I, also, don't believe current conditions will warrant any big price breaks for new MINI buyers. I still think we might see some better finance deals from BMW but that's just a guess. If things continue to deteriorate then all bets are off and they will have to do something more drastic.

I assume the extended plant closure is in response to declining world-wide sales and to keep their supply just shy of demand (as usual?). Not being a business/finance person, how much benefit is it to a MINI dealership to keep virtually zero on-hand inventory? Are the dealerships committed/required to take delivery of a specific number of cars monthly? If so, and the lots fill up, then I would expect them to have to be a little more price flexible to move them.

I made a trip to the dealership in July and again in Sept when I placed my order. On both trips, there were maybe 6-10 available MINIs on the lot.
When I picked up my new MINI (10/31) there were 20-25 available.

 

J. Johnson is spot-on, my week 49 Clubman is still good to go but 50 & 51 is deferred to January according to my dealership. I have a couple of weeks to still pull out; wish I was paying in pounds as that would save me about 20%

 

I am sad to see that Mini is now cutting global production especially after being 1 of only 2 automakers that actually had an increase in sales last month.But due to the currently bad economic climate and credit crisis it is taking a big toll now on ALL automakers.

I hope that things turn around very soon.

 

Yes, but MINI and BMW owners have been hit harder than most by the stock market crash. I could have bought more than a dozen MINIs with the money I've lost in my retirement account. I put my '09 JCW purchase on hold, won't be happening anytime soon. I'll keep driving the '02 until the market turns around sometime in the next decade.

 

Keep in mind that the dealer margins on heavily optioned JCW are far greater than the standard models. However, it is still difficult to believe. Who is the dealer? At that price, I would rethink my decision to postpone my JCW purchase, despite my losses in the stock market.

 

Some dealers are giving 1K off its it on the lot, My apple has been on a lot for over 30 Days now,the price is dropping

 

when I took delivery of my 2009 R56 last weds my MA said that while yes Oct 08 MINI sales were up 30% over Oct 07, the stat is deceiving: new car orders have dropped off big-time over the past couple of months. Allotments are NOT being filled, and I can see the beads of tepid car-sales sweat forming on their brows.

hey watch gas go back up again and see how sales react!

 

[quote=lhoboy;2543518]Keep in mind that the dealer margins on heavily optioned JCW are far greater than the standard models. However, it is still difficult to believe.[quote]

I agree I think that poster was either yanking our *****, or if he wasnt, the dealer was yanking his. Any heavily optioned JCW over $35K can rate somewhat of a discount, but not that much. Urban myth; NAM is full of 'em.

 

Well, I can attest that the economy is putting a pinch on SF Mini's bottom line. They have a couple of JCW Clubmans on the showroom floor, one of which has the JCW launch package. A couple of weeks ago, the factory JCWs had a $5000 mark up. Going in today while waiting for an oil change, the mark up was now $3500! Still no change with a $1500 & $2500 mark up for the base and S Coopers/Clubmans, respectively. I wonder how long they'll hold out as these '08s sit on the lot through December and close to January (there were a lot of '08s on the lot...JCW, S & base).

 

The BMW/MINI dealership I work at posted record high MINI sales last month. We have a few cars on the lot to sell but most of them are used, and the new ones we have are mostly backouts and all '09 models.

 

For what it's worth, all local Mini dealers are selling at MSRP here in Orange County, CA. As recently as a few weeks ago, almost everyone had a mark-up, up to $5000 over MSRP in one case(Crevier). So, obviously, demand has let up in the last few weeks.

 

I just got this note from my local MA as I have been looking recently. They may be a bit more willing with addons.

I wanted to follow up with you to see if you are still in the market for the Cooper. It is the last week of the month and we are a little bit behind on our monthly goals. We are being very aggressive on our prices and would like the opportunity to earn your business. Please give me a call when you have a chance.

I hope to hear from you soon!

 

Gas is lower, so will be the rush for the mini:(

 

Not only are fuel prices lower, and likely to stay that way for a while, but with lots of cars stacking up at ports and on dealer lots, prices will almost certainly be cut significantly to move them. There was a dealer on the news the other day giving away PT Cruisers if you bought a Pacificia or something like that. Many buyers looking at MINIs will likely say "as much as I want a MINI, this (put car here) is almost as good for what I need and the deal will never be better" and it's another 3-5 years or more before they start looking at new cars again.
The Pound is down 25% against the dollar (with Euro down almost as much) and commodity prices including steel, etc., down significantly as well, so even if there was an exchange rate rebound (unlikely anytime soon), those lower prices will keep costs down. MINI could cut prices 10% - 20% today which will bring in some (or many) of those buyers and still make money for the foreseeable future. This of course keeps the factory, suppliers, dealers and shippers in business during the slump and even keeps up those all-important intangibles of goodwill and customer loyalty. Of course, I don't have that high-priced MBA so what do I know?

 

I wouldn't look for any MINI price cuts anytime soon, manufacturers are always reluctant to cut sticker prices (take a look at all the GM SUV stickers, which are $10k-$15K above where the trucks are really selling!).
However, a 40% drop in MINI sales, as noted in the London Times article, and the extended plant closing, both signal real problems with declining demand. Dealers will be dealing, and probably sooner rather than later. Of course, areas with high demand, like the West Coast, will be the last to see great deals. I think the days of markups above MSRP will be over very soon, and there will be real deals by Spring, unless there's a dramatic turnaround in the global economy.

 

Does long Beach Mini mark-up their cars? I remember when I bought my Mini in 2003 they were the only one who didn't add a dealer mark up.

 

This is false.

I am in the car business, and I am still getting credit approvals for people with credit scores in the low/mid 600's if everything else looks legit, though I have seen people with 700+ get declined. It's about more than just your credit score. The bank looks at your credit history, such as the number of car loans or other installment loans that you've had, and how well you have paid on those loans. They also look at your total debt to income ratio to see if you are over-extended or if you would be able to comfortably make the payment.

 

Local banks and credit unions are still making car loans. Seems they missed the "sub-prime mortgage" scheme, and the "credit default swap" scheme, and they've stepped in now that all the big, sophisticated multi-national banks are going bust. To see how this plays out, rent "It's a Wonderful Life".

 

Nothing to do with the Mini but a colleague just went into a Nissan dealership, pointed at an Armada stickered at 42k and offered 30k. Dealer agreed with no argument. Some family members who are window shopping are also reporting more flexibility in dealer's sales. The Honda Fit which had zero room off MSRP 3 months ago, are not seeing below MSRP or free add ons. Mini will have no choice but to drop prices. Basic supply and demand. Having an extended closing(4 weeks) isn't going to do much if current batch of Mini's are not sold by the time they re-open.

Best thing they can do is(like mentioned by another poster), is to cut prices right now to keep production going. Last thing the economy needs is increased unemployment and decreased use of resources.

 

And thank goodness for that. My MA had to do some serious shopping around for someone to float my loan, which is unfortunate. Luckily my local (and personal) credit union came through with a lower interest rate than MSF had originally offered. Whew.

 

In my area we're getting mailings from one of the local credit unions advertising the full range of consumer loans. This is the first I can recall them doing this. I guess they see a great new business opportunity now that the big banks have all but locked their vaults for the forseeable future.