Hi, my poor 75 year old mom had a stroke and I must sell her beloved 2011 beige/black automatic model s. it has 9350 miles on it and as such, is still under warranty. I live in the Tampabay area and went to Carmax and Mini Cooper of Wesley Chapel today for appraisals for sale. First off the carmax quote was 2k MORE than the mini dealership, not so surprising I guess but; offering 14 for this car was a slap in the face I think. ANYWAY, I had to jumpstart the car as it has been not used all that much since august and the battery failed to start the car after the 30 + mile trek to the dealerships. I asked at the Mini dealership if this was warranty covered and they said "no, and a new battery is $300..." Is this true? To me, whether or not the car has sat idle for periods of time, the battery is part of the bumper to bumper warranty. Am I wrong??? Thanks for any replies. also would appreciate any thoughts about the value of the car and places in tampabay where I can maximize the money I get for it....

 

They sound like dicks, sorry to hear that. My battery was replaced under warranty in Ft. Myers at the dealership.

 

If its not covered, I would never buy a battery from the dealer. Go to your local auto parts chain and buy a battery for a fraction of the dealer price

 

Most auto parts places or Battery Plus will put it in for free too.

 

give (Ferman) Mini of Tampa Bay in palm harbor a shot, see what they say. Or if you're up for a drive Mini of Orlando too. I got some service coupons in the mail (i already trashed since i live in orlando now, darn it.)recently from Ferman. Explain your situation and mention you heard there's some Holiday specials out there, see what they will do. Best of luck to your mother as well in getting better.

 

I sold my '12 Countryman @ CarMax. They offered more than Ferman and Wesley Chapel. Both dealers low balled me about 5k less than KBB and 4k less than Lexus of Clearwater offered. Neither could fix the issues with my car and both wanted to charge for everything but oil changes under warranty.


Good Luck

 

Read the **** out of those warranty terms and conditions. They'll **** you every chance they get.

 

A lot of times batteries are covered in full for the first 2 years and then pro-rated after that up to maybe 5 years.

To maximize the sale, sell it to an individual and not to a dealer, more of a hassle but you'll get more money.

 

Or better yet, keep it for yourself.

 

If you keep it, learn how to make some repairs yourself.

 

Would keeping it be an option for you? That sounds like a great car that probably hasn't been driven hard at all!

 

any luck, pippin?