Ok so I've scoured the dealers for the car I'm looking for:

MCSa Lightning Blue
-Prem Pkg
-CW Pkg
-DSC
-Vinyl or Blue trim seats
-Blue Color Line
-HiFi

And I've found one at MoT which has this plus some more dealer installed options that I don't want. Spec'd out on the web my car was $26.6 and at MoT this car was $28k+ since they had the driving lights ($895) and a few other goodies. Also didn't have the wheels we liked. Evan was very nice up there.
They weren't budging from the sticker on the in-stock car, so I should probably just order it up the way I want, right?
Is there any advantage to ordering from one dealer or another? I live closer to Tate, so I would probably just order it from there...Scott seemed very knowledgable.
I know Mini of the Hamptons is a sponsor, do they give anything off MSRP for orders to make it worth while for driving up there to pick up the car?

 

There's a Country & Western Package??? I would read about Tate on here before you order from them. I certainly wouldn't pay for items you don't want, so I'd order. I believe Hampton is MSRP, but don't know for sure.

 

One way to know if the dealers are MSRP is to call around. I know Morristown, for example is 20% off on parts...but I don't know about cars...But call around, you never know!
Tate is good for sales, we got Cecilia there, but DON'T go there for service! Read some previous threads about TATE service!!
Sterling is VERY busy, but good for service if you live around there, and they have night techs, so the cars are worked on longer daily.
Towson is a little hike for those of us who live round this beltway, but that is where we take both Cecilia and Soulfire for service.

I hope you can find what you are looking for! Plus, if you buy at an out of town dealer, what a GREAT excuse for the nice road trip back home!

 

I've heard good thing about Towson--however their web site seem to show that their service department close on the weekend. Is this a fact? I'm just real surprised they'd close on Saturday, since that's probably the only day I can take the car up for service (other than "urgent" service).

Can someone confirm or disconfirm Towson doesn't service cars on Saturdays?

 

I have been at Towson on Saturdays and while it appears their service department is open I believe it is only the BMW side, not MINI.

 

I've been very pleased so far with ordering my r56 from Tate (Scott is my MA too, and yes, very knowledgeable, and not just mini's either). I should be able to let you know how the purchase negotiations go if my car comes in tomorrow like it should.

 

If you want the car you saw at Tate:

Try going to Tate on the next to the last day of the month. Tell them the price is still to high and leave your number if they change their mind. July is a slow month for sales - so making quota is a strong incentive to making a deal. Knowing that they have one more sale they can make might result in a last minute call on the last day of the month and possibly a reduction in price. If they just can't reduce the price - go for add ons and dealer installed accessories.

MINI of the Hamptons sells for MSRP - there isn't a NAM discount