i've always thought i've had a good relationship with the service department at my dealer, but recently i've had some trouble getting loaner cars for warranty work. from a full time working household and with the nearest dealer an hour away this is considered a "must" for me. there's been a few new hires in the department, and since i purchased the car my original sales person has left and i have no real "associate" anymore. has anyone else noticed this "lack of loaners" mini wide or is this just this specific dealer i'm having a little trouble with ?

when the service equals the reliability and one of them does not excel over the other it's time i start considering my options.

 

I haven't taken my Mini to the dealer in Vermont yet, but the Indianapolis dealer was great. They partnered with Enterprise so if a Mini loaner was not available, they pick up the phone and Enterprise would drive over and pick you up and off you go. Mini loaners were at no cost, just refuel it. Enterprise takes a $50 security deposit that they refund to you after you return it without any damage, just return it with fuel too.

 

I've only been to my dealer one time for service and that was an oil change. They gave me a loaner. There were about half a dozen of them setting there waiting to be used.

 

Here in CT I was impressed that even though I said that I did not need a loaner (for the 1.5 hours they would be working on my car) they had one waiting for me, just in case I changed my mine.

 

here in NYC if you want a loaner you need to wait at least 1 week, some dealer you may even have to wait 3 weeks for a loaner.

 

At Mini of Richmond, VA I found if you requested a loaner during the appointment setup they will have one available. I also had service in Mini of Scottsdale and Mini of Tempe, AZ and they always provided my a loaner even if I did not request one during setup--they had a row of loaners lined up.

 

I had to book my service 2 weeks out here in Portland, as I recall I could have got one a bit sooner but I was in no rush on the issue.