I'm in the middle of PA, Centre County. There are 3 Mini dealers in this state

1. 3 hours west in Pittsburgh
2. 3 hours east in West Chester
3. 3 1/2 hours east in Philly

If I have an undrivable problem, and have to engage the Warranty Service to come and pickup the Mini, then, presumably, they would flatbed it to one of those dealers.

If that is the case, (and please correct me if I'm wrong) would they also flatbed it back to me? Or am I SOL and have to persuade someone to drive me to the dealer to pick her up?

p.s. I hope this question doesn't jinx me :???:

 

What happened to your car?


Anyway, I think you should ride in the flatbed truck all the way to the chosen dealership and then from there arrange for a paid loaner/rental vehicle to drive back home.


Another possibility to discuss would be for the dealer or MINIUSA arrange for a rental car at your place of residence while your MINI is gone for repairs, without having to drive for hours to a remote dealer location.


My suggestion (and your best bet) is to call MINIUSA and tell them about your specific situation...bottom line you need a car while yours is being replaced 3 hours away from home. Be polite and I am sure they will take care of you.

 

Nothing's happened yet, I was just wondering.

 

Is there nothing else to worry about?

Seriously, I think that you should call the 3 dealers and pose your question to them. It seems that MINIUSA can tell you any manner of fiction, but where the rubber meets the road it's the dealer that you have to deal with. Here on NAM, we've seen various things posted about the services related to Roadside Assistance (which is the warranty feature you're actually asking about). Some people have had their cars flatbedded back to them. Others have been shown the door and pointed homeward. It all seems to vary by dealer...just like the policies related to "loaners" (some have them, most don't). Anyhow, call the dealers and see who gives you the best answer...and then if the time comes, have your car taken there.

 

That's great advice, jsun. And you'll probably find big differences in their responses. My dealer is about 1.5 hours from where I live, and in my dealings with them over a very small problem, they have offered to drive a loaner out to me, take my car back to the dealership, and then bring my car back to me. I would imagine that if a flatbed were involved, they would extend the same courtesy, if not more.

But I seem to be very lucky to be working with Cincinnati MINI. And, I only live half as far as you do. But I would think a good service department would go out of their way to help you out in whatever situation you find yourself. I hope you find a good service department! Let us know how it turns out so we know who to go to if we have problems in the middle of PA.

 

As for towing the MINI.... there are two ways to safely tow the MINI.

1- Flatbed truck
2- dollies tow truck

Of course that is located in the owners manual. As for the cases that MINI roadside sets up... they always request flatbeds... Its set up with the local AAA in your area. They usually respond within the hour. Being that its a long distance tow on the vehicle the driver will most likely flatbed the vehicle. Just some food for thought. I would contact all the dealers and speak with them. Find out which one you want to go to... good luck

 

When you need the car transported (if that happens), I would call all the dealers you're considering and ask if they have a loaner car available since you live 3 hours away.