try to make up my mind on a 2006.
i dont know if i should order from Atlanta or there.
i have a really good relationship with the dealers here, but i dont know if i can get a better deal in DC area.

 

try Towson, MD. go in & talk w/WAYNE SA. b4 u talk w/mini sales, he's kool!

 

sorry that i was not able to express my point clearly.

i am more into those dealer mark-ups.
what are the mark-ups those dealers has??
i just dont like to pay mark-ups~!

 

well, will U order it or buy it of their inventory?

 

I've purchased two MINI's from Towson. They've never added any markups or had me buy any "dealer installed options" when I spec'd my cars.

 

I got both of my MINIs and my sister's (3 total) from TATE MINI and had no extra mark-ups or other bs fees. I might of gotten a few hundred $ off mine but mine was a custom build. They don't deal on the cars but more on the accessories/dealer installed goodies.

 

Neither of the three dealers marks up custom orders.

Sterling has been known to add items to the cars they order on spec. It's only an issue if you buy a car straight from dealer inventory instead of ordering it.

You also won't have a problem buying from one dealer and getting it serviced at another here, or getting a loaner from any of the dealers here even if you bought from a different dealer.

The only exception is that Sterling does sometimes run out... and Sterling uses Enterprise for loaners...

 

I purchased my MINI from MINI of Sterling in June, and the first thing they said to me when I walked in the door was that they only charged MSRP. I also have about a 3 page list of aftermarket items, I'll see if I can scan it and post it for you.

Probably the best thing for you to do since all 3 MINI dealers in the area are running about the same service/quality wise (or so it seems) is to go to the one closest to where you are going to be living. When I lived in Atlanta, it wasn't a big deal for me to drive to Alpharetta for something, or over to Duluth, etc., but here in DC I find myself hesitant to start a relationship with any merchant that isn't fairly close to where I live (maybe I'm just older!). That traffic you know and love in Atlanta? It's the same way here. Let us know the town or area you are going to be moving to, we'll be able to let you know which dealership is probably your best bet. Then you will have a longer term relationship with them when it comes to service, etc.

 

I don't understand why some here seem willing to give dealers a pass on charging additional markup in the form of compulsory add-ons for MINIs bought off a lot. Towson requires you to pay for $1200 in extras, even if the car isn't yet on their lot (or even yet on a boat). And they were unwilling to substitute extras that a buyer might actually want (as opposed to the ones that are pure profit for them, and which in my mind, actually devalue the MINI). MSRP allows for plenty of dealer profit, and I'm strongly against buying from any dealer that engages in gouging.

The folks at Sterling seem to have a better stance on this, but they haven't had an available MCS on their lot in months. By the way, the New Car Inventory included on their website is misleading - every one of them is a vehicle that was pre-ordered and is sold. Don't waste time driving there (like I did) unless you've called ahead first!

 

Since when? I got my MCS from them in March and they didn't add anything to the car that I didn't ask for, and wouldn't have added anything if I didn't want anything added to it... I've been to Towson several times since then and speak with the staff regularly... That policy hasn't changed...

 

i will be ordering my 06 MCS

i will be living in Silver Spring.
in atlanta, it is not a nice thing to pay more than $600 over the MSRP. since i dont want to drive the new MINI for 10hours back to DC, if i can find a nice dealer without any fees after the MSRP, i will better off just order it there.

 

Again Chris, when it comes to any charges over MSRP, you can be confident that none of the DC dealers will do it. Nor are any of the dealers requiring you to purchase additional accessories.

While I've heard horror stories about sales at all three area dealerships (and had some bad experiences myself at two of those dealerships), I'm comfortable in recommending you to either Towson or Sterling.

At Sterling, I'd suggest dealing with Mike Arata and at Towson Brad Bornman. They're the sales managers for their respective dealerships, both know me (Brad sold me a car) and while I can't promise any special treatment from then if you tell them I sent you... I can promise that they will make sure that your order doesn't get screwed up if you place it with them...

 

If your living in Silver Spring, it might be easier to go to Towson time-wise.

If you go to Sterling, traffic can be unbearable at rush hours around the beltway ... no where near as bad around Baltimore

 

Huh? As in what? I sure didn't and, in fact, they threw in free extra year warrenty

so what, exactly, where you FORCED to buy?

 

dealer fees

Sterling-not sure
Towson-$295
TateMini-$95

interesting.
down here in atlanta is $200-$565 includes some extras for the car.

Sterling told me that they can not order any Cooper S until November! ????
guess i am on my way to the other two now.

 

When I visited and spoke with Benn Edwards at Towson six weeks ago, he confirmed in a quick discussion with "the manager" that all cars purchased either off the lot or from incoming arrivals still weeks away (essentially, anything not special-ordered) were to get the clear-plastic "protective" wrap for the hood (I forget the brand-name), a security system, and one other minor item for $1200. I asked specifically if I could instead buy an extra set of wheels or pretty much anything else, and after trying to identify what would qualify, the end response was a flat "No - because we don't make as much profit from anything else". Benn wasn't at all rude or anything - he seemed very helpful and friendly, but they were also firm about their extra $1200. I do have a witness to this if you're questioning my story!

If they've dropped this practice, I'd consider buying from them.

BTW, yesterday, Sterling quoted me a delivery of early December if I was to place an order today. Wow - the lines aren't getting any shorter, are they?

 

I don't question your integrity. I'm sure you telling what you heard. I just find it incredible since I know there are cars just sitting in their lot, taking up space.

I would be furious at the idea of having to get the clear bra because I absolutely would not want it.

I guess ... walk away. Try Sterling

 

Well, I'd consider going back. Direct from Brad Bornman the Sales Manager at Towson as of 6:20 PM... THIS IS NOT TRUE! No add ons on any model either ordered or in stock, the only exception is the dealer demo cars (i.e. the ones sitting in the showroom with the stuff already installed).

 

Could you have misunderstood them? My understanding is that you can order from them TODAY for a MCS delivered in November/December, etc. Will probably be the same at the other dealerships, but I don't know for sure.

Before I ordered mine from them (got one of the last '05s) they were discussing how they have a limited # of allocated vehicles for each month and once they're claimed, they start selling the next months. So even if they could sell 100 MINIs in a month (assuming an allotment of 50), they couldn't get all of those produced/delivered at the same time. This is just my understanding based on my interactions/experience with them. Does anyone have better information that can correct/tweak my comments?

Also, don't forget to get your 10% off dealer accessories ordered with your new car by being a member of DCMMs. The $26 membership fee was more than paid for instantly for me!

BTW, today is my car's birth-day - it is being produced today and should be here soon. I can't WAIT! I was driving my wife's MCS all over today (she's out of town - shhhh! Think she'll notice the mileage? )

john

 

Well I certainly appreciate you contacting Brad - I'll do the same tomorrow. I'm still wondering why I was singled out for the markup (did I drool too much over that unsold Chili Red MCS they just took off the truck?), but I care more about my last hope at getting a new MCS before autumn. THANKS!!

 

I think sterling dealer charge was $395
also i was REQUIRED to get the wheel locks $99 and mats $150
Will I buy again from sterling, probably, because they are close and service is good. Loaner cars? Sterling have them? I went in for service three times and I had to drive enterprise rentals(but free).. Taurus(what a nightmare) and then neon..

 

I had a good experience from Sterling. I am not being required to buy anything from them, but the :processing fee" is $299. It is pre-printed on the forms.

None of the dealers are close. Sterling is probably the second furthest away from me, but they are all a hike. I went there b/c of recommendations of this forum as well as mini2.

jdandeneau - did your '05 just start getting produced today? My '06 started production on 8/24 of 5:51am. just curious? vbmenu_register("postmenu_632751", true);

 

Final part of production today - should've said "completion day". I think I'm one of the very last '05s. I was able to get one of their spec cars before it started production and added options to match my wants/needs (mostly wants )

I guess my sig block should also say JB/JB...

 

ah U might mean Brad Bornman is at sterling and Mike is at Towson.

i've dealt w/both of these dudes and i can tell u the same about horror stories!!!! thats why im on my way to towson to get my flywheel, clutch, throwout bearing done & not Sterling...//peace out

 

here's the fees from towson when i ordered my vehicle back in july:

"other fees are 97.00 for processing, 20.00 for tags, 4.00 tire tax and
171.00 for title and lien fee."

i believe i paid a few extra bucks for a bay plate.

everything else was pure MSRP. i had them add the proform
after the initial order in time for my pickup.