Seems like many dealers are adding markups....glad I got mine under MSRP

 

If I owned a MINI franchise I'd do the same thing. It's all business.

 

I probably would too, but it still sucks.

 

This is all very good news for resale values though as people who paid over the odds for their car will be less willing to let it go for anything less than top market value, which brings the value of all our cars up including those of us who paid MSRP or less. I'm not going to cry for people having to pay mark ups because they missed the boat, we all took a leap of faith ordering so early and why shouldn't we be rewarded for doing so?

 

Me dealer explained to me that if I have the JCW Aero Kit installed at the port, it would be cheaper for me. They pay those people less per hour than the dealer mechanics are paid. Like $1000 cheaper for me. I paid $2500 installed at the port versus $3500 if I did it later or at the dealer.

Because it is not done at the factory, it will not be on the MSRP window sticker, but on a dealer add sticker.

 

Quick comment. The JCW launch package is $3700 painted and installed. Won't appear on the main window sticker but will be added to the dealer side sticker. So if you see the msrp listed at $33K (something) don't be stressed when you leave there $36245.00 lighter in the wallet. It is a fantastic bargain and something neat to have as launch packages are VERY limited!

 

What all is included in the launch package besides the aero kit? The JCW aero alone is $2550 VPC installed or about $2800 dealer installed. So what does one get for the extra $1000 other than exclusivity?

 

How much are you saving by buying this package? To me it seems like a made up thing the dealers make up not sanctioned by the factory to sell you more crap. If its not on the window sticker then its a dealer add on or am I missing something here? I wasn't aware of this package when I bought my MINI.

Did my MINI go up in value ?! HAHAHAHA. People have to shop around. I hope they know they can order from any dealer and have it shipped to their dealer of choice for a fee. I'll bet this fee is nothing like the markups. That would be my strategy if I were to buy one today.

 

Well thanks for asking. First off all the cars to begin with are the same. Chili Red / Black Roof, bonnet stripes, premium pack, interior chrome, i-pod connection, MFSW, etc.

Launch Pack:

JCW Side Scuttles
JCW Steering Wheel Alcantara
JCW Body Kit Painted and Installed
JCW Strut Brace Installed
JCW Dash Plaque

I may have missed something, but I think that is it.

 

Nah the dealers didn't even know they were getting them. Most dealers got one and nailed them to the showroom floor to sell later in the year. Others said "SWEET open car! Lets sell it!". I was lucky to get the latter approach at my dealer (Thanks JaridP )

YOU can't order this package. It is a factory sponsored thing. The dealer CAN'T order it. They just get one.

Hope that helps!

 

Adam,

Any chance of a picture of the Strut Brace. Is it like the one on the Challenge racer or the regular weedy one with incomplete strut top plates?.

 

What do you mean you can't order it? What's in there you cannot get on a JCW otherwise? Everything you listed I saw as a factory or dealer option when I ordered mine, except for the dash plaque.

Personally, I don't want the premium package anyway. If they are going to do a special launch edition of their premier performance car, I think it should not have a moonroof. My $0.02

 

I understand now, this package is on the Dealership JCWs. I thought it was a package a dealer was slapping on to regular JCWs. That IS pretty cool. I don't think its worth +3k to me but it should be a more?! rare JCW if these things ever become a collectable. What does the plaque say, can you get a picture?

 

I think he's referring to the little checkered plaque that comes on ALL the JCW passenger side dash pieces.

 

There seems to be a lot of variation on the JCW aero kit pricing. I paid $2,750 for a dealer installed JCW prepainted Dark Silver aero kit. My MA showed me the parts info and that price includes 5 hours of labor to install it.

If dealer installed, you can also get the standard factory parts back. I did have to ask or they would have kept them and I just stored them away for a rainy day. Or maybe a snowy day - I may need to swap the standard bumper/fascia back for the winter months here in Boston. I had the dealer install Eibach springs and she's pretty low in the front. I imagine I could get pretty good at it if I did it every year...



I just noticed that they forgot to install my JCW logo on the front! I actually like it without the badge but I'll have to get it back from them so that I can put it on my lawn mower or something.

 

That's what I was thinking. If so, it seems to me you CAN build a JCW that's exactly like a "launch" edition. I'm not seeing what isn't available otherwise.

I don't feel like I have to have the signature or launch car anyway. I even changed my order from a black roof to white.

 

The Marketing/Design team really went all out on that dash plaque didn't they When I first saw it I though it was something the PDI team missed removing HAHAHA.

The door sills are the only place inside (half inside) that has the JCW words on it?! Am i correct? They should have made the challenge stripes mandatory on our cars. I think they could have snuck in 10 dollar (cost to them, i'm guessing) stripes.

 

Yep, although they messed up on mine and installed the old door sills with old logo. In discussions with my MA at the moment to get it resolved.

 

That's beautiful. This was my "other" color. I'm having color remorse . I don't think the aero kit comes with the badge. At least the kit i purchased didn't have the badge nor did the instructions have instructions on mounting it and it's not listed in the parts list. They'll need to remove it from your old grille and install it on your sweet DarkSilver

 

Do the logo door sills come on all Factory JCWs?

 

They do, but if you're having the VDC or dealer install the JCW kit, they have to unclip and unstick the logo sills from the factory installed side sections and move them. Also, the dealer told me today that the front logo doesn't fit into the JCW grill work and they have to break off the mounting tabs and glue it on if you want it.

 

Will these markups change our quotes on ordered cars?

 

How early did you tell them you wanted the factory parts? I would like to get the original parts to mine when it comes in.

 

I don't know about your case but I've already got my deal in writing, so it shouldn't change anything.

 

I just came back from driving the JCW demo my dealer got. It also has door sills with the old-style logo. Hmmm...the website clearly shows the new style logo, which I like much better. This one has a moonroof...I am damn glad I didn't order one. That would be too hot. At least on BMWs you have a sun shade you can close to block out the glass (but I do not have one on the M3).

The car clearly has torque steer. It pulled to the left in a straight line (I'd rather it pulled to the right it it's going to). The exhaust note rocks! They might as well make windows an option...I'm not sure I'm ever going to roll mine up (note to self: get a parka for winter). I definitely felt a difference in power.

The checkered flag badge on the Piano Black dash trims is kinda cool. I'm getting the checkered mats so that will be a nice touch. I ordered a white roof and the rooster red leather/cloth interior. I think it's going to look very cool, based on what I saw. On other thing: I didn't like the feel of the shift ****. I may get the JCW CF one -- I don't care for the look of it, but it feels better.

I ordered my car based on test driving a demo MCS with stage 1 JCW. What I drove today is better.

I did not see anything on the car you can't order.

The sales mgr said that for the foreseeable future he's only getting one allocation per month each for a JCW hardtop and clubman. Looks like I'm getting the third one delivered in St. Louis. Woot!