Why is there no record of service or repair attemps when the first owner brought it in? From the inspection to the neat and tidy sensor failure there is a story.
I find it hard to believe any dealer would just replace it and take a loss.
Now you come in and buy it, they make 2x the profit on the car for a 2k discount?
Buy new, or they drop to used prices.

 

Sounds good. Any idea what this "side member, front (engine mount) corroded" means? Not that it really matters..

 

The dealer didn't take the loss though, the original owner did. The dealer bought it back probably at much less than MSRP, and I'm sure they were glad to do so, since they know the Clubbies are hot, and they can make a lovely profit on the same car again. Not exactly ethical, but sounds like standard car dealership business.

Like I mentioned before, the price break on this car will have to be significant for me to buy it. Otherwise it just doesn't make any sense why I wouldn't order new.

 

Well, hear this!

The car was marked at about 34,500. That's 33,00 MSRP + the dealer markup of about $1500. The "deal" he was going to give me was a discount of $250 off the marked up price. So I would pay $34,250 for a car with 700 miles on it! NO THANKS!

So I'm exploring my other options, including looking into a regular Mini Cooper S that they have on the lot, and thankfully they do not markup the MCs!

I'll let you know what I end up doing. It's between the MCs they have on the lot, or ordering a new MCCs. We'll see.

 

Well, that is pretty darn pathetic. I really wish you would just get a Clubman - if that's what you really want - from another dealer farther afield. Come to the east coast - you'll be treated fairly!

But if you don't need the extra room, and would like an MCS, then that's fine...a great MINI, as well - but quite different from the Clubman in its size.

If you're still thinking about an MCCs - don't limit yourself to the locals.

Happy decision making, ahendy and, please, do keep us up-to-date.

 

ahendy,

Please excuse my rather blunt criticism, but are you desperate or naive? This dealer was going to screw you from the very beginning. They wasted your time with the bait of a great deal that amounted to a whopping $250 discount off an unrealistic price. Now, in your eagerness to buy a car, or your pension for more abuse, you are willing to walk in there again assuming you will get a different result. Do you really think that this dealer is going to offer you a "real" deal on a car that he stands to make less of a profit on, versus the used car he was making a killing on? My guess is he has your number and your desire to keep pushing this situation is poor judgment and is going to cost you a lot of money.

Now for the philosophical question. Do you really want to reward this dealer's behavior thus far by giving him more money? What you should do is buy a new car from another dealer and then make this dealer service the thing without earning the profit on the sale. In St. Louis I got my fully loaded Clubman S for MSRP out the door. They have been up front and honest with me from the beginning and have earned my business as a result. I even would have walked if they charged a mark-up.

I am not trying to be mean, but by bringing this issue to the forum and asking for opinions I think you deserve as honest an opinion as I can give. Please take a step back and look at the situation in a more objective manner.

 

I understand what you're saying and I don't completely disagree. But I fear I may have made it seem like the dealer has been acting much more evil than they truly are. He never promised me a "great deal", but he did promise me a price break, and he did give me that. While it's not "right" to try to sell a used car at this price, I don't entirely blame him for doing so. He knows he can sell it at this price because of the demand, so he will. No, it's not ethically the "right" thing to do, but he's just as much of a car saleman as any of the others. He's going to get as much cash out of this car as he can.

Fortunately for him, despite the fact that I was unhappy with his "deal", he knows I've been generally satisfied with the level of service, attention, and communication I've gotten from the sales manager so far. I have absolutely no problem buying a car from this dealership, as long as the price is right. I also have absolutely no problem walking away form the dealership if I don't feel it's a fair price. Simply put, if they will give me a car for a fair price and be nice about it, then there's really no issue in my mind.

The more I think about the situation I am realizing that I may not need the cargo space of the Clubman. While I do absolutely love the car, I rarely have any cargo at all, aside from the occasional guitar in the back, which I assume with the seats down would be no problem at all in the MCCs.

I still may very well end up with a Clubman. But we'll see how things go.

 

Slow down fella!

Step back, take a deep breath and evaluate the situation.

I agree with moclubman.... I think you are just desperate to buy a new car ANY CAR. The dealer has pushed your hot buttons and he knows what to expect from you. I think you need to let go of this dealer and start fresh elsewhere.

The thing that you should never ever do is to demonstrate the dealer that you NEED a car. You should be the one in control not them.

I am afraid you are going to settle out for a car that you will later develop buyer's remorse. If you want a Clubman, ride each pony one at a time and get the car you want even if that implies going farther away and doing your homework.

What is your hurry all about? Once you sign on that dotted line you'll be screwed for many years.

Settling for ANY MINI is a huge mistake. You'll grow to hate the car you picked in a hurry to satisfy a new car binge.

In these tough times, a new car purchase needs to be well tought out and revisited many, many times before a final decision is made.

Step back and relax the weekend. Don't make a costly mistake just because you are ought to have a new MINI from this stealership.

 

It's time to fire that dealer.
Find another one.
It's a long holiday weekend.
Maybe a dealer road trip is needed on Saturday.

 

I'm not entirely set on the Clubman. If I was, and I may still be, interested in buying one, I'll talk to a few dealers and order from the one that seems to be the most interested in selling a car to me, and can give me the best deal.

As I mentioned before, I really don't have much of a personal vendetta with this dealership. While I do not agree with how they handled this pre-owned vehicle, I don't necessarily feel that they are a bad dealership. I've been plenty happy with how I've been treated personally by the sales manager. And being the closest one within 150+ miles of me is a definite advantage.

Like I said, I'm in no hurry. I'm going to take this time to re-evaluate which car is the right one for me, and then make my decision from there. If I decide to order a new car, Clubman or otherwise, it may be from Niello, or it may not. I don't have enough information yet to say. But if Niello is going to give me a good price and be generous about it, then they will get my business. I don't see anything wrong with that. But I am not going to settle for something less than what I wanted, or an unfair price on what I do want, which some of you think I'm naive enough to do. I've done my research, and I know what going price for a new car is, and I wont pay a dime over it. That's why I'm not sitting in a pre-owned Dark Silver Clubman S right now.

I'm going to drive a MCs possibly sometime this weekend and make the decision from there which one (MCs vs. MCCs) is the right car for me. Then from there I'll shop around and see where's best to get it from. It may very well be Niello, but it may very well not be. Time will tell. But please don't assume that I am going to make the wrong decision about this. I'm not as desperate as I may seem, and again, that's why I gave Niello the big No, thank you. on the Clubman.

 

Very good. We are just checking on you. We are like family and we don''t want one of our siblings to make a mistake to regret later.

Have fun shopping around.

 

Have fun shopping, that's for sure. Having participated on these boards for over a year one thing's clear: MSRP is what just about everyone pays, no more, no less. The dealers that tack onto that usually don't make a sale. People who post here just go to another dealer, or confront the tackon dealer and they back off. Tacking on a premium is a thing of the past for the Mini.

 

You guys aren't going to believe this!

So I get to Niello Mini to check out the Chili Red MCs they had on the lot. I walked up to it and was disappointed that it in fact had a "SOLD" sign in the window. Too bad.

After looking around for a couple minutes, the MA I have been working with walked out and was very friendly. He said that they had someone back out of a special order that was due for delivery today! Sure enough, a BRG Clubman S w/ Premium, Convenience, and Cold weather. EXACTLY what I've been looking for!

Unfortunately delivery estimates are never 100% correct, so it looks like it will likely be Tuesday before it will actually arrive and be ready to drive off the lot. But we negotiated a deal, financing and all, had my trade-in appraised and was happy with the appraisal, and I'm all ready to go. I'm paying MSRP and getting free floor mats and sports stripes. Not too bad.

I can't wait to join the BRG Owners Club! It's almost too good to be true, it's crazy how things like this work out.

 

I don't know about CA, but in "backwards" KY, a car is used if it's ever been sold. You also have the right to get the prior owners name and contact info.

However, sure sounds like you found a better dealer to work with.

 

ahendy:

Glad you found what you wanted. Congratulations.

 

ahendy:
Someone was smiling down on you.
You have a hell of a story to go along with a spec car that dropped into your lap.
Welcome to the Clubman world of MSRP. Kind of kills the negotiating, doesn't it.

 

Agreed. I'm not a religious man, but someone up there wanted this to work out, after all the hassle I've been though.

Now lets just hope the delivery, QCI, etc all goes smoothly and timely. I'll keep you all updated. I'm a photographer, so rest assured you will see LOTS of pictures!!

 

Never a dull moment with you, ahendy - congrats on that BRG! Clearly you have good luck and good taste!

 

ahendy...recommend a nice, small digital camera. I'm surfing right now looking for one.

 

How much do you want to spend? When I don't have my big dSLR with me, I carry a Canon SD750 with me, and absolutely love it. It's small, light, and really affordable. And it takes beautiful pictures!

I love mine, and it practically lives in my car. I like to have a small camera around all the time, just in case You can't go wrong with the Canon ELPH series though, and the SD750 is on amazon.com right now for $169.99.

My $.02

 

Haha, thank you so much. This has been quite an adventure, and there hasn't been a dull moment for weeks!

I loved BRG from the start. When I first drove the Clubman a couple months ago, my MA was showing me color options, and they had a BRG MCC (non s) in the showroom, and at that point I was floored on the color. Absolutely beautiful, classic color. So for this to work out this way has me feeling like maybe it was just meant to be!

I'm really looking forward to being a part of the MINI community. In addition, I live less than 5 miles away from the Mini Mania headquarters, so I think it's time for me to get my foot in the door there as well.

I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep until tuesday! Darn holiday weekends!!!

 

ahendy, thanks...you named the two I'm looking at.

Thanks again, I just ordered the Canon SD750.
The opinions of an owner matter, much like looking for a Clubman!

The ClubmanS needs a good family portrat quality picture and the NAM gallery needs shots.

 

just checked back into this thread ... amazing deal you got there. Although somewhat surprised they did not mark up this car ... what gives? ... but great for you!

BTW, I use a Canon SD810 myself, pretty much the same as the 750 but with a 28mm wide angle lens.

and yeah ... please post some photos!

 

Canon SD870 here.

 

opps ... sorry ... its a SD870 too...

so when is the camera going to point to the BRG? we only saw it wet so far