Well I finally made the trip from Reno to Sacramento to visit Niello Mini, and have a few minor things taken care of.

I PURCHASED MY 20O3 USED IN RENO, NOT EVEN FROM THEM.

I must say that in all my years of car purchases, service etc, I have NEVER found a dealer as nice, friendly and competent as the folks at Niello. They were absolutely fantastic and got right down to business...even corrected a few items that were not on my "list"!!!

The Service Manager Casey was incredible, as was every other employee I met! They went out of their way to make me feel welcome. I am actually looking forward to the survey card that is sure to follow!

NOW THIS IS WHAT HELPS MAKE A GREAT CAR EVEN BETTER!!!

Now if they could only do something about the bugs that covered my mini during the trip! Gads, they were out in force...splat splat...uggh!

Kudos and thanks to Niello!!

Jeff

 

hey gizzer.......which way did you go ?????? I had three trips in the month of july 2005. a cracked windshield from hwy 80, TWICE !!!!! Now I will only drive hwy 50 then through Orangevale ect...... I just LOVE all them there diesel ford f 350 pick em up trucks and all the big rigs too spewing rocks at me.I try to go as fast as i can, approximately 90-95 mph but i still get hit with the rocks!!!!!! I think it's my color....... I too have had very pleasant experiences with Niello and BMW there too for my hubby. I do appointments on sat so i don't have to take a day off of work and the service people seem to not mind at all. Good place. Share what you had done at our upcoming event May 20, ok???? Got your message on my machine by the way. I will be in my home town Los Gatos for a wedding this weekend so I'll see you after that.Rainbow blue

 

Hi Blue.
I probably will not go to the event on the 6th but will go on the 20th! Hope you are having a good time in CA.

BTW Niello schedules service properly so everyone does not show up at the same time like here in Reno.

Ist I went I-80 but at 5am so the traffic was pretty light....kept my distance from the big rigs or just flew past them...also hit some fog. Taking 50 would take way too long from Reno so I took the shot (what a crummy road 80 is!). Lots of cops on the way back BTW...My Escort radar detector came in handy!

Seems as though the previous owner (in Tenn) only had 1 authorized Mini service done before it was sold. It did have brand new run flat Dunlops on it, so someone was taking care of it!!!!

I had a poorly fitting battery box lid (shook around and sounded like an engine knock, since it would not lock down...(2 of them)...the newest replacement fits properly) and my battery is in the front since it is NOT an S model. The lid is still poorly designed IMHO!

Then they did the inspection #1, changed out and purged the brake fluid, changed out the cabin filter, readjusted and relubed the sunoof, put tape on what ever rattles there were. (basically examined the entire car) Then they told me to come back for an update to the trunk closing assembly next visit. ( I really hate driving on I-80 too) but that procedure will take an additional 2 hrs) Even though I hate I-80, it felt good to finally get motoring a decent distance in the Mini!!! FUN!!!

It got VERY close to advertised MPG...about 35.5 on the freeway, according to the computer.

I had changed out my oil and filter + air filter + Spark Plugs myself, or they would have done that too. Even though the changes are free right now, I still do it at 3000-3500 mi...old school I guess but rather safe than sorry.

Nice thing was when I asked how much I owed them....NADA!!! still on full warranty!

They had about (8) NEW convertibles (and a few coupes)on the lot AND ONLY 1 USED coupe)...THAT'S WHY I LEFT MY TITLE HOME.

They assurred me that my 2003 was in like new condition which made me feel pretty darned good since I paid about $3500 less than they would have charged, according to the sales lady (also very nice).They are now putting a "xtra dealer markup" on the new ones since demand is so high, I guess since gas is so high. Everyone there believes gas will get to $4.50 this year!

AS GAS RISES, MY HONDA ELEMENT GETS LESS USE AND THE MINI GETS MORE...ALTHOUGH FOR A 4 WHEEL DRIVE "BOX" THE "UGLYMOBILE" DOES VERY WELL ON GAS TOO!

Gizzer

 

I've had mixed experiences with Niello... my last service w/ KC Saunders was ok, but he seemed a little unprofessional. He made some rude comments about name... None the less, the sales team is great. Service has come a long way. You can review some other opinions/experiences on the GCM boards... I appreciate any feedback you can leave there. I don't know if it's helped them improve the service department, but I know they know about GCM there! GCM dealership section

 

We had a horrible time with the service on a BMW - glad ot hear that the Mini side is better (or that they are improving overall).

 

Sorry to hear that...you should see what it is like at the BMW dealer here in Reno....They now sell BMW, Volvo, and Porsche...a real bunch of jerks and rude too!

Bought a BMW there a few years ago...sold it a few years later and would never even go back to look!!!! Dealerships here are doing you a favor when you buy or service! :impatient

 

That's well put! I think that's the best way to describe some of my Niello experiences... They're getting better though...