Hey All,
I'm looking to buy a Cooper S within the next month and I have some questions. First, is there any bargaining in terms of price or do I have to pay sticker? Second, I believe the Sterling, VA dealer is taking orders only with no cars on the lot so are other dealers doing the same? Towson, MD and Annapolis, MD are the next closest. Last, apparently delivery is three months and its already summer so are the 2008's around the corner? Any help is much appreciated.

Marv

 

Hi Marv

I can't speak to the '08 timetable, but I ordered my MINI from Mini of Sterling. It has, thus far, been a good buying experience. When my S arrives at the dealer in a week or two, it will have been apx. three months from order to delivery (unless something goes wrong during the shipping process from New Jersey to Virginia). Most folks pay MSRP, some pay an additional premium, others purchase/are forced to purchase dealer add-on profit packages that include various items. I paid MSRP with agreement for a few minor freebies thrown in. Having said that, don't let that stop you from trying to negotiate a better deal. Anyway, good-luck and enjoy your pursuit.

 

Usually, most people pay MSRP plus up to about 500 in dealer prep charges, most Minis will also be ordered to your specifications (the options you want or don't want). But I have heard of people being able to get deals without the dealer prep charge. I think it really depends on the demand in your area. High demand, no breaks, low demand, you may get a slight break.

Out here in the Pacific Northwest, I paid MSRP plus 175 in dealer prep charges. They are throwing in the floor mats as part of the prep charges so I figured it is only about an additional $80 so I was able to live with that.

The new model year generally doesn't appear in the US until around March or April of the model year and the early release vehicles may not have all of the options available.

For instance, the audio package and alarm just became available this month for the 2007s.

 

I've never heard of a dealer refusing to take a order? Are you sure about this? Something like 70% or 80% of MINIs used to be ordered to customer spec. I can't imagine this has changed. Sterling would be out of business. Quickly.

 

I'm on my third mcs. My favorite dealer is Sterling. I don't think anyone around here discounts cars but they have specials. Last couple of weeks I was at Sterling that had some 07's in stock, but they may not be loaded with what you want. Do some research. The 08 may be a very different car in many ways.

 

I bought my MCS from Sterling at MSRP. Order March 7, delivered April 17. My MA, Jeff, did a great job. I highly recommend him. Mats were thrown in. I did pay a doc/prep fee or something like that. It wasn't too much. The couple concerns I've had were immediately taken care of by Jeff.

I think the original post was saying that Sterling basically only takes orders. They have very few cars for sale on the lot.

 

When I go to Sterling for service they find stuff I never notice and fix it. Love that. Love a dealership that makes you feel like you are the king/queen or whatever royalty you feel like being.

 

Oh, OK Now I understand. I mis understood and thought that couldn't be right!

 

Tate is very good as far as the selling and ordering process.

 

That does make a lot more sense, doesn't it?

When I placed my order, they literally didn't have any new cars to sell. I kept waiting for my MA to say something about what was on the lot and buying something right then. Ordering was the only option.

 

I ordered my MCS in Sterling because it close to me, and they give me "FREE" rubber floor mats and Bonnet Stripes.

Sterling dealer proc fee $299 and Annapolis: dealer proc fee $99

After you place the order Sterling is NONREFUNDABLE. Annapolis is REFUNDABLE.

I suggest just order the dealership which close to you becuase service seem important then the Price. For example if your MINI bourght in somewhere, if you bring your MINI to Sterling, they won't give you a loaner car druing the service. "my salerperson told me that". Fight for the dealer proc fee becaucse it is a doc fee not req. by LAW. In DC area all MINI dealship won't give you discounts for their MINIs. MSRP seem to be the price we must price, but dealer proc change and alarm systems' price can be reduce.

------------------------

MCS 2007: Mellow Yellow, Black Roof/Mirrors, Black Bonnet Stripes, Cold Weather, Premium, Rear Fog Lamp, Arm Rest.....etc.....
Ordered: May 04 07
Production Detail: Week 17 (May 07 07) -- On Order
Week 24 (June 14 07) -- Scheduled for Production
Week 24 (June 20 07) -- Awaiting Transport
Week 25 (June 22 07) -- En Route
Est. Delivery Date: Week 28 "Hopefully"

 

Don't wait for the 2008 car. It may not be available in the US for almost a year. Word has it that it won't be any different In the US. The fuel saving features touted for the '08 are to be put on EU cars only is what the thread on this said recently. The body/engine/suspension/tranny will not change.

 

Bargain-wise, you'll pay sticker. If you are very lucky, one of the dealers might throw in some free stuff. I bought my R56 Cooper S at Towson, no bargains, but no gook either. I didn't have to pay for lojack, cd changer, clear bra, undercoating, etc. Just didn't want any of that stuff!

Check out Towson for sure... they had more than 50 Coopers on the lot and 20 S, along with discounted 2006 models. Of the S cars, at least 4 - 5 were configured exactly how I did them on the MINI site! That was fun, and each one was different from the others. It became a matter of what color I liked, the seating and wheels. I am sure they have plenty of cars right now, why wait for Sterling? (Who can't seem to hold on to thier employees... every time I am there, I meet a new MINI manager and sales staff, so confusing!)

Good luck, and don't forget to join DCMetroMINIs!! www.dcmetrominis.org.

 

MOS has 65 cars in stock http://www.miniofsterling.com/New-Inventory.aspxMOT has 116 in stock http://www.minitowson.com/New-Inventory.aspx

Its not like it used to be.

 

I know the MoS web site says they have 65 cars in stock, but my experience is that it's not true. I have been confused by this since I decided to order from them in February. They have always had 35-75 cars on the site (memory is fuzzy on exact numbers). When I order my car in early March, there were many cars on the web, but none on the lot. This also seemed to be true when I picked up my car in April. There was some inventory, but nothing like what is on the web site. Don't know why...

 

That might be true but I do not believe it true for MOT.

When I bought my car the lot was FULL of cars and that was more than two years ago when everyone ordered their car. They bad brand new ... all models, just sitting. I would bet they have even more today.

 

I bought my mini from Tate, primarily because they are close to my home office. However, as a consultant, I'm on the road and at different client sites a lot; I just happened to be working extensively out of Fairfax, so I brought the Mini to Sterling to get my voice command button fixed and they gave me a free rental car, even though I didn't buy from them. Unanticipated nice service is always a pleasant surprise! It was an Enterprise Rent-an-overly-Febreezed-generic-small-size-Japanese-car, but still a totally courtesy and much appreciated none-the-less.

I have read some nasty things on the DC forum about Tate's service, but decided to judge for myself. So to be fair, I also brought my Mini into Tate (to get a nose job... new chrome bonnet scoop), and they also gave me a free loaner. They actually gave me a Mini. The SA also knew my car well enough to comment that it was last years model and a not an S.

So far since courtesy and service have been a tie, convenience currently plays the most important part in which one I do business with.

 

thanks for all the info guys... much appreciated. I'm planning to give Towson and Sterling a visit next week.

Marv

 

If you stop by Towson, ask for Benn Edwards and tell him Mike with the Sparkling Silver MINI sent you. He has worked with Towson for about five years...

 

And at Sterling, I highly recommend Jeff Wannall as an MA. Good luck.

 

I'm in the market and in my two visits to Mini of Sterling have dealt with Jeff Wannall. I followed up with some questions via e-mail. He answered the 1st one but has since stopped responding. Seems he has lost interest.

JP

 

That's odd? When we had breakfast there two weeks ago I saw Robin, Lauren, Ahmed, Fred, and Jeff... Four out of five of them were there when I bought my MINI just over two years ago. Maybe the weekday crew is different?

The loaner policy would be a good reason to buy where you plan to get service though.

 

The loaner policy was a big factor for me. I live a long way from Sterling, but go to DC regularly. Dropping my car off isn't too big of a hassle if there's a loaner to be had.

JP - I'd just email or call Jeff again. It was absolutely crazy busy the day I picked my car up at MoS. I can see how some emails could get left behind. A call might be most effective. Good luck.

 

Robin was at MoS 2 years ago????? I thought she was new in April. She didn't seem very technically knowledgeble, although she is nice. Anyway, last time I was at MoS, their lot was packed with cars for sale. I don't know about their sales staff, but I have read on NAM that they turned over their service dept. recently. When I went in, Joey was there (and new, I believe). Now, he isn't.

 

Ignore this, please.