Hi, all. I am sooo happy to find you guys... I am addicted to this forum and you guys have educated me so much.
Anyways... I am in the process of ordering my very first MINI! (My very first car for that matter.) But do you guys ever get the feeling that your dealer (sales advisor) knows very little about MINI ? I don't know... I was kind of offended when my advisor told me that there is no noticeable difference in ride quality between 16" wheel with runflats and 15" wheel w/stock tires. I know from what I read here this is not true. Do you think she (advisor) just assumes I don't know anything about the car because I am a girl or she really doesn't know?
My question is...should I ask to change the advisor ? This MINI dealer happens to have very good reputation for after care so I would like to stick to them; I just don't have confidence in her as an "advisor." Or am I expecting too much from a sales rep?

 

tokyogirl - Welcome to NAM! :smile:
While some MA's are enthusiastic about the MINI, all are still "salespeople" that are most interested in getting you happy and signing the bottom line This is where us friendly MINIac's come to the rescue!

If you don't feel comfortable with your MA, by all means move to another one. I wouldn't expect the MA to know the nuances of the vehicles dynamics as well as, say, the pricing of the options and accessories. On that note, of course a smaller profile tire will transmit more impact harshness. Furthermore, run-flats have stiffer sidewalls, which also increase ride stiffness. It is all relative, howeve. If you're used to a Camry, then the 15's will be most familar feeling; but if you're used to driving a Corvette, etc. then the 17's will feel more at home.

I hope that helps!
Ryan

 

Finding an informed salesperson can be hit or miss. If you're confident that this dealer has good post sales, you might save yourself some headache later by sticking with them. Could you ask to work with another MA?

It's likely that this board contains more info than any MA in existance. Why don't you come here for advice and opinions on options and use your MA strictly for the ordering and delivery process?

 

Almost everywhere you go you will find sales people (MAs) that know their product and others that have no clue. Your best bet is to educate yourself here at NAM before you go to dealer.

 

Sorry to hear about your experience.

Do remember that YOU are in charge. If you don't feel comfortable with the MA that you have.....do a T-O.

In the auto business, that's called a Turn Over.

Usually it's done by the dealership's management to save a sale by turning over the customer to a better sales rep. But it's your money you're spending. So if you're not satisfied with your MA then TO him/her and go to another one.

My MA (I got him by just walking into the dealership and he was 'up') is excellent.

He's a car guy who's also very active in SCCA racing. He knows his stuff. He started out by telling me about MINIs then asked me about my driving and what I wanted (or thought that I wanted) and then gave me his knowledgeable opinion.

He is good.

Ask about dealership's reputation here on NAM and find someone who's bought there and their evaluation of their MA. Then call the good MA, make an appt (his/her time is valuable too and that shows your commitment too).

And if you're not confortable TO 'em again.

There are some great MA's out there and you can find one!

But don't stop using this as a very valuable source of info.

Good luck in getting your perfect MINI.

 

Tokyogirl, what part of the country are you in? I can have a MINI delivered to your door just the way you want it.

 

tokyogirl-
between 15 and 16, it would not be as dramatic as 16 vs 17's.
It really depends on your tire pressure and what kind of tire
you choose. Im assuming you're getting the MC and not the MCS.
You're running regular tires so the 15 vs 16 will not be that dramatic
especially on regular (non run-flat) tires.

watch out keymini might be Ryan's definition of 'sales people that
are most interested in getting you happy and signing the bottom line.'
j/k keymini.

 

Hi Tokyogirl! Welcome!
The most knowledgable MAs I have know have also been MINI owners. Some have even been part of local MINI scene. These few know nuances that many MAs would never have been trained in or even gotten from driving a demonstrator.

Just to add to what the others have said, if your MA is responsive to you and your questions, fine....even if they don't have all the answers. Get specific answers elsewhere. But if you feel they're talking down to you, that stinks. Even just from the standpoint of closing the deal, I'd want to work with someone who was helpful and interested.

My opinion...use this web site as a resource. PM people....ask questions. We've all been there or are there. NAMers are good at bringing various pros and cons of decisions to the table, but also understand the value of your own personal tastes and making your MINI yours. :smile:

PS...I have 15s

_________________
'03 IB/W Cooper

 

kenchan you are close, I am a BMWA who owns a MCS. If tokyogirl has any questions that i can answer i am willing to help. I don't like runflats!

 

Wow! You guys are really out there! Didn't expect so many posts in 1/2 hour!
Thanks, guys. Now I know I'm in the right (and great) place to be. :smile:

I am in New York area and that is why the tire question.
The roads here are atrocious; so I was thinking of getting Sports Package minus runflat to achieve smoother ride. But being not so savvy about car and tools (Yes, I am ashamed to admit it.) the runflats do offer some security. So when I voiced this concern, "no noticeable ride difference in runflats and non RF" was the answer I got from my advisor.
You guys are right. I should gather all technical information from this site first and decide what I really want before going to the dealer. (I did picked this particular MINI dealer after checking "Dealer Rating System" though.) I just wished my MA was MINI owner like jds'. My MA is a nice lady and never rude. She just may not as interest in MINI as we are...

I guess you guys are stuck with my never-ending MINI questions now!

Having said that, here is my next question: I read somewhere that 15" stock tires are very skinny. Does this mean you are less stable ? Or the width of tires have nothing to do with it?

Thanks!

******************
thinking of getting.....
MC CVT PW/B with all 3 combo packages
...I can't wait!

 

tokyogirl- the 175 width tires on the 15's are very narrow. Narrower tires work
well for loose pavement and snow, but for the streets you'll probably like the
195/55/16 tiresets better...therefore, you should probably go for the 16's.

I use 205/50/16's as my winterset (i bought these from tirerack.com).
These are very comfy and look great. I only use my 17's in the
non-winter months. i hope to burn through the SP9000 runflats and get
some 215/45/17 non runflat tires soooooooooon.

 

tokyogirl, kenchan is probably right.

I have 15" holeys with stock Continentals. I'll be replacing them soon with the same. (...oops! never went through tires that fast before!! ) I admit I'm not a conneseur of fine tires (...yet), but as for stability....I wouldn't be excessively concerned with a MINI. The car's rock solid by design....but of course that can be improved if desired as kenchan suggests. Thing is, the 15s are light and my Cooper can really scoot "as is." I've decided to keep what I've got!!!

IMO, people who are going to the track work very hard to maximize their car's performance. For many of us commuters though, its not quite as critical. Get as good a package as you can come up with....you can always upgrade in the future. Lots of folks mount snow tires on their OEM wheels when they upgrade!!!!

 

tokyogirl - Aloha and welcome to NAM! E komo mai!

Hajimemashite!

There is a difference between the ride quality of the 15s and 16s due to sidewall height. Also, I don't think you can order the sports package without runflats. What you can do is order the car with the 15" holeys and keep them for the snow. Then order a set of 16" wheels and tires from tirerack.com. This will probably set you back @ $1k, but you will have a set of wheels for winter and another set for the rest of the year. AND, you'll have 16's without those bumpy runflats.

 

You see, these are the kind of information/suggestions I was expecting from my MA...! :smile: )

__________________
Getting so very close to placing my order
Dreaming of: MC CVT PW/B with all 3 packages

 

Hmmm....I'm in Texas so I'm no help there.

You could check with NAM sponsors....Cooper Flags for bonnet stripes and maybe Auto Clear Guard for clear bra info. Also, you might post something on a regional forum to find local installers...I think there's one for New York/New England.

I guess the first question is if you want these installed when you pick up your MINI...all these items are available via the dealer. You might save some $$$s and have more options going after market but that's your call. Happy hunting!!!

PW/B is an awesome color combo...good choice!!! :smile:

_________________
'03 IB/W Cooper

 

For driving lights, i would go aftermarket, the factory ones are very expensive, and they over charge to do the install, you can pick up some piaa lights for like 250 i beleive

sorry can't help where to get them installed

where abouts are you in NY? I'm original from the Island

 

Tokyogirl- have you done any decals or tinted your windows on your car
in the past? if so, you can do the bonnet stripes and invisible bra. its not
hard at all.

Just get the teflon coated squeegee (www.autoclearguard.com sells them).
Don't use super stiff squeegees as they will mark up the bonnet stripes.
I did mine (both the stripes and clearbra).

btw, i think cooperflags.com even sells magnetic bonnet stripes... :smile: those
are very cool.

Ive done driving lights on other cars, but not on my mcs. I just don't need
so much illumination living in the burbs.