This month, Mini is offering 1.9% financing. That was enough to push me over the edge. I got excited and went for a couple of test drives.

The problem is, nobody has the option I need. I absolutely must have the mechanical LSD, as I plan to autocross the car. None of the cars on the lot at the 2 dealerships I went to have this option. So fine, I figure I'd just order one exactly how I wanted it, and patiently wait 6-8 weeks. But then comes whammy #2- you must TAKE DELIVERY by April 30th to get 1.9% financing. Even if I put down a deposit and everything, I can only get whatever financing Mini is currently offering when the car actually gets here.

My next move was to try to do a dealer inventory search going up to 500 miles from me, but Mini's website sucks in that it doesn't list the individual options on the inventory results (only price and color, and then the same generic features list for each result).

Does anybody have any smart ideas?

Thanks!

 

Yeah, do a search of the actual dealers in your 500 mile area then search their web sites. Just google the dealers and their site should come up. Then you can actually see what cars they have in inventory. Or you can call them.

 

Problem with searching dealers websites is that some of them aren't exactly up to date or accurate. Go to your local dealer and speak with a motoring advisor and let them do the searching for you!

 

Calling is probably my best bet. The dealer websites all appear to have been homogenized, all in the same format as the miniusa site, meaning that their inventory is listed with the same lack of useful data about options.

 

I ran into the same issue with my MINI for March ($0 down, 4.9% for 60 months). You had to take possession of the car by March 31st. If you e-mail the dealership or actually go there, someone will help you out. It was very easy for me to find a Cooper S with the LSD but I live in Southern California and it's easy to find any car that you want.

I really wanted the computer navigation because it just looks so good in the middle of the giant speedometer but the option is found in less than 5% of all MINIs and was usually only fitted with automatic transmissions. I'm not regretting missing out on that. The LSD is a must, though.

 

Ah yes I had the same problem as you. I wanted mostly all performance related options with my Mini and none of the luxuries. Every R56 on the lot was loaded options I had no need for.

Just order the one you want if you're going to buy. You'll be much happier!

 

You could always use penfed.org for financing. They're at 3.99% right now. The difference between 3.99% vs 1.9% would be about $18/month. Not bad for peace of mind knowing you'll get the exact car you want. YMMV Good luck.

 

Plus rates might be lowerin in MAY

 

You could go to your mini dealer and ask if they have any with the LSD around or in the docks. I did that, just that I was looking for a std Cooper S with Bluetooth installed