After having my name on a waiting list, and seeing the price gouing first hand, I have decided that I am giving up. Do you think that BMW relize yet that they are doing more harm then good? For those of you that can buy a Mini at MSRP, I would say congrats, for most of us however it means paying up to $5,000. over or at best having the car loaded with unwanted features. This also means realistically that you could afford a whole lot more car else where (ex. WRX, Or EVO Xll).Anyhow this is just my two cents, I look forward to seeing what you all think...

Over it in SO. Cal!!!

 

I agree...... There's no way I would pay that much. That and If your going to put down that much hard earned money you should get what you want on your terms.
I hope BMW will step in soon. Though I'm not sure they will, it would be nice.
Sorry you've had such a bad experience. I hope you find a way to get what you want.
SW

 

The first dealership I went to was adding on $3000 of options. I REALLY wanted the car, but as I was driving home I said "there is no way I will pay for these options". I found another dealership that is chargin MSRP the next day. Both dealerships were with in 30 mile of my house. There is a thrid one just as close. So my question is, do I just happen to be in an area that has a lot of dealerships? It seems to me that everyone that is complaining about the "option packages" should just find another dealer that will only charge MSRP!

 

Arnster,
Your not from Cali are you? I have gone to 4 different dealers, they are all playing the same game just in different ways. Some just tack on $5000.00 for good measure while others load up the car with things like 17in wheels,Lo Jack, Disc Changer, XM Radio, custom graffixs ETC. ETC. ETC............ ARGH!!!!!!

 

I think I might just buy the Focus SVT at around $1000 under window, and keep it until I can get at Cooper S the way I want it, at the price I want to pay. It may take a year to do that, but....

 

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. In my city we have one BMW dealership and it functions as the Mini dealership aswell. I am not paying one cent over the MSRP, everything I want in my car I chose, I custom ordered it right there with them. Maybe it's just for the Coopers that they're doing this because I haven't had any problems. Aside from the PDI, which is $1500 Cdn, I'm happy with the price of my car.

 

There are a couple of fair dealers in Ca, but the wait is long, particularly for the S. The markups at some places are so absurd that I think going out of state is an option many in Ca should consider.
After following the other forums for some time, the general consensus is that these are some of the fairest MINI dealers outside of Ca, i.e. MSRP with NO add-ons:
MINI of Milwaukee
Hank Aaron MINI near Atlanta
Patrick MINI near Chicago
MINI of Peabody in Massachusetts (in March, combined list was only around 180)
Westchester MINI near White Plains, New York
Some dealers have a policy of not selling to those outside the region, but as far as I know, such is not the case with these dealers. I know for a fact it's not true of Westchester MINI. If you bought your car at one of the above- mentioned, you could get a flight out, stay overnight, and drive back for less than the markups that exist in many places in Ca. Obviously, the drive back is far, but it would definitely be one of the funnest drives you ever had. A veritable "MINI adventure" to say the least. AND you wouldn't be giving gouging dealers your business. Theoretically, you could order your car, make the appropriate financial arrangements and transactions, and have the car transported by rail or whatever other method back to Ca, and still be better off for it financially speaking.
Good Luck!

 

That's what I did.
I flew to NY this past Thur (Westchester MINI) and drove back to NC. Paid MSRP and AirTran ticket was only $75. Left NC at 6am; left NY at 1pm and was back home (625 mi later) at 10pm. What a great motoring experience! Most of the trip was on Hwy 81 thru Va and the Shenandoah Valley.

 

As it will take at least 6 months if I order an S the way I want it, I have decided to wait until they are available at sticker price or lower. I refuse to buy a car laoded up with $5000 worth of stuff I don't want, than to pay a premium on top of it...

 

Bought mine in MD. Had to get LoJack, but I do live in the City so what the heck? Also had to buy the 6-disc CD changer. Could have lived without it, but my teenagers think it's cool.

It already had the 16" wheels with run-flat tires--something I would prefer over the after-market 17'ers they were adding onto the others in stock. Other options were heated seats (yea!), leather (why not?), and cruise control (a ticket preventer if there ever was one).

Bottom line? Paid MSRP and got the British Racing Green; couldn't be happier.

Mr. Toad

 

I ordered my MINI from the dealer in Annapolis, MD. Only add-on above MSRP was floormats for $99.00 unless they try to do something when I pick it up. I have not seen this mentioned very much, but I have been tracking the production of my MINI in the owners lounge at MINUSA.com. When I specced out my MINI, they plugged it into the system and gave me a production number. I then used this to track my MINI. I just wish they had pictures of my baby as it gets put together. Oh well. I did have to put a deposit down but since I have a car in the works, this wasn't so bad. Is anybody else tracking thier MINI's "birth"?

 

Tracking mine in the lounge. Production date is estimated at May 10. Ordered through Crown MINI of Richmond (VA). Just MRSP, nothing added by the dealer. I messed up, should've ordered the Xenon lamps, tried to change it, but alas, to no avail. Can't wait 'til the end of the month!

 

Been tracking mine for over a month now - not healthy . Actually, once your MINI passes a certain stage, you should be able to log onto the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Vessel site by going to Track by Cargo, Auto and typing in the last 7 digits of your VIN. Then you can get the name of the ship that is carrying your MINI over, its departure date, and scheduled date of arrival to your local VPC. Mine is en route on a ship right now, scheduled to arrive in Port Hueneme on May 20. But then I've heard that cars can sit at the VPC a while, anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks . Been waiting a while as it is, since I decided not to take a pre-spec, but then again I think the wait will be worth it.Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines

 

Before you make an out-of-state purchase. Read this regarding registering new vehicles purchased out of the state of California. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/osreg.htm

 

I have never been a car guy. I never cared what I drove as long as it got me where i was going. I even used to make fun of the guy who sits next to me. We was always talking about his vette and the things he was doing to it. He even took his car to shows! What a dork!! Well this has all changed since I ordered my MINI!! Now I go to all the web pages looking for things for my soon to arrive car. I talk about it all the time. I read and post on MINI fourms. And NOW you tell me there is a place where I can check the progress of the shipment of my MINI!!!!! This might push my wife over the edge!!!!!!!

 

I'm with you, Arnster! I don't have mine ordered yet, so I'm worse than everyone else...just checking to occupy waiting time :smile: But now I'm reading all the car magazines that I always teased my husband for buying. Irony - nah, it's the power of the MINI

 

It is funny to think I still have the magazine that first introduced me to the New Mini. It was in November 1997 where there were 2 pics of it at a motorshow. Ever since then I had to have one, and the amount of articles, brochures and anything Mini I have collected is amazing. I have had my 1965 Mini since ! was 15 and soon New and Old will both share a gararge !
You are right, it is the power if the MINI

 

YOU ARE SURE REFRESHING. I AM A MARRIED MAN WHO LOVES HIS WIFE DEEPLY, BUT I AM NOW ALSO IN LOVE WITH MY NEW ALL RED MINI COOPER. I LOVE TO
JUST LOOK AT IT. DRIVING IS PURE JOY. IT BRINGS SMILES EVERYWHERE I GO,
PEOPLE TWIST THEIR NECKS TO GET A BETTER VIEW. WHAT IMPRESSES ME ABOUT
YOU IS THAT YOU HAVE A CLASSIC MINI SINCE YOU WERE 15 YRS. OLD. AMAZING!
YOU MUST BE ONE SATISIFIED PERSON. IF I STILL HAVE THIS FEELING 3 YEARS
FROM NOW, I HAVE PROMISED MYSELF I WILL PURCHASE A CLASSIC MINI LIKE
YOU HAVE. IT WILL BE A MUST FOR MY LIFE. I AM 56, I HAVE TO HURRY.
THANKS,
TERRY FROM ALBANY, GA.

 

Hey TotalKaos, I'm from SoCal, Long Beach to be exact. If you go to Long Beach MINI you can make a purchase at MSRP, the wait time varies with whether or not you purchase an MC or MCS. I myself lacked the Zen like patience to wait too long so I ended up making my purchase at Irvine MINI and paid a premium of $1250 which included Lo-Jack, Carpet mats, and some worthless thing called perma plate(no need to wax for years my ***!) but the wait time was only two months. I'm sure there has gotta be a dealer somewhere. All I can say is don't give up!

I do have to admit that when I heard they were bringing an EVO to the states, I was a little hesitant on ordering a Cooper, but I was seriously tired of all the rice rockets(are we allowed to say that still?) and VeeDubs in my area that driving the MINI is like a breath of dull London foggy air!

 

I am in northern CA, I did not want to even try to deal with what the California dealers are doing so I bought out of state. I got the car I wanted at MSRP (I did have to pay for lo-jack) and I had it shipped to the west coast (my schedule did not allow me to make the drive from CT to CA). Other than having to have a smog inspection done, the paperwork was a piece of cake.

 

I'm also from SO CA and was upset at the huge markups and long waits at most of the dealers in the area. MINI in monrovia had a $5000 markup!!! I ended up getting my MINI in Irvine because they were the only dealer at the time with a 5 speed BRG w/ white top MINI. i also paid a premium of $1250 which included Lo-Jack, Carpet mats, and the perma plate. It was a lot better then a $5000 markup that didnt come with anything.

 

Maybe you should come to Canada....we may seem dull, but we're honest!

 

>>Maybe you should come to Canada....we may seem dull, but we're honest!

Here, here. :smile: And no, we don't all live in igloos.
Cheers,

 

But we do have to portage to the general store for provisions.....and we ski in July

 

This is definitely a viable option. I haven't personally done this, but a good friend of mine buys all of his vehicles in Canada. I'm not sure if this changes regionally, but much of the tax he pays in BC is refunded by the government, and he benefits from the favorable exchange rate. Edit: I should mention that we're in Washington State... not too far from the border.Everyone knows that! But is it true that you all are required by the government to attend 5 years of lumberjack training while in school?