I'm considering a MINI but the nearest 2 dealers are abot 150 miles away. The advantage of purchasing a new MINI with warranty is offset by the distance to get factory service. Even with a used MINI, there is still the distance. On the other hand, I can't think of more than 2 or 3 times I've needed to back to a dealer in the past 30 years.

I'm interested in what others have done in this situation.

 

150 miles would be in my range to get a car that i want and it would be pretty nice to go for a drive of that distance.

go for it and join us.

so what model are you looking at?

 

My dealer is about 160 miles away. It was worth it to go new and the dealership has been great to work with.

 

My dealer is 179 miles away, but I lucked out in having family in that area. I have had no problems with it, but it is pretty easy for me to just take off a weekday and head over there. The 2.5 hours driving isn't bad at all when you're in a MINI!

 

I would almost dare to say that 150 miles is still considered close by many. Poor folks in WY, MT, and the Dakotas have to drive much farther to get to there dealers, and still happily do so.

In the end, 150 miles, just consider it a reason to motor (not that any MINI owner need one).

 

Its not the mileage, its the time

30 minutes is far enough ... You may spend a lot of time there

 

I'm about 150 miles from the dealer the problem is when you have to leave it there.

 

Yeah, if you ever needed to leave it.. Definitely make sure they're good with loaners. Otherwise, it's not too far for me, in hindsight. Before buying the car? Mighta thought otherwise.

 

About 220 miles to Roadshow...no problem, the MINI is easily worth the drive.

 

Depends on the dealer some are great and I don't mind the occasional drive, some are incompetent, poor with scheduling, lack customer service and are general pains to deal with, they aren't worth the 10 mile drive.

Another thing to consider, after you pass 36k if you need it towed to the dealer $$$ may become excessive and unnessacry, AAA will tow up to 100 miles for free if I remember correctly, after that 100 miles you foot the bill.

 

I realize I'm being premature in even posting a reply to this thread, as my signature badge indicates , however... I noticed an unusual inconsistancy to discussion of this type. People dislike driving more than ______ miles for service, but willingly drive ______miles (read as more miles) for a gallon of milk!!! Its a Mini!!! Drive like you're having fun!! I do agree with the comments about scheduling and poor service being an issue. I might add, that I have been to my dealer some seven or eight times, since ordering and I don't even have my car yet!! Now who's crazy?:impatient

 

1 mile further than you're willing to drive!

 

I'm just shy of 2 dozen service vists:impatient and I still have amajor list I need to go into. I've had ot make a 100+mile track to get a bubled runflat fixed, expecting a blowout as a result of a comprimised sidewall the entire 3 hour road trip was nerve rackong, yes its one thing to do some motoring but when you go for serivce its because motoring isn't what you're able to do anymore. In the end its a case by case basis for everybody

 

135 here and i would be willing to travel futher if needed.

 

In my simple mind it's like Einstein said the answer is relative. The car is fun to drive so the trip is a joy. What matters is how you're treated when you get there. If everything is always done fast and correctly I'd accept 120-150 miles but that's me. Plus I'm easy to please my wife demands the best at all times. If you have to make multiple trips next door isn't close enough

 

It really doesn't matter if you were only ten miles away. Just the fact that you would be driving your Mini to a dealer makes it seem longer! Even worse if you have to drive a non-mini loaner!

 

last night I had my mini serviced they gave me a 3 series. IT was pretty nice!

 

I could only wish for a Mini dealer somewhere in Alaska. The BMW dealership in Anchorage supposedly won't work on them (despite having a couple used Minis on their lot). So the nearest dealer to me is Northwest Mini, which is a drive of about 2,794 miles.

Let's hope my Mini won't NEED to go to a dealer until my next planned trip back to the "real world", sometime in the next 2 years.

For now, I'll be working on the Mini myself. Probably better that way...

 

I am 180 miles from our dealer. I have had to go to the dealer 4 or 5 times in 3plus yrs, but didn't mind it at all. Just minor things to correct and they also upgraded computer. I say GO FOR IT!!! Good excuse for ROADTRIP.. Happy Motoring .....

2003 CR/B MCS
Motoring ID# ZIP803
CROC # 83

 

What I find irritating is that for some strange reason Mini Service Centers don't seem to stock Mini parts & it really sucks to have to make the trip twice for a minor warranty repair (2 trips for me = 660 miles ). I will still continue to buy Minis in the future but the drive is a big drawback.

 

dang thats a trip and a half! My dealer is 12 miles away.

 

I have 4 dealers within 25 miles. But then again I live in the Uk near London

 

You're probably closer ot the plant than many of us are to dealers.

 

I live between two dealers, both about 150 miles from me, also. While it is sometimes inconvenient to make the trip, I knew what I was getting into before I bought the car. The service dept at my dealer has been GREAT about getting me in when it is convenient for me to make the trip, and we go over what is going to be done so all the parts are in stock waiting when I get there.

 

I’ve read a couple posts from people living in Alaska and making trips to the nearest dealer. I applaud anyone with that kind of trip to a dealer and never hear true complaints about their MINIs, only that they wish one were more local.

It makes my 600 mile trip seem like my nearest dealer is only blocks away.