Shamus,
I ordered a HC/HC clubman with Premium and Convenience packages, beige leather int, and the first set of rims on the build site. I thought they were so different, why not. I saw a really cool black with white stripes Mini Cooper in the neighborhood today. The wait is killing me. No order number as of yet from MA. Anyone want to lend me their car for a day or two just so i can get my fix? Also, anyone know where to get "real" mini grill badges? And yes Shamus, we will do a little get together. Maybe we can get something going on up here in G'burg at the Star Diner.
Evan

 

Unlike most other vehicles is it true that for minis the 09s won't come out until, well, 09?

 

I'm picking up my '09 JCW tomorrow. Not sure if the MC/MCS '09's will be released early.

 

Hey TomBT,

Check out the "coupe talk 2007+" forum. Some people already have 09 MC's and many local dealers are taking orders for 09's to be delivered in Oct. 09.

Dell

 

I went to look at MINI's (the car is for my wife) about a month ago at MoS and I thought they were rude and arrogant....plenty of salesman sitting around but all they wanted to do was talk on the phone or look at paperwork, not a single person approached us.

I had emailed a particular salesman prior to this a couple of times for test drives but had to cancel, but I canceled early (a day's notice) so as not to waste his time.

He was busy when we came in so I gave my cell # to the receptionist, and went outside to look around.

10 minutes later, she walks out, right past the salesman doesn't say a word and drives off to lunch!

When I finally talked to the guy he seemed pretty ambivalent, like he could care less if he sold me a car or not. I told him I more or less wanted to order a car, not buy off the lot (they had none for sale really anyway) but he didn't seem to have a clue about 2009's other than they were starting to take orders for them.

I've read less than wonderful things about MoS on miata.net (lots of MINI owners over there), was my experience atypical or not?

I'll drive another 50 miles to give the right people my $$$$, but MoS is a lot more convenient.

We'll be driving the car not much at all, so the dealer service is not a major plus for me, we're talking 4,000 miles a year or so the car will not be a daily driver at all.

Analogeezer

 

Funny name you have Analogeezer,
same one my wife uses to describe my father. ha ha. I feel your pain at MOS. Not that I went there but had considered it as it's maybe a little closer for me from Gaithersburg than to Annapolis. But Annapolis used to be a second home to me. I had called there several times and took one trip down for a test drive. Decided then on a whim to go on wednesday, called the MA that I dealt with on the phone and for the test drive. These guys are so good (so far) that the MA called and set up for me to meet with another guy as it was his day off. Then that MA was at the Dr. so another MA started, the second one returned and finished the deal and am assuming as was said the my original MA gets the credit. So that is team work! And courtesy, honesty, etc in my book. And from experience as I am in the wholesale business of perishible goods with commissions I know some things to look for. I have not heard all that much good about MOS. So your trips to Annapolis will hopefully be infrequent and when you do go, make a day of it to visit or cruise over the bridge to the outlets.
Let me know where you go..
Little Bean (evan)

 

Come to Mini of Annapolis! We've got a great sales team and the guys are really laid back and helpful. Call in advance though cause these cars are leaving our lots as fast as they come in!

 

I'd be ordering and we finally got a chance to actually drive and experience a base R56 by checking out a used (2007 with 4,000 miles) one. I just need to get by a dealer that deserves my business and order the thing.

Kinda funny to read all these posts from buyers that stress over the waiting period, I typically take 4 - 6 months to buy a car (between thinking about it, checking cars out at dealers, and then the actual shopping) so waiting two or so months to buy one exactly the way I want it is no big deal to me.

It's actually for my wife, and she's driving a 17 year old car with 180k on it, so it's not like she hasn't waited either

I've gotten quite a few recommendations for MoA on miata.net as well and while it's 82 miles from my house I'd rather give my business to a place that has a bit of enthusiasm to take my money.

Analogeezer

 

I'll be ordering my Cooper from MoA thanks to such a positive experience there compared to the "don't care" attitude I saw multiple times at Towson. I can walk to MoT but I'll drive the extra distance for good service.

 

SidSwift, ask for William Barfield. Tell him "Rich with the mismatched Clubman armrests" sent you. I'm sure that will be worth a complimentary accessories catalog or two!

 

Good for you ! The sales team is great .. and service is improving as well ( last experience was this Monday when I finally got the Voice System activated on the Clubman) . I had a few problems in the past but I always went to MoA and had a good relationship with the different SAs and two of the techs (Harry and Samson- my favorite) ... one of the past SAs is coming back... I hope this time they stick around, of course the SA is not the one working on the car but it's nice when they know you and he gives you updates. Of course, at MoA everyone knows my name

- btw if the Sales Mgr. Rick gives you hard time or tries to put extra charges the frase is " Don't let me call Marina" -

Now that La Scuderia MINI is down to three there is a strong possibility that a new small, but big, car is replacing the '05 MCC... which means we will hang around MoA a little longer....

Happy Motoring !!!

 

It's great to see so many positive comments about MoA. I went to all three dealerships and MoS has the longest waiting list, and I had problems with MoT a couple of years back, so my choice was between MoA or going out of state. I guess MoA will do, unless the other guys can get me an 09....

 

Any suggestions would be helpful!!

My dumb a** went ahead and ordered a MC 09 from MoS, just closer and thought all the dealers would be about the same. Here is what's happened. Ordered, paid my $1000 now I want to make a few changes and cant get a return phone call or email. MA said he would email monday last week he didnt, then I emailed him and he did answer then. Still didnt know anything and said he would email tues. and he didnt. I have sent 2 emails and called and left a voice message since then and it is fri and still havent heard. Honetly, I dont require a lot of attention, I just would like to make the changes and make sure I have everything set before the 09 order gets placed. I have asked twice to please let me know if MoS is getting ready to send the order to production or do I have some time, but I cant get an answer. Considering cancelling my order and going to MoA, but will I have the same issue there once I pay my deposit? I am not the confrontational type, but getting frustrated. Or do you guys/girls think I am being a little needy and should simmer down?

Thanks,

 

Chalk up another vote for MoA. I live in Hagerstown, MD so I went to MoS and although they didn't ignore me I didn't get a warm fuzzy either. Also, they told me October would be the earliest I could get my Mini.

I ordered my Clubman S over the phone after talking with Brian, my MA at MoA. Everything went like clockwork. Ordered on June 16th, Mini arrived at the VDC on July 24th. Now I'm just waiting for it to get to the Dealership.

I visited MoA a few weeks ago as I had to get my Mini "fix". Although Brian had already made the sale he spent a lot of time with the wife and I and was very helpful.

I'll keep you updated but so far MoA has been great.

 

Cally,
Sorry to hear about the problems. We should take your thread and another one I saw bad mouthing (rightfully so) the MOS and send it to MiniUSA. Did you order it this past monday the 21st or the week before? I would not call you overly needy because based on other people's responses I get a feeling that it is just a crappy dealership. Call them and speak to the manager, cancel the order and call William at MOA tell him Evan Katzman sent you. He was the one I spoke with one day, Decided then on a whim to go on wednesday, called the MA that I dealt with on the phone and for the test drive. These guys are so good (so far) that the MA called and set up for me to meet with another guy as it was his day off. Then that MA was at the Dr. so another MA started, the second one returned and finished the deal and am assuming as was said the my original MA gets the credit. So that is team work! And courtesy, honesty, etc in my book. And from experience as I am in the wholesale business of perishible goods with commissions I know some things to look for. Anyway, the only bad thing is that he called me yesterday late to tell me that the new orders were going to be 09's and the packages had changed so he wanted me to review it and make changes. I did so thursday night, he called to confirm on friday morning and emailed me later today! So run from MOS and call William Barfield at MOA!

 

for William Barfield at MINI of Annapolis.

 

Hey guys, I know I may be swimming against the tide on this one, but I had a pretty good experience at MoS recently. I initially was concerned about waitng three or more months for my Clubman S after I put down my deposit at MoS. Talked to MoT and they had a slot for the end of July. Called MoS and explained that I wanted to pull my deposit. They were very understanding and were very cooperative. However, within a few hours I got a call back from my MA at MoS and was informed that someone had pulled their order and they offered me the available slot for July delivery. Well here I am now with my Clubman S delivered on Wednesday just as ordered and with very little time spent at the dealer for paperwork. They even programed my keys to my preferred settings which I submitted several days before pick up. All in all a very pleasant experience.
Perhaps I hit them on a good day, but I found the staff to be pleasant and accommodating. I only hope the SA's are just as good otherwise we are fortunate enough in the DC area to have choices at both the selling and servicing end.
Either way you decide, good luck and from my first few days I can honestly say you will enjoy the car! Im still working on the first tank of gas, but hope to do some serious driving this weekend.
Happy motoring!

 

Shamus, you can't ask for a better experience than that!
Congrats on the new Clubbie. I love mine and I'm sure your gonna love yours!

 

My main issue is with the unresponsiveness since I placed my order. When I was at MoS they were curtious and professional, it was a great buying experience. Now I dont know what to do? Should I pull my deposit? Do I ask to speak to a manager first? Where do I go from here? By the way no reply to my voicemail yesterday or my last 3 e-mails. I would like to give my MA the benefit of the doubt, but I also dont want to be a sucker.

Thanks,

Dell

 

I would argue for patience. My guess is that he is unable - for whatever reason - to place the 09 orders yet. I'm in a similar boat having ordered a basic cooper from MOS back in May. Just as it was being delivered I backed out of the deal and asked if I could re-order a Cooper S instead. No problem. But now I have to wait for the 09s. They cashed my deposit (I put down 3k) and I assume they'll be contacting me when it's time to officially place the new order. Yep, the waiting sucks. I suspect the cars have become so popular that demand far exceeds supply. Consequently, the dealers hands are tied and there's not a darn thing they can do about it but listen to unhappy customers.

 

I dunno I went to MoS and thought they were total tools, nobody wanted to help me and when I gave the receptionist my cell number and told her to let the salesman (who was busy with a customer) I had emailed before to call me, she got up 10 minutes later, walked right past the salesman, didn't say a word and went to lunch!

Anyway they've got the guys deposit and are now not returning his calls or emails? I can understand a car not being available but taking your money and ignoring you is just inexcusable IMO.

Analogeezer

 

As I've said before, the solution is for Mini to increase production which will likely involve building another plant. I would argue for a plant in the states as long as Mini retains total control of quality. This would reduce shipping time and cut cost for the consumer. Hordes of people are shifting to smaller cars now that gas is approaching European pricing. Consequently, Americans are finally buying smaller, more efficient vehicles. I can think of no other small car that gets good gas mileage and is as fun to drive as the mini. Sure the Miata is a fun car - and good looking to - but it's not a gas miser. Other small cars are ugly and most everything Detroit makes is butt ugly. Hence, the increasing popularity of the Mini. It's smart looking, fun to drive and gets pretty darn good mileage. I will venture to bet that Mini will sell out of it's 09's in record time leaving Mini executives shaking their heads in disbelief. They are as unprepared for what is hitting them as Detroit.

 

I agree with Cally,
Their lack of responiveness is a big issue. My MA called thursday to tell me they have their 09 allotments and some packages changed. He also emailed me. etc etc. My production number does not work in the owners lounge but that is minor for now. Yes, the MA's are limited as the dealerships are to in knowing their allotments and dates etc. I am in the wholesale perishable goods business and customer attention, communication, and listening to the customer is as important as the quality of the product I sell. So as I see it, from several emails followed up by phone calls, Cally should have at least gotten a reponse as simple as I got the mssg but do not have new info for you at this time. blah blah blah. Seems like Analogeezer got the same treatment, where as many of us have had the opposite service at MOA.

 

.

 

So just an update,

My MA sent me 2 emails this morning and said he had been on a short vacation. He confirmed that he received my changes that I have requested so I am relativily happy. At least my information has been taken and my changes will be made...that is really the important part to me.

Dell