My wife is looking for a replacement for her 88 Jetta GLI 16v, and we're both leaning heavily toward the MCS. Her main concern has to do with service---the three closest Mini dealers to us are 27 miles (Sterling, VA), 32 miles (Towson, MD) and 41 miles (Annapolis, MD) from our home. I'll probably go to an independent shop for scheduled maintenance, so I'll probably just be going to the dealer for warranty work. My question is how often have you had to go in for warranty work? Also, has anyone heard anything about plans to expand the dealer network?

 

Well i have gone in once for my oil change at 11,000 miles. (I know, I know crazy right?) I since have had my tweeter speaker blow out and a rattle in the door that they are going to fix this friday. That is it for me. I will say that the service isn't all that great. It took a week to get an appointment, then i was there an hour or more to have them tell me they don't have the door panel parts they need in stock and that they will have it on tuesday or wednesday. I guess i was supposed to call them, since i never got a call. I called on Friday and now have to wait till this Friday to have it fixed. When they say the parts will be in on a certain day, to me that means that's when i can have it fixed. Good Luck

 

Welcome deadhead! Much has been posted about dealers here on NAM. Check through the forums, including the dealer ratings.

You are much closer to dealers than many of us. My closest dealer is three hours away! North America has 70 dealerships and as I understand it, no more are planned for now.

I have over 33k miles on my MCS and it has only been in to the dealer at the scheduled, (free) maintenance checks.

God speed.

 

Welcome, deadhead.

The dealers are few & far between, but MINI provides towing should anything happen which doesn't allow you to drive the car to the dealer. You're actually much closer to several dealers than most MINI drivers are I imagine.

If you haven't yet test-driven an MCS I suggest you get ready to do so, - it's going to re-invent the driving experience for you two. You will love to drive again, - rediscover a joy you never thought would have return from your [iSalad Day's [/i]teenage years.

The value of the MCS is high in many respects & the fact that your girl is lookin' to jump ship from VW shows moxy; as few folks switch after having driven a certain make for such a period of time.

Good luck, all around. You'll find searchs will bring-up a great deal of topics you're soon to be interested in. Feel free to post some Q's as needed though.

 

My dealer is over 200 miles away.... So you have it relatively made, so to speak.

jc

 

My 1/03 build Cooper has been to the dealer three times. Once for an AC electrical problem, once to check out brown coolant chemistry, and once for first maintenance. Hope that helps. My problem is that there is a dealer too close so its far to easy for me to stop by to gawk, pester the MAs, and spend $$$s on key chains and the like.

 

I wish I had three dealers that close!

I had to go nearly 150 miles to get my MCS. I haven't been back yet, but it's only been ten days.