I have a brochure for all the accessories from one dealer and it lists the following:
CD changer - $595
Floormats - $95
Rally Lights - $500
Roof decals - $180

...and those are just some. So I asked a different dealer - where I'm getting my car - and they told me that:
CD changer - $800
Floormats - $115

I know they mark things up, but I hardly think these boosts are worthy. So, what have you all been paying or told out there in the rest of the US/World?

 

My understanding from reading threads on several MINI boards is that the brochure prices do _not_ include installation. The headlights in particular take several hours to install, and BMW service rates are not, well, low.

Still, I have heard widely varing prices for installed accessories. Perhaps dealerships in different parts of the world have different labor rates, or some dealerships may just gouge more than others - I have always heard the dealer add options account for a large percentage of new car sale profits. It would be very interesting to hear what range of installed prices people have paid, and where they had them installed.

-Dale

 

I didn't think about the labor costs - good point...but $20 to install floormats?! So I guess they get you somewhere...

 

Thats a damn good point. I am having the Aero kit put my Cooper when I order it. I have not even thought what the labour costs will be.

I think a phone call to my dealer is on the cards!

 

SO is that $300 to install the 6CD changer??? Hmmm...imagine if they weren't ALREADY PRE-WIRED!!! Just like the 2003 models are supposed to be pre-wired for an alarm. I bet the alarm cost won't go down!

 

I find the 6 cd changer to be more of a problem then a regular in-dash player... You tend to forget what CD is where, and after a while if you want to put something new in, you always end up pulling off the side of the road, changing the cd's, meanwhile all the cars you passed earlier, come back to haunt you! One is fine with me!

 

I agree Tollag. Ideally, I'd love to have a 6-CD changer in-dash like the WRX. BUt otherwise, a single CD in-dash isn't bad.

 

Tollag....exactly why I did not opt for the changer.....24 years old and already I can't remember the simple things like what cds are in my changer.....

 

If you have the 6CD changer, don't you still have the one in the dash to use for quick swapouts, or when you decide you need somthing different?

Pebble.

 

Yes you do. So I put my favorite six cd's in the changer but keep my cd case up front and if I need to listen to something that's not in there I just slip it into the dash unit.

 

I must agree. The 6 cd changer just aint worth it... I have them in both of my other cars and I can't remember the last time I changed em. Fortunately I have singles in the head units or I'd probably just listen to the radio. I don't think that I remember what cd'c are in the damned things. I'm just glad they didn't have multi 8 track players.

 

Yeah, but if you're like me at all, you have a bunch of CDs that you like to listen to on your long drives, so it's a pain to switch them in a 1 disc player. I went from an in-dash player to a 6 disc changer (thinking I didn't want it)...and now I want it. But maybe you're right...nah, I'll waste the $800...and the $115 on the silly floormats

 

Plus the 6-disc changer is loacted in teh back on top of the particle board that you access your tools and spare - gets in the way. For $300, use this for an iPod and have 800 of your favorite CDs in the palm of your hand.

-Peter/Rspeed

 

If you can avoid it, it seems crazy to subsidize non-MSRP prices. It just encourages more dealers to misbehave.

Can you order MINI accessories (that don't require installation, mats for example) at the prices listed in the 'MINI Accessories' brochure, or from the MINI website directly from MINI, either online or using an 800 number ?

I know you can with the 'MINI Gear'.

I'm a believer in honest pricing.

Also, another thought. I believe some of the vendor links here at this website, sell genuine MINI items.

_________________
Wandersen

 

Following up on my own note, I took a look at the foldout MINI Accessories brochure from the dealer, and on the back it notes that you can "shop online".

I have yet to find where to shop for Accessories on the MINIUSA.com website.

Anyone else find it ?

If you can shop online, then zwoman's dilemma (of being victimized by overcharging dealerships) is partially solved (for items that don't require dealer installation) !

 

They're probably referring to the MINI GEAR you can buy on miniusa.com. Just a thought, I don't think that they would actually just sell car parts on-line without trying to get an installation fee from the customer, that's just smart business unfortunately. Either that, or they may offer to purchase the parts on-line but then you would have to pick them up at the dealer, again, try to finagle a little extra $... :???:

 

Maybe their web design feature roll-out schedule is a bit back-logged.

I know you can buy gear and accessories on-line at vw.com.

And MINI seems to be more user/customer oriented than the folks at Volkswagen !

And why would MINI cede the accessories market to the other catalog vendors ?

After all, someone 150 miles from a dealer sure isn't making a trek for floor mats !

 

>>Following up on my own note, I took a look at the foldout MINI Accessories brochure from the dealer, and on the back it notes that you can "shop online".
>>
>>I have yet to find where to shop for Accessories on the MINIUSA.com website.
>>
>>Anyone else find it ?
>>
>>If you can shop online, then zwoman's dilemma (of being victimized by overcharging dealerships) is partially solved (for items that don't require dealer installation) !

I don't think that they sell those anywhere but at the dealer. Kind of an effort NOT to undersell their dealers, I'm guessing. And in order to have it guaranteed or under warranty, the dealer has to have it installed.

I don't have an IPOD, and I don't really have a lot of time to download MP3s. It's something that I've wanted to devote some time, to, but don't have it. Excuses, excuses...I'll just get the stinkin' $800 CD player.

 

>>
>>I have yet to find where to shop for Accessories on the MINIUSA.com website.
>>


Really??
Look under "Motoring Gear"

 

"Forced" to take a $790 CD changer I did not want. They also added floormats for $80 and a Tshirt for $50. Welcome to the MINIUSA family! I told the dealer I would rather be forced to take $800 worth of options of my choice at least.