I am hot for this car, but I have one big reservation. The nearest dealer/service center is 150 miles away. If I thought it was going to be as reliable as my Honda, I'd probably jump on it. I've located a car and am ready to buy, but I just can't shake the feeling that it's too risky. A trip for a minor repair wouldn't be too bad--still it would mean a day of work missed. My big fear is a major breakdown, which would require me to have it towed 150 miles to the nearest dealer.

Anybody else facing this dilema?

 

I am approximately the same number of miles from my future dealer. I have a BMW dealer in Louisville, but they have only made an application to BMW and I'm assuming they won't/can't service MINIs until they have been approved. Any other thoughts out there on this?

 

Yes, same dilema here, but I went for it. I live in the Eastern Sierras of California and my closest dealer is 5+ hours away. I'm on the waiting list for my S with the dealer in UT (actually only 8hrs, and no mark-ups like most of the Ca ones (oh, and I will get a nice long drive home). I'm going on the hope that by 2003 most of the major bugs will be worked out. Then when I go to southern ca, I can get routine (or small glithches) fixed as needed. It will be weekend trips for me...... Hopefully will not have to have it towed.

 

I'm also not sure about the warranty requirements. Do you have to have the regular service visits (10-15K miles) to get all of the warranty benefits?

Yeah, the towing ios what scares me. I'm trying to get some estimates now on towing to Atlanta (150 miles from here)--just in case.

Update: Just got my estimate back from AAATCO. $445 for 150 miles transport to Atlanta. Ouch! That would hurt.

 

I thought that MINI covered the towing during the warranty period. Hopefully by then, there would be more places to repair your MINI. I think that the main concern would be lack of loaner cars and having to get yourself to the dealer 150 miles away to pick up the vehicle after it is repaired. Personally, I don't see these as major problems. Here in Germany, I am fortunate that the dealer is 13 miles from home and less than 1 from work, but when I relocate to the states next year, odds are I won't be anywehere near a MINI dealer. You just have to decide if the distance is acceptable for you.

 

I just checked with my local BMW dealer. He said they cannot service MINIs. That brings me back to worrying about towing. If there are any MINI owners looking at this thread, can you tell us if MINI will cover towing and how many miles? Thanks :???:

 

Don't have my MINI yet, but it is my understanding that during the warrantied period, Roadside Assistance is part of the warranty, and includes towing to the nearest dealer, wherever that may be. Anyone else out there with more info, please chime in!

 

Yes, your new mini include 24 hour roadside assistance. However, as you may hav read, it does not include a replacement car. The 24 hour coverage also includes hotel expenses etc. if you are farther than 50 miles (I think) from your dealer, or a Mini dealer in general.

I actually bought my mini from Sacramento and drove it home (6 hours) to L.A area. My mini was born on May 02, and I have had no problems requiring repair since picking it up July 1.

Remember, the mini forum is awesome, but like the news and media, it tends to take the exception and represent it as the norm. Yes, some people are having issues with their mini's, but a much larger percentage aren't. AND, remember the Born On Date is significantly important. In March of 02 Mini made some significant modifications to the S (don't know about the standard) to address issues and problems discovered during the first 6-8 months of production in Europe.

You WILL NOT ever regret your purchase. I had to pay 3k over sticker, and nearly 2 months after the purchase, I still can't wait to drive my car to work, the store, any where I can think. It is such a pleasure to drive, and the experience of owning something so unique is worth every penny I paid over.

Motor ON!!

 

There's a BMW dealer about 20 min. from my house. And yet they don't sell the MINI. Thus, I've got to go 1 to 1.5 hrs. away (depends on traffic) to the nearest one. Or down to Richmond (4 hrs.) to buy in VA. Annapolis is well...difficult because it's buying a car in one state and having to register etc. in another.

We sure must love them to go through all this, huh?

As far as towing, are you a member of AAA? They have free towing also with membership plus a lot of other features.

 

>>Don't have my MINI yet, but it is my understanding that during the warrantied period, Roadside Assistance is part of the warranty, and includes towing to the nearest dealer, wherever that may be.

If that's really the case, I could probably live with it. Strange that the dealer I emailed just wanted to skirt this whole issue. They didn't bring that up at all.

 

What a contrast! I am actually surrounded by MINI dealers...I have 3 of them and each is within 20 to 45 minutes driving distance. 2 of them suck and the other one (Farthest) is the best one in the area...that's where I bought our MINI!

 

I TRULY appreciate your response, as I was toying with the idea of forgetting my MINI obsession. Thank you

 

>>What a contrast! I am actually surrounded by MINI dealers...I have 3 of them and each is within 20 to 45 minutes driving distance. 2 of them suck and the other one (Farthest) is the best one in the area...that's where I bought our MINI!

OK....I agree with that. I think, having been glued to this website for so long, I got spooked reading about recalls, etc. I'm hopeful that lots of kinks will be worked out by the time my MINI arrives in spring. Thanks

 

>>Folks, there is no perfect car, none, so any new car purchase whether is Lexus or Hyundai will involve some degree of risk in terms of reliability and service. All manufacturers produce terrific cars but they also do produce lemons from time to time.

I agree, but that's not really the issue. IF something does go wrong (and this is a possibility no matter what you buy) not having a dealer any closer that 150 miles is a BIG inconvenience.

 

:smile:

 

>>I agree, but that's not really the issue. IF something does go wrong (and this is a possibility no matter what you buy) not having a dealer any closer that 150 miles is a BIG inconvenience.
>>

EXACTLY!! This is the same reason I bought my Miata where I did. It's 15 min. from my house. OK, some claim I overpaid a tad according to some Edwards Car listings, the Mazda site etc. (this is back in January I might add before all the incentives).

But I didn't feel buying a vehicle an hour away or even down to Richmond etc. to save $1,000 or $2,000 was worth having the dealer that far.

The sale lasts what...90 minutes? The car and it's maintenance last years.

I sure hope the BMW dealership that's 15 min. from my house (It's actually across the street from Mazada LOL) will be selling MINIs by Jan. (xing fingers)