So, I'm in the market for an 07 Mini S with lots of goodies and doing some shopping around the greater S. F. Bay Area.
I read here on NAM that Niello in Sacramento was pretty good. Here is the email I just got from a sales person:
"Hi,
If you want to order a Cooper S, delivery would be in twelve weeks. You can see our inventory on the web site listed below this note. Our price is $1495 over MSRP. We require a $500 deposit and run a creit (credit) report if you choose to order. Thanks for the inquiry, xxxx."
Umm. Don't think so, thanks.
Any input or ideas? As I say, I'm in the Bay Area. Have financing, will travel.
Thanks,
olcorral.

 

Just call around. You'll be able to get it for less than MSRP with a bonus fly/drive vacation thrown in.

Think of it as "dialing for dollars"...

 

I believe it is Classic MINI that has a good reputation for out of state consumers. They have a forum here on NAM.

I'd reply to the sales person who sent an email like that. Telling him thanks for making you look elsewhere. If you're going to have to pay markup you may as well have one shipped at MSRP and still have money left over for an option or two.

 

I ordered my '07 at Niello Sacramento and paid MSRP. I think they only charge the markup if you want to buy a car off their lot.

 

If you order from Sandia Mini in Albuquerque, there's no mark-up. Plus you get to drive through Las Vegas, Route 395, Tioga Pass, etc. on your way home-- a very scenic break-in.

 

They charge mark up for an in-stock car?,. that doesn't sound like a good business practice to me. I would looke elsewhere too-just on principle, let the MA know that you are going to pay an upcharge and give them a chance to make it right-if not go somewhere else. You are lucky in that you have many options in dealers near by, if you're looking for a cross country break in MINI of Charleston and MINI of Charlotte both have a nice selection in stock. I just bought from MINI of Charleston (SC)-very good experience!

 

MINI of Mountian View seems to be selling at MSRP now. People have said good things about MINI of Concord, and East Bay MINI. I haven't heard any thing positive about MINI of San Francisco. Actually, haven't heard much at all about them.

 

I ordered mine from Concord at MSRP. All they ask is for a $500 refundable deposit no credit report required.

 

when do you think will be the last chance to get an order in for the 07 model year? i think the concensus is that they will start production of the 08's in august... so im thinking the time window for ordering an 07 is closing quite fast.. any ideas? thanks

 

You've mentioned R56 MINI's selling for less than MSRP before...

So I'll ask you again: can you link to one dealer, or point out one customer report here on NAM who purchased a new 2007, non-demo R56 MINI for less than MSRP (let alone let you order and custom spec your own)?

Now you're sure somone will throw in a free trip, too!?!

Since May is now officially the second highest sales month EVER RECORDED (4130 cars next to April 2005's 4310), I don't think your going to be seeing the bottom dropping out of the market just yet. http://www.gbmini.net/wp/mini_sales/. Find a dealer charging MSRP and go for it.

Ahhhh... I see. Well never mind then.

 

No, the trip will be on your own dime. But, it's my opinion that if you're willing to make a few phone calls and have reasonable negotiating skills, you can save enough off of MSRP to more than pay for a fly/drive trip to pick it up.

And I contend you can do this on an ordered car too, given the current market conditions.

 

Last year orders for the 06's were accepted well into October I believe...so the rush isn't quite on yet.

 

olcorral, definitely go to East Bay. There IS a wait (usually around 2 months) if you order, but they do have stuff on the lot (I just drove by the other day) and either way they don't charge above MSRP.

I've also heard recently that MINI of Mountain View has dropped their mark-up...you might call to find out if that's true.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...highlight=msrp
post 62 mufflethis got his R56 250 under MSRP
post 63 Babul03 got his R56 600 under MSRP
post 48 phishybrewer got his R56 MC 300 under MSRP

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...highlight=msrp
post 54 YO-MINI got his 500 under MSRP for a special order
post 48 Birdman got his R56 5% under MSRP (lots of follow up posts)
post 60 undertow got his 250 under MSRP for a special order

 

Ordered mine from East Bay for MSRP, it's now at the VDC and I should have it (hopefully) by next weekend, just under 9 weeks after placing the order.

 

Same here.
Well, technically speaking, I didn't get a penny off MSRP but the extra freebies more than made up for it. As others have posted, shopping around can definitely bring those rates down.

 

cool, hopefully thats the case this year as well...

 

Yes, but with what accessories installed through the VDC or dealer?

Exactly. I'm aware dealers will negotiate around accessories and installation fees, but ordered from the factory with nothing added, MSRP is the price. If you post your "total sale price" was $250-600 off MSRP (as all you've cited have indicated), that's the equivalent of someone posting that the dealer threw in free mats and installed the iPod adaptor and driving lights "free". It doesn't actually mean you got a dime off MSRP on the spec'd car.

It's been that way for years and is nothing new to the R56. So again, nothing to suggest anything has changed in the marketplace with the introduction of the new car.

 

Personally, I dislike Neillo Mini.
When I had service work done there they where reluctant to even do all my requests and I had to wait weeks and weeks for them to finish. My dad, ex Neillo Porsche mechanic ended up talking to Rick Neillo about all the crap that we had gone thru and THEN we finally got service.

 

Oh come on.
I really don't know what you're trying to prove. You had a specific challenge and I more than met that challenge.
Next-do you want to find someone that got it for invoice? Got the car for free??? Under MSRP is under MSRP-simple as that.

Next-are you going to start quibbling over how much holdback the dealer got to keep? Won't count unless the dealer didn't get any?

 

Yes you right.

Good job.

 

Like the song goes, You got to shop around! I'd email the fella and say BYE!!

 

It is not real hard to find a R56 at less than MSRP... not hard at all

 

wow, I got free mats and now I realize I got $100 off mrsp.

All right - lets start the "less than mrsp owners club", woohooo! Who's gonna make up a logo?

 

I'd like to thank everyone who had such great input into this thread.
I've made the big jump and ordered my new Mini from Mini of Concord, CA.
AND it's at MSRP and not a penny more (or less).
Thanks you guys are great.
olcorral.