For those who have visited a dealer for service other than where you purchased the car, any issues? Or do you feel you were treated no differently than if you had purchased the car there?

 

How about loaner car - I was told only the dealer where you purchase the car will provide loaner. What about the service history of your car, do they all have the same system to pull up the vin # and check the record.

 

We didn't even purchase our MINI form a MINI dealer and we've been treated like we purchased it there. Always willing to give us a loaner if wait will be over one hour. SA always taking time to explain what was done and what will be due next.

 

+1

 

With my BMW, I stopped going to the local dealer because of this. I understand that people who purchased a vehicle there, should get first preference. I go where I get treated best.

Dealerships make good money on service. Tell them you would like to commit to servicing the car there; but, you need a loaner car. If not, go to the next dealer

 

I have purchased two Minis new and taken them to a different dealership for warranty service. I was treated differently. The closest dealer is 120 miles from my home. One example: I made pre-arrangements for a morning drop-off time, work to be performed, and a loaner car. When I got to the dealer I was told I could not have a loaner car because I did not purchase the car at that dealer. I walked five miles to a relative's home. My car also was not worked on until late afternoon so the work was not completed in the one day. I was told even though I made pre-arrangements and travelled a long way, that I had no priority for service. I have had nothing but problems with Bob Smith Mini in Calabasas, CA.

 

Service records are not dealer-specific. They are on the BMW/MINI server with some info also in flash memory on your 'keys'.

Loaner cars should be supplied if your car has a defect being repaired under warranty, regardless of where you purchased the car. If you are just getting routine service (included with car or otherwise), I don't think loaners are part of the deal. But the dealer should have a shuttle service available to take you a reasonable distance. The two Mini dealers I have worked with do this, as does my VW dealer, and it is not just for purchasers.

 

I've had both my MINIs serviced at Bob Smith MINI in Calabasas over the last three years.
My experience has been the exact opposite of "quikmni."

 

I think loaner policy varies by dealer. I bought from a dealer in PA and at purchase they provided me with a document saying they promised me a loaner car during service visits. I subsequently moved to NY and had all my service done at the local dealer there. I felt they treated me very well and no differently than others who had purchased there. However, that dealer has never provided me with a loaner, and I was told it was not a service they offered at all. I don't find that such a big deal. They have a nice waiting area, so I just bring my laptop and work. Alternatively, I can take the shuttle home or to the mall, etc.

 

Bought my Mini CM at a Ford dealer in Minneapolis. Took it to Moterwerks in Minneapolis and they treated me like gold even though I told them I was taking it to Michigan and they would probably never see me again. Since then my local dealer in GR, MI has been awesome to deal with. Loaners every time I'm in (only twice) even though I didn't buy there. Although we did buy my wife's '09 MC there in February.

 

Wow I didn't realize you were around GR. I have had nothing but great service from MOGR although that might have something to do with buying two cars from them last year. I am actually going there tmw for my first service appointment, and I am expecting it to go well.

I will say, after we bought my CM and were looking at a hardtop for my husband, we asked about the loaner car if we bought a Mini somewhere else and had it serviced there. They told us that we would not be able to get a loaner for a car not purchased there, but would still be able to get one for my CM if and when it was in for service. Not sure what would have happened if we actually did buy his car elsewhere, if they would have given us a loaner or not since we did buy it there.

I also had a bad experience with Infiniti of GR after we moved from Cincinnati. I had CPO car and part of that package I was promised a loaner car whichever dealership I went to. Well after I moved I scheduled service for my car and asked about a loaner, they refused since I didn't not buy it there. So, it is not just Mini/BMW that does this, I think a lot of dealerships do it.

 

We took our MB to another dealer for service because we were so unhappy with the current one. There some major work needed to be done so we told the SA that we did not buy from them and he told us that he can arrange for a loaner for us.

So it seems depending on the dealer and how willing they are to earn your business.

 

MSPRO, N. Muskegon huh? My in-laws live there. We went there Friday for dinner last week and my BIL told me to skip the Causeway and 31 N because of construction traffic. Went Maple Island to Sweeter to River. What a fun drive!

 

I recently had some warranty and non-warranty service done at Mini of Mt. Laurel in NJ, though I didn't buy the car there. They were excellent to deal with, got me in with a (manual!) loaner car the NEXT DAY. Both parts and service were knowledgeable helpful, and courteous. Very, very impressed. This is how all Mini dealers should be.

 

I purchased my MINI CM All4 from a dealer 120 miles West of me, service all around was unacceptable, went to another dealer 140 miles East of me and they have treated me like royalty. The additional 20 miles and an hour difference in time zones has been well worth it! And they had a loaner ready for me when I arrived.

MsBrit

 

I like voting with your wheels!

 

Yep, we live in N. Muskegon city limits so the only way to really get to our house from 96 is to go through the detour. Needless to say we have been avoiding it during rush hour if we can. I have never taken the route that you mention, might have to try it sometime. Maybe sometime when you are over this way we or we over that way, we could get together or something. My husband and I would love to meet more local enthusiasts.