So I've heard MOST people indicate that VDC installed accessories (before you take delivery of your vehicle) are priced out at what the actual accessory indicates. HOWEVER, the disclaimer at miniusa.com states the prices could vary from dealer to dealer. I would buy into this IF it was actually installed at the DEALER, but it isn't...it's installed at the VDC (the accessory I'm considering).

For example, driving lamps are shown at $599. My MA just gave me a quote for VDC installed driving lights at $899

And before anyone asks, "No, I didn't have these on the original order or part of the price negotiations." I have been contemplating a few items (aero kit, driving lights, etc.) and inquired on pricing.

What is everyone else finding? I know eeyore said his aero kit and driving lights were the prices indicated, no mark-up for 'labor'. Is this an additional way for the dealer to get a kick back from the VDC?

 

It depends on the dealer and how much they want to make the sale and/or keep you a happy customer. In my case I wanted the sports strips and roof rack base as part of my build...they threw them in at no cost. The sports strips will take them some time (labor $) to install but nothing crazy and the rack base is a 5 minute job so it was relatively inexpensive for the dealer to include them. I also had them in the spec from the start so they were part of the original price negotiation.

The driving lamps though are a bit of a different story. With an MSRP of $599 and some labor hours to install they will cost the dealer more than my strips and rack so it will be tougher to negotiate...not to mention that it's an after the fact addition to your spec. My guess is that they don't see any reason to discount them for you since you've already signed to buy the car...no need for them to take a loss on the labor. I fear you may be at their mercy if you really want them.

As an alternative you could go aftermarket and install something yourself to save some $.

Good luck!!

 

If you want driving light buy some and install your self or buy some lights and have an after market car shop install them it would be way cheaper to do it that way, $899 no way in hell i would pay something like that total rip off. My guess after market shop would prob charge you $200-250 or maybe cheaper and some sell driving lights in there shop so it might be in a package deal. I would look into something like that before you do a dealer install and for the aero kit im sure it will come out in the after market world sometime if not that one, there could be more modles, and thoses would be cheaper to install as well. so it's up to you would ever you want to do. good luck

 

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'm trying to figure out 'dealer' installed versus 'VDC' installed.

FamilyMan: it sounds like stripes and rack are dealer installed, right?

 

You are correct...stripes and roof rack base are dealer installed options.

 

My stripes were already installed when the car arrived at my dealership. Of course we just had the stock hood stripes that you can select in the configurator.

 

I saw the sport stripes on a TB in B'more with a windshield add-on sticker of about $800. I've talked myself into that outrage (checked with local installers and there's not much difference when you add it up) - then my MA hit me with the news that the little round driving lights have a final price of +/-$900. This is all starting to add up. Also making me think I'm buying a BMW Countryman.

 

Hmm... except that not everyone is paying that price for them. Sounds like vast difference between dealers.

I don't want them for $900 either.

 

Yea stripes depend on where/when you order them. Like in the configurator they can be added in the design section ($100) and with the sport package or in the accessories section ($124). I guess dependent on where you order them is where they are installed.

For everything else I would actually think the dealership has the option to let it be done at the VDC or at the dealership.

 

That's correct. The standard $100 bonnet stripes are factory installed while the $124 sports stripes are dealer installed so they're really $124 + whatever the dealer charges for the labor to install them, and that labor cost varies widely from dealer-to-dealer. Note too that the sports stripes are not only on the bonnet but also on the trunk.

In my case, the dealer threw them in at no cost to help close the deal but in some areas there's little competition and the cost is simply ridiculous.

 

Thanks. Well I actually have the Sport Package which you have to de-select the stripes. So it's my fault for not going with those. It will give me time to be sure and get the clear bra installed first, then stripes (after I let the new car goodness soak in). All good.

This is my first Mini and I've certainly learned a lot in the ordering/waiting process...so much so that I would do it different next time around Oh well, I'm going with the flow.

As usual, my MA has been stellar and continues to make the process fun (read...he feeds my addiction and does it humoring me)

 

For those that are not as striped obsessed as some of us (me) - we need to point out that there are two sets of stripes available. "Bonnet Stripes" are down the sides of the bonnet and included with the sport package. There are matching boot stripes available as well. "Sport Stripes" are two stripes, center of the hood with a pitch fork theme (for some reason). Also available matching for the boot, as well another two-stripe set horizontal on the sides. The Sport Bonnet/Boot/Side set is what I'm going for - hopefully, at that price, they come with the MINI KY option.

 

Plenty of better/cheaper after market options out there (or soon to come). I had the dealer installed ones (bonnet stripes) on my MCS, and they were not good quality, had sort of oxidized water marks on them after a year and looked horrible close up (they were white though, sure that makes a difference). I ordered some other stuff (A-panel graphics) from from Aesthetic Creations that were much better quality and did not get the same marks.

 

Not a huge fan of clear bra's, but it should be installed over the stripes, not under. Stripes over the clear bra are going to make the seam more noticeable (the thing I cant stand about clear bras to begin with) and you will get chips on the stripes (actually easier than the paint).

I guess the only argument for is you may wan't to remove/replace the stripes and not the clear bra, but I've never seen it done that way.

 

We were charged $599 for the driving lamps. As far as the pricing on the bonnet stripes installed it seems very reasonable to me. My only question is what type/brand of vinyl are they using?

There are all sorts of grades (i.e.; cast or calendared) thicknesses, and different manufacturers as well. In my line of work, my preference is 3M Premium High Performance 2mil vinyl. Series 225 to be specific with a synthetic liner. I would venture to say that Mini uses something equivalent to that. IMHO, there isn't anything better.

I've seen competitors use cheap vinyl which cracks and peels due to UV exposure. Especially on the hood of a vehicle which takes the brunt of solar abuse. The average consumer doesn't know what they are getting until a year or so later when the vinyl starts to crack and peel. Something to keep in mind when going with an aftermarket application.

As well as proper after market application since if the vehicle may have been waxed, the surface needs to be properly stripped of the wax otherwise the vinyl will peel from the surface in due time starting at the edges which tend to curl up.

As far as water marks on the vinyl bonnet stripes, try waxing them out with a good quality Carnuba wax when you wax your car. My favorite is Trewax, a Brazilian Carnuba yacht wax.

As always, you get what you pay for.

~Cheers

 

When did you order them (when you ordered the car, or after), who put them on VDC or dealership?

 

Yes, ordered with the CM and the VDC will install them when it arrives at the port in Jersey City