I fianlly hunted down the mini dealer in PHX which is actually a big hike from where I live. The dealer where I got my car in NJ was a stand alone mini dealer and they were awesome... no red headed step childer feeling there! I've heard at time no so good things about joint BMW/Mini dealers and was just wondering what peoples thoughts are on the mini dealer in Phoenix so I know what to be ready for. Thanks a bunch

Liz

 

Sorry I can't be of much help on this issue, but we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new mini.:smile: It should be here at the end of May early June, although only finding this out by bugging ASK MINI. MA hasn't even called or e-mailed status. I have found there is more info regarding this over on www.dynamicminicollective.com , the local chapter. What I have read seems reassuring about their attitudes and such.

 

Well welcome to the family!

 

Hey Liz, I assume you are referring to Scottsdale Mini I have found the sales people there to be very helpful and knowledgeable, but the wait list was too much for me once i was ready to buy. I got a good tip from this great forum to try Moritz Mini in Dallas/Arlington and they had no waiting list and sold me the MCS i wanted for MSRP. Sales people there have been excellent too. So instead of getting my Mini in August or September I should have it end of June

I have a couple friends with Minis in town and a guy i ride motorcycles with is actually a service technician at Scottsdale Mini, so a good hook up there too when I need to take my Mini in for service.

If you don't mind the wait, from all of my pre-sales talks with Scottsdale Mini, they will definitely take care of you.

Dan in Phoenix

 

Hi - I picked up my MC from MNS two weeks ago and there is some info in the March 2005 delivery thread on MINI2.com from a couple owners who ordered through MNS and expected delivery this month that might be of interest. I found the phone to be the best means of communication and email to be the least effective. I found I need to initiate communication more than once or long (weeks) durations would pass before a response. I found errors (small) on my order list for dealer add-ons that I needed to purchase separately because the paperwork was "all done already." I found the sales staff to be pleasant but harried and w/ only three on sales, apparently they are understaffed. They were not familiar with all 2005 changes, or when they'd be available (January 1 phase in) but it appears MINIUSA plays a role in that information gap. My MA will get good reviews in spite of communication and order issues because, given the circumstance, he/she did the best they can. I expect to use MNS for service and want to remain on a positive note.

 

I assume you are wondering about the service at NSM... Depending on the issues you may have, you should find them satisfactory. ( As long as it is not a issue with your windshield cracking..and not from rocks ). Asking a question about a dealer or service is like opening up a bee hieve... you will get a load of positive and negitive responces... I say give it a shot and judge for yourself...... OBTW... welcome to PHX. (tempe in your case )...come check out our club site for Phoenix... and come motor with us... www.dynamicminicollective.com

 

I spent some time talking with MNS, but was underwhelmed by the Motoring Advisor. In fact, I didn't like her attitude at all. In the end, I bought from Sandia MINI in Albuquerque, and saved a bundle. Sandia does not assess a doc fee if you're an out-of-state buyer (I think MNS charges around $400), and I saved around $500 by avoiding Phoenix city sales tax.

 

Purchased ours 2 years ago at MNS. Good sales people and we have had no problems with service and warranty repair requests. We also enjoy the yearly dealer open house. Welcome to Az - now go find some secondary roads - there are lots of great drives in this state.

 

We bought our '04 Cooper at MNS 10K ago.

No complaints so far.

 

I bought 1 at NSM ( first one in the state on opening day in 02 ) and bought the 2nd one in Miami FL..( I dont like waiting )...
Quote : lefco11
I spent some time talking with MNS, but was underwhelmed by the Motoring Advisor. In fact, I didn't like her attitude at all. In the end, I bought from Sandia MINI in Albuquerque, and saved a bundle. Sandia does not assess a doc fee if you're an out-of-state buyer (I think MNS charges around $400), and I saved around $500 by avoiding Phoenix city sales tax.

HHHmmmm did you not have to pay sales tax when you registered the car in AZ??

 

When I lived in Phoenix, I took my MCS to MNS. Always received fantastic service from them

 

I have found there service to be no better or worse than other upscale dealers I have gone too... I had Lexus, Acura, Infinity in the past....

 

When an Arizona resident purchases from MNS, he/she pays state and city sales tax totalling 8.1%, (5.6% state sales tax, and 2.5% Phoenix city sales tax). This is true even if you don't live in Phoenix. However, if you are an Arizona resident, and purchase out-of-state, you are still charged state sales tax, but pay city sales tax only if you live in the city limits. I don't live in the city, so my total tax bill was only 5.6%. In other words, I saved 2.5% of the purchase price, or $536.

And, because I was from out-of-state, Sandia MINI did not charge a doc fee (not a single penny) because they played no part in the registration of the vehicle. I think MNS charges several hundred dollars, don't they? And, Sandia has a shorter wait list (at least they did).

If you live in Arizona, outside city limits, why would you buy from MNS?

 

when I bought mine in Miami,, they also didnt charge doc fees... plus, discounted the car 1500.00..( it was concidered kinda used thought, it had 200 mi on it). the car was delivered to avondale, so i had to pay the tax for there.. was like 1% less then Phx....

 

I already have my mini, I'm just curious about service, my orginally dealer was a stand alone mini dealer and they were awesome but I've heard horror stories about joint BMW/Mini dealers, that's where my concern lies.

thanks
Liz

 

Since there is only one authorized dealer service center within 350 miles of Phoenix... not much of a choice... Once again, I have had no issues with NSM service. Are they the best.. NO... are they the worst.. NO. Ask 10 people, you will get 10 different answers....

Once again.. if you havent already,, come check out our mini club in Phx
www.dynamicminicollective.com

 

You know what they say: opinions are like *******s, everybody has one

 

North Scottsdale Mini did good for me. I live a 250 mile roundtrip from there. I took it in for the JCW upgrade. They found a couple of things that needed repair that I didn't know about and fixed them. Like replacing the power steering pump while I waited, so I wouldn't have to come back. I thought the service was excellent.

Jim

 

some are just bigger than others

 

I have gone to MNS twice to et things done and both times they screwed it up. They fixed it in the end but considering that I live 3 hours away, it was highly inconvenient. It seems that the service advisors adn technicians either don't know how to do their job or just don't give a damn. Two fo the three service advisors were rude and didn't pay any attention to me when I was telling them about my concerns and what I wanted them to look at. I had to repeat myself several times. For me it has been an extremely uninspiring experience.