I recently purchased a 2004 MCS, used, in great condition. Looking for a dealership to perform the regular service maintenance near (somewhat) my Fremont home. I'm thinking the nearest dealers are East Bay Mini in Pleasanton, and Allison BMW/Mini in Mt. View. Any other suggestions, good experiences ? Thanks !

 

Avoid Mt. View like the plague - they suck as a BMW dealer and they suck even more as a Mini dealer. The MAs are conceited little jerks, the Mini parts manager has the social graces (and girth) of a syphillic cow and the service department resembles a Tijuana chop shop. Did I mention that they suck?

During the course of lemoning my M Roadster I bought through them, they we're so belligerent and foul that the BMW area service technician assigned to investigating our case apologized in writing for their rotten behavior and not only recommended taking my car back, but also scolded them in front of my wife and I for their service department making the problem worse with their incompetent boobery.

The dealer manager was such a complete jackass that our company lawyer (who lives in Palo Alto) wrote a letter to BMW NA informing them the man was such an embarrasment to the BMW image, that was putting his Z8 on the market (he kept it - sweet car, I don't blame him).

East Bay Mini is fine, I have also had good experiences with Mini of Concord (sales department is bleh). Anytime I pick up parts or go in for service the Techs come out to see what new mods I've installed.

I had a friend who had a problem with his idler arm that East Bay Mini refused to fix because of his 15% reduction pulley that Concord fixed under warranty with no questions asked. On the other hand, I had another acquaintance go to Concord and they refused to service his car until he removed his CAI and Uni Chip.

 

Sound like MT View MINI/BMW left a bad taste in your mouth eh? Too bad to hear. You'd think that MINI would check out dealer ratings before allowing certain dealers to participate

 

I wish the dealer rating thing was back up on NAM. However, you can go to the owner's lounge and receive some opinions as well. I put my stock wheels back on before going to EB to have some clicking checked on. Turns out it was the rack and pinion making the noise and it was replaced under warranty. Good thing I keep the tires and wheels instead of selling them..hate to have them rejected it due to aftermarket wheels/tires.

 

A pox on them!

 

Thanks for the info ! I'll give East Bay Mini a try. Pleasanton is a bit closer to home and seems they have better service hours. Concord is probably too far for me. If anyone else has good/bad experiences with EB or Mt View, please toss them out !

Thanks !

 

I should add that they don't offer loaner cars so if that's important you might try another dealership instead.

 

I have had mine done at East Bay MINI and have no complaints. They have really good customer service as well as MINI service. I don't know of many MINI dealers off hand that offer loaner cars. It's just not in the MINI USA budget, I think. Good luck!

 

Does Mini of SF offer any?

 

I've gotten a Focus and a X3 as loaners from Mtn View... just depends on what you're taking your car in for... if it's just trim or low-end warranty stuff then probably no loaner... if you have some major issues then more then likely you'll get a loaner.

 

SF gives loaners for warranty repairs. Plus they have a way cool showroom. And I have had positive experiences with service from them.

 

No problems with MV Mini service department. They have been good to me.

retroom