Okay, so I've just about got my down payment together and I'm ready to order my Cooper S. I live in Columbus, so MAG/Midwestern Mini seems to make sense, but then I've heard from friends who've delt with MAG before tell me not to go there for this or that. Good friends of mine that have done several deals there, not just schmoe's off the street that cannot afford their cars/services. I've also heard that Classic Mini up North is just plain wonderful. I just don't know if it's worth going two hours North for a dealership or not. And if I find it is, then will I at least be able to have routine maintenence and warranty work peroformed locally at MAG or will I have to go up towards Cleveland evertime something comes up?

Anyone have direct expirience with either dealer, or both?

Thanks a lot.

 

Niz -

Last year I bought a used 03 MCS (at a Subaru dealer). When the odometer finally counted backwards enough I took it to MAG in Dublin. Steve Morris has always treated me fairly. I even had an interior trim issue (tweeter cover on passenger door). I came in for the replacement and he had entered the wrong color code. He apologized profusely, and told me he'd call when the right one came in. I went back a week later, and it was installed... no charge. Whatsoever. I said "Steve, at least let me pay for the part." He wouldn't hear of it. I know that's a small thing, but I thought it was great.

I don't know about the other dealer, and others may have other stories about MAG. You'll just have to wait and see who replies to this thread. The scheduled maintenance is not very often, so I'm not sure I'd let that enter my decision much. But for the little stuff, you might not want to make the trip up north. Although you'll really love driving, so I guess it all balances out.

 

I got my MINI at Cincy MINI and they are SUPER!!!!! I know someone who got a MINI at MAG but went to Cincy MINI for their 2nd one. It is 45 minutes for us here in the Dayton area but worth it!! Check with Damon at Cincy MINIs. You can PM for his email or #. Good luck!!

 

I bought my car at MAG. My wife had 2 Audrey's from there too & was treated well. My buying experience was an OK event. Until the car came in with the wrong dash finish. Mistakes happen & I ordered another with the correct specs. The extra 6 week wait was a bit hard on me. Check your specs before the car is built.

My car has been in for service #1, which is an oil change. I change my oil every 5,000 miles. The next change after the one that MAG did was a royal pain. Son of Kong must have tightened the drain plug & filter canister. The spec is 18 ft lbs, I'd guess it was over 100 ft lbs. I had to use a 1/2 breaker bar with a 2 foot pipe slipped over the end to break the filter & drain plug loose. I may not go back to MAG for my next service. It does bother me that I have to drive 2 hours to get it done right.

Edit....My next MINI will most likely come from Classic.

 

I just bought a MINI from Cincinnati which is 100 miles further away from where I live than MAG. Why? I recently had a bad experience with MAG's BMW side (after buying two BMW's from them). Also, the MINI sales staff at MAG didn't seem to care if they sold one or not. When I called around, Delaney at Cincy MINI was most helpful. I got a lukewarm response from Cleveland.

 

I live in central Ohio and have purchased two MINI's from Jay at Cincy MINI. I just haven't been impressed with the sales or service staff at MAG, but yes, MAG will service any MINI you take to them.

 

I bought both my MINIs at MAG, of Dublin. I live in Piqua, and MAG is about 70 miles East of me on US 36. Steve Morris is a great service rep, and is knowledgeable and pleasant. I like the service I've received from MAG and will go back...I recommend them to anyone and everyone, but know ya can't please everyone all the time.

 

Oh yes. It was Cincinatti that I'd also heard good thing about. I even have a few friends that just moved down there, too....

Thanks for all the input, keep it coming.

 

My '06 is still less than a year old, and the driver's seat is severely worn in the piping. Steve @ MAG just called this morning to say that they are replacing the seatback cover for free because of that. While at the Dragon last Saturday when it rained so hard, my hatchdoor wouldn't open again until we had gotten almost to Lexington...again, Steve said that sometimes the top brakelight can get wet and short out the door mechanism during heavy rains [and has offered a repair and has even gone as far as offering a free loaner until my car is fixed]. I just cannot get over how accommodating MAG is...at least to MY way of thinking.

A lot has been written about the selling of the MINI at MAG. Someone told me that a salesperson only gets around $200 for each new MINI that's sold [and probably a lot less for a used one]. While that sounds like a nice commission to me, perhaps it is chicken feed when compared to how much one gets for selling a Bimmer. I guess what I am saying is that I'd "do the math" before dissing the MINI salespeople. By the way, my first new MINI was a USED '03 [in '04], and my second was a bought-it-brand-new-off-the-lot '06. I still have and drive both cars.

Nope, MAG is the dealer for me. It's the closest of the 3, and they have never "done me wrong" in the 3+ years I've dealt with them.

 

Good to hear that MAG has excellent service. I never had problems on the BMW service side at MAG, either. Of course for BMW service in Columbus it is hard to beat the legendary Gordon Rae at Kelly BMW. It seems to be MAG's entire sales organization that may have some issues, based on the comments here and elsewhere. I guess any organization can have people you click with and those you don't.

 

Yeah, the new MINI sales force has had its ups and downs with regard to customer feelings. I've heard that in the past and may even have experienced it once or twice while waiting for my car to be serviced. I can honestly say, however, that now that I have a new car, they know who I am and are even friendly, even though I am no longer shopping for a new car..

 

I was looking at a remaining '06 and the new '07's at MAG at the beginning of April and worked with Chad (I think) and he was very helpful. He had no problems with me coming back with my son and the wife's car seat to make sure that there was enough room in the back (which was kind of embarrassing when all the cookie and cracker crumbs came tumbling out when I was getting it into the back seat!).

 

I will pipe in for Steve at MAG as well. My car was recently in for service and the driver took my car through the car wash and nicked my stubby antenia and Steve did a great job of getting it fixed quickly.

I would agree on the sales side I have never talked to anybody there that made me want to buy a car, but I knew I was getting a Mini so I just walked in gave them a check and a spec sheet (after arguing about my need of cruise controle for half an hour I was out the door).

 

In their defense, my opinion of MAG was tainted very early in their MINI existence when I was ignored by a couple of very young salespeople. I'm sure things have improved since then.

 

I purchased my MCS from MAG. I've received excellent service. Steve Morris is straightforward and very professional.

 

He certainly is all that, AND, he loves the mods that MINI owners do to their cars...and doesn't yap about voiding warranties...just a great, human being.


Ron was also very good and conscientious...but BMW moved him over to be one of their service reps. At least the Bimmers finally have someone they can be proud of, now, too.

 

Thanks a lot for all the input. Perhaps MAG isn't all I've heard it is after all. I'll talk with a couple guys I know this weekend that supposedly have an 'inside line' with them as well and see if there's any advise or assistance they may offer, as this will be my first new car purchase. And to think, at one point, I felt it was the stupidist thing anyone could do was to buy new!

 

I was just there today, getting a new driver's seat [free] and my hatch works replaced [also under warranty]. Grrreat service...I got there around 10, and was told "3-4 hrs., and if it's longer, we'l give you a loaner". I was back on the road by noon, pleased as all get out.

They still have 2 new '06 MINIs left in stock...one a cabrio Cooper and the other a silver MCS. Both are stick shifts. They have SCADS of '07s...Coopers, cabrios, and MCSs.

 

Glad you recieved good service. SCADS of 07s, maybe it's time to test drive one.

 

There are 6 or so out front....with more behind that bldg. in the back

 

That's good to hear. I was actually there a couple weeks ago when I had a whole day to try and test drive a couple vehicles back to back at different lots. The only two I made it to that day were the 2007 Cooper S and Ricart Megamall had two Mazdaspeed 3's there. I drove one and liked it quite a bit. ~80HP more than the Cooper S, ~$2000 less than the Cooper S per my build specs on both....But DAMN! City EPA is rated 20MPG on the Mazdaspeed 3 vs 29MPG on the Cooper S.

I don't think the Speed 3 handles quite as good as the Cooper S, but it was still a very good car. I think I've already made up my mind a long time ago, however. But the numbers on the speed 3 were just too cool not to try it out. And those won't be around forever.

Oh, and the reason I was actually posting is because I asked them if the one I test drove had the LSD option. It did not. In fact, they informed me that none of the models on the lot were equiped with the Limited Slip Diff that I require. So I'll be ordering one after all. 8)

 

When I bought mine, no LSD equipped cars were to be found there either. If you are buying new ordering to your exact specs can't be beat.

 

Well, I know it's not a Mini dealership, but I was driving through Upper Sandusky the other day, and I stopped by Courtesy Auto Superstore, and they had an '02 Mini Cooper S on the lot. It was dark metallic grey and had under 16,000 miles on it.

I have a friend who works out there, and he knew about my enfatuation with the slick little sports car. What I discovered when I got out there was not only a great deal, but good people who are intent on helping out the customer. Like I said, I already knew one of the guys personally, but the rest of the crew treated me with respect and dignity, even knowing that I was only out there to see (not buy) the Mini.

I didn't get it, on account that I've still got my '04 and it's in perfect running shape, but I figured that I'd let ya'll know there's a diamond in the rough out that way if anyone's looking to get a used one, and if you're worried about the people, they don't come any better than the folks out there.

 

Glad to hear of a positive experience with Courtesy. I live in Upper Sandusky and locally they have had a poor reputation related to overly-aggressive sales tactics. They had quite a staff turnover problem after opening and it sounds like they might have their act together. Coincidentally, another local dealer, Eippert Motors, had a preowned MC which stayed on the lot all of 2 days before being purchased. I haven't seen it locally and to my knowledge there are only two MC's and two MCS on the road in our area. They are still a novelty here.

 

I have no complaints abuot MAG's service - they got me in for emergency warranty work when my "Check Engine" light went on the day before I was leaving for the Dragon, so they earned my respect, and they always give me a loaner or a ride to work. I like the service advisor there as well - he's very polite and professional.

Sales-wise, we bought the car from an Audi salesman that we know that works there... when we walked onto the lot the first time we got a jerk of a sales guy that wouldn't even talk numbers with us. "We both know uypu're not leaving with a MINI today" he said.. Um... not really. I was ready to buy. Oh well - I don't see him working there any more.

Good luck with the new purchase!