Here is the story:

I have two MCS on order from two different dealers. It was not for fun but due to circumstances and I need help in deciding which one to keep.

Dealer 1:
This was ordered mid April and now in production. I have paid $500 deposit. I missed out on ordering LSD with the car by a day. Don't know if I will miss the option but will always be there in back of my mind. I also had a thread regarding that.

Dealer 2:
I heard about better deal from this dealer, and called in. Sure enough there was better offer and I was also able to place order (now with LSD). Production of this car is expected to start next week.

Then I called Dealer 1 about this other offer. Initially my MA (very nice person btw, and I hated to do this to him) told me that they will not be able to match the offer and offered to refund my deposit. Then talked to the manager agreed to match the offer if I provide a written proof. I have the e-mail commitment from Dealer 2 and can forward it to Dealer 1. Before that I need your opinion.

Even if Dealer 1 matches the deal, I will be left without LSD, but on the other hand I may get the MINI 3-4 weeks early at best. Dealer 1 is closer to me (10min drive Vs 45min) for faster maintenance runs or other dealer installations.

Dealer 2 contact deals with BMW orders also and I would like to deal with him in future if I decide to get a BMW. He has great reviews from other customers in BMW forums. But canceling Dealer 2 order now will save one car from being produced without purpose.

This is my first new car purchase and I normally suck at bargaining, walking away from ordered cars, etc.

So what do you guys say . Thanks in advance for replies.

 

Me with no LSD has no regrets. I get a lot of rain here. You are in California and you will miss it even less than I do. If I were you I would go with earlier delivery. But if you will have any doubt/regret, go with the second dealer.

 

Go with Dealer 1. He matched the offer, is closer, and anyone can live without LSD if they aren't bent on racing the car on a track. Plus you dealt with them first, placed an order, and after you came back with a counter they even offered to give back the deposit (I would've kept it if you cancelled, that's reasonable after all). That's pretty darn fair I'd say. Like I said anyone can live wo LSD, don't let them tell you otherwise (they will, trust me!).

 

I concur

 

I say if you want LSD, walk away from the deal. Getting it 3-4 weeks earlier means nothing if you are not happy with your vehicle.

If the question is whether LSD is worth it or not, then that question has nothing to do with whether you have the order with a dealer or not. So, once you figure out the LSD question, you've got an answer to your "question"!

 

What are the two dealers? Pasadena, so is #1 Assael? #2, Southbay? Longbeach? Crevier? I wouldn't buy an R56 without an LSD. If you don't have one it's one thing, but if you ever drive a car with one you'll be disappointed.

FYI unless you've built some bizarrely optioned MINI we're not having any trouble selling the MCS here in SoCaL. Most dealers have waiting lists...

 

MINImizeMe I would stay with dealer #1 since they will go ahead and price match the other offer and you would get your car sooner.

Now I do have a question for you and that is they are willing to price match the other dealers offer but you did say you missed out on ordering the LSD by a day from them now since your MCS is in production.Are they going to deduct the price for the LSD on the price match? If not then go with dealer # 2 because it will ultimately cost less even if it takes a bit longer to arrive.Or ask dealer #1 to throw in some extras to make up the difference in price of the LSD.

 

Having had and currently having MINIs w/ and w/o LSD I can tell you a MINI is a great car even w/o LSD and you won't miss it . It helps in some occasions, true, but you still have a great ride .. and the relationship with the dealership will make up the difference. Many dealerships now offer loaners only to customers who purchased their cars from them..
BTW - you can always add the LSD and the non OEM, I am told, is better ..
in any case ..congratulations on your expecting MINI.

 

Easy...

You can't add the LSD later without a large cost. Wait the extra few weeks and get the car you want. If it was between an instock and out of stock car, different story.... then you decide order vs NOW!!!.

 

Go with dealer 2. You get what you want at a better price without having to go through the ordeal of price matching.

It doesn't matter where you bought your mini you can get them serviced at any mini authorized dealership so the distance for the second only comes into play for the initial pickup.

Is LSD necessary? No. Do you want it? Yes. Get what you want for the price you want, the other issues aren't really problems.

 

Man, this is a fine pickle you've found yourself in. I don't know if I'd go on someone else's word that you wouldn't miss having the LSD. I'm sure they all mean well, and could be absolutely right, (no offense to those who offered this advice) but I'd get what I wanted, not what somebody else thinks I can live with. You obviously felt at some point that you needed or at least wanted LSD. If YOU honestly feel that your reasons were not valid, then so be it. Otherwise, get what you want because as one reader commented, you can't add it later.

Again, I do not intend to offend anyone who feels differently.

 

I would wait for the 4 weeks and get the LSD .

Is that not the reason why you really went to the second dealer.

Just my .02

 

Get the LSD or you will regret it later. To ucbrother's point, get the car that you want, don't rely on other peoples' opinions, it's your car.

 

That's what I was trying to say as well. While LSD is an often ordered option (I have it too) the truth is that it only kicks in for a few seconds total in a given month's worth of driving even for agressive drivers. If I had it to do over again I'd trade it for DSC personally, just for safety's sake. If fact I'd trade it for a lot of stuff for $500 cost. I know, many will defend what they bought, but this is something that is very rarely (if ever) used, unlike other Mini options.

 

Thanks all for replies, please keep them coming.

Some clarification:
Good guess Rustyboy!!! Dealer 1 (Assael), Dealer 2 (Southbay)

I considered dealer 2 only because of the savings. nothing to do with LSD. Being able to add LSD was a plus.

Dealer 1 is matching the rebate and not the final price. So car from dealer 1 will be 500 less than car from dealer 2.

Frankly, I was a bit disappointed after missing the deadline to order LSD with dealer 1 but then got over it quickly. I was happy with the order until dealer 2 came in consideration . Not that I am complaining, but you get the idea...

I have to decide one way or other by this weekend before the other car gets in production.

Thanks Rustyboy for the assurance that the unclaimed car will not go waste. I was on a budget so ordered some necessary options to keep it around 25-26K. It is just the feeling similar to abandoning the unwanted child in orphanage .... I may be getting carried away here