I'm waiting for the delivery of my brand new Cooper S. I just had a couple questions because this is my first brand new car and I'm a little green when it comes to dealerships. The main thing that concerns me is the number of last-minute recommendations/packages they're throwing at me that they never really mentioned before I gave the deposit.

1) Paint protection... I DO want to get the stone-guard application, window tinting is not particularly important, but the paint protection isn't exactly clear. All 3 come in a package for 1000 bucks CDN. Should I get all 3 or just stoneguard and get the tint done someplace else should I decide I want it?

2) Tire/Wheel warranty.. 899 bucks.. I'm getting 17s and perf run-flats.. Worth it?

3) I want this car sooooooo badly that I'm terrible at 'playing ball'. How do I know I won't be paying 2k for things some people get thrown in for free?


Thanks so much for any advice.

 

Just remember car dealers have a bad rap for a reason!!! I would forget about the tire warranty myself, unless, you plan on buying your tires from the dealer in the future? I plan on buying my next set elsewhere and having more options. Paint protection seems over priced. Couldn't you just pay the 1000 dollars later for a new paint job after the damage is done? I also hear the guard only works a little because it too can be breached by a stone flying at high speeds. I would say thanks but no thanks but that is just me. I'm sure there are other opinions. Some people think that the nose guard is good but others say they have stone damage that went right through the guard so I would err on the side of saving money upfront and figure pay later when and if it happens.

 

1. The stone guard and paint protection is something to consider. You can have a clear bra put on elsewhere for about $500.00, which should protect the hood, front bumper and headlamps from rocks and debris damage. The tint you should have installed, it will help keep the car temp a little cooler on warm sunny days, mini's can heat up quickly in the sun. I personally would have it done elsewhere, not at the dealer.
2. The tire warranty. For $900.00 dollars you don't have to worry about tires (flats) or wheel damage repair, mini will take care of it. Runflats are not cheap, neither are wheels.
That's my opinion, good luck on your purchase.

 

The stone-guard is the same as the clear bra, is it not?

What IS paint protection exactly?

 

I always say NO to all dealer tack ons. These extras are huge profit margin items. I am willing to take the risk of tire damage or paint chipping. You can bet that they are priced so that statistical averages of occurance and costs are heavily in their favor.

I immediately changed my run flats out for non-runflats. New run flats can cost almost $300/ each but great non-runflats can be found for just over $100 each. The non runflats ride better, are quieter and last much longer.

Happy Motoring! You will love the way the MINI drives!

 

A clear bra is put on to protect the the paint finish from bugs, tree sap, rocks debris... etc. They are usually effective at preventing damage to the paint and metal up to 120mph. Paint protection not sure.

 

At what point do I try getting them to throw that sort of stuff in? If they say 'no' it's not as though I'm going to say 'Oh.. Ok.. I'll go get that Nissan instead'.. They sorta know the car sells itself.

For those of you that bought new, was there any play on the options or MSRP?

 

If you are going to ask for freebies, you should do it before money changes hands. You can still ask, but the chances are not good. As far as the extras they are throwing at you, skip everything but a clear bra, maybe. The tire insurance is just dealer gravy.

 

Although it probably won't hurt to ask, I'm pretty sure the dealer won't throw any of those add-ons in for free. That is their bread and butter. I personally declined everything and got my clear bra and tinting done elsewhere. They had a deal on Lo Jacks though that I will probably go to them for, only because their price was actually competitive.

I bought mine new and there wasn't much haggle room for me, although I'm pretty soft in that department so I'm probably the wrong person to give advice. They have a deal going on until the end of April (at least) where they'll throw in an option up to $1750 for free. I don't think that applies for custom built cars though. A free option plus free floor mats was pretty much all the incentive I needed...I was ready to give my first born after I drove one.

 

So far all I know I have to look forward to for free is a keychain.... Winter floormats would be nice.

 

I knew that I wanted the 3m clearbra installed since I have seen the difference in the front of cars after a few years- it really cuts down on rock chips. Plus, it can save a front headlight from having to be replaced which is worth a lot of $$.
I got a quote from a quality outside company and my dealer matched the quote. They have a person that only does minis and they did a great job..

 

I am a sucker( or smart depending on your view) for warranties so I am deffinately not a person to consult on the merits of buying or not buying the warranties... I prefer to spend a little extra upfront(especially when you consider the cost of the car itself and any potential repair) for the piece of mind of knowing someone else pays if it breaks while I am trying to pay for it. Every auto warranty policy(including paint and others) I have ever bought though has paid for itself with at least one major claim over the life of the car. Cant always say the same for some of the consumer electronic purchases I have warrantied but I can with my cars. Cars just break down thats how they are and MINIs are expensive to repair. I looked at as prepaying one major repair and they then cover any others.

I did want to comment on the tire warranty.. Someone mentioned buying tires from the dealer... That is NOT a requirement of the warranty. While the dealer you bought the car from might facilitate the paperwork for you its basically a plan in which you pay for a tire or rim if you need it and they cut you a check based on what you paid(or at least thats how my plan reads).

Even though I bought them I do regret the paint/fabric/leather plan and the dint and ding plan. Neither of those have as much value as they claim once you get into the actual warranties. The little brochures are misleading at best on a few coverages(yeah I should have read the actual warranty not the manual). Still in the end though those were small amounts and every time I go to the shop I ask the body guy to look it over for dings to fix...

 

If you like runflats and have a lot of potholes where you live, the tire warranty might make sense. I didn't get it, but some people love it. I like the clear bra, but from what I've read most "paint protection" is just a fancy name for a wax job. I've seen threads here where people were able to haggle on warranties and other extras. Doesn't hurt to try.

 

you won't need winter mats, it will (should) come with rubber mats standard since you're in Canada... i wasn't expecting rubber ones in mine and was pleasantly surprised to get them, I don't want carpet ones at all now.

As for the add-on stuff, unless setting up appointments elsewhere is a hassle for you, then you might as well get them to do the stoneguard.... don't bother with the "paint protection" tho, its simply a coat of fancy wax that needs to be reapplied yearly if you want to have any chance of maintaining the "warranty" they offer.

This is likely the add-on stuff you're being offered:
http://www.sym-tech.ca/
read the life-time warranty pdf... there so many loopholes in there for them to get out of covering anything.

 

Thanks for the replies.. Turns out I'm getting free stoneguard =). I got a quote on tinting somewhere else and it was too good for Mini to match (place does a good job, referred from a couple friends).. They *are* carpet mats, which I'm ok with, but I'll worry about the winter ones later.. No need to get greedy I guess.

Car is on the truck, should arrive tomorrow! =D

 

This is absolutely the worst attitude to have when buying a car -- used or new.

I would have skipped both the "paint protection" and the "tire/wheel warranty".

But what's done is done. Congrats and enjoy it in good health!

 

It's hardly an attitude, just excitement. I'm *not* getting the paint protection, or tint, or wheel warranty. I AM getting the clear bra and talked my way into getting it at no extra cost. Overall, I'm perfectly happy. Will be even more so once I sign the paperwork and get the keys

 

Congrats on getting what you want. Give em hell.

 

excellent! congrats!
where in Canada are you?

 

Say no to everything including the run flats IMHO. The only thing you WILL need is the window tinting. The MINI is a hot little oven even in the winter and especially with a sun roof.

I got some freebies but they were negotiated BEFORE I paid my deposit and made the order. They gave me "free" bonnet stripes installed as well, MINI cross bars to add on my factory roof rails, floor matts, and money off the price as well. Buying a MINI now is not like buying a MINI two years ago. Yes, MINI still doesn't negotiate as much as others BUT times have changed. In the end, you have to decide what it's worth to YOU to bargain. Some people like to and some people could care less.

Good luck and congrats on your new MINI! You will enjoy it very much and as long as you are happy, the rest doesn't matter!

 

Excellent!