i bought my mini used about a month ago from a private seller. but i dont know what my mini has as far as features and stuff. is there a way i could find this out other than going to a dealer?

 

You can do what I did, and shoot an email to mini usa through their website.

 

what do i email them with?

 

Your VIN will tell them all goodies your car left the factory with, which if you ask nicely, they will pass on to you.

 

Just dial 866.askmini and have your VIN ready. They can tell you the packages and also where your Mini was serviced.

 

I bought my mini second-hand a couple of weeks ago. When I emailed mini they told me to contact the dealer which sold the mini.:-(

I was pretty nice in my email. However, I also asked for the original MSRP in my email. Maybe this pushed them over the edge into sending me to the dealer (which I have yet to do, as I doubt they will be that happy to provide this info to me).

 

Hmm. When I emailed them, I mentioned that I bought a used MINI and wanted to let them know so they could update their records in case there's ever any recalls on the car.

I also told them I was curious about which options the car came with from the factory.

They let me know that the car had one recall performed on it, and also let me know how much of the warranty (and free maintenance) was left remaining on the vehicle, as well as the options.

Maybe asking for the MSRP pushed their buttons or something... I've always gotten quick, friendly responses whenever I've emailed miniusa...

 

Why email though? I programmed 866-ASKMINI into my cell phone when I was looking for my car. I would stand in a dealers lot and call them up and ask for the rundown all while the sales guy was standing next to me...
Worked great and they were very willing to give all the info. The car I ended up buying worked out well. The sales guy had the wrong info on the packages and when the warranty ran out. Tough for him to doubt me when I had Mini on the speakerphone as we stood next to the car. In this case, email takes too long!

 

Was it a MINI or BMW dealership? If so they have direct access to the database with all of that info. It only takes 'em 5 minutes to look it up and print it out along with all registered service.

If it wasn't, next time you take it in for service just ask them if they would print out the info for you. Most are happy to help out, especially considering you're paying $80 for an oil change. <grin>

-/flea

 

It was an independent dealership. Maybe I'll ask the local dealership if they will do that for me.

bonmot

 

my mini stealership said there was a "confidencial" like the Dr's office.. policy now.. they can't release info that was done when YOU didn't own the car.. he did look it up and tell me the services were done. they couldn't give names and numbers obviously.

they were nice about it.

Midwest mini in columbus oh

 

My independent BMW mechanic was able to get this info too on his computer just by plugging in the vin#. I don't know what info service he subscribes to, but non-MINI dealers can get this info too.

 

I bought my MINI about 2 months ago from a Ford dealership. Two days after I bought it the check engine light came on so I took it to Mini Southwest in Houston. The service writer was very nice and helpful. told me about the car reprogramed the computer so the convertable top would work with the key fob and explained everything abiut the car I had bought and changed the owner records. I even got a rent car and a cup of good coffee. I love my MINI, and the Mini dealership.

 

as long as it's the dealership that sold the MINI originally they can look it up.

not sure about service records.

 

I sent an email to miniusa asking for my list of options and was politely told to go to a dealer. Maybe I will try calling - is it a 24-hr line, or M-F only?

 

Was it Momentum?

P.S. Are you a member of HMMS?

 

As a new owner, I'd like to have any info you people can supply on dealers in the Houston area. I live in Beaumont and it's right in the middle from Houston and Baton Rouge. Woodlands Mini and Momentum are the closest to me. Any feedback on either of these dealer would be greatly appreciated.

I also inquired about the options available on the used Mini I bought. I got the "see your dealer" response from Mini Owner's Lounge too.

Terry

 

Terry, I'll PM you...

 

I live in Houston and have had great service from Mini of the Woodlands. Ask for Heather.

I can't speak for the other dealerships - I haven't been anywhere else.

 

Hey, Miniriffic--are you a member of HMMS or MCOW? If so, I don't recognize your screen name...

 

Thanks for the input. That's probably who I'm going to end up dealing with for needed service.