I am about to order a new MCS and was under the assumption that the $190 for the roof rack included installation. I called my dealer in Denver and was told that installation is an additional $432. This will be a deal breaker for me.

It is absurd to charge a customer installation for an accessory on a new car. What's next, $100 for the sun roof installation, $150 for the fog lights?

I couldn't look at my beloved MCS knowing that the roof rack was $622.

Additionally, I was told by some other MINI owners that their dealers are discounting the cost of the roof rack and installation. For example, a MC owner in Ohio only paid $395 total ($164 for the rack and $231 for the installation). What's going on? This doesn't sound like happy motoring to me. :???:

 

I ran into this with my dealer and the rally lights. I paid too much for them to be installed - I cannot remember the actual figure. I thought they were going to run about $300 but they came to something like $600. As an evil twist, just after I ordered my MCS, the rally lights became an option at the factory. If the dealer does anything, it's going to cost us. That's the way it works.

 

I have run into the same thing. My dealer said that the service department originally wanted ~$1,000 to order and install the roof and bike rack. He quickly corrected that to a more "reasonable" $585. But I'm still planning to put it off given the expense and the holes in the roof.

I called around to the other dealers in my area and the best I heard was $550 ($300 parts, $250 labor). If anybody in the Bay Area has heard less, please post.

The main reason for this is that dealers seems to be that it is a labor intensive process. According to posts on MINI2, some inexperienced dealers were taking 5-6 hours to install it on their first few attempts. The dealers I talked to all estimated 2-3 hours of labor, but had done it before. Someone on MINI2 actually has the BMW service instructions for installation. Some posters there were worried about drilling holes in the roof and found the explanations in that document reassuring, but I haven't actually read it myself. It's easy to find these threads there if you do a search on "Bike Rack" at MINI2.

Quinn

 

>>I am about to order a new MCS and was under the assumption that the $190 for the roof rack included installation. I called my dealer in Denver and was told that installation is an additional $432. This will be a deal breaker for me.
>>
>>It is absurd to charge a customer installation for an accessory on a new car. What's next, $100 for the sun roof installation, $150 for the fog lights?
>>
>>I couldn't look at my beloved MCS knowing that the roof rack was $622.
>>
>>Additionally, I was told by some other MINI owners that their dealers are discounting the cost of the roof rack and installation. For example, a MC owner in Ohio only paid $395 total ($164 for the rack and $231 for the installation). What's going on? This doesn't sound like happy motoring to me.

 

The roof rack with installation at my dealer is $400. Hope this helps.

 

Hi Sean, Welcome!
If you are unsure about the rack, price, etc. you could always order it once your MINI comes in. At that point, maybe you would have more negotiation power. I'm in Denver too and I was able to haggle a bit on the alarm install so I think there might be room to move on the rack. This way, you get the ball rolling with your order and have time to "shop around" (other dealers other brands) and get some ammo to take back to the dealership when the time comes. I haven't asked them about the rack price/install lately, but I'm in the same boat - I need one! I'm going to shop around until next snow season. There might be more competition with other racks that will work (Thule/Yakima, etc) so they might be more willing to negotiate later. I think there are loads of threads on here about the plus/minus of different sorts of racks you can check out also.

Good luck! Let us know what you order so I can keep my eyes open for you on the roads!

 

Sean008,

Welcome to MCO!

Margins are very small on automobiles relative to other retail, which unfortunately means the dealers make up for it on this type of add-on or service.

Here is a link to the official MINI Roof Rack installation instructions:

MINI Roof Rack Installation Instructions (official)

As a dedicated do-it-yourselfer, I would do this install myself if I wanted the roof rack. Look at the instructions though, to see if it's something you would tackle. As it requires drilling large, precise holes in your roof, I can understand that most would not want to tackle it.

Another option would be to buy the rack from MINI and have it installed by a good mechanic or body shop. Certainly they would have the ability and may charge much less than the dealer.

Also, you should be able to buy the rack kit from Classic Auto Campus, an MCO sponsor (see the sponsor directory), at a better price than the dealer. Then take it somewhere to install or do it yourself.

Best of luck to you,

James

 

Here's the breakdown on what I paid for the roof rack and driving lamps:

driving lamps: $400
labor: $280

roof rack (base kit): $190
bike holder: $94/each (I got 2)
labor: $275