I was at Checkered Flag MINI in Virginia Beach, VA the other day and the salesman told me that the 2005 navigation system uses dvds. I asked him how much it would cost me to buy a new dvd each time a newer maps were realease and he said I wouldn't ever have to buy another dvd for the car since all of the new maps are downloaded to the car via it's gps/satellite antenna. I have read otherwise on these forum posts. Was he blowing smoke up my bum, or is he telling the truth? Also, anyone ever bought a car from Checkered Flag? He told me it was the #1 dealership in the US. Is this true?

 

I think he's full of SH*T, besides, we all know Classic MINI is the #1!!!

 

Where is classic mini?

 

The car also downloads fuel cells from a fuel cell tower, and you will never have to fill up the gas tank either!


Classic MINI:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/classicmini

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Get some asbestos undies, cuz you're getting the smoke hole treatment to the max!! Man, what some salespeople won't do for a sale.

Oh, and if it was me, I'd casually 'mention' this to the sales manager (or the GM if this guy IS the sales manager) because he's either A) Sorely misinformed about the product he's selling, or B) A blatant liar. Management needs to be aware if either one of these conditions exists with it's sales force.

Just my thoughts. . .

 

Have no fear, he's not blowing smoke.... He's just a blithering idiot...

 

I can hear the mooooing from here:smile:

In answer to your question though, Navteq releases a new DVD every 12-18 months @~$200 each. You only 'need' a new disc if you can't find what you are looking for with the current one. Check if you can locate a given site on Google maps as they use even more current Navteq data then the DVDs. If it's not there, it won't be on an updated disc. Lates disc was released about 6 months ago.

 

The only things that update automatically on the Nav system are:

1) your current position and heading (thanks to GPS)
2) the route to your destination (if you make a wrong turn)

EVERYTHING else is static, unless you update it:

* OS updates (usually for bug fixes or minor tweaks) - upgrade via downloadable CD image - FREE!
* map updates - replace the disc - NOT FREE!

 

Definitely let the sales manager know that this guy is blowing big time smoke - no better way to **** off a customer than to tell him/her fantasies...

 

 

Sounds like smoke, except it's probably not coming from his mouth...you can down load maps from a lot of mapping providers with your computer but costs vary according to map data you want. It is important to know the format of what you can download that is compatible with your specific Nav. I would not trust that Dealership for that, and I can not help you on that one either but maybe someone out there can help him. I think it is safe bet that Navteq Tiger would have something for you that is current and Tiger is more complete than the standard version that most GPS hardware OEMs provide standard with their systems. Tiger will give you street level maping for rural areas with pop centers as small as 500 people, cows or horses.
Les

 

Mr. Turner,

I visited your store on Monday, July 25th. I test drove an "S" model with the navigation system. Todd Jenkins was my motoring advisor and invited me to take the car for a test drive. Upon returning to the dealership, I had many questions for him. One question was about carrying bicycles on the Mini. I asked him about roof racks for the Mini, and he said they weren't available. I knew this was incorrect as a good friend of mine has a Mini with a dealership installed Mini roofrack. Todd didn't know that the roof was constructed of fiberglass, nor that the Mini roofrack required the roof to be drilled for installation. In addition, he wasn't aware that the rack could be removed by the owner, and special plugs could be used to fill up the drilled holes. I followed up with info on the SportLink system and he did know some info about that.

When we were out on the lot, I asked him how much new map DVDs cost for the navigation system. He said I would "never have to buy one since all of the new maps and information are downloaded though the satellite system". I know this isn't true since I have a career in Information Technology and am well aware that technology of this nature in the consumer auto industry is currently cost prohibitive. There just isn't enough bandwidth available with the Mini's tiny satellite system.

I double-checked my facts with another dealership and even went online to a Mini Cooper fan website. The dealership and numerous owners informed me that Todd's either A) Sorely misinformed about the product he's selling, or B) A blatant liar. My gut feeling tells me the latter.

While the Mini isn't the most expensive of cars, it still costs a significant amount of money...Most importantly, MY MONEY. I don't appreciate being jerked around by sly salesmen. I have heard good things about your dealership, in particular your service department.

I look forward to hearing back from you about Todd's lack of product knowledge and dishonesty. I love the Mini Cooper I test drove, and everything it entails, however, I know I will definitley not be purchasing a Mini from Mr. Jenkins.

Sincerely,

 

Very nicely written.

 

now, to seal the deal, go slash his tires!!!!!

 

Only problem with the letter is that the Mini roof is not made of fiberglass.


The roof rack used to even show up on the accessory page of the configurator at www.MINIUSA.com . No excuse for a dealer not to know about it.

Too bad Graham, my Sales Advisor at Checkered Flag left. He was excellent and very knowlegeable. He even had a rack on his MINI IIRC.

 

When I first read this post.. Things come up my mind is "What the hack are you talking about".
I think this motoring advisor need some education badly.. I really hate sales person who lie on the product. It is a good write up to teach him a lesson.

 

But... that's what the salesman said!

 

Actually the letter says the salesman did not know the roof was made of fiberglass.

The only reason why I mentioned it was that when complaining about someone elses lack of knowledge, it is better received if there are no factual errors of your own.

Otherwise, management tends to fixate on that one issue and ignore the real problem, which is this case is the fact that the sales guy appears to be a REAL IDIOT.