My wife and I would like to buy a Mini, but we are very concerned that the closest (and apperantly only) dealership in our state is 70 miles away. If our car breaks down, will mini tow it to the dealership? How often does the car require scheduled maintenance? Is this at all feasable for us to do?

Also, in terms of what options to buy with the car, are there cheaper sources or should we go through the dealer? Are there options to stay away from? The upgraded radio sounds good. Is it?

Thanks!

 

Thanks but I've already bought my MINI.

R.E. :smile: :smile:

 

>>My wife and I would like to buy a Mini, but we are very concerned that the closest (and apperantly only) dealership in our state is 70 miles away. If our car breaks down, will mini tow it to the dealership? How often does the car require scheduled maintenance? Is this at all feasable for us to do?
>>
>>Also, in terms of what options to buy with the car, are there cheaper sources or should we go through the dealer? Are there options to stay away from? The upgraded radio sounds good. Is it?
>>
>>Thanks!

OK,

I was just kidding in the above post because I am called by my intials, R.E..

Now I'll try to answer your questions.

1. I'd be very happy with a dealer only 70 miles away, nearest one to me is about 220 miles away.

2. MINI says they will take your car to the nearest MINI dealer on a flat bed truck if it can't be driven.

3. Maintainence is scheduled about every 10,000 miles. It's not much more than an oil change.

4. You'll find lots of different opinions on which options are best. As far as the HK radio, some like it and some don't.....my standard stereo is crummy.


Buy the car and enjoy it.....don't sweat the small stuff too much......it's a great car.


R.E.

 

Having your dealer far away will be inconvenient. You'll probably have to dedicate a good portion of a day everytime you need to bring it in. Hopefully it's near fun stuff where you could almost look forward to taking the car in.

This is a thread I started on the dealer installed options when we were looking into our car:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=20213

Basicly:

- Go aftermarket for cloth floormats. The MINI rubber mats are decent.
- Don't buy MINI leather. You can get better aftermarket leather for less
- I'm not really impressed by the HK. Some people really like it. My problem is the bass response doesn't seem very flat. Everything else about it is great.
- The factory driving lights are cool, but you can get cheaper aftermarket.
- Leather shift boots and shift ***** are probably better aftermarket.
- Maybe look into aftermarket wheels/tires.
- We installed the Parcel Shelf, Chrome Mirrors and Alarm ourselves and it was _very_ easy.

Aside from that stuff, I think MINI does the rest of their options better than the aftermarket.

 

apex,

what alarm system did you install? the MINI one? or aftermarket?

 

My dealership is 350 miles away. If it breaks they fix it for the warranty period. They are supposed to flatbed it to the nearest dealer if it is undriveable. I am counting on it not breaking down. Its a new car. I have the HK system and I really like it. It is the best stereo I have had in a car, I know there are better, but the HK is really nice. If you are not a weight fanatic, go with all the options. I left out the Nav and the leather on mine. I don't miss them cuz I don't know what I am missing.
Buy it, drive it and enjoy it.

 

04 MINI alarm

btw, I'm a weight freak, but I got a ton of options. I wanted a small car with a bunch of toys, and if I've lost a couple 10ths in my 1/4 mile, I don't notice and don't care

 

I am not a race car driver, but sometimes I pretend (sometimes I take turns at a higher-than-posted speed).
So here are my specs and my opinions of each item:
04 Cooper
DSC - Helps in rain/snow/ice. Can be switched off with toggle switch.
Stripes - I just think they look good
Cruise/Multi-Function Steering Wheel - Never had cruise or even a CD player and I will never go back...
Front and Rear Fog Lights - I want to be as visible as possible in bad weather
Rally Lights - They're really expensive, but again, I think they look good
Sport Seats - Very comfortable vs. standard seats
Aluminum Pedals - Again, they look good
Chrome Bumper Inserts - Looks good with Pepper White
Everything else standard...and I love it.

_________________
:smile:

 

70 miles away, cool!
That means more time driving your MINI.
And if nothing is wrong, that equates to a good time.
And you don't have to use an excuse like, "Honey, I'm going to run down to the store for a gallon of milk", then reappear 3-4 hours later.
I live 10 minutes away from the MINI dealer, wanna trade?

 

Can you please tell me some online sources for options for the mini, like learther, etc.?

Do the maintenance checks require pulling codes from the computer? I have a good local mechanic here who deals in VW/Porsche.

Thanks for all the help.

 

My dealer is about 70 miles away.

Things to do while MINI is being serviced.

1. Go to SF Auto show
2. Go to Giants game
3. Go to Fisherman's Wharf
4. Drive home via twisty coast route

I won't list any more, because I've only been once for my 10 k checkup

 

>>Can you please tell me some online sources for options for the mini, like learther, etc.?
>>
>>Do the maintenance checks require pulling codes from the computer? I have a good local mechanic here who deals in VW/Porsche.
>>
>>Thanks for all the help.

Go to MINI USA.com and "build your own MINI" pick and chose what options you want, follow all the steps and you can find all options available.

Maintence checks are pulled from your key or the computer in the car, depending on the dealership.