After reading about all the crummy dealer service across the country, I felt like I needed to appreciate Ralph Schomp.

I have had my 09 in for oil changes 3 times in 8000 miles. The last one was free, since it is now a year old. Each time I took it in I had at least 1 other issue I wanted them to investigate, which they did without question or argument. Each time they did find a necessary adjustment which was made, resolving the issue. I did have the dreaded "cold start" issue, but that was fixed the first time, also with no questions or arguments. I did get a pretty dirty loaner, though. I had to wash and vacuum it because it was really bad. Whoever had it before me abused it, no doubt.

All of the work done so far (not counting the oil changes) is:

Replace a tach (the housing rattled).
Replace a speedometer (the software flash for the new tach was incompatible with my "obsolete" 4 month old speedo!).
Fixed the "cold start" rattle issue.
Adjusted the glass alignment in my sunroof to eliminate wind noise.
Tighten a loose battery terminal connection.

All work was done without cost, question, complaints, or suggestion of wrong doing by me. The total cost (beyond the expected cost of the oil changes) was in terms of time travelling to the dealership, and I live fairly close.

All told, they have been really good to me! I am always in an out very quickly, and they always have good answers to any obscure questions I come up with about voiding warranties with mods and different fluids. Would I have preferred to have had zero issues? Sure, but in the big scheme of things, my issues were really minor (except for the cold start thing), and even dealing with that was a breeze. I have never suffered the normal indignities I almost always get when I go to any American car dealer for service. You know, where they treat you like an idiot for actually finding something wrong with a $50000 car, then tell you how to fill out the satisfaction report so they don't get in trouble.

I actually like going to RS. They seem interested in earning my business and loyalty every time I go there, and so far they have.

There you have it.

 

What are you an employee Woody? Sucking up? Paid-off? Looking for some free swag?

Ralph Schomp service, Honda and MINI is why I've bought three vehicles from them.

 

I've had the same experience with Erik and Devin (service) and Chris (parts).

I've had warranty work completed without any push-back on several occasions, and recently had RS install the JCW Sound Kit.

What I enjoy equally is the fact that RS takes their customers seriously, and they also appear to treat the MINIs that come in for service with great care. What more could a customer ask for?

Wish the dealership was closer, but it's worth the drive.

 

a question i forgot to ask when i was in for mine.

is there a way to disable the sensor that senses whether a person is in the passenger seat? i really hate that, sometimes my bag for work will set it off...

 

Trade yours in for an '02 . I'm pretty sure it wasn't an option back then.

On a slightly more serious note, I'm not sure if there's a way. I did a search and it seems like it's bothering a lot of people.

 

Craven makes a little device that will do that. Chimex



It goes into the seatbelt latch and completes the electrical connection that the sensor is looking for when there's weight in the seat.

Cheers,
Tom

 

I want to agree with elwood09. RS has been outstanding. I bought my Mini about 3 weeks ago from Neil. Had it in the service dept. to install rally lights, JCW tuning kit, and a couple of other small things and I gotta say they were what you want out of a car dealer. I would just go on to repeat what elwood09 has said but when it comes time I know where I will purchase my next car.

 

What a well-written and concise post from Elwood09 - thanks. I too have had outstanding service from the folks at Schomp on the two MINI's that I have owned. My '07 is just a couple months away from being out of free-service-warranty , but I'll continie to have it serviced there because they have earned my business with quick, dependable, professional and courteous service every time I have been in. And they consistently exceed my expectations with the little things as well, such as replacing wiper blades just because it's been a year.

 

I just fasten the passenger seatbelt and that takes care of it for free... :-)

Oh yeah, I've been into RS about 3 times since getting my MINI and every time have been treated well and had a positive experience.

Since I'm in Longmont however, I'll be going to the Loveland MINI dealer when they open.