They usually break something else "fixing" the original problem. My local stealership has stolen over a month of my time in the last 6 months due to their lack of skill and having to get repairs done multiple times.

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How close to San Francisco? Down here I'd recommend GMS.

 

Look up Clint Cope@ DOS.

 

Hi highly recommend Clint at DoS for aftermarket
parts, but I don't think he does service. I could be (and often are) wrong. I need to find someone in SF too for service. I've heard good things about Bay Bridge Motors in Oakland.

 

Any shop in San Diego you recommend? I need oil change.

 

I sadly won't buy another MINI because I don't like the F56, unless it is a Countryman JCW. I love the Countryman, but I can't like the F56. I was asked to work for my MINI dealership since I know a lot of them, but I told them I can't sell something I don't like. So I passed on that opportunity.

 

I've had good experiences (several) with Bay Bridge Mini in Oakland.

 

Maybe if you drive it you'll like it more? I want to see how it drives. If it is as good as BMW claims it is, then it might be able to get past it's looks. The only reason I wouldn't buy a countryman is because it sits too high, and isn't as sprightly as it's smaller siblings.

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Everyone has characteristics they like about the car. For me personally, looks matter too besides the drivers aspect. I can't see myself driving it. The looks outweigh the engine updates and technology they put into the F56. I would only own the Countryman JCW because I can still have fun and carry my family as it expands. I'm already waiting for the 2014 Subaru STi coupe. I'm gonna wait an extra year so they can fix the kinks on it.

Only other MINI I might see interesting in their future lineup is the sports car they are working on. Give me a roadster and I just might take it. But no one could pay me to drive the F56. I've always loved the first gens and second gens, I just can't do it. My friend who works at the dealer asked me if I wanted to test drive it a while back before it hit the lot. I told him flat out no, I don't care for it.

 

I'm sorry to hear of your multiple bad experiences but am not surprised. If you don't keep close tabs on what you need to get done and how much they will charge and what they actually did to repair the car, dealerships will rob you blind. Their business model thrives on folk who would just rather throw money at a problem for fear of further damage to their car or worse, getting stranded.
For example, how many dealership customers are told they "need" brakes way before they actually do? I can't even count that high.
Having said that, it really pays to do your research and investing in a shop manual and searching forums can go a long way to helping one make informed decisions and ask pointed questions when in such a situation.
I hope you don't really think this is a problem specific to Mini. My Mini is the first non-VW I've had in my entire driving life and so was no stranger to similar BS at my local VW stealer.

 

Rob, what Sti coupe are you talking about? I've heard that they are only doing a WRX/Sti Sedan and no hatch or coupe. If you are talking about the BR-Z STI, I don't know if that will ever happen since Subaru is worried about it munching away at WRX and Sti sales. Toyota is fighting for a FR-S sedan with a turbo/hybrid powertrain, but we only can guess that since Subaru actually makes the cars, that it won't materialize. I'm hoping they redesign the interior of the BRZ and FRS, because right now it's butt ugly, and it also is desperately in need of some more power, and fatter tires. It also needs sound deadening terribly. I wasn't impressed with the FR-S and BR-Z, especially after driving the MINI. I get that it's RWD, and has a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, but the car would be hard to live with on a daily basis.

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Kinda sucks...I just looked now. I haven't kept up with articles online but I'm disappointed Subaru didn't go with the Coupe concept I saw last year. Oh well...I'll be looking at a 370z, Genesis 2.0T, or Mustang 2.3 turbo. I miss RWD:-(.

I will not buy another MINI unless I see the Countryman facelift not make much changes or possibly the sports car MINI is thinking of offering in 2016 or something like that.

 

If all goes well I hope to keep my 2013 R56 through the next 2 design phases (F56 and whatever they do after that). If I'm still keen on Minis by then I'd probably try to get the post-F56 version in its final model year, just as I did with my R56 LCI.

 

Has anyone compiled a nation-wide list of high-quality independent MINI mechanics?

 

If I were you, I'd avoid the Genesis. Look up Genesis 2.0T problems and it's like a Christmas tree lights up. The 370Z is due to be replaced soon, so that might be worth waiting for. The Mustang, well I don't know if I could own anything but a 5.0. I'm sure the 2.3T will be a good motor, but the 5.0 is the best way to go IMO. Have you driven a countryman? It's nowhere near anything close to our cars.

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I know the issues with the Genesis but look, I bought a MINI haha. I love the Z and yes I heard they're getting rid of it but I'm thinking of getting one before production stops in 2016. I know they're bringing out something better in a coupe by Nissan. As for the Mustang the twin scroll turbocharger is expected to have 300hp! I'll take the turbo or the V8. I get a huge discount with Ford so that'll be my first option.

I did test drive the Countryman JCW, a wonderful car. Only reason I'm looking at the Countryman JCW for the future is the possibility of expanding my family, so I want have room for my kids. I also love the Jeep SRT-8, but I hate all Chrysler products. They let me down big time in the past(three cars). I also love the look of the F56 JCW. It looks amazing concept wise. I'll have to see what they do with the final product.

 

The next gen Z car is supposed to be more like the original 260/280z of yesteryear. It should be a sick little ride. With all things considered including reliability, features-per-dollar, etc...I would definitely also look at the new GTI. I know it's not rear wheel drive but it's supposed to be an awesome little thing, and they said that VW has tuned the cars LSD to make the car feel like a cross between FWD and AWD, and it would allow you more room to grow, as long as you're only planning on a couple of kids. It also will be a great value for everything it has.

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For 300HP in a Mustang you might as well get the inevitably less problematic NA V6 which is 305HP.
I'm looking forward to test driving the 2015 GT though, I think it looks great! My commute distance is tripling so it would be crazy to buy such a gas guzzler, but the heart wants what the heart wants, right?



I liked the 370Z on the test drive I took, but I couldn't live with that clutch or the bad visibility every day. I don't see any reason to have such a ridiculously heavy clutch with an "on/off" switch feel with no friction zone. Fine on the track or the highway, but a hassle in traffic IMO.

 

I wish they would incorporate MDS into the V8 in the mustang to cut down on its highway fuel economy. That would be the only thing stopping me from buying the V8 is if the gas milage stays the same from the current gen.

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Yeah I could go with the V6 Stang but with tuning here in Michigan, I could easily increase HP on the 2.3 turbo Stang.

I like the '15 GTI but I am disappointed that with 220hp and 257tq, it does only 6.5 seconds to 0-60. But I'm sure with proper tuning it can be pushed harder. I wouldn't care if it's manual or automatic! I'm excited to see it next month at the auto show.

I don't care for visibility, I would drive the 370z but I'm waiting to see what they could offer when they scratch out the Z.

I'm still curious what MINI will do with the Countryman JCW and the Coupe JCW(future).

 

Thanks I am definitely curious to see the GTI next month.

I plan on having more than two children so that will take into account but if not, GTI will be added to the list.

 

If you look at car magazine testing it performed a lot faster than that. VW is just being conservative like BMW is with their performance numbers. Several outlets tested the Focus ST at 5.8-6.0 seconds, and said that the GTi was even faster than that. So don't be surprised to see high 5's for the 0-60 sprint and blasting the quarter mile around 14 seconds

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http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60484

It ran a 5.6 0-60

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If that's the case then I'm definitely gonna take a hard look at it. I got that number from car and driver.

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/201...-and-info-news

 

Yeah it's going to be the BEST hot hatch on the market when it hits here later this year. It's going to be AWESOME