It seems as though they (MINI of Towson) are no longer offering a discount at the part counter for DCMM club members. I was there earlier today picking up something and I asked about the discount. Long story short they aren't accepting DCMM membership as a valid car club membership to get the discount. However, if you were a member of the BMWCCA they would take that.

 

And their discount to BMW CCA members is only 10% unless the person at the counter happens to know you and adjusts the discount to 20%. Things are certainly changing up there. Makes me very concerned to buy another MINI.

 

This is very serious and I would ask that the DCMM Board contact both the dealer and CmdrVimes to get all the details and then work with the dealer if necessary to get the discount reinstated.

I'd hope that since the MiniUSA position is to encourage club relationships that this is just a case matter of confusion and NOT a change in policy.

 

Couple this with their very strict policy against any aftermarket modifications now... and things don't look so great at MoT.

One theory I had - since Chuck Joffe (and many of his team members) have left to go to MINI of Sterling, the people who have taken their place are paranoid and wanting to only do things by the book.

It definitely deserves some inquiry though. Even if they are going to be strict on aftermarket things, that should have no effect on the DCMM discount.

 

Really? What's the word? Do they still have an arrangement with MiniMania?

Now for example, they tried to sell me the MiniMania Stage whatever kit instead of JCW. If they are no longer mod friendly, are the hanging out their old customers to dry.

Almost everytime I went in there they would try to get me to get a lightweight flywheel. Hmm ... What's the word?

 

I've never heard of MoT being mod unfriendly. They didn't have any issue doing some warranty work to my car with some of the mods. They didn't even mention anything about them. Back when I bought my car there (2 years ago) they even mentioned their dealing in MINI Mania stuff and even mentioned that they would warrant any work they did with the MM parts. I believe they even covered that at one of the tech nights in front of people who don't frequent the boards.

It's unfortunate to see the discount go, but at least I got to use with my wheels a couple months ago. The sad thing about it is they aren't even selling stuff below MSRP, they're selling right at MSRP. So it doesn't even really make too much sense for me to go there and get anything. Only reason I did today was because I needed it for something next week (yes, I'm being specifically vague for a reason. no, I'm not doing anything to my car).

 

This is all conjecture until we get more confirmation.

I don't remember who it was (honestly... I forget) but I was recently talking to someone who told me that MoT was very strict now about aftermarket stuff.

Now, it's a rumor, it might be wrong, and I fully admit that. However, I wasn't talking about 2 years ago, I was talking about recently... it sounded like it coincided with Chuck's departure.

 

I called last week concerning getting a 15% pulley installed and the service advisor told me they DO NOT DO MODS and if I did I would void my warranty concerning the engine becasue of the pulley. I was also told at DCMM's last meeting there, that the 10% discount was no longer available to members. I was not and have not been impressed with Towson Mini thus far.

 

wonder whats going on with MoT..
I just got my flywheel replaced there and they changed my clutch too cause it looked worn... and I am kind of far from stock..

 

Interesting because I wonder what happens to all the people who THEY added the aftermarket parts for. Sell you the stuff today ... no warranty tomorrow? If I had bought the minimania packages I would be furious.

MOT never did pulley installs that I know of. The SA, I forget his name but now gone said basically, bring whatever part you want in and I will install it EXCEPT for pulleys.

Maybe new management, new policies ... too bad.

 

I can confirm that they sale everything at MSRP.
I even mentioned to them that the other dealers sale the parts at much lower price. They don't care.
As of the modification, they don't want to do that as well. Oh well.

But it seems ok if I bring OEM parts that are bought some where else and have them installed.

 

MoT installed my MiniMania pulley - back in Feb of 05. I specifically went with the MM brand pulley because they said it would be covered under warranty if anything went wrong.

 

My parents bought me a new rear bumper for xmas from MoT. I gave them my DCMM badge before they went out shopping so that if they did get anything from MINI it would be at a discount. MoT had no problem giving the discount for the floor mats, but after a little discussion they agreed to give the discount on the bumper as well.

 

All - Let's not assume the discount is gone. Let's assume that we need to contact MINI of Towson and find out what is going on. Which I will do once the New Year's Holiday is over. The discount has been in place for two years. I am not sure why it would suddenly disappear without notice to us. But I will find out.

I can't comment on whether or not they allow modifications, because I have not experience with that at all.

 

While it's nice that dealers give discounts, they are not required.
BMW dealer discounts range from 10% to 20% off of MSRP to marketed up prices. I did a survey a few years ago where a oil filter was twice the price from the most expensive to the cheapest.

 

Yes, the do the MiniMania stages ... sorry, but they had an arrangement with MiniMania, I meant pulleys, in general ... not their packaged specials.

 

Hmm.. I did ask their SA 3 weeks ago if they would do any aftermarket product modification, He said MoT did not do it anymore.

 

I know this is sort of off topic, but does Mini of Sterling offer discounts for DCMM members and also installation for aftermarket parts? I don't want to do anything to my car if it voids any warranties.

 

Well it might not be recent but they did for me ... even ordered the aftermarket parts AND installed them.

 

i remember when i was first looking for MINI's, my MA told they offered a dealer installed package that had a pulley install and some other mods that they would cover under warranty. He had told me that as another option instead of getting a works car. And that was in april of 06. But i never really asked what was involved or too much of the details of it. Since i did go with the works car.

 

I am seriously considering contacting Tony Roles if he is still at MoT. He made _a lot_ of promises to me when I bought my car in July and MoT has dropped the ball a few times since then.

On a similar note: I never received a new owner package from miniusa. I don't even know what one looks like.

 

whats supposedly in a new owner package? i haven't gotten one yet either

 

What will that achieve? He's just a salesman and probably has no influence of corporate decisions. Were the promises in "writing"? If not, dont hold your breath. Tony is a nice guy buy not the owner.

If you haven't received a welcome package, just call or email MINIUSA ... you will get one

 

Yep, calling them works, but they take a LONG time to process the request and mail it to you. I called them for the same reason... I ended up calling them 4 or 5 times when mine didn't show up... many months later (5 or 6), I received 4 or 5 welcome packages! (not on the same day, but within a week or two of each other)

 

I was told by MoT some time ago that they were going strictly with JCW. I didn't ask about how this affects previous Mini Mania customers.