One quick question..why is there a 3 week wait for simple service such as checking on an air conditioning problem??

uhhgg sounds awful

I've never heard of this...mine gets right in. Maybe MINI sales have finally surpassed the capacity of existing service facilities. Whoa, that's not a good thing. :eek:

Three week waits for service appointments are certainly not what we're looking to offer our Mini clients. However, please know that if a BMW customer were to call for the same service it'd also be three weeks. Not that this makes you feel any better, but just to let you know that we don't give preferential treatment due to the badge on the grille. We're experiencing delays in construction like you wouldn't believe! We finally got our lifts installed in the Mini shop and should soon (next week?) have that area up and running. This constant rain is not helping our constuctionprogress.. if any of you know somebody who can control the weather let us know! HA! Because of the construction, we've lost the use of four of our lifts in the shop. This would make a mess out of any service facility. Add to this a new customer base and a franchise (Mini) with a first month sales objective of 48 cars! Our techs are working flexible schedules to accomodate this scheduling conflict. The guys in the shop work from 7:30am to 7:00 pm. They're working until 4pm on Saturdays to alieviate the backlog! Please call me on Monday about you A/C problem and I'll see what I can do for you. I'm in sales so i can't speak for the service department schedule wise, but I'd like to help whenever I can. Joe McCormick 610-399-8061 jmccormick@ottosmini.com

Thanks for the response Jim..I'll be down there to look over your 'Construction in Progress' shop and report to the masses.

Clay
Kimberton,Pa.

BMW K1200RS
'02 Mini 'Mouse'

Well.had a nice visit at Otto's Mini, under Hugo, Otto's Mini Manager's tutelage, showed me around the Mini side of Otto's..very impressive..nice down stairs show room and an upstairs Mini boutique..that's right folks a boutique! Anyway..the real test for me will be Otto's service department..my Mini will be in for service for a growing list items that croped up during my visit with Hugo and with his suggestions he advised to have them look at it while in the service bay. Will keep you all in formed of my experiences

FYI..Hugo says ..but may be premature at this time..there will be an Open House sometime in September and a few other surpises on the way :smile:

Update on the Otto's experience..well MINI 'Mouse' is in for service as of yesterday,7/7, early in the morning got a call from Pat, the Service advisor,says parts have to be orderd..nothing new..experinced the same from Don Rosen(naver have the parts). Was advised parts will take 2 days and I have the choice of taking the car or leaving it. If I decide to take the car Otto's won't be able to get to it 'till sometime in August..Hmmm..I says to myself..guess I have to leave it 'till the parts get in and work on it when they do arrive..I hope. The sage continues.... :oops:

Hey Clay!!

Are we twins???

Let's see, MINIs and BMW Motorcycles!!

I just picked up my '03 MCS from Hugo at Otto's (he and Joe were wonderful) and fortunately, have not yet developed the need to visit the service department. I'd better not, just got my car last week!!!

Anyway, another Otto's client, Bullwinkle on MINIUSA, lives in Kimberton, you may see him motoring around in an EB-MCS!!!

My other mode of transportation is a K1200GT!!!

Whether in the MINI, or in the BMW (more specifically, as they are both BMWs, the car of the bike), maybe we'll see each other around. Therer are two events in Philly being coordinated.

3 August - Covered Bridge Tours of Bucks County
10 August - Philadelphia Photo Safari

I'm going on both of them, you should too!!!

Cheers.

Scott :cool:

Hi Scot,

Yes been roaming around the Kimberton area on the K12RS or in the Mini for the past year. Are you a Mac-Pac member? If not go the the http://www.mac-pac.org site

Clay
Kimberton
K12RS
Mini 'Mouse'(in for service)

Hey Clay,

I just found out about Mac Pac yesterday, but didn't know their website.

Will go online to sign-up!

I just got my K1200GT in June, and my MCS in July!!! Been constantly out in both!!

Cheers.

Scott

I spent some time at Otto's MINI a couple of weekends ago and found Joe and Hugo to be terrific! Joe spent some quality time explaining and touring the facilities with me, answering my MANY MINI questions, and giving a few track tips.

This is where I am buying my 04 MINI from.. Now if Joe could just get me in the seat of a certain black one sitting around back <hint hint>

Growing pains are understandable... I can see how frustrating it can be with the lack of other options due to limited dealerships. I am sure Otto's will be up and running full force before you know it...

PR

Here's the story behind Otto's as to how they attained their MINI franchise..at least that was how it was told to me. Otto's at one time had a BMW M/C franchise so inturn they wanted a MINI franchise as well. However MINI's and motorcycles had a confilct for the limited space. A supposed friend , for which I remain not naming..picked up the motorcycle franchise and moved it to a more conviently location down on the Mainline. Now that M/C franchise had left which opened the path for the MINI franchise. After 2 years of building delays..Otto's MINI is now open at least on the sales side..the 'jury is still out' concerning the service side and as I am experiencing with my service experience (3 weeks for an appointment and having the car sit for 1 week for parts and the completion of the problem). The saga still continues... Thank goodness I have 2 wheels to get around

Clay
Kimberton
K12RS
MINI 'Mouse' (still in for service) :roll:

Ok..here's the update on my Mini. Just got my car out of Otto's 'jail' (one week in for waiting for parts to complete the service). Received all kinds of "sorrys" which I can understand..with the new situation they are in. While waiting on finishing up on the job..I did get a chance to see the John Cooper Works kit finished Mini..I was told it was best to see it up on the lift. Don't know if the added expense for this kit and instillation is worth it for only a couple of added mph at top end. Like to see them retrofitted at the manufactuerd end like the UK version.
Bottom line folks..I certainly hope Otto's turn around time for service will be considerably less in the future.. Any others out there with service experience..or was i first in line..?

Clay
Kimberton
'02 MINI 'Mouse' (now free to roam)
BMW K12RS :roll:

Clay,

Kinda ironic that this "supposed friend" (I'm taking a wild guess he's got an unusual name like Cortie Weatherhill) not only aquired Otto's MC dealership (relocating it an VERY inconvenient 45 minutes from me now I might add), but he just aquired Don Rosen's Mini dealership (and he's NOT relocating it a more convenient 45 minutes CLOSER to me :roll:

... so I guess I'm an Otto's customer again (I'm still sorta pissed about the motorcycle thing, so I guess I need to get over it).

BTW, my buddy and I were Otto's FIRST motorcycle customer, I think we bought a quart of oil or something the day they opened the motorcycle dealership. Oh well, as soon as I recover from the Mini purchase I'll have to see Cortie (and Lee) for a new R (as I had to sell my R1100RS to help pay for my recent wedding)

Glad to hear that your experience with Otto's Mini wasn't too bad. I mean, some growing pains are understandable and at least they were pleasant about it, right?

anyways... If you see an Electric Blue MCS motoring around here give us a wave!

_________________
She let's me drive her MCS (which is good, cause I gave it to her as a wedding present)!!!

Our Baby? - she's an 03 Elect Blue (white roof/wheels) MCS, w/ all the toys (premium, cold, h/k, Nav, xenon, fogs etc) !

Does Otto's have any of the MiniFini stuff in yet? I called the parts department where I purchased my car and they hadn't even heard of MiniFini!!

Hi Kevin,

Let me update you about the M/C dealership you just described. MLBMW is run by 'The Friend's daughter'..Lee & Kathy no longer work there...the head of service is a 'piece of work'..can't mount tires correctly..cant bleed brakes correctly..almost cost me my life when I pulled out onto RT 30 with no brakes(forgot to pump up brakes)..Had my helmet stolen from there..I'm not the only one that has complaints about service and other issues there. I now go to either Hermy's or Bob's BMW.

Good luck,

Clay
Kimberton

'02 MINI 'Mouse'
BMW K12RS :evil: :evil:

Hey TontoBird,

What is MiniFini stuff?

I was in Otto's this past Wednesday, and their upstairs "boutique" is quite nice. All kinds of MINI paraphenalia. They had the full line of cleaning products, tons of apparel. I picked up the license plate surround, and lockable tire caps with the MINI logo.

As you can see, aa3jy has had what seems to be a VERY bad experience with MLBMW. I've only gone to them for my inspection sticker on my new K1200GT. I like the folks at Cherry Hill BMW, but that may be quite a hike for you, but they do provide loaner bokes for when your in for service.

AA3JY - I signed up for Mac Pac, and am getting innundated with emails. Any major rides coming up in the near future? Can't make the third Sunday run.

Scott

Clay,

Man that hurts to hear. Yeah, I knew Cortie's daughter was involved (I'd met her a couple times at the dealership) but I didn't know she was going to run the place. I'm real sorry to hear that Lee and Cathy are gone they were class acts and VERY knowledgeable (do you happen to know if it was it their choice or the MLMC?)...

That's troubling to hear about the service department (not that I normally allow others to touch my stuff, for that EXACT reason).

Ya know when I rode Harleys I expected to have problems with the "techs" and that proved right, especially when I had a driveability problem with one of the first fuel injected EVOs. Good thing I figured it out myself (cause the bike would still have the problem if I was waiting for the Harley techs to fix it).

But to hear that level of incompetence at a BMW motorcycle shop really stinks.

Ya know what stinks even more, Hermey's and Bob's are a DISTANCE to go for such things. I guess if I decide to by another BMW bike, I'll hope nothing goes wrong under warranty and I'll handle everything else myself.

Or perhaps it was just an isolated incident, or he learned from the mistake (it could happen right????)

Hi Scott,

There is a little known Yahoo web site for the Mac-Pac group that you have the coice to receive emails or just browse the messages. Yes..I'm very familar with the amount of 'Non-moto' emails that are generated. FYI..there is suppose to be a new BMW M/C franchise going in at an existing BMW car dealership up in Allentown area..stay tuned..

Cheers,

Clay
Kimberton

'02 MINI 'Mouse'
BMW K12RS

Kevin,
Kathy was asked to leave..now working up at the new Cycle Max shop. Lee quit and now working as a part time MSP Instructor /Coach.. As far as being intentional 'Poor' service..all I can say is..don't buy a bike from another dealer and expect 'Good' service @ MLBMW. I and a few others can attest to that experience.

Good Luck,

Clay
Kimberton

'02 MINI 'Mouse'
BMW K12RS

:smile:

I believe you mean DANIELS BMW.. and you are VERY VERY LUCKY if this is the case and you do not mind going there for some of your needs. I drive all the way there from Bucks County Pa to get my Z3 serviced because they are that good. They are expanding but I did not know they were getting Bikes... I sure wish they would get MINI!

>> FYI..there is suppose to be a new BMW M/C franchise going in at an existing BMW car dealership up in Allentown area..stay tuned..

You are correct 'Daniels BMW'..I heard rumors of a franchise up in the Allentown area..so I wrote a note..got a note back fron Daniel himself stating they where seriously considering a M/C franchise..that was about 3months ago..if your BMW fanatic M/C..stay tuned :smile:

Scott,

Check out http://www.minifini.com to see their MINI items. Cup holders, trailer hitch, cargo platforms, developing a cargo hold....

I remember Minifini..I saw the iterms being sold down at Don Rosen's..now Mainline Mini. Try there.

Clay
Kimberton

'02 MINI 'Mouse'
BMW K12RS