'leather).

As for the tinting, you can get your car tinted with the highest quality ceramic tint for less than what they want to charge you. I would recommend going to LA tint, they are a chain and they have great tint selections and do a decent job and it comes with a warranty.

This is just my opinion but I would hate to see you pay these astronomical prices for what will just amount to a bigger commission for the sales associate. The cost for these items they are suggesting are a fraction of what they want to charge you. You should go to Edmunds.com and read "confessions of a car salesman". It's a good read.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/co...ticleid=42962&


http://www.google.com/search?client=...0cfd04ba3c5cf9

 

I'm not familiar with these specific products but sounds to me like an extremely expensive wax job and I'd shop that window tint price with your local/reputable tint shops as that price looks a bit high as well. Good Luck!

 

I'm fairly new to MINIs, but the "quantum" sounds like another version of the questionable sealant that dealers add to new cars to make a few extra bucks. On the other hand, if it really works better than the usual dealer sealant, there have been complaints about the sometimes fragile MINI paint.

Tinting is another popular dealer add-on to make a few extra bucks, but aftermarket tinting seems to be popular among sunroof MINI owners to reduce heat build-up in the car when the sun is out.

Additional under-coating and pin-striping are two other fairly popular dealer add-ons.

 

Thanks for the comments so far. I was pretty shocked that he was suggesting these "options" and it would be almost $1200 with tax. We are trying to be very frugal with the options we select so the price does not get out of control and these options seemed really expensive. In talking with him he did say we didn't have to get these if we ordered a car (which we plan to do) but whoever buys these cars that are coming into the lot next month will have to pay for them. Just got a little scared as he mentioned paint issues if we don't go with their extra special sealant. The paint from the factory should be good enough to withstand the elements as long as it is waxed on a regular basis with good product....just my opinion.

 

The paint process BMW/MINI uses http://www.mini-me.com/minimalism/production/integrated_paint_process/does make them more prone to rock chips on the front area of the car, especially when you have a large vertical front area like on a MINI cooper or the countryman. I've noticed their metallic paint stands up better than the clear coats. To avoid these paint chips you will need to have 3M front bumper and hood paint protection film applied. It is costly though but it does it's job well. Also with such a vertical window as found on the MINI and the countryman you will find that you will get rock nicks on your windshield more frequently than with a car that has a more sloping windshield angle. just physics.

There are various paint protection films but I just used 3M as an example. Just shop around.

here is an example of what I am referring to:

http://www.invisiblemask.com/?gclid=...FVZc2godvhwPWg

good luck on your new Countryman!

 

This says a lot about your SA. Now it would be very hard to believe him with any suggestions.

 

A good wax and weekly or bi-monthly washing will do wonders for you MINI Countryman R60 or new R56/R55.

I agree, get a good 3M type clear-bra on your MINI very soon after purchase, unless you like rock chips.

There is a new windshield product out similar to the 3M clear-bra products, some of the high-end detail shops use it.

I would avoid getting these products via the dealer you can shop around and get a better product and possibly a lot less expensive.

If you don't want to hassle of researching, shopping around and want the total package from the dealer, you will make your SA very happy for Christmas.

When I sold cars, I loved the spiff from all the up-sales.

 

This is purely a dealer strategy for increasing profit margins on the car. Don't do it. If they press hard, walk away. Would make me feel extremely uncomfortable completing a transaction with a dealer that was trying too hard to sell these "options". As others have noted, there are more reasonable and more effective options on the market. I cringe when I read posts like yours - reminds me of GM dealers in the 80s.

 

Hold strong! Just think about how many extra Countryman options you can get with that $1200!!! And I have a hard time believing they will make somebody pay that for a car they already have coming in (unless it has already been installed).

I would, however, recommend the 3M or similar clear bra products on the front hood. I have it on another car of mine (side mirrors as well) and from commuting on the freeway it has been amazing! Highly recommend (but do that on your own during the first couple of days after you've had a chance to research the products available in your area).

 

The 2011 shold have a tinted sunroof already. I heard it is 30% so it is alot better. I was quoted $350 for tiniting all my windows with the best stuff out there. The new paints do not require these BS paint sealents. Just money for them. 3M or Venture Shield will save the front end. Actually I didn't do my 2010 and the front looks fine. With Black coming now I will do this one. Was quoted 850 for the car and $1200 to do the entire hood in one piece which I am going to do. I hate the line you get whan doing only the lower front of the hood. Seen On a black 911 and you could not even nptice it was there.
Leather treatments, Sealents anything they sell you in the finance room is all added margin. It is also very negotiable. Offer them half I will bet they take it. I find if you go outside the dealership you will get a btter job and a better price unless they will deal which most will,

 

You might also brace for one more dealer 'suggestion', this will happen at the closing with the finance people. For just a few more $'s, you will be given more warranty and service options. I consider them bunk and pure profit. Most owners, I believe the stats are in the upper 80 to 90% range, never use a dimes worth of coverage. Only a small % of the 10 to 15% have a claim and most are minor. Yes, some have a major failure, very rare, like winning the lottery. Plus the disclaimers and what is covered list is so weighted against you. Put the money in a savings acct instead, not a lot of interest earned but you have the money if needed.
in my humble opinion

 

I agree.

Plus I will add that I doubt these dealer-high-profit-add-ons are "required" on the dealer stock cars that haven't even arrived yet.

 

Thanks for all the advice! We are configuring our Countryman now so we can be in the January production run!

 

Hehe - rock chips build character!!!