I was emailing my dealer about when my MCc will be delivered and this is part of his reply:
"Actually we are hoping that the car will at least get here
to the dealership in December. The reason is, I was told
a few days ago that there will be a $500 price increase from
Mini on all Mini models. "

Anybody else heard this?

 

Yup

The MCS and MC are $501 increase and the MCSc and MCc are $499 (i think, don't quote me on that exact figure)

And it's based on delivery, not order. So even though you ordered in October (my case) if it isn't delivered until 1/02... you pay more.

 

And just to add a bit more mystery to the topic...

There's an outside chance my MINI could be built and "delivered" to my dealer before the end of the year. However, I have several dealer-installed accessories that will need to be added once it reaches the dealer which could mean an extra week or two before I can actually pick up the car. Would the "delivery date" be the date it gets to the dealer, or the date I actually take possession?

Hmmm...

 

My dealer said as long as the car is at the dealership before 1/1/05 then there will not be a price increase, even though I'm not planning on picking the car up until January.

 

We ordered our car from Classic last Dec before the price increase. The car arrived in late Jan, and we didn't have to pay the extra $500. At Classic last year, it would seem the increase was based on build date, not delivery date.

That would make more sense since MINI has 100% control over build dates, but delivery dates can vary due to shipping and other factors. I remember Julie specificly telling me I had to get my order in before a certain date to avoid the price increase.

 

I was under the impression that it is not a matter of order date or delivery date - if you think about it that means that for a few weeks cars in California would be more expensive if ordered at the same time as a car ordered in new York. The price increase is based on cars BUILT after January 1, 2005, irrespective of delivery date or order date. This is because the model year of a car is in Europe is based on when it is built, and the price increase is effective on 2005 models - i.e. built in 2005. Thus cars built in late December which may not be delivered until mid February on the west coast should still be the cheaper price.

 

I ordered from Classic last month and was told the price would be based on delivery date and not the order date. So I'm hoping to get delivery before the end of the year and put the $500 towards some goodies for the car.

Mark

 

Did a little more digging and according to Bob Craig (an MA from New Country Motor Cars, Hartford, CT) the price increase will be on all cars delivered after 12/31/05 regardless of production date.

His comments care of MotoringFile:

For the complete back-and forth on this issue please see the following: MINI Price Increases for 1/05

 

Here is the latest list of confirmed price increases from Motoringfile.com. - according to MINIUSA.....

http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/...ases_for_14705

Chow!

Donna

 

Yes, I think you're right.

If I'm remembering correctly now, what Julie actually told me was that I had to get my order in with her early Dec batch of orders so I can get a Dec build date and not pay the extra $500. Build date makes the most sense.

So, if your dealer trys to charge you the $500 price increase for a car with a pre-12/31/04 build date, it's not because MINI is charging them $500 more, it is because they think you will pay the extra $500.

 

Any price increase will be reflected on the window sticker, which you should get as a matter of course. I received both the original, and a xerox of it in the document folder. If the price increase is not on the sticker, it should not be charged. No price increase will take effect until Jan 1 production. You figure it out.....If they want to charge you more, make them prove that the price went up on that particular vehicle.

 

Hello-

This is my first post--I thought I should chime in since I am in this situation. I have a MCS on order from Classic and was also told the price would be based on build date--not delivery date. Therefore, even though my delivery will be in January, I'll pay the pre-1/1/05 price. This makes sense, since by law the Monroney (window) sticker on a new car must remain in place until delivered to the customer. Thus, any price increase after manufacturing would be an increase in Dealer Markup--not MSRP. Just my two cents.

Just as a further introduction, I'm moving back stateside after living in Japan, and am obviously quite excited to pick up my Mini. We've been visiting every Mini dealer in Tokyo to hold us over until we get back. I've been lurking on this board a couple months, and have learned tons--including that I should place my order from Classic. Thanks for a strong community!

Matt

 

I thought the (window) sticker was printed when it come off ship and they do their inventory.

It would seem if it arrives in the U.S. after Jan 1, then I would pay. Your car might be the one that needs sevicing , why should you pay.
I would get this straightened out NOW.
Dealer can hide car for two days or the trucker decided to take a side trip and your stuck.. Bull!

 

Unless something has changed in the last few days, the price increase will be effective on all cars at time of WHOLESALE to the dealer. This means when the car is officially sold to the dealer.

If your car has a build date in December, you have a good chance of being charged the increased price of the car.

The Monroney sticker is placed on the car at the VPC at the time of wholesale. Any cars wholesaled to your dealer after 12/31/2004 will be charged the price increase.

If you are hearing differently from your dealer, get it in writing, because they are wrong. If you have it in writing they will have to eat the price increase, not you.

Again...the price increase is based on the date that it is wholesaled to the dealer, NOT build date.

Good Luck

 

If I were you, I'd take delivery (sign the papers) the day it arrives at your dealer. Pay the agreed price including dealer installed options but, have the dealer install the options after you own it. That way you won't run the risk of paying extra just because there was a glitch in getting your options installed in time.

 

Thanks for your clear and precise and correct analysis.:smile:
I went on a rant. I'm calm now.
I just don't want anyone in the NAM MINI community to be ripped off.