Hey all -

I'm currently going to Mini of Sterling to get all work/service done on my car.

I was just wondering what you all think is the best dealer/service around.

I need to get my inspection one done.

I'm not sure what is done during the inspection one service, but I do have some questions for some of you who has had this done:

1) is a loaner car provided?
2) rough estimate of cost (is this service part of the free service agreement?)
3) which dealer is best in terms of customer service and has the most knowledgeable staff?

I only know of these dealers in the area:

Sterling Mini
Tate Mini

Who would you all recommend?

 

The only three dealers in the area are Tate, Sterling, and Towson.

We have members who swear by the service at Towson and drive as much as an hour and a half to get there whenever they need service. This despite that Sterling and Tate are closer to them.

Sterling had some serious customer service issues in their Service Dept earlier this year, however from what I have heard from people who have been there recently things are much better there.

Can't speak at all for Tate.

When it comes to loaners, you probably would be able to get one from Sterling... but don't count on it being a MINI or BMW. Odds are you'll end up with an Enterprise car instead.

 

Inspection one service should cost you nothing

Towson provided me with a loaner because they knew they would have the car eight hours or more on that particular day.

I bought at Sterling but have had all my service done at Towson. I have not had any problems with their service department and they have gone out of their way to make me happy on several occasions. You have to ask in advance to set up a loaner, and most of the time it is a rental via Enterprise. I've only gotten a MINI once. Wayne Luberecki is the Service Advisor there.

You can tell I really like them because I drive over an hour to take the car up there!

I have not heard good things about Tate because their service department seems to have a lot of turnover.

I had a poor experience at Sterling, but they have made a lot of changes since then and I have been hearing pretty good things about their service levels.

I will stick with Towson, but you may be very happy at Sterling.

 

I went to Sterling to get the 15% pulley installed. At the time they noticed that I had the older style coolant resevoir so they changed it. They also got rid of some of the rattles I had. As far as I'm concerned they are top notch.


I went there because they will warranty all work done as long as they use parts from their service shop.

They loaned my a 325i - I haven't had any problems whatsoever with Sterling, but wanted some feed back about the other shops.

Thanks for the responses...

russ

 

In addition to the 3 dealers mentioned by others, there is a non-dealer that specializes in MINIs: John Behe's Gleneg Servicenter (http://www.GlenelgServicenter.com) north of Olney on MD97. John is a member of DCMM and can do the non-routine work like MCS Pulleys, Sway bars, etc.

 

Thanks a whole bunch for the link...

I tend to try and stay away from the $tealers if I can. I only go to them if I have to get warranty work done - or free services... lol....

I like specialty shops - that is - if they are top notch and charge fair prices.

Too much price gouging out there nowadays..

I'm going to talk to them about a rear sway bar install - I probably could do it myself, but I'd rather have someone that has the necessary tools and has done it a few times do the work.

Thanks.

 

Then definately go visit Glenelg. Make sure you tell them Tom Clark sent you too!

 

I take mine to Tate Mini because its closer for me and its were i bought the car. I havent really had any major problem with them yet because i havent had any major problems with the car

 

FYI...


I went to Sterling Mini to have my inspection I service done. While I was there they went ahead and did two recall repairs.

It took a little longer than expected - I waited there because it's a 2 hour drive.

I must say - the customer waiting area and dealership itself is very nice.

Things went smoothly and I'd definitely recommend them.

 

I took mine to Towson on Monday for the first time. I was delighted. The service manager (Wayne) fit me in without an appointment. The dealership is clean, comfortable, with beverages, internet service, plenty of newspapers and a large tv. If the service is long they can zip you over to the Town Center mall in Towson. Not bad!

 

I have been very pleased there as well. Wayne generally tries to go out of this way for people and make things right.

 

:deleted:

 

<In addition to the 3 dealers mentioned by others, there is a non-dealer that specializes in MINIs: John Behe's Gleneg Servicenter (http://www.GlenelgServicenter.com) north of Olney on MD97. John is a member of DCMM and can do the non-routine work like MCS Pulleys, Sway bars, etc.>

I've been searching for over an hour for a recomm from someone besides the dealer shops. I'd heard there was a specialty shop somewhere around Silver Spring...Great thanks for the link...I bought my S summer 2002 from Towson and the warranty work was always well-done.

If anyone has any other super mechanics with specialization in the Mini Cooper S, my 2002 has finally run thru its 50,000 mi extended warranty, time to play! Thanks Again!

minimoke
mark nichols/baltimore

 

Benchmark Motors in Columbia says they can do just about anything on the MINIs. They specialize in BMW and Mercedes (and now MINI). I think they do mostly service and detailing but they say they will do aftermarket parts just ask them first. I used them for Oil change and mounting runflats. Good people.

 

Just got my pully done at Gleneg Servicenter, was so damn impressed I wrote a review. I will use them for anything on my MINI that's not something I have to go to the dealer for.

- John