R56 How was everyone's negotiating experience?
Hrmmmm...that would mean that the individual MA's pay is not performance based. That seems odd.
I don't think I'd be happy if I was a great MA, had a terrific reputation, earned alot of referral business....and earned the same amount as my slacker co-worker employee who sold 1 MINI/month. Ya know?
Sure, you're going to have those diehard Mini people who will go to the same dealer over and over, no matter how much of a mark-up there is. But IMHO, since Mini seems to want to spread itself among different demographics based on what is supposedly coming out in '08 and '09, they might just have to change their ways. It may work with the hardcore people, but those just walking in, not too sure of what this whole Mini "subculture" is about, will probably walk right back out the door when they're told "market adjustment" or "MSRP or nothing".
As always, time will tell...
Well, I think the "market adjustments" will come to an end at some point in the near future. Either the dealers will get it once orders begin to slow down, or BMW NA will finally step in and say "enough is enough". At the same time the over the M.S.R.P. asking price makes sense from a business perspecitve; they only get so many units, so it makes sense to compensate the dealer for the lack of sitting inventory- BMW NA keeps it this way, otherwise they might have a potential market failure for the MC, since most Americans don't take to hatchbacks(blame your neightbors).
I have to wonder what the situation is for MINI buyers/owners in Europe?
I have to wonder what the situation is for MINI buyers/owners in Europe?
I just bought a 07 MCS and after a little work ended up with
- Paying half the dock fee
- 500 of an extended warranty
- Free mats, key chain, and tire gauge
- And one Mini Mini Cooper electric car for my 16 month daughter.

Hey Mega Mini S Man, can I ask what you paid for the extended warranty. I will be picking up my car at the end of the month or early July and really think the warranty for me is important but if its outrageous, I may pass. I heard anywhere from $2,500 to $3,500. Thanks.
the price was $1999 for 6 years/100k
All I got was a freakin' T-shirt from the dealer. : (
Should have tried to get some floor mats at least, or a diecast miniature version of my new baby. Maybe I'll try when I pick her up in 6 to 8 weeks. ; )
Should have tried to get some floor mats at least, or a diecast miniature version of my new baby. Maybe I'll try when I pick her up in 6 to 8 weeks. ; )
Matt, if you don't get a freebie toy, I found a Hot Wheels MINI the other day--even had my color (red), but there was another one in the pile, too. Not an R56, but who cares!
Good luck!
Good luck!
I got my 07 MCS at Tate in Annapolis. I aslo had bought a 2004 mcs from them. On the 04 "this is the price" (MSRP). on the 07 its MSRP. when I came back to close on it the next day. The sales associate gave me $250 off just because. I did not ask for it either. Also Mini of Towson, MD is pretty good with a huge instock inventory.
Just a quick post (I'll be giving my full experience later (hint hint: ended up being pretty miserable but not as miserable as this guy's)
After a week of pain on par with giving birth (so I've heard) I got:

$200 off MSRP
Free stripes and their installation
Rubber floor mats
Rear bumper protection
Full tank of gas
I think you can get more if the car is on the lot (naturally). When you come with your internet printout they know they have you. I'll post here later to give those who are in the market my full experience and what to look out for. Man, it was miserable. I just refused to pay over MSRP via "packages" and such. I guess that is part of their tactics to get you to focus on actually unimportant things while they laugh behind your back!
After a week of pain on par with giving birth (so I've heard) I got:
$200 off MSRP
Free stripes and their installation
Rubber floor mats
Rear bumper protection
Full tank of gas
I think you can get more if the car is on the lot (naturally). When you come with your internet printout they know they have you. I'll post here later to give those who are in the market my full experience and what to look out for. Man, it was miserable. I just refused to pay over MSRP via "packages" and such. I guess that is part of their tactics to get you to focus on actually unimportant things while they laugh behind your back!
Paid MSRP. Got the guy who handled financing and warranties to come down 20% on an extended warranty (from like $2,300 to a bit over $1,800) but in the end I didn't take it (it just didn't seem like a great price -- going over their rates which were for more cars than just MINI's I saw that they wanted $1,800 for almost the exact same warranty I paid only $900 for on my last car). He was not very good at showing his disappointment and went from sales mode to fuming while we finished signing the rest of the papers. The MA that I had gone through originally had quit or taken a leave of absense or something (there were some obvious undercurrents of weirdness going on there) but his replacement was very nice and helpful. They actually asked me flat out: what did you agree to pay. I truthfully told 'em MSRP and they ran with it. They even assumed that I'd been offered free floormats and gave those to me (which shows you that the floormats cost basically nothing, honestly I don't even like them that much and I'm thinking of taking them out).
Paid MSRP also. After some frustrations with Princeton Mini, they threw in black carpet floor mats, valve stems caps, outdoor car cover and a set of wheel locks. I really didn't know what to expect but I'll take it.
Sparks
Sparks


