Oh great and wise MINIed ones, I seek your accumulated wisdom against my angst!

Ok, really now- my problem is that I find that there is no MINI dealer in my state (AR) and I am 4 hours from the nearest two. But I reeeeeeeeeally want a MINI (S, Lightning Blue, white roof, sport and conv. packages)

So, any of you out there a similar distance from a dealer- is this ok, or a headache, or a real PITA? Of course, what I want to hear is , "No problem at all!!!" but there is a nasty little voice in my head that keeps warning me off of ordering RIGHT NOW as the other little voice keeps urging me (that one I like much better- the right now one, probably from the little red guy with horns and a tail on my shoulder- the other one is likely from the guy in white with wings and a halo; I never like what that guy has to say...)

This has real ramifications. My hubby is getting really tired of my waffling on the subject and the depression that ensues when I decide that I shouldn't get a MINI. I need to make a decision once and for all, one way or another.

 

Although I cannot offer personal help, I can tell you that there are others here with similar situations where distance was a big factor; they still got the car...

Have you tried doing a search? dealer too far or something...

Good luck

 

I'm not worried about being able to order or pick up the MINI, mostly about service and maintainence. An eight hour round trip just to drop the car off for work is quite something, and the drive is not exactly one that tops the list of great fun motoring experiences. It is just a horrid slog down the interstate.

 

Isn't the first scheduled service in about a year (24K km's for us Canadian folks)? When we drove off the dealer's lot, the salesperson waved and said, "See you next year."

 

I had a similar choice. Our closest dealer is 2 hours away. My husband and I agonized over the decision, but we ultimately decided to buy the car. Our dealer said they would come get the car from us if something unforeseen happens. It also helps that we have family near the dealer, so we have a place to stay if we have to take it in. Good luck with your decision.

 

You do have road side assiatance

 

I had the same reservations when I got mine back in 02. My closest dealer is just over 4 hours away. Its a chance you take with any new model year re-designs. I currently have just over 157,000 miles and have only been back to the dealer twice. Both for the "free" oil changes. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat

Go For It

Nik

 

That annoying guy in white with the shiny gold halo is making me type, "But what if something goes wrong with the car? What if it needs multiple trips to the shop before the issue is resolved?"

And the red, horned guy replies, "It'll be FINE. Don't worry about it. But you should get Chili Red, not Lightening Blue."

Meanwhile, I identify with this smily :impatient

 

Tough call to make - that is an awful long way to go for service. Yes, the first scheduled maintenaince is one year but things can always go wrong with a car that can require unscheduled dealer visits. Good luck with your decision.

 

Since you asked for wisdom I will say.....search deep within. MINIacs will do almost anything and overcome almost any barrier to motor in a MINI. There is a certain disregard for logic in many cases. MINIs do not require a lot of maintenance...but all of it is covered for several years, so it's probably worth a trip or two to the dealer. I might add that occasionally new MINIs have a niggle or two that has to be sorted out...nothing that can't wait generally, so these can be saved up for the trip.

So...check w/ the MINI dealers and let them know of your plight. Chances are there are others in similar situations and they may prove very helpful. Do the dealers offer extended loaners (or cover a rental) if they need the car for a bit? Some even have MINI loaners. Is the Service Advisor cool?? I say cool because they can be very helpful and go the extra distance in combining several tasks in one visit.

Lastly, check w/ local owner's clubs like these folks. They can give you insight into how they cope. My MINI dealer is around the corner so I can't fully relate to your situation, but I will say that driving the car each day is far better than all the hype would indicate. That's the real reason why enthusiasts will do what they have to to motor in one.

 

I have wondered about even planning to do my own oil changes, I know how, it isn't difficult. But is there anything that has to be reset when the oil is changed? Hubby's car figures remaining oil life, and has to be reset when oil is changed; I think this is a clever way by the manufacturer to assure that he will come to the dealer for service rather than go to Slimey Jim's Quickie Lube. Is there any such feature lurking in the MINI or could I do my own stuff?

 

If I was in your situation I would do a few things.

1) Review what roadside assistance will cover. Will it cover a trip if something terrible happens to the dealership 4 hours away? Do they charge extra? Do you have insurance that might provide better coverage and has more options?

2) Check with the dealership about your situation. If your car (heaven forbid) does have an issue, will they drive it out to you after they fix it?

Might not be worth it to check locally for a grease monkey that can work on the car, but may not hurt, also might be good info after your warranty is up.

 

Well the first two are free and I think should be done at the dealer. (they reset the indicator on those) I have done the rest, and yes the indicator (at least on the pre 07 is simple to reset). Its a pretty simple job, but if you plan on paying to get it done I would recomend a normal repair garage w/ a mechanic that you trust. I wouldn't go to a Jiffey Lube or "speedy oil change place", Just because ---- well I wouldn't take any of my cars to one.

Nik

 

Contrary to popular belief Chili Red is not the fastest color.... Ligntning Blue is Just ask my wife, she has a CR MCSc

 

We have 2 MINIs and drive an hour to the dealer. Have had no major issues but that is irrelevant. We LOVE our little cars and MINI folks are the greatest!!! Listen to your gut and go for it!!!

 

If you really want a MINI go for it but be prepared for long, multiple trips to the dealer if you need warranty work. 9 times out of 10 when something is wrong the dealer will tell you to bring it in for a looksie then they won't have the part in stock so they have to order it & you will have to make yet another trip to get the actual repair. It's a pain in the **** but it's part of owning a MINI

 

Yep, I think the Lightning Blue is pretty swuft. My mom is all for the Chili Red though. As if I didn't have enough to agonize over, I have her asking me if I am sure I want "a blue one".

No worries on the quickie lube places- if you read my post the name I gave the quickie lube place was "Slimey Jim's" as in slimey shady place that you would NOT want your car to go.

If nothing else, you have all made me feel much better. It is really something to think about, but I do keep forgetting the roadside assistance. That would be helpful. It sure would be nice if Little Rock could have a dealer as I am down I-30 just a little way from there. Oh well, you can't have everything in life I guess!

 

Pray for a dealer expansion--not such an unlikely event given the popularity of our little cars...

Where in Arkansas do you live? I'm wanting to retire there in about 3 years. Gotta grow...daffodils, of course!

 

I vote 'go for it'. I am a little over 3 hours (pre-break-in ) from our dealer and I had the same concern. I talked to a fellow MINI owner who had a problem and they towed it to the dealer and back. She said she was not inconvenienced one bit. Also the annual oil change provides an opportunity for shopping. Our dealer is next to a transit station that takes you anywhere you want to go!
You will find far is not a bad thing... even if it's interstate I'm always looking for an excuse to spend time in my MINI
Oh and lightning blue rocks!!

 

My wife and I agonized over the same issue. Our dealer is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and we live on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay- about three hours one way. I had several conversations with the sales manager about these things and we felt so confident that we took the plunge.

We plan to do our annual service combined with a side trip to New Orleans.

If anything "declasse" happens they will come pick up the car and return it to us when she's alll better.

 

A lot will depend upon the service folks at the dealership.

I live 3.5 hours from the nearest dealership(s). It works out pretty well for me.

My dealership (MINI of Peabody) understands that I live far away, and they make sure whenever possible to have parts on hand before I come down, so I do not need to make a second trip. They have been known to go well above and beyond to get things fixed the same day.

If you can get that kind of service from your dealership, do not worry about it. If not, it makes the decision harder.

Also, in the Boston area there is a strong MINI community (on the other mini forum, mini2). If you let people there know you are going to be heading in for service, usually a few people show up to take you out to lunch so you are not trapped at the dealership all day.

 

DaffodilDeb, I am about one hour down I-30 from Little Rock, and 30 minutes from Hot Springs, just outside a small town called Malvern. It is a nice location, small town, no traffic, quick and easy grocery store runs where you don't have to fight 3 trillion people in the aisles. But still close enough to Hot Springs and Little Rock for a night out at a nice resturant and a movie at a theater that has more than two screens, and decent shopping.

You should motor up here in your MINI this spring, and go to Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. You'd love their Daffodil Hill, it is beautiful! They have thousands of them in so many varieties, and oh, the tulips - when they bloom it is amazing too. There are lots of goooood roads in the area for motoring as well.

I need to look on a map, but it seems like my hubby might have done a triathalon in Lake Conroe or at least thought about it. The name sounds familiar.

 

Have you talked to any one from AMOK? The Arkansas MINI Owners Club? They should be able to advise you more than us.

It has been 10 years since I moved out of Arkansas. Mountain Pine to be exact.

And if you plan it right you could plan the trips to the dealer to coincide with runs with the club in the dealers area. Like meeting up with the Memphis group.

 

Go for it--follow your heart! We have had Kermit (07 MCS) since March and have had no problems. The closest dealer to us is 3+ hours away. You won't regret taking the plunge.

 

No, I haven't spoken to anyone in AMOK yet. I didn't think it would be right to post a basically duplicate thread. It is a good idea, and if I can ever figure out what I might want to say, I promise I will contact them.

I have to say, you have all about got me convinced to go ahead. So, the next question is, should I order immediately, or try to sell my motorcycle first? I kinda promised my mom I'd sell the bike (A Triumph Bonneville T 100, tangerine and white- I love that bike, am just a bit afraid of oh, all those things out there that I have NO control over that are all out to kill me, like deer and dogs and SUVs and large chunks of tires hurled off of 18 wheelers) before I bought the car. Well, I guess technically, if I order, I haven't actually bought the car yet.... So I'd have all however long until the car came, to try to sell the bike, right? Gee, I'm just sure my mom would see it that way.... Hmmmmmmmmmmmm....... Oh, the temptation!