Hi Guys:

I purchased my 08 MCS from Long Beach Mini in February. They were friendly and helpful, and offered me the best price over two other dealers who are geographically closer to me.

Now, I need to get service (cracked windshield, puckered leatherette, oil change - can't do it myself just yet...), and I thought I'd rate the experience here on NAM as it proceeds. Particularly as the general feeling about MINI service departments seems to be pretty and...

Step 1: Scheduling the Service
Called the service department today and left a message for Dwayne. Also sent over an internet request. Within a couple of hours, Richard called me in response to the internet request. Later on, Dwayne also called me. I set up an appointment for tomorrow (Wednesday, April 2nd) at 9:00am, for an oil change. At that time their service foreman will inspect the windshield crack and the upholstery.

Rating: So far, so good.

As a side note, this afternoon I put on my license plates. During the process, I could not figure out how to remove the bloody screws from the MINI "Let's Motor" plate holder (they're hidden under little covers). Called Richard at the service department who gave me the helpful pointer that the silver caps just "pop off" providing access to the screws. Thanks Richard.

Of course, I jabbed the screwdriver blade into my thumb during the process, but, what the hey. It sure wasn't as bad as installing your own fake rear fog light toggle switch

Step 2: Arriving for Service/Check-In
I pulled up at about 8:55am this morning, and spoke to Richard at the check-in desk. He didn't remember me at first, but then as I reminded him about the windshield there was an "ah yes". We walked out to make a preliminary check of the car and its problems (cracked windshield, puckered upholstery), and I showed him my thumb injury from installing the license plate holder.

Back at the service desk, I waited for about 20 minutes while the foreman checked the vehicle to establish if the repairs would be covered by warranty. Richard returned with the happy news - both repair items would be covered by MINI, and he would provide me with a rental car during the period my car would be in the shop. I was given a two-day estimate for the repairs, but Richard advised me that the time schedule would depend upon the availability of parts. He promised to call me with an update, but hopefully it will be ready on Friday (April 4th).

Now, the last time Long Beach serviced my car, (not really a service, but a "defect upon delivery" that had to be repaired), it was for body work which extended over an 8-day period. Granted, it was rainy during that time, and the work included painting the door panel. Overall, the work took longer than expected, (and I just wanted my brand new car ), but the result was a perfect car. We'll see how this time estimate works out.

Rating: Service was prompt, professional, courteous and efficient. There were no quibbles about the two warranty items, and the price quoted for an oil change was about what I had expected ($135.00).

Step 3: Waiting for the work to be completed
Richard called me towards the end of the day on Wednesday (they day I took the car in) to advise me that they would be getting the windshield the following day, and installing it then. However, the upholstery would be approximately two-weeks out, so I'd have to bring the car back for the repair to the leatherette seating.

I stayed around the house all day Thursday, hoping for a call that the car was ready, but no luck. Richard called at the end of the afternoon and left a message stating that the glue needed to dry overnight, but that I could pick-up the car on Friday morning, 10:00am.

Rating: Communication about the progress of the work was timely and effective. Richard left a message on my cell phone and in response to my call back, called me at the home number too.

Step 4: Picking up the car
On my way to the dealer, Richard called me (9:35am) to say that the car was ready. I arrived at the dealer at about 10:15am, and dropped off the loaner car free of charge. Total cost for the oil change service = $123.26. In response to my request, Richard also walked me through checking the oil, water and windshield wiper fluid levels. Drove off the lot at about 10:45. Awesome.

Rating: Service was thorough and professional, and the car was ready in a timely manner. Richard was friendly and helpful, and the price was what I expected to pay.

 

I haven't been to Long Beach, so I can't attest to them. You might want to move this post to the Southern California file near the bottom of the scroll down list for faster results.... I bought from Irvine, and the service has been good so far (haven't needed a lot).

 

I got mine in LB a fews years back, also got my 3 series there too. I think most of the dealers are somewhat ok, just depends on your service advisor too. Once my warranty ran out...that was another story.

 

I bought from LB as well, of the 3 times I've been in for service/warranty work they did a great job of communicating what was going on and when the car was expected to be finished.

 

I used LB Mini since I purchased my Cooper S used. The service has always been great insofar as the front end is concerned. I appreciated the free rental car with service. My only complaint, the mechanics don't seem to know what a torque is or how to use one. Despite several complaints, the wheels were always returned way over torqued. If they don't properly torque something as basic as a wheel, I doubt they are properly torquing much else.

 

what do you want your wheels torqued @. You go by lbs per sq inch or NM.

What does your torque wrench say when you check them. Factory spec is 120 + or - 10 NM

just curious.

 

Ah-ha. Any specifics you'd like to share?

 

No horror stories here...haha.
I was on a personal quest to find an indy shop to take care of my needs.
I met Matt Rose of Ronin Autowerks in Fullerton, super cool.

 

why did you have to pay for your oil change? (and boy it was a lot!)

i've only interacted w/ the lb mini sales people and they were really nice

 

am I the only one to think no dealer should be trusted?

 

I'm not sure. I know this thread is about Long Beach MINI, and I've never been there, but South Bay has been good with my service appointments so far. The only complaint I really have is the fact that sometimes I have to wait a superlong time for someone to pick up the phone when I try to make an appointment.

I heard a rumor that Jay isn't the Service Manager anymore so I don't know if that's going to affect my opinion about the Service dept. there because I felt he was one of the better ones to work with over there. I hated having to deal with one of the guys that would be covering from the BMW side but that's another story..

 

I'm thinking they charged for the oil change if it was not time for the regular change. Maybe Surlycat was asking them to do a post break-in oil change just cause.

 

- the "stealership"

 

You are correct!

Although the powers that be suggest the oil can go 12,000 miles before a change, from everything I've read, and from my dear pops' advice (a car fancier for years), it's a good idea to do a post break-in change. Then every 5-6000. At worst, it can't hurt the engine to have it running on clean oil. At best, you're prolonging its life and performance. And, isn't that why we've all got ourselves one of these awesome cars?