So my gf just put a deposit down on a MCS last week. When she asked the dealership about getting floor mats for free they respond with a "no" because they offer other "perks" to their new car buyers. The two perks were a full tank of gas with the new car and free loaner cars if her car is in the shop during the warranty period. My question is this: Does MINI USA require dealers to give out loaner cars during the warranty period or is this something the dealership decides on? It kind of ticked me off that the dealership wanted her to feel grateful for a tank of gas. (and please keep the "gas is expensive" comments out of this tread Until gas becomes more expensive than starbucks coffee or bottled water I don't care)

 

The sticker says "Tank of gas".

That is a given that has to be with the car anyways. Its not a perk. Its like an option on the car that you pay for when you get the car.

 

After having bought 3 brand new MINIs from the same dealer over the years, we have gotten a ton of "frebbies" and "Perks". When I got my '05 MCS, I got the Union Jack roof flag decal installed for free, the MINI iPod adaptor also installed for free. In addition I got the MINI Chronograph wrist watch, a set of MINI black cloth mats and a full set of MINI rubber mats with the "S" logo


I have also gotten MINI sunglasses, a cool 1/18 Cooper S diecast model, MINI sunshade, T-shirts, Pens, Keychains and basically I always get for free MINI care products (waxes, polishes, cleaners, windshield washer fluids) for free because I always send customer referrals to them. Last month I sent out 4 new customers to my MA that actually placed orders or took delivery of new MINIs.

My dealer really rewards customer loyalty.

 

I'd go for the loaner car deal though. Dealers are not required to give loaners to MINI customers. Many did in the beginning because they were used to giving loaners to the BMW customers but it is becoming increasingly harder to find a dealer willing to do this. Of my 3 visits to dealer in Jacksonvile I only received loaner once because they made mistake and didn't finish car in time.

 

Service loaners are contingent upon dealership policy. My dealer gives out new MINI loaners or Enterprise rental car for MINI customers leaving their cars for either scheduled service or overnight warranty repairs. MINIUSA does not enforce an uniform loaner policy because the majority of its authorized dealerships are independently owned and operated franchises.

 

Lauderdale MINI in Ft. Lauderdale, FL has been given out loaners to MINI customers for the past 3 years and it is a formal policy. One time I got a new BMW 325i sedan.

Last time I went to Jacksonville, I made a stop at Tom Bush MINI and felt sorry for the folks upthere because that dealer sucks big *****!

 

I got a bunch of empty promises and no perks from Ferman, Mini. I was lied to on 4 separate occasions as to why my 'free shirts' had not arrived. 5 months later I told them to save it, I'm not an idiot. I am VERY disappointed with them, terrible dealer.


I consider it a perk that I took delivery without something being damaged.

 

Next MINI get it from Lauderdale. Worth the drive

 

No sheet.

 

We picked up an '05 MC from Lauderdale MINI (ordered July 20th, picked up August 24th, though it was on the lot on the 22nd..) last week.

They threw in: rubber floor mats (front, rear, and boot), checkered valve stem covers, chrome exhaust tip, checkered mirror caps, and the shiney dead pedal. Oh, and our choice of tshirt, hat, or other similar motoring accessory..

They said that their policy is that for warranty work loaners are always provided.

 

Another happy Lauderdale MINI customer. They rock!

 

I got floor mats as a bribe for a good reveiw when Mini calls about my experience. I got the fast rubber mats (they have the "S" logo on them) if anybody has regular Cooper mats they would like to trade for "S" ones I would be game.

 

Thanks for all the quick replies. So I guess it is a good thing that Otto's mini is willing to give out free loaner cars but too bad I can't use the "everyone gets this" as bargaining leverage. Anyone get anything cool from Otto's mini in PA?

 

yea to bad its an option that runs out !!!!
espeacially now that gas is" MORE EXPENSIVE THAN STARBUCKS " hehehehe


man cost me 45.50 to fill up yesterday i could have bought a video game or a dvd for cheaper

 

I received no "perks" when I bought an MC-40 with the JCW engine package. No mints, no shirt, no hat...didn't even get to pick the options such as auto lock or unlock.

However, I did take it back for the installation of the JCW kit and an Ipod adapter (two separate visits) and each time I was treated courteously, the car was delivered when promised, and I was given a free loaner. And...the car was right...no problems with any of the work they had performed.

I would much rather work with a dealer that gave good service and treated me fairly than get a free tee shirt.

 

[font='Times New Roman']This statement rings true for me too. I had several problems with MINI of Manhattan, and was happy that they had only DRILLED HOLES IN MY FRONT BUMPER! No perks, no freebies, nothing. It is interesting to learn of the vast differences between dealers. It might be nice if MINI-BMW could bring the dealerships with weaker customer service up to the standards of dealerships I have seen described on NAM. I am quite sure, however, that the dealers with weak customer service still ring the register and sell an inordinate number of cars, so things will probably only change if sales begin to slip.[/font]

 

Yeah Lauderdale was worth the drive from Miami for sure. They gave us a shirt, hat, MINI pillow, and a pretty good deal on my S.

Carpet floor mats were in the car already, and i asked how much $$ for rubber mats, which they switched out for me within minutes for nothing extra. And they have a cool flavored coffee machine!

This brings me to something I was thinking about a few days ago:

What the F is with the big deal dealers make out of floormats? It's like "you are giving me tens of thousands of dollars, but I probably won't give you pieces of remnant-size carpet that should come with the car anyway!"

 

One thing that helps is to discuss and hopefully get your perks before you leave a deposit or say for sure you are buying the car. As I've said before, I got a $350 discount, free floor mats and a discount on a couple of other things in writing before I actually left a deposit and ordered the car.

Also got a key ring and a t-shirt when I picked up the car, and MINIUSA has since sent me a couple of MINI pens, another key ring, a cap and several other do-dads.

 

"Perks". Heh, that'd sure be nice. As is, Downtown Mini in Orlando charges something like a $1,300 mark-up on all new cars you buy from them, and when I asked what this was for, I was told that the buyer receives that amount's worth of stuff like luggage, tee-shirts, pens, etc. of their choice from the Mini "stuff catalogue".

The best part is that it's non-negotiable, they won't take that off sticker price. You have no choice, unless you buy somewhere else.

Personally, I think it's garbage, which is partially why I'd never buy a new Mini Cooper S anyway. They aren't worth what we're charged. *


*I imagine I'll be called a troll yet again for saying that, but at this point I don't really care.

 

No MINI is worth buying for anything above sticker price. Dowtown MINI still use predatory selling practices because they are a bunch of crooks (Sorry Mike Priest) and they "think" they are the only game in town. Ferman MINI is 72 miles west of Orlando and they also suck. Ditto for Tom Bush MINI in JAX.

So, if you don't want to pay the $1,300 tacked on surcharge fee (I know I wouldn't) then your best option is to make the 200 mile drive down south to Ft. Lauderdale.

I have heard Downtown MINI has a very reputable service dept but their sales operation stinks. Downtown MINI has a "Boutique" type store nestled in Downtown Orlando (Orange Avenue) and it is one of the nicest looking MINI showrooms in Florida that is not right next to a BMW showroom.

 

On that note, you would be 100% correct. Their service department is nothing short of amazing. I actually feel like the guys there care about answering my questions and making sure the one or two minor issues I had were resolved quickly. I didn't even buy my Cooper S at their dealership, but as well as they treat me, I might as well have.

Also, again on the price thing, I feel that I should mention that it isn't just Minis that are overpriced. I'd never buy a new car at all, really, because that feeling of "My *** was the first to dent this seat, wow!" just isn't that important to me, and certainly not worth the few thousand it's going to cost you. Thankfully for me, a lightweight Cooper S was found at an unrelated dealership(a Mustang/performance car dealership actually). I walked in, traded in my Cobra, drive off in the Coop. I miss the speed, but the Cooper is more refined overall. I just wish it had a lot more power and rear wheel drive. But hey, there are very few perfect cars out there, so what can ya do, ya know?

 

Coopersigma, I think you need to accept the fact that you are a V8/RWD muscle car junkie

The MINI, as you well know by now, is all about handling and having fun behind the wheel in a totally different way from the neck-snapping, straight line acceleration and oversteer offered by a Pony/GT car.

I think you'll be happier in a Mustang, Sti or even a 350Z. Neither of those cars are of my interest but I can see why they are appealing to some.

 

IS anybody here who has gotten "dealer perks"

Paid MSRP only or has there been some "other" price additions like Dealer doc fees or dealer prep fees or additional dealer markup?
Its no perk if you are paying for it somewhere in the price.

 

I paid MSRP plus $299 doc/preparation fee which is non-negotiable. All the "perks" I have received have mounted to a few thousand dollars. In my last MINI purchase, the frebbies added up to around $1,200 give or take.

 

My dealership gave me a full tank of gas when I took delivery. But I won't be surprised if they filled it up with regular I also got the all weather floor mats and I didn't even ask for it. Now thinking back, I probably ended up paying for it through some of the BS extra fees . In addition, I got a $50 gift certificate for accessories in the mail, a key chain, free loaner and free car washes whenever I stop by.