I am looking at a 06 MCS that's still at a dealer and new. I live about 3 hours away from the closest dealer. Since the regular service is only every 10K that's won't be too bad a trip but how does the warrently work? Do they come and get the car and bring you a loaner or are you resposible for getting the car to the shop? I think I read that loaners are provided-if true that's good!

I really wish the dealer were closer-there used to be one in Raleigh NC which is only 1 1/2 hr away but it closed and the dealer in VA Beach looks questionable-they only have one car at this time in inventory.

 

nope, you gotta drive and take it to them. They will give you a loaner car when you get there, but you have to bring the car to them.

When was there a dealer in Raleigh? I WISH there was, considering thats where I live. I have to drive to Flow in Winston Salem. As far as I knew, there was just a dealership in Charlotte and one in Winston.

 

I could swear the Leith had one on Capitol when the Mini first came-attahced the Leith BMW but I maybe wrong If they did have one it's been gone for more than two years.

I was planning on using Flow- the NOS 06 MCS I found is in Charleston, SC- nice town but too far away for work. I have a feeling that Checkered Flag is on the way out- or- they really need to update their site as they have only one 06 (used) listed in inventory. That will leave Flow and the dealer in Richmond Va- both would about 3 hours from me and Flow has a good reputation

 

Flow is alright, I wasn't too happy with my last experience there, we took my wife's car in for service, scheduled an appointment, and it still took about 3 hours to complete (it was just an oil service, and trans fluid change as per factory TSB). They washed the car, and when we went outside to get it to drive off, we noticed that one of my wife's wheels had been curbed. Needless to say, we were pretty angry. They contacted a wheel repair guy, and we met him in Greensboro on our way home, they repaired the wheel, and all was good (and Flow footed the bill). I can't be too angry, they did handle the incident quite well, but I was a little unhappy that it happened in the first place.

 

We had to buy from a dealer out of state (ours is 3 hrs away also) and you will have to go to them for any issues or service, but in our experience they have provided us with a loaner for the day so at least we weren't stuck sitting at the dealer

 

FYI, MINI of Sterling has signs in their service area that say they will provide a free loaner for 24 hours (even if you didn't buy the car there, if they do at least an hour's chargeable work). However, it says you will be charged for over 24 hours, regardless of the time you brought your car in or how long the work took, unless the service manager approves more time in advance. Apparently, they don't mean that they will charge you if the car isn't finished, but they will if they finish and you don't return in time, because I was not charged when it took them over a day to fix my car. However, the loaners are Enterprise rental cars. Yuck.

 

When I purchased my MINI from Flow I asked about the possibility of future dealerships in Raleigh. They said that they didn't think it would happen due to cannibalization of sales at their dealership. However, I think that if MINI had enough of a customer base here, perhaps they would at least open a service center (wishful thinking? maybe). Apparently there was never a MINI dealer in Raleigh, which I do not understand!

My MA also mentioned that they only provide loaner vehicles to customers who purchased their MINI from Flow. So make sure you ask questions about this when considering where you will take the car for service. I suggest calling the dealership you plan to take your MINI to before you purchase and find out about loaners, etc. I have yet to bring mine in for service at Flow, but my purchase experience went well (except that my MA put a shallow dent in my bonnet when closing it - they took care of this by hooking me up with DentWizard in Raleigh and footing the bill).

 

hmm, sounds like they could stand to be a bit more responsible with people's cars, but at least they are willing to make things right when they screw it up. Lesson learned: inspect your car VERY carefully upon receiving it back from them.

Here's to hoping that a service center opens up soon in the triangle area, I'm sick of driving so damn far.

 

Hmmmm-it's looking like it might be better to buy a used 05 or 06 MCS and just letting my indy shop here handle the regular service.

I wonder how Flow beat out Leith for the dealership???? It seems the Charlotte and Raleigh would make much more since in covering the state.

 

MINIUSA's roadside assistance will tow your car to the closest dealership if it's not drivable (should you have a total breakdown). This of course doesn't cover minor warranty issues or regular maintenance. However, MINIUSA doesn't have a loaner car policy. This means it's up to each dealership to make their own. Since they aren't obligated to give loaners, their policies widely vary.

 

There is a MINI dealership in Charlotte - Hendrick. Still not sure how Raleigh didn't get any dibs, though...

The crappiest thing about it all is that, even if you do get a used '05 or '06 (assuming that they are both still within 36k mi), the car is still covered under the 3 yr, 36k mile maintenance package that follows the car regardless of how many owners it's had. So you will still be paying for something that is supposed to be complimentary .

I think there is actually a vendor here on NAM who has an independent shop in Thomasville that is MINI certified. I am not sure if he can do the complimentary scheduled maintenance, though. I believe it's Grassroots Garage if I'm not mistaken. Still a bit of a drive from the Triangle, though, but at least it's good to know he's out there.

 

Every dealership is going to be different.

Do you know ANY car maker ... or does anyone know ANY car maker that will come pick up your car for warranty work

 

I must stick up for Checkered Flag. We bought two cars from them in the last six months, a 2007 New Beetle for my Lady and a 2006 CS for me. Both experiences were the two best car buying experiences we've ever had. Very professinal and no punches pulled. They are very up front and The Checkered Flag Auto Group is quite large with lots of staying power. Everytime I've had to contact the service dept for either car they got the information I needed and told me somethings that I needed to do to complete what I wanted to do. I'm in no way alligned with Checkered Flag but they treat folks right, in my experience.

 

When I asked if they will pick up the car, I meant if it was not running-sorry I wasn't more clear. I know they won't come get it for regular service.

I have nothing against checkerd flag-I was just wondering if they are continuing with the MINI dealership because their site only lists one used MC at this time-nothing more which made me think they might be ending that line. If they are not that would be great for me as VA Beach would be the closest dealer.

 

OH, thats different

YES, if your in the "free" maintenance period (which of course really isn't free because its in the price of the car), MINI Roadside Service will tow it to the nearest dealer.

That is a GOOD deal for the first three years. No worries, they will come get it if its not driveable

 

From what I understand Checkered Flag is one of the higher volume dealers on the east coast. They are very active in the SevenCitiesMINIClub. The MA that I bought my CS from, is treasurer of the club. They probablly only show 1 used '06 because that is all they have. I usually drive by there 4 or 5 times a week and haven't seen an '06 sitting there for quite a while. When we bought my new '06 at the end of Febuary they only had 5 new '06s left. They do have loaner cars. I was told that if I give them a heads up, the first time I'm in for service I get a MINI, anytime after that it's either a MINI or a BMW.

 

+1 on Checkered Flag. They have an outstanding sales staff. I haven't needed service yet so I can't comment on them but I would imagine that they are stellar as well. My salesman was Mike Arneson. Call 1-757-490-1111 and ask for Mini Sales. He'll help you out. Tell'm that Jeff (owner of Tug) sent you. No, I don't get a kickback or anything.

 

I love Checkered flag mini. I'm stationed down in Jacksonville, nc, so my wife took a road trip up there right before I left for Iraq to test drive. My MA, Simon Biggs, just threw us the keys, said take her for a spin, suggested routes to take to really test her out. It was an awesome experience. SO now that I'm in Iraq, I write Simon an email with a couple of questions, and a week later, I get a hand written letter from my MA, with some airfreshners and some literature. He's definateley passionate and knowledgable. Like someone said earlier, he's the treasurer of sevencitiesmini. I called before we made the trip up there to make sure they had mor ethan two in stock. They actually had like 40 some. Awesome dealership. I can't speak for their service, I serviced there yet, seeing as how I wont get my car till I'm back

 

We're from a different part of the country than you, but we also live three hours from the closest dealer. In fact, we are three hours from two dealers.

You will be on your own getting the car to the dealer for repairs, but hopefully your SA will work with you scheduling repairs.

For the few things I have had to have handled under warranty(none of which were immediate repair issues), I either called or emailed my Service Advisor and explained the problem, then we set up an appointment for a couple of days later-when I can get there. He has been GREAT about making sure whatever parts may be needed are in stock, and a tech is ready to work on Gromit at the time of my appointment. It generally works out that I pull in and the tech gets in the car and goes to work within a couple of minutes. We had one problem that required an overnight stay and arrangements were made for a loaner car, but most of the time the repairs have only taken an hour or two since everything is ready when we get there.

When you go to the dealer and start talking about buying the car, I would recommend telling your MA how far you will be driving for service, meeting a Service Advisor and explaining your distance situation. Ask if they are going to take that into consideration if you have problems and how they can work with you for repairs. I sometimes may live with a minor problem for a day or two, but I also know that when I get to the dealer they will do everything they can to make my three hour trip worthwhile. Some dealers stay busy and may tell you to make an appointment (at their convenience) which can be a PIA to you with a 6 hour round trip.

If you do find an SA that works with you, be sure to make your arrangements through them every time, if possible. I had a problem once and talked to a different SA, told him I had the day off, how long I had to drive, and what time I could be there. He assured me they would be ready and could get Gromit in at that time and no problem getting it done in about an hour, so I hit the road. Three hours later I get there and he says it'll be another 2 hours before they can get my car in and they may not get it finished that day. I reminded him of what he told me earlier, and that being there the next day was NOT an option. Turned out to be almost 3 hours before they got Gromit in, but the work did get finished that day. Last time I made (or will make) any arrangements with that SA.