So I'm picking up my Mini GP this weekend and I wanted to ask those in the area how have the local SF Bay Area dealers been for service? Mini of Mountain View
is the closest dealer to me. How are they? Is SF or Pleasanton better? Any horror stories?

-Creech

 

I had some bad experiences at Mountain View, and generally do not like the vibe there at all. Can't speak for East Bay Mini, but I can reccommend contacting David at Mini of Concord, if he is still there. If you are out of warranty, there are some excellent independent shops who are better than the dealer techs, imo, and charge significanly lower labor rates.

 

Independant - Bay bridge motors - Jacques Andres

 

Yeah, I go to BBM.

 

BBM is a sure winner! But for the record, I have bought cars from both Pleasanton and San Francisco- both were good!

 

How about the south bay? I'm in Santa Cruz..

 

I've had excellent luck with Jennifer at MMV. Heard not so good things about Peter.
Of course, now that I'm out of warranty, I may never see them again.

 

avoid Mini of Concord's service department like the plague. they were very deceitful, charged me 3600 bucks for a clutch, and held my car for close to a month after I paid them.

Mini SF is OK, can't vouch for Mountain View or East Bay, although I have heard positive comments about them.

 

Purely for location convenience, I purchased my MINI in San Francisco and have regular service there. When I initially checked comments on NAM, they were mostly negative and I went into it with some anxiety. However, my actual experience has been good. People I've dealt with in the service department genuinely try to do a good job and be helpful to customers. The main negative is no loaners, but I don't know how this compares with the others.

I have my aftermarket work done at Bay Bridge Motors, and they are very knowledgeable.

 

I sold you a red MINI waayyy back in 02!!

 

East Bay MINI

John's European (Dublin, CA)

 

We're also in Santa Cruz; bought our '05 MCSc from a private party in June. We've used MINI of Mountain View for the few issues we've had and found their service to be excellent. Peter has treated us well. We had a check engine light coming on frequently; they quickly replaced the O2 sensors plus identified and fixed a motor mount that had just begun to leak. We complained about the wear spots on our cabrio roof; Peter got the factory rep out there and they authorized a replacement. Not long ago, the break pad warning came on ... my wife drove to MoMV after her night shift, and they took the car right then and did the break work that day. Plus they give a loaner every time. (Though it's an Enterprise rental, not a MINI or BMW)

I've been very impressed by the level of service we've received from MoMV, especially as we did not purchase the car there. Pleased enough that we extended the factory warranty. And pleased enough to make the drive from Santa Cruz.

 

Creech,
Check for a PM

 

I bought my car from Mini of Mountain View and so far I've had it in for service once. Jennifer was very nice and took car of all the issues I had. Everything was painless. Yes the loaner wasn't a Mini but for free I can't complain. Only problem I have is for the loaner it has a 160 mile/day limit. Since I'm 86 miles one way to the dealer I have to make sure they keep the car for 2 days.

 

Yeah, I miss the days of getting BMW loaners. In one day I got to drive both a Z4, and a 335 (when the Z4 had a loose underbody panel that dropped down, dragged, and then grenaded:impatient) The 335 convinced me that rain sensing wipers were actually a cool idea.