So I've been checking the forum for a while and was thinking about getting a used Mini. But then I just couldn't resist the smell of a brand new car so the other day I checked Edmunds and found out there are 200+ Mini within 50 miles radius of where I live. Well, that's great but I am under the impression that you guy don't buy stuff off the lot, do you? You customize and then go to dealership to place an order (at least that's what I read from many buyers here). I guess I have a few questions if you don't mind me asking:

1. Wouldn't you have less bargaining power if you customize and place order through dealership? They could very well charge MSRP price since it's your very own customized Mini.

2. What about the options? On the website, it seems pretty rigid and has a price tag next to it. But apparently, you can ask dealer to "throw it in" if you know how to ask?

3. I would think dealers want to off load on their inventory so they will give you better pricing if you choose to shop from what they already have. Am I assuming correctly?

Sorry, haven't shop for car in 17 years.

 

1. Yes
2. You can always ask.
3. Yes

 

Your general assumptions are good, however, you must ask and even pressure them for price breaks even if ordering a custom car. If there are other Mini dealerships within reasonable distances you should price shop and play one dealer against another if it works in your favor. I custom ordered and because of some snafus, got a free clear coat mask and a $600 discount. Sure, they are motivated to move the cars off their lots first, but MSRP is not engraved in stone. I think first you should price bargain and then ask for throw-ins. The thing is, every dealership is different and has varying financial pressures and latitudes. Maybe dealers that move more cars can offer better discounts. In the end I got some things I asked for and not others, but I didn't pay MSRP.

That said, it's best to keep the transaction cordial and expect you won't get everything you ask for but let them know you are expecting SOMETHING. I take the position only suckers pay full MSRP and get no throw-ins, and let them know it. They are used to negotiating - you won't hurt their feelings.

Oh yeah, I should add that the first thing that should be off the table is any dealer prep fees. That's just insult to injury.

 

When you go about looking at all the options, you may be hard pressed to find a car that ticks all the boxes.

 

I bought both my 2007 MCS and my current 2014 JCW Coupe from dealer inventory. One reason is that despite the cool configurator I find that actually seeing the car color and interior options is way more accurate than the computer screen. Actually sitting in the seats, driving the car. I know most all the options I want so I don't need to custom order. There are some options I can take or leave (automatic climate control and headlights for instance), some I had to have (HK stereo, Recaro seats, AT). As for negotiating I don't know if it makes a difference. I paid MRSP for the 2007 and got about $2500 off the current car, but half of that were dealer installed junk like tinted windows and a short antenna. You're probably not going to get much of a discount on a Mini. If you want a huge discount look at a Ford 150 truck!

 

I bought 10+ new cars in last 30+ years and never "ordered" one.

I just went to few dealers and picked one that best suits my "wants".
If the car that I picked is lacking an option or two that I wanted, then I added later (if possible).

 

Go to MINIUSA.com and build your own. Once you have everything on it you want then submit the order and identify the dealership you want it shipped to. You'll be assigned a Motoring Advisor at the dealership who will keep you apprised of it's build progress. No, it does not currently exist. Yes they will build your car based on your specifications. You'll even be informed as to the name of the ship it is traveling on.

 

Don't expect to get any kind of deal on an F56. I've bought a lot of MINIs and I've never managed to get any kind of deal. They give you a price, and you choose to pay it or not. No amount of "bargaining" has ever helped me get anything off the price despite my best efforts. It's just the way they do business.

If you were buying anything but an F56 you might have some room to bargain, but with a brand new model it will be a difficult battle.

Ordering a MINI specifically to your liking has always been one of the best parts of owning a MINI to me.

 

I bought the car off the lot because it had everything I wanted. But it also had a few things I didn't want. Probably would have saved a grand cutting out some of the extras, such as the sunroof.

 

We paid right around msrp for ours and ordered both. It does look like there are some finance deals and money off the F56 at this time though.

I do think it was worth possibly paying a little more to order the cars exactly how we wanted them though.

 

My dealer knocked $300 off the price for mine, to bring it to an exact rounded dollar amount, but that's about all I got for mine. Wasn't gonna push for more though, mine was a custom order that arrived over a week earlier than predicted.

 

I emailed internet sales rep, and asked how much discount they can offer as a Costco member. They gave me $250 off.
I also took off the dealer prep fee of $395 and signed the initial paperwork.
After my order was placed, I found out about driversed.com $500 discount, so I took that course and got another $500 off.
All done through email, I ended up paying $750 less than $24050 MSRP.

If you are custom ordering, I recommend you read the thread something like "what would you add if you could redo it again".

 

Definitely worth doing both. My friend and I went in to check out options for an F56, and the advisor told her he'd take off $500 for Motor Tober. Plus the Costco discount. So you can save SOMETHING.

 

2015 F56 credits if you finance through MINI Financial Services:

$500 on MINI Cooper Hardtop models.
$1000 on MINI Cooper S Hardtop models.

"Credits may be combined with other offers unless otherwise stated. Qualified rate lock applicants must take delivery by 01/02/15."

http://www.miniusa.com/content/miniu...fers/95667////

 

I paid 2k down for a F56 off the lot with average credit through mini select financing. I know it doesn't answer your question, but check the dealers near you and see what fits what your looking for. I feel like the dealer will be more likely to make a deal on a car that is on the lot vs a custom ordered car. (Am I wrong forum?) If you are already looking into new cars, take a look at few dealerships first and see if you can find a car that fits what you're looking for.

 

I just ordered a new 2015 and the dealership originally offered me $1,000 off MSRP. I countered with the $1,000 off as long as they "Threw in" the rear spoiler and the "Base" roof rack + I keep all incentives. They agreed! The car will be in sometime next month....

 

Your dealer can find already built cars being shipped to other dealers to be sold (not ordered), and if you like that car's options the dealer can hijack the car and divert it to their inventory as if you ordered it. You just have to put down a deposit. I tried to do that on an F56 from the Tempe dealer. Unfortunately by the time I arrived to put down the money it had already been hijacked by someone else.

 

Well ****, I wish that existed when I got mine haha.

 

I just got an email from Mini offering $500 off a purchase / lease of the F56. Expires December 1st. It's always good to sign up for mini emails for the latest offers.