Okay, I just got back from the BMW dealer and test drove one of the three MINI's left. It was a shocking experience. The interior room, up front at least, is huge for a car this size. I had to move the seat up quite a bit and I'm nearly 6 feet! On the drive, the car was tight and silent, the engine smooth with a great sound to it and it shifted with tight short throws which I loved. The ride was just fine, it only jolted me on tough potholes or big bumps, and that was on the run-flat tires (which I heard ride worse than the regular tires). The base engine was plenty peppy with that tranny, another pleasant surprise.
The only problem would be the wait. This is supposedly the only dealer in Oklahoma that handles MINIs and they aren't ordering any more until they complete the new BMW/MINI dealership out on dealer-row by the interstate in a few months. They only have one used one and two new that have prices jacked way up with options I don't need, and I'm wanting different colors. If I special order, I can put down a deposit now and wait 7 to 9 months for it. That's what they're saying. Quite a wait but it doesn't seem unusual for these cars.
The salesman was nice and gave me lots of finance/lease options to play around with, so now I need to decide what to do. The car was definately addictive! I could live with it!
Wish me luck, and God help me!
Tim

 

you could try getting one not locally, and then having a nice road trip when you first get the car. It'd keep you from having to wait as much. :smile:

 

Try an out of state dealer.
A lot of dealers have Coopers on the lot if you aren't too picky about what you want.
If you are interested in the MCS then you may have a harder time finding something.
I know here in Michigan (Motor City Mini) they sell for MSRP and MCM is a great dealership to buy from.

Just a thought.

Lobo

 

Welcome aboard, seems you like the new MINI Cooper like the rest of us. Test an "S" and you'll be on a whole new level of emotion. May I suggest that you look for other alternative markets, rather than wait for Oklahoma, look towards, Texas, Tennessee, Colorado or Missouri for dealers. Many among us have traveled half-way across the US to get our MINIs rather than wait for a year or more.

 

Look at the vendor announcements on this site's home page. MINI of the Hamptons has them in stock MSRP.

 

Brian Harris MINI in Baton Rouge, LA has a bunch of MINIs on the lot for MSRP. They don't have any S's though. You can see their entire inventory at http://www.brianharrismini.com.

 

Yes, that was my next thought. There should be several big BMW-MINI dealerships in Dallas, I'm going to check there next and see what they have. If I bought one I'd like to go with or look into the "owner's choice" financing which drops the payments by about $125 per month. The local dealer doesn't offer this. Time to go small-game hunting!
I'll let you know what I find.
Tim

 

Unlike some, I don't mind the ride of the 16" run-flats at all. It keeps me on my toes as a driver. I guess when I get into my MINI, I don't think like I have behind the wheel of any other car I've driven. I would imagine the same would be true for someone getting into a Ferrari, or a Lamborghini- I'm sitting down to drive, not to be transported in quiet and comfort. On the interstate, it's plenty smooth enough, as it is for city driving. Get me on a country road where the twisties lurk, and there are often potholes and rough spots. That's also where MINI shines, and a bit of spring action over the terrain adds to the experience in my view. Re: the wait- I guess it made it even more special, but I'd have been just as happy driving one over the 4 months of anticipating delivery. If waiting sounds too difficult, then I agree- call around, find one on a lot, arrange for a bit of time off from work, and make a road trip out of it. More power to you if you can find an S that way. My MC has been plenty of car for me. Doubt you'd regret getting one if an S isn't available w/out the months of waiting.

 

I had a similar experience....but not as extreme. My local MINI dealer (Moritz MINI, Arlington TX) was going to open in a few months, but I needed to place an order. So I went to John Roberts MINI (around 635 and I35E in Dallas) to get my car. Now that Moritz is open and running, I do all my service (and buying hats, umbrellas, MINI mugs) through them. Really, you're lucky a MINI dealer will be opening near you soon...many owners drive long distances for service. MINIs make you do "crazy" things.

 

I bought mine at Moritz MINI in Ft. Worth from Richard Mills. I ordered my MCS and it arrived in exactly 2 months to the day. They sell only at MSRP and don't charge extra to order. I also bought my MINI with the Buyers Choice and it does afford you lower payments but not by $125.00. Give them a call. 817-436-5725

Good luck.

 

My wait on an S in St Louis was 3 months. The wait on an MC is probably 2 months. There are MC models available in St Louis and Kansas City. I would imagine that in Texas that MC models would be available. So I would tell OK city bye bye and buy a car from a reasonably close dealer in Texas, Missouri or Memphis Tennessee. Then you are much better off than I because it is a 3 hour drive to St Louis or Kansas City or a 5 hour drive to Ok city or Memphis for service. You will have a dealer there to service it after you buy it elsewhere.

jc

jmho, ymmv

 

Hey yeah, I'll check out Roberts and Moritz as soon as I can and see about their inventory. Thanks for the extra info guys!
Oh, and I was basing that $125 on the fact that the average MINI payment from the local dealer is around $395 with $3000 down. That's with the new and used alike.
One of my concerns admittedly was trading my bigger heavier car for such a tiny one, but after the drive the MINI felt much more expensive and substantial to the old senses! I'll make the calls.
The Timinator