Wow! I'm possibly in the market for a MCS, but after reading dealer reviews here and on NEMINI for dealers in and near CT, I'm wondering if it is really worth it? It seems they all have bad attitudes and providing quality service is the farthest thing from their minds. It sounds like MINI of Peabody, MA is the closest dealer that gives a damn(145 miles from me). So, what's a guy to do? I would think that a community like yours, that is so enamoured with their cars, would demand better service. I'm not interested in buying a MINI from a stuckup dealer that doesn't care if they sell me one and doesn't provide excellent service. So, is the Mini worth driving 145 miles on way for?

 

I'm not sure what you have been reading, but MINI of Fairfield County as well as New Country MINI both have excellent service departments and advisors. I've been to both and they have always been great.

 

Partsman I defer to you in most things but I live a mile from MINI of Fairfield and drive 30 miles to Westchester MINI. Nuff said...

 

You're not the only one i've heard say that about MoFC, it's kinda odd, i've never had a problem there. I'm past 50K now anyway, so dealer visits(at New Country) will just be for parts.

... although, I haven't driven an R56 yet.

 

It's not MoFC that is/was the problem as they are only a dealer. the problem is with BMW of Darien that is/was the problem. they are working on their problems and have designated 2 or 3 people to deal with MINI owners exclusively now. before it was only BMW service people you dealt with. I had only great service since the change over.

Bobbie

 

Inskip in Warwick RI is opening a Mini Dealership in May. They have a good reputation on the beamer side.

 

I have to agree with Partsman - the folks at MoFC are great and I'm on my second MINI. I have only good things to say about the MAs there. My own is Fabrizio Reda, polite, not pushy in the least, and very helpful - and in my experience all of these guys will go the extra mile for you.

As for the service dept., yes a few years ago there were a number of problems (mainly with the one person who was the MINI contact there) but they have made quite a few changes - all for the best. Since George and Peter became the designated and dedicated MINI service advisors, the world has changed. They are both very helpful and I have not had a single negative experience since they've been in charge.

Just FYI, as Peter Braun, one of the MoFC MAs wrote on NEMINI.org miniobx, go back and reread that thread on NEMINI - there are many positives that have been reported.

 

And Bobbie, when did this service switch over occur? Because I was treated incompetently and rudely! Trust me I'd love to go back there... I can walk home because they don't do loaners...

 

How long ago were you treated like that?
I've had MINI loaners from there before.

There is more change going on there as Otra has pointed out. Sorry about your experience there, man.
That sucks.

 

I'll check the actual dates but it was around Sept 1, 2006. I would like to go back but the SA would never return my phone calls.

 

I have gotten a loaner. did you specify you needed a loaner when you made the appointment?. I have always gotten one when asked. they need to reserve it, so if you just drove up to have your car taken care of they would have all been loaned out for the day. and that policy has been in effect about 2yrs i'd say.

Bobbie

 

There have been several bad experiences with New Country, sadly. Not quite as bad as the universally bad reports with Herb Chambers. But many do make much longer trips out of their way to go to Peabody, and find it well worth it...
Inskip will be opening one in a while, and I know there were some small rumors that MOP's old manager Martin may be hired there, which means we might have another stellar dealer in new england.

 

I'm going to try to get in there as well.

 

I contacted Inskip by e-mail and got a very quick and cordial response from Fillip Saraiva. Sounds like they are putting together a 1st class operation and will open May1st. I plan on taking a trip to Warwick - about 50 miles less than Peabody!

Thanks to you all for your input. Collectively, it sounds like CT dealers have a real attitude problem so I'm going to check them out. Of course, Inskip is highly motivated, but they seem sincere.

 

i'm selling my mini if your interested.

 

None. I drove from Waterford to Herb Chambers in Boston. Although I don't have a lot to say about the dealership, itself, Mark Ravin, the Mini Service Advisor is great. I have to say that he is, by far, the best SA I've experience, regardless of brand.

 

i just purchased my 06 mcs from mini of fairfield county, and i live 20 minutes outside of hartford. i went to new country to test drive an 07, asked to get figures emailed to me for financing and never received anything. not only that the guy who took us on our drive actually talked down on my boyfriends brand new car and was a real jerk.

needless to say, i took my business to the fairfield location. i couldn't have been happier with the service and the person i worked with. he was awesome and the car is beautiful. i am actually sad that i am going to have to service my car in hartford, but every once in a while i will take the drive down to stammie to get it serviced.

oh, and mofc definitely does loaner mini's. they give you a whole package with the details, etc. you just have to ask.

 

Here is my take on New Country. I bought my first MINI through them and found their sales and financing departments to be... let's say, lacking. I found it best to just treat this phase as a business transaction. Build your MINI online, put down a deposit and have it built. Then, arrange financing elsewhere and bring in a check and get your car when it shows up. That is the last you will have to deal with those two groups.
Service is another story, and the reason I bought a second MINI. (bought this one used at a dealer in NJ). The service department at New Country has always been exceptional in my book. My 2003's door handle froze and killed the battery overnight. The flatbedded the car in that next moring and had the car back to me that night. That includes having to get the part from another dealer. When I brought in my new (to me) MINI with a droopy headlight, I was expecting the usual, "where did you buy it" runaround. They had no issues fixing the car. The service advisor is a different guy from when I had my first MINI. His name is Mike and is a MINI owner and enthusiast.
Cliff notes: get past the sales process at New Country because the service is excellent.
Mike

 

Hi folks....just found this thread and can't resist posting. I am the Internet Manager and MA at MINI of Fairfield County. For those of you who don't know me, I have owned 18 Minis, starting in the 60s, founded Mini Owners of Connecticut, and now have owned 2 MINIs. I am a car (also in my garage is a 63 Austin Healey, prize winner and featured in this month's Healey Marque magazine, a 2001 M Coupe, and more to come) and MINI (now driving GP #1636) enthusiast.

Of the 4 MAs at MoFC, we own and drive 5 MINIs currently. That's 125%. I am not aware of any other dealer anywhere where that is true.

Our Service Center has been working out of our Sales Center at 1259 East Main street, since last Monday, May 7th. The customers arrive and meet with the SA, who writes up the job and the MINIs are driven by valets to the actual location where service is performed (1.5 miles away) and back. Customers can wait or not. We do provide loaner cars, usually MINI automatics.

mistro - come on in and have some coffee, tea, water, and check out the new operation. We are now one of the few dealers in the tri-state area that offer everything for the MINI owner under one roof. Our technicians are the best, and the BMW store is now one of the "Center of Excellence" stores, one of only 31 in the entire USA, the only one in CT, all of which is based solely upon customer satisfaction. Our MINI accessory and gear selections will soon be revamped as well. We have Cable TV in the waiting area, WiFi, good magazines to read and snacks. I am very surprised to hear you were unhappy with your experience here. That is not the norm, I assure you! Now I know, because I see the service customers every day!

We are here for you. Give us a try - you might like it!

and.....if you don't, let someone know and it'll be made right if humanly possible!

The phone number is 203-348-4700 - option 1 for sales, option 2 for service.
But, we are only into this new arrangement for 2 weeks now, so the phones might change - remains to be seen.

 

Well, I tossed in my .02 cents, and just to restate, I firmly believe that MINI of Fairfield County in lovely Stamford, CT, is MORE than competent and we would love to hear any specifics of why not, so it can be improved.

email same to : sales@minifairfieldcounty.com

My hat is off to any other dealer who can state the same. Our customers always come first.

 

I purchased my 03 Cooper from MofFC and had it serviced at BMW while the warranty lasted.
Never had a problem - service pushed back a few times but when they realized I was serious about the car, they were extremely helpful.
I went by the day after they moved service down to the sales location and they have a very good solution.
It is a place that makes you feel at home.

jayski
03 Cooper
VR/VR

 

Thanks for the kind words, jayski.

And, just for the MINI FUN of it, we are having a MINI MEET party, not only for all our customers, but for any MINI owners who might wish to come, as long as they come with a good, fun attitude!

See : https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=100571

 

OH, yeah, and of the 4 Motoring Advisors there, we drive 5 MINIs among us all. You can figure that out!

 

I was going to Buy a MCS and had a bad expierence at New Country Mini in Hartford. I was asked if I had an appointment & "It was a suprise I showed up". I tried to call the salesperson a few time and no answer, So I just headed down there because I wanted to buy a car. Then I was told "I could not be helped" because "salesperson" had a registration in a few hours and It was crazy. I waited 15 MINUTES once I got there before a soul was in the Showroom and then had to ask them for help. Then when I wanted to get my car appraised no manager whatsoever was able to be found, so I was told to come back another day. :( Grrrr.

I left. Not sure about going back. Maybe a Trip to Inskip RI. Sounds like a plan, Are they reputable?

 

i had a similar experience at new country but went to mini of fairfield county and had an awesome experience... however i did just get serviced at new country and i am not happy at all. plus my steering wheel is not straight. new country gets the thumbs down.