Well, I took the advice of many here & tried to do a little more negotiating. I tried to ask for relatively inexpensive items, like carpet mats (they give you the rubber ones for free), a boot mat, auxiliary imput & gauges, a foot rest, & Euro Parcel Shelf. The finance guy called me back & basically said no to these requests. I was very surprised, and again, disappointed in their level of customer service.

I tried to explain the inconvenience of not having a car the last 3 months, waiting 2 months for the car I wanted, them screwing it up & suggesting they order a new one. I can't wait that long, especially since I don't presently have a car & have to borrow one every day. He said they couldn't take that much of a loss giving me what I requested. Geez, you make a major blunder & can't sacrifice to make the customer happy? It's not like I'm on the only car they would profit from during the month. I didn't ask for the Aero kit or some other extremely expensive option. They'll still make good money from the sale of the car, plus what I would have recommended to others here on this board & at home.

So it looks like I'll have to live with it. I do hope I get used to the manual. It's just the thought of continuing to experience such poor customer service.

More opinions welcome.

 

call MINI USA explain the fact that you cannot wait for another vehicle, and the dealership isnt trying to work with you on the fact that you arent getting what you ordered, and just ask, is there anything you can do to help?


Worth a try.

 

I guess I just don't see taking that car. I would have to consider taking my business elsewhere. What if you don't like the manual? Are you going to try a manual before you sign on the dotted line?

Sad story. I guess they aren't too concerned about reputation.

I don't remember if you said, but have you talked to MINI USA directly? I would think they would be interested in this.

 

Agreed with above. Did you discuss a loaner for you to use if you have to wait for the correct car as you ordered it? Also, did they try to find the same specced car on its way/in production that is available and/or at least offer you an immediate production slot?

Honestly, I'd be loath to give them my money if they wouldn't offer to provide a car to cover for the time your car should have been available to you on top of the couple of goodies offered.

{edit II: in the meantime the least they could do is provide a similar manual 05/06 MC for you to have over the weekend to help decide if you want to live with it}

 

Is anyone from Classic reading this? They were great to us...............

 

If I were you, I would refuse to take the car... And I think it is reasonable to ask for compensation, since they order a car that is different then what you wanted. Loaner car sounds reasonable to a dealer, I don't it is a huge damage for reserver a loaner to you for 3 months.. or less. I bet they can get one for you within 6 weeks, if they tried it hard. (the sooner you made the decision, the sooner you have the new car).

 

Ive said it many MANY times before, they seem nice on paper, and "all the great things they do", the fact of the matter is, most of the people that work at all of the Classic Brand Dealers are scumbags. There are, i must say, a select few that are very good to us, Bill Brickman and Mike Kost are great at the dealership, i havent worked with Julie enough to know how she handles buisness, but shes a very easygoing person.

Zach Frakenberry is the BEST MINI SA there is, i'm ver glad hes at our BMW dealer to service our cars.

Other than that, I havent met one person at any of the Classic dealers i'm comfortable with.


I hope they do read this. So the great people know who they are and the one who couldnt give a damn know that we know they dont give a damn!!!!


BTW, who are you working with to get this resolved? You might want to try Bill if you havent already. Meeting them in person helps too, give them the evil eye and show them your angry about all of this.

Remember, they owe you AT LEAST the difference in price for the auto tranny you didnt get!

 

So do you have to pay for the automatic?

 

If he does have to, they should either refund him, or, give him all the accessories that are valued ad the difference of the price!!!

 

This is the first time I've read any negativity about Classic on this site. I thought they were perfect!
You should get what you want (a CVT), but here's a link to an old thread about manuals if you're still considering it: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64057

 

If anyone thinks driving a manual in serious rush hour traffic is fun, I beg to differ. Try sitting in one large parking lot for 90 minutes going and coming EVERY week day and see how much fun it is. Traffic moving at 3 mph, stop and go, is misery.

Just a thought.

 

If I've read this correctly, you ordered an automatic on an MC? I originally wanted an MC, but when I found out that the wait was until at least Dec, I just switched over and got an MCS. Lucky for me, Classic had one ready to board a ship, and I pick it up on Tuesday.

On my original call (a month ago, so I'm sure it's not there now) there was an MCS that I think they said was an auto. I bet if you switched to an MCS you could have a car sooner.

 

you gotta try living with these crappy dealers for a while, i'm used to it because ive dealt with classic for most of our cars, all my life!

 

I worked with Julie, and she is a wonderful MA. Given that I never met her, we communicated numerous times over the phone and through email. We double checked my order to make sure it was accurate. Julie is easy to approach and makes sure the customer is satisfied.

 

Well, I decided to take the manual transmission. So far so good. As soon as I got in, I started driving & didn't even think about it! It's been years since I've driven a manual, but it's like riding a bike I guess.

The space blue is awesome...nothing like the pics I've seen on the net. Love the exterior chrome option on it too.

The nav software update (v26) was already installed with the GB voice!

Will take pics of the interior soon.

Just lovin it!!!

 

Good for you!!!! This is one goof up I'm sure you'll look back on as a blessing some day. Oh, btw, gorgeous car!!!

 

My exact thoughts

Post here in a couple of weeks and let us know what you think: manual/auto.

Earl

 

But he never had the other transmission to compare it to


Anyway, glad you are happy with the car :smile: - I hope they apologized profusely for the screw up when you were there

 

Congratulations! Glad to hear you're loving it so far. Give us a report in a month or two. I love my manual, but bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic is only 10 percent of my total. If over 50 percent of my driving was stop and go driving I'd probably consider an auto at least. Heck I'd probably consider taking public transportation if that were the case.

 

Sounds like he was driving an auto in something

quote

Well, I decided to take the manual transmission. So far so good. As soon as I got in, I started driving & didn't even think about it! It's been years since I've driven a manual, but it's like riding a bike I guess.

end quote

I assumed he was driving something with an auto and just hadn't driven a manuel in a while.

Earl

 

Great choice JPS. In the long run you'll be glad you went for the manual, not only will you be able to get re-acquainted with some old driving skills, but you'll probably become a shift junkie like the rest of us.

 

OIC - I thought you meant apples to apples - comparing the Mini CVT or MCS auto to the manual equivalent. Trust me, an auto in another car isnt the same as what the Mini has to offer :smile: What is the same as the Mini

 

Thought I'd give an update here as to how everything was resolved when the CVT Mini I ordered turned out to be a manual transmission.

I felt I really didn't have a choice but to take the manual instead of re-ordering a CVT since I didn't have a car for the last three months & couldn't wait another 2+ months for a new Mini to come in as I originally spec'ed it. So I took the manual. In the end, the Classic Mini dealership did everything they could to make up for the error. My MA especially, Mike Synder, was excellent throughout the whole process of ordering, delivering, etc. I have renewed faith in Classic & will continue to work with them & suggest their dealership to others.

As for me & my Mini, we're getting along just great! Have made several little mods to it & I couldn't be happier with it. At times I may wish I didn't have to bother with shifting, but I am having fun with the manual transmission. And it really does become very "automatic" (if you'll excuse the pun) after a while.

My thanks to everyone on this forum for all their advice, support & help. You're all awesome!

 

I am glad to hear that you are happy. I am also glad to hear that you will recommend Classic. We had a very good experience with them, and I know my MA there, Julie, really cares what folks think and how they feel about Classic. :smile:

 

I'm glad it worked out :smile:

Although it's not stop & go for long, i do have some city driving in my commute (since half of it is in the country ) But i went from a car with a stage 2 clutch and REALLY light flywheel to my MT Cooper... as soon as i got in i couldn't believe how plush both the clutch and shifter were. It's been a sinch to commute in even the worst traffic because it's so soft... but it could just be because i was used to a bare of a clutch

Congrats, though... it's a beauty!