Hi Guys,

About to purchase a new Mini (non-S) with the sunroof and sound. Should I expect to pay MSRP and what other dealer charges are legit, i.e. destination charge, etc. Don't want to get ripped off at the dealership. I will be financing the car thru Mini/BMW at 1.9% (48month).

Thanks

 

I bought mine during the Cash for Clunkers frenzy, so no deals then. From what I've seen on this site,you may get a deal if you contact a variety of dealers and see what they can do for you, but on a pretty low-end(as far as price goes) Mini I don't know if you'll save much.

I paid destination, and they'll try to get you to pay for extras like warranties and service plans, but in my case at least there wasn't much pressure. It is helpful to learn about those before you walk in the door so you're prepared. Hopefully more recent purchasers can give you advice in that area. I skipped the service plan but got an extended warranty. From what I've heard you can always get the warranty extended later if you want, but getting it up front allows you to finance it as part of the purchase. They also offered a warranty on the run flats, I thought it was insanely expensive but some people have been happy they got it.

They'll probably offer some kind of magic paint protection, basically a $200 wax job that you don't need. Clear Bra, on the other hand, may be worth it if you intend to keep the car for a long time. We have it on both our cars. They also offered an alarm system, but when the finance woman saw where we lived (small town) she advised me to skip it, which I appreciated.

Good luck, and enjoy your new baby!

 

Don't overlook the fact that the 2011's will be last year's cars in a few weeks when the 2012's arrive. I bought around this time last year and got the deal that I had been waiting for.

Earlier, I was offered very little off MSRP and walked out. When the 2011's arrived, I received a call asking if I was still interested. My MA told me, "All good things come to he who waits." In my case it was true.

Many things affect what you may be offered: the remaining supply of 2011's, the particular model that you seek and the area in which you are shopping to name a few. All that really matters is that you are satisfied. Don't waste your time trying to figure if you got the best possible deal. You'll never know.

Project Mangler offered some insight regarding techniques used to inflate the bottom line. I would be surprised if you don't see some of them.

Good luck

 

NOTHING over MSRP.

 

thanks guys.

So it should be MSRP (with some potential discount) + Destination Charge + Doc Fees? Is that it?

 

I paid $1300 under MSRP. Could have got $1500 of if I was willing to play one dealer hard against another. It got to the point where the additional money wasn't worth it. This was when the 2011's were just coming out. I got a 2011 and had it ordered for me. I suspect you could do a fair amount under MSRP.

How many dealers do you have in your area? Have you tried more than one to see who would offer the best deal?

 

I haven't started the bargaining process yet. Just wanted to make sure I know what fees are legit so I can refuse the extras dealers normally throw on. I've got about 2-3 dealers within an hours drive of me. Was going to send them all the build I want and see what they come back with.

 

Ok, There are several places for you to find out what the actual cost of the car and accessories or packages are. So what you get between MSRP and invoice is really up to haw hard you want to work the deal.

Destination is a non starter. It's the same for everybody.

Taxes, title, tags vary by state, but the dealer processing fee, is a rip off. They are in the car selling business, and it's thier JOB to do that. (1) But if all dealers stick to the story, what can you do?

Nitrogen in tires for $99... Give me a break....Why not just ask me to give you a free $100. Just say no.

Paint sealant, fabric protection, extended maintenance plans (not warranty, if you are getting an S it might be a good idea for extended warranty)

The 3M clear bra, is applied by a contractor, and there are plenty of shops that can apply it to a new car for a lot less than the dealer is going to charge you. But it's a great thing.

If you have a ClearPlex dealer, http://www.clearplex.com/ well worth it...Mini windshields are almost vertical, and attract chips and dings by rocks, like you won't believe.

Anyway. have fun

 

The destination charge is already figured into the MSRP per the MINI web site configuration.
In Dec '09 I paid MSRP* + $295 dealer fee + $75 DMV doc fee + DMV title and reg fees ($272 for 4 yr). Also 0$ sales tax in OR.

The dealer fee included the following:
- Full tank of fuel.
- Rubber floor mats including boot mat.
- A set of lug nut locks
- A really expensive car wash.

Also was given a car wash kit not part or dealer fee.

* I did get a factory incentive 3.9% financing & free AT which pulled $1250 off of MSRP. I did not know I would be getting the discount until the car was in route to dealer.

 

I spent the last month shopping for a MC Hardtop new/used. The whole used car industry is on fire with people dumping their SUVs and looking for savings at the pump. average price for a 2004 - 5 Mini was in the area of 13,000 with 60k to 70k miles.

With the last of the 2011 hanging around, the pickings are slim and there is no need for the dealers to negotiate. I was told by all the dealers they wouldn't see any new stock until October!

Now maybe they are all in on it and there is a ton of these left, but every dealer I talked to from Boston to Philly (I'm in NYC) said the same thing and came up with the same few cars that fit what I was looking for.

Mini is offering $500 on a MT and I went back and forth until I got another $500 of MSRP, but that was only after dropping the nanes of all the other dealers in the area and knowing every price on pretty much every car in stock new and used.

From the rumors I'm hearing production is going to be slow. Every manufacturer is having problems getting the computer chips they need out of Japan with Freescale closing and Renesas trying to rebuild. I'm not sure how that's going to effect Mini, but there are going to be a lot less 2012 cars to buy.