My wife and I were out shopping in an area where it was convenient to drop by the Princeton MINI dealer (where we have purchased both of our MINIs) so we stopped in around 1 P.M. to test drive a Clubman. They have none! How does anyone buy a car without test driving it first? Can't believe that they don't have some of the early production Clubmans that the journalists test drove as test drive vehicles.

When we stopped in, there were three guys sitting around (none of them salesmen) and they totally ignored us. When we inquired about taking out a Clubman, one of them informed us that they have none. Suggested we wait for a salesperson to see when they would get a Clubman in. Given how few MINI dealers there are around, it isn't exactly a ten minute ride to just pop in at the dealers convenience.

Some time in the future, MINIs will lose their popularity like all car marks do and maybe the dealers will rue the day when they were all so arrogant to potential customers.

Just had to vent.

 

The production rate of Clubmans is not as high as other MINIs and the demand is surprisingly high. There's a wait now to get one and that's why they don't have any. They are using their Clubman loaner for test drives. Whenver they get one in, it gets sold. I suggest you call before going in next time...or try Morristown and see if they have any. Those guys hanging out who didn't greet you are valets...they get paid very little and it shows. BTW, if you go to Morristown ask for Brian, he's a great guy to deal with. If you go to Princeton again, ask for Dan...I promise you he'll treat you with respect and tell him I sent you.

 

Russr:
Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure why Princeton would need three valets at 1 P.M. and no salespeople. I know that the Clubman is popular, you would think that MINI would modify their mix percentage. What really ticked me off is the lack of a test vehicle. I fired off an email to Jeremy Golis who is the MINI sales manager, so I'll wait and see what he has to say.

Thanks for the suggestions on MAs, I'll be sure to look them up if we ever venture back to a MINI dealer's premises.

 

I agree, 5 stars for Brian at Morristown. (Jerry is very good also).
Just ordered mine form them early June and Brian was super responsive with e-mails and friendly with my million of questions. Spent much time going over everything with me when I first went into the showroom also. Even though they were busy and I said i wasn't ordering at that moment.
Can't comment on Princeton but Prestige was not up to Morristown level.
Can't wait to get my car...

 

I bought my MCS there a month ago and had a good experience. Cameron helped me pick out the important options and was great about returning my calls and answering any questions. I would definitely order from there again..although i haven't had to schedule service yet.

 

I worked with Cameron also and while great in the planning / ordering stages, he has lacked in the follow up. Getting questions answered timely isn't a strong point.

 

I just had my 07 cooper cabrio in for its first service, very good experience. Just remember that you need to ask for the loaner car when you schedule your service appointment. All the issues that I had with the car were addressed. I had the day time running lights turned on and that was the only cost to me. The convience feature to open the top and windows was turned on, as well as the air bag assembly replaced, the mini emblem bent on the horn button. I must say that the car was ready faster then promised.

 

To stuffy unless you pull up in a bentley.

 

I've already posted on this topic about my buying experience, it went pretty smooth and was pretty happy with it. Although, I recently made an appointment to get some warranty issues fixed as well as have my garmin mount and installed. The earliest appointment was in about 1.5 weeks from when I called. And they wanted 600 for the mount and installation. Which was ridiculous. Prestige want 275 for the same thing. So I just skipped the appointment. I didnt want to waste a day at princeton to have the warranty work done and then go somewhere else to have the garmin installed. Will try Morristown Mini.