I went to Schomp today, checkbook in hand, to buy a JCW hardtop. I proceeded to learn that their salespeople know absolutely nothing about their cars, and aren't particularly interested in selling them.

My salesguy swore that both the Cooper S and JCW have the EDLC diff, that the JCW has 18" wheels and that the JCW has a stiffer factory suspension than the MCS.

They could not deliver a factory order until late August, and wouldn't try to get a JCW from another dealership without adding a shipping/handling fee on top of MSRP. They also tried to rip me off of $500 on my trade-in. My current car was appriased by Schomp BMW three weeks ago for a low (but relatively fair) price. Their sales team tried to convince me that it had depreciated an additional $500 in three weeks. What they were offering was about $1k below even the wholesale numbers that they pulled up.

I understand that they are supportive of 5280, but this was bar-none the worst experience I've had at a car dealer. I think I'll wait to buy until Mini of Loveland opens and absolutely creams these jokers.

 

Call around, find your car on another dealer's lot, seal the deal over the phone, get your check, go pick up your car and have an adventure driving it home from "away". Nothing like bonding with your new MINI on a road trip!

 

Had almost the same dealing with them as you! In the end we got our car in Buffalo NY over the phone and had a great drive home. Also called the NM dealer but we have family in Buffalo so got to see them also. If you search back sometime ago you can read all about my deal. Once the Loveland dealer opens I wont EVER step in Schomps dealerships again.

 

I never had to deal with the sales team but their service group was always great to deal with. Didnt they hire mostly new staff recently after they cleaned house? Telling MINI - USA does effect the dealership so if your mad enough write a complaint.

 

yeah every time ive been there ive either got a call or a e-mail asking me to "tell them how they did"

 

The best way to retain as much cash as possible is to sell your Mini yourself. I sold mine in two weeks at a much higher price than Schomp or Mini of Murray wanted to give me. After all they are in the business of selling cars, not buying them. I got frustrated with the sales staff at Schomp as well and went to Utah where I was able to order my car on line and phone, confirm the order and pick it up a few months later. The sales staff at Murray was great and professional. I have been taking my 08 S in to Schomp for some warranty work and they have been great to work with.

 

+1 we sold our MINI for a couple thousand more than Schomp offered us. If you order your new MINI, it will give you time to sell your current one anyways. Our sales guy (Lance) was pretty good, although I think they are pretty busy down there so it was a bit difficult to track him down sometimes.

Service is AWESOME! I highly recommend Rob

 

ha ha yeah service is awesome when they try to rip you off for thousands of dollars

too bad i know what im talking about with cars

so in my experience the sales team is crap, the service is nice until you figure out that they are nickel and diming you out of hundreds or even thousands of dollars

they are just lucky that they are the one and only mini dealership in CO

 

Order one from Hendirick in Charlotte NC and I will drive back out with you to Denver area. I love it out there, sort of like Florida, great place to visit but wouldn't want to live there. What ever happen to SHELLBELL?

 

So is there anywhere else MINI5280 members would recommend taking in a mini for service? Or is Schomp the only option?

I have a 2003 and we just moved to Denver so I don't have my original dealer/service team.

Thanks.

 

Schomp is the only MINI dealership right now in Colorado, but come Jan to Feb of 2010, MINI of Loveland will open. I have heard of nearby BMW dealerships doing service when a MINI is not nearby.

 

I have also heard that Loveland is getting a dealer, but I highly doubt they'll be any better with pricing. How do you say 'premiums'?

 

Actually, to follow up on this, I (the OP) wound up buying a 135i. I bought it from Co's BMW, which is the same franchise that is opening the new Mini dealership. They were much, much more competitive than Schomp on pricing. They beat Schomp's best price by about $2k, so I have hope that their mini dealership will be similarly competitive.

 

Of course now you have a 135i and not a MINI ... guess you showed them.

 

Lionel,

How much did you pay for your 1-series? I was looking at them the other day and once I started adding the options....WHOA NELLY...the price online shot through the roof. How close was your final price compared to what you could configure online?

For those interested, the NM dealership Sandia Mini was a pleasure to deal with. Just about the EASIEST/NO PRESSURE purchase (aside from my usual internet/email purchasing). Will (internet manager) and Michael (our MA) are super people and would recommend anyone going to see them!

 

I paid $800 over invoice, could probably have done more like $300-500 over but I thought it was a fair price for everybody.