I've searched about 3 dealerships and I have yet to find a Mini equipped with Limited Slip Diff. Is this option generally an ordered option?

I also have a question about the transmission if anyone has any input please update this thread...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=131457

I visited Princeton BMW/Mini today, I spent about a full half hour looking at the Minis on the lot. NOT ONE salesman approached me! Is this the policy of BMW or something? Unheard of. I usually get molested when setting foot on ANY other car lot. I was hoping to take a test drive :( .

Thanks!

 

I had the same "customer service" (or lack thereof) experience when I first visited the dealership too. I spent about 5-10 minutes looking at the Minis right outside the sales office and finally walked in and found someone to help me. When I walked in there were 5 (no exaggeration) salesmen huddled around a computer screen looking at something I assume to be not work-related.
But I still prefer that experience too the time I went to a Nissan dealership and had a salesperson on me before I had even shut my car door.

 

I just got my new baby less than a week ago from a dealership (instant gratification).

I was not approached when I walked in - I looked around, drooled for a while and when I was ready I flagged the closest person and asked for a test drive. After that the service and follow through were great.

 

I think most places are indifferent to the people that stop by. They are so popular that they don't feel the need to extend any effort toward gaining business. I had that at one dealership and went to another simply because I wanted to be treated as though I mattered.

As for LSD, I believe it's an add-on that you won't likely find on the models off the lot. The cars I've seen on the lot are mostly automatics too.

 

My dealership in Denver was great. They were prompt to acknowledge me, were quick to lend assistance, if needed, and even quicker to hook me up with a test ride of every available option, MC auto, MC manual, MCS auto, MCS manual, and even one of the employees JCW! But evidently they do not work on consignment, so it's definitely a no-hassle experience.

As for the LSD, I never found a new car on the lot with LSD either. I suppose they're out there, but few and far between. I ended up ordering to get exactly what I wanted.

 

wow, 3 out of 4 posters experienced the same thing. I'm beginning to think it may be a BMW thing. I can't see them being agressive with someone out to buy a 60-70-90K+ car. I guess you want to give those folks some space or maybe tailgator is right.

I was beginning to think I was in the twilight zone. Some of these dealers won't even return my emails, well only one did and they seem to be on the ball, Otto's Mini in West Chester. I'll give them a plug since they've been so helpful. So far, my first impression with this make, is that they don't seem to need my money

 

A few points that you mentioned...being mauled at OTHER Dealerships, that's a given. No MINI Dealerships do NOT do this. After we went to the PDX Auto Show and looked our 3 options (Vehicles) I sent him to the Dealership to pick up a brochure. My Husband is the type who will BITE if you get to CLOSE, so needless to say he was not thrilled at my request, but
be-grudgingly did what I asked. I had never heard him say that he enjoyed visiting a Dealership until he went to Rasmussen MINI to pick up the brochure. He too was surprised that he was not ATTACKED as soon as he walked in, he was VERY pleased that he was allowed to "Just Look" and when he approached someone about a brochure they politely let him know that they would have to mail us one as they were out of stock. SHOCKER
Yes MINIs are highly sought after, but it is you going to l@@k at what you want to look at NOT some Salesman showing you everything under the Sun that you have NO interest in.
Thumbs Up to Rasmussen MINI!!

 

ottos has always been on the ball but do not expect a discount there.

 

Wow...after reading this post i am kinda shocked at the expierences i have read about....At Dreyer & Reinbold in Indianapolis, I couldnt have had a better car shopping expierence when ordering my 2007 MCS...Walking in KNOWING i wanted a MINI, and having a good plan in mind, I went in and touched a car am was promtly greeted by the friendliest people I have ever met...these people are not who I would call "Car Sales People"......They NEVER pressured me to get anything I wouldnt want or need...they never made me feel uncomfortable or like I had to walk out with a car that day....after making my perfect MINI to fit me, I took my info home, and two weeks later came back to order...still, never pressured and they made me think about what I was deciding on to make sure I was completly happy...Even the finance dept., amazing people...they told you how things were straight up and why you would use any warranty that you could purchase...they didnt seem to be in it for the money, they were in it to please the customer....after this expierence I took my dad back to Dreyer and Reinbold and he purchased a 2008 MCS JCW....again the same type of expierence....after all was said and done....I now have 5 great friends who I stop in and see weekly; Jim, Mark, FAITH, Matt, and John.....D&R my be out of state for you, but I guarentee the expierence will be worth it!

 

I ordered LSD on mine--at the time there WERE no dealer cars, anyway. Ordered 12/13/06, and the R56 launch was 2 months away. They weren't available on automatics for quite some time, I believe, but I wanted a 6-speed anyway.

As for dealer "pounces," we were treated well--low pressure, good service, quick to offer test drives, and overall a nice experience--MINI of The Woodlands, TX.

I recall a few years ago I went to the Houston Porsche dealer for something unrelated to Porsches (it's one of those multi-marque dealerships). While waiting, I walked around looking at each of the cars on the show room--perhaps 8 in all. It was a weekday, with several sales people available--no one else in the showroom. Not one salesman offered so much as a "Can I help you?" Or "Keepa your mits offa our cars!" I could have purchased multiples of the cars there, and in fact have a classic Porsche, but I was totally ignored.

And yes, I did put away my "Will work for food" sign...