Hopefully, I do not alienate the Mini community or the Manufacture of Mini with my recent experience. But I will offer my recent experience as a reference for anyone desiring to purchase a new Mini.

We decided to move forward (after much discussion) to obtain another new Mini. We had bought our 1st Mini in March of 2002 (Liquid Yellow). Then, our second in 2004 (Electric Blue). We had also brought over a rare Mini from England (1992 Italian Job Limited Edition, 1000 made) in 2004 as well. We share this just to emphasize our longtime interest with Mini.

Since then, we have had the opportunity to own several other "fun" cars but, always wanted to purchase another Mini. So, 3 weeks ago, we went shopping. Here is what happened over the course of the first week.

Using the Internet, we started looking at available inventory and began our electronic inquiries. Somewhat prompts responses from the various Internet Dealer associates. However, when asking live-time to Sales about specific Convertible vehicles, that's when the "dance" began. Supposedly, all of these "Available" cars were already "sold" to other customers. For the record, we went fully Nationwide, not just here in our local territory.

We did find one on the showroom Floor out west but, they had just recently (only 1 week prior to our inquiry) started to adding the infamous "Market Adjustment" of an additional $7,500 bucks over MRSP!! This is not a misprint, fat-finger goof. $7,500 over MRSP.....for a Mini? Not a limited edition, like 1 of 50 made or something like that. Or, a vehicle that is no longer in production. Just a regular 2022 Mini Convertible S model with the usual factory upgrades. Around $41K with out the Market Adjustment.

I ran into the same scenario with a PW 2022 in transit (JCW Model) coming around $46K at MRSP. They only wanted the additional $5K over the MRSP for their "Market Adjustment".

My heartburn with all of this is Market Adjustments should be clearly advertised on the websites associated with the car, up front. Too, Mini USA needs to get involved with their Dealerships and have them stop this ridiculous practice. It is leaving future potential and past Mini buyers from ever considering owning one of their vehicles. If inventory is severely limited due to computer chips or Ukrainian built wiring harnesses, Mini should be working directly with the dealer to maintain its operation, not allowing the Dealer to support its growth by making us, the retail customer pay for their "Market" conditions.

This is my opinion only. I fully respect the various views on this subject. And, not trying start any type of "bashing" but, wanted to relate factually what we just went through in our decision making. For the record, I am not ignorant on Dealership Operations. I was a 13 year Fixed Ops Specialists on the Dealer Management Systems used to operate over 10,000 new car dealerships, managing over 60+ employees in this field of expertise.

 

I feel your pain. The wife was wanting a new SUV so we stopped by a local Lincoln dealership to look at a new Aviator. Not a cheap vehicle by any means with a sticker price of $76,000 but the dealer had added an "Inventory Market Adjustment" of $15,000 making the total cost come to $91,000 -- for a mid-size American SUV! I would hate to see anyone lose their job in this economy but I sincerely hope that dealership goes out of business simply for being so damned greedy. Obviously, now is NOT the time to look for a new car. Needless to say, we've decided to stay with our current transportation.

 

Thanks for sharing your prior MINI/Mini experiences, which provided insight and perspective...

My buddy and I were discussing the "market adjustment" phenomenon recently and came to the conclusion that dealers are doing that rather than selling at or below MSRP, only for many of those buyers to immediately "flip" the new cars for profit. We figure dealers have decided to pack the advertised price while possibly allowing returning customers an opportunity to buy at MSRP as a "loyalty incentive".

Is doing that right or fair? Debatable but dealers continue having hard enough time getting inventory while achieving enough profit margin to stay in business. Seems much better that, than closing their doors as many have done. I'm not in the car biz or any such affiliation.

 

Well, your business model works, or it doesn't. I was in the car sales promotion business for decades and I will tell you that every story you've ever heard about dealers is correct. I never found a single one that wasn't more comfortable on the shady side of a business deal than not. If your business model is not working, change it rather than compensating by screwing your customers.

 

Just ordered a 2023 JCW no markup on the contract and fair rate on my trade in. This is my 4th, I have custom ordered all of them.

 

What time frame did they quote you?

 

Best bet would be to find a dealer willing to do a custom order at MSRP.

Where are you located?

 

Welcome to the 2022 car market. It's a mess for sure.

I'd recommend ordering vs finding one on the lot. Some folks have had their dealers tell them outright that they were hoping they would cancel their order, because the dealer knew they could sell at a higher price once the car arrived. There are still a few dealers out there that don't add on ridiculous charges. A couple have some dealer prep fees that may or may not be of interest, but you can usually negotiate with them to swap for things you want (maybe tint, clear bra, roof rack, etc) if the cost is about the same.

The obvious next problem is waiting for the car to arrive, which could be 6 months. And may not include all the advertised options based on ongoing shortages.

Good luck!

 

Like when i bought my in 2004, no one has stock and you have to shop around dealers to find one without a markup.

Back in the day most MINI dealers would sell to other dealers with no MINI dealership in the area (ford, GM, VW, ), put them on the corner front lot with brand new cars and mark them up 5-7 K. Their were only like 50 dealers back in the day also.
When I had one of the first convertibles in the USA, I would get asked if I wanted to sell mine by the dealer. They had no stock.

 

definitely best to order if you can be patient. Some dealers may not any allotments left. Or they act like it's really hard to do and expensive? But it should not cost any more or any less. Something else if you are like a Costco or Sam's Club member. You may try to buy a car using there program. I'm not sure if mini is in it. But you should be able to get the car for invoice price. In their deal is Costco or Sam's will find you a dealer that will work with you. And of course they will try to find a car that's already on a lot somewhere first that matches your thing. That's because they are just trying to make more money off you. But you just keep insisting no that's okay I'll wait and I want that window sticker with my name on it.Not sure Mini puts "Built for Your Name" on it. Something else to you will not get the price until that car is actually built so if the car is built-in there is a price change the window sticker is not actually generated until the car is finished. So if there are cost raises or part shortages it will differ from when you were originally ordered the car. Right now it is not a good time to just buy off the lot for sure. I mean good God carvana is charging like 20 grand for a 2012 JCW with 70000 MI. It is a crazy time

 

There is another definition of this practice: Unfettered Capitalism. Simply the fact that the Dealership has a product that Buyers are willing to pay more for, so, the price is moved upward. There is NOTHING MAGIC about MSRP...it's a number...it's actually a "suggested" number.

That's how raw Capitalism works. Capitalism also allows the Buyer to either wait for the supply crunch to be relieved, or, purchase another vehicle from another dealer or another manufacturer. Buyers are not forced to buy.

Pay to play, or, don't play. Personally, I will NEVER pay MSRP or higher for a vehicle, I don't have that much disposable wealth accumulated. There are apparently those that do, because these cars are sold. Or, perhaps that's just an example of "a fool and his money are soon parted."

 

That definitely sucks, especially for a true MINI/Mini fan like yourself, but this issue is industry-wide, and not limited to one brand or another. My girlfriend was shopping for a Scooby Cross Trek last December, and the dealer surcharge ranged from zero (only one dealer) to over 5k. We went with the local dealer who 'only' upcharged 1k. I hope things work out for you; corporate has little control over these dealerships, unfortunately. The good ones will want to build good will, but most will want to pad their bottom line. ☹️

 

I remember in the late 90’s when Harley Davidson’s were hard to get and dealers in my area were adding a surcharge to each bike sold. Not sure about now cause I’m not looking but I remember who those dealerships were and I still refuse to buy even a t shirt from them let alone a motorcycle.

 

Just went through the purchasing experience and found the MINI dealer to be no pressure no mark up and vary forthcoming with all of the current situation. The first used MINI we went there to see was sold in the appointment prior to ours. It was out on a test drive and the first person to drive it bought it. They allowed us to try several other but we did not pick one that day. One of the certified ones dropped in price a week later and we went back to look at it. It was suggested that we try other models since we were willing to wait to make sure we got the featured we wanted, they knew the other ones where out of our price range but wanted us to try the different options. No pressure to buy. Their concern was that we stated my wife is looking for a fun car not a main car and they wanted to find one with the features to fit even if it meant waiting on a lease turn in. We were told that we could order one as wanted at MSRP no mark up but it could take up to 120 days to get.

They had a certified pre owned lease turn in that was serviced by them with records from day one. It had all of the main features my wife wanted and the ones it did not it had her second choice (She got the bonnet stripes and chili red, she did not want stripes and a different color). We were able to buy it for less than KBB trade in value. New tires, brakes etc. all done in the certification process.

This dealer was the best car buying experience I have ever had with a dealer by far.

 

Glad this worked out well for you.

***...If we all can ask......Who is the Dealer you are working with and where are they located? Thank you in advance for this additional information. I am quite sure that those who are following this thread as well as any still wanting to purchase a new Mini in the future would certainly want to support this Dealer for our future needs.

Hopefully, all of this supply chain issue with BMW/Mini will work out in the near future. The fact that multiple Mini Dealers have shared the same details about all of the Wiring Harnesses being produced in Ukraine has me concerned about how fast they can find another source for these parts. I have heard directly from a dealer that the wives of the of the Ukrainian men that were working in the factories are now being "trained" to do what their husbands were doing prior to the Russian Invasion. 90-120 days from now they expect to be at about 40-60% capacity if the factories go forward unharmed. Several have likewise stated that they still believe you get a custom ordered Mini will take a minimum of 120+ days. But two were a little more forthcoming stating you should be prepared for a Nov/Dec delivery. And when I asked about this "Market Adjustment" boink fee, two actually told me that YES, I would still expect to pay the additional $5,000 over sticker MRSP. The others when specifically this same question, said they could not answer that "at this time".

 

Not all dealerships were stealerships - I hope this is still the case.

I bought my 2003 R53 during the hype interval. I paid exactly sticker price. Lots of folks were paying dealer premiums at that time. Keeler in NY did not. Dunno if that is still how they operate or not, just my experience back in the day. I have heard not so great things about Hartford... in fact Albany was further from me at the time. But I did go to Hartford for servicing because it was closer.

 

Bought mine at Towne MINI in Buffalo, NY.

 

I ordered April 10th. They had an order they could flip but with issues they have been seeing they said it could be August. If the flip on thier order to my spec went clean it could be sooner. I got my vin Monday the 15th so my guess is late June.

 

I also got my vin# on 5/19 for a JCW Clubman. The only really disappointment is the unavailable heated steering wheel. I love how they charge $500 (for lower trim models) and give you a $100 credit for being unavailable.