OK, Total Mini Virgin here.

Was informed by my wonderful husband four days ago that for my 40th B-Day (this March) I will be receiving a MCS Convertable. (At the Auto show this Jan. it is the only car that has EVER brought tears to my eyes).

After looking at the brouchures, and then a test drive today :smile: :smile: :smile: , I have a ton of questions. We live in So. Cal, Inland Empire.

Any suggestions/reccomendations on dealers? Willing to go out of state if necessary to get MSRP or shorter order time. Which accessories are must haves/ must nots, know of any upcoming events in the very near future (would love to get a look at a slew of Minis before ordering, but seeing as patience is not a virture I have ever possessed, hope one is coming up soon). Any help greatly appreciated ckid

 

I'm going to get shot for this I'm sure, but...

I would highly recommend *not* buying from an out of state dealer. Dealers give service preference to their customers first.

I too live in the IE. My dealer is Crevier (talk to Christian). Last time I was by Brecht they had a crud load of converibles on the lot, even some MCS. Worth checking out. I personally get great service at Crevier and have been reading great things about Brecht lately.

Crevier is in Santa Ana, Brecht in Escondido

Hope that helped :D

 

I'm very happy with my out of state purchase. I live in NoCal, and bought in Salt lake City. I called in an increasing radius, to find 1) MSRP, 2) Factory Order on Options and 3) Short waits (and this was spring 2002). I ended up at Salt Lake.

Mini of Mt View hasn't given me free stuff, but they have been very helpful (in all but one item, but to keep me happy they just gave me loaner cars instead of having to use a shuttle). I think if you read on the dealerships, some care and some don't about where you bought the car.

But once you get you car, if you want to add some parts...

Hot Air Intake
One-Ball Exhaust
MTH Software
Underdrive pully
Denso Plugs

For about $700, you can add most of the horsepower of the Works kit.....

But whether you keep it stock, or make some changes, welcome to the club! You'll be very, very happy!

Matt

 

We have issued a fatwa calling for your immediate death. Assassins have been dispatched. Watch your back.

 

Very happy with my out of state purchase.
MSRP not a penny more
No problem regestering
I think DMV made a mistake as they only charged me sales tax on the base price not what I paid for it which was fully loaded which if that is the case saved me several hundered dollars I never bothered to ask them about it LOL
Randy

 

I too bought from Crevier and get great service And What a test drive Shane (Sales Manager) took me on my test drive and Christian was my MA.

A great bunch of guys and gals there.

Also they have put on some great driving schools.

Earl

 

Welcome to NAM, ckid! I love your comment about being brought to tears...right on, baby!

Gotta mention that Classic MINI in Ohio, a vendor here on NAM, sells at MSRP, and everyone LOVES them! They also sell OEM parts at a discount, always.

Many folks here on NAM have found their perfect MINI out of state, flown to take delivery, and driven them home for a fun adventure, OR have had them shipped via covered trucks.

Whatever route you go in getting your MINI, you'll find lots of help and info here. Please send me a Private Message if I can help you on the site in any way.:smile:

Also, there is a HUGE MINI Meet in Las Vegas, 3/4 - 3/6/05, AMVIV-2. Check out the forum at this link for all sorts of info!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...splay.php?f=88


Clover

 

I second the opinion of going directly to Classic Mini and talking to Julie. You won't be disappointed. Being that it's the dead of winter and that you're looking at a convertible, you may even get them to give you a price break. As for the comment that you'll get better service as a sales customer is not born out by experience. If you can find a local dealer who will sell to you at MSRP and deliver within the normal 8 week time frame buy local. I doubt you will.

 

I too am an Inland Empire MINI owner. I would also say Julie at Classic MINI is the place to go. I talked with dealers from all over and ordered mine from MINI of the Hamptons, had it shipped and was very happy with my choice. However, Julie is just so super and Classic is first class all they way. You won't go wrong ordering from there. I do not recommend Crevier or Brecht. Their mark-ups are like most other California dealers. If you do want to buy local use South Bay MINI, they'll sell at MSRP and the wait will be there. I don't think there's a wait at Classic currently.

Then for service I recommend Bob Smith MINI. They are way out in Calabassas, but they're worth the drive.

Welcome to the world of IE MINIs. You're not alone, just very widespread!

 

Out of state all the way I to am from the I.E. and I went through MINI of the Hamptons. I tryed CREVIER and they just were out of there minds on price. MINI of the Hamptons will charge $500 for shipping.

 

So much great help, and in less than 24hrs. I'm impressed, you guys/gals are great. Please continue to reply.

Another question, I did my test drive at Assael BMW/MINI in Monrovia. Has anyone heard/experienced their sales and service? They said they sell MC CVT's at MSRP, and if ordered takes about 8wks. But from what I've read on other threads, claims like this can turn out to be totally bogus.

All the info ASAP is soooo appreciated. I WANT MY MINI NOW!!! (ah, yes, that lack of patience thing rears it's ugly head yet again)
ckid

 

You mean Assh*le in Monrovia? These guys really suck. Stay away. Lying is a way of life to these people.

 

That has not been my experience. Besides, why would the service manager care where the car was bought? You mean if I lived in Chicago and moved to San Diego, the service manager is going to spit on my car when I drive in? Why would the service manager even look at where the car was purchased?

I did not buy my car from my local MINI dealer, and have never experienced any discrimination. All they cared about was paying the bill.

 

According to the MINI USA website, there's only one MINI dealer in Portland. Could that be why? (Or has that changed?)
We have at least nine dealers to choose from down here in SoCal.

I can only give my experience. LB MINI is where I bought mine.
One day the tranny made awful sounds. So much so that I wasn't about to drive it to Long Beach to get it looked at. Being in Santa Ana when it happened, I drove the 5 miles to Crevier. They took me right away. The MINI had to spend the night so I was offered a shuttle home.
On the way home I asked the driver why I wasn't offered a loaner. He said they're reserved for those that bought there.

Take that as you may.

 

Still only one dealer here. BTW, I was told my dealer doesn't offer loaners to any MINI owners. That is reserved for BMW owners only.

To get back on topic, I would say it might be difficult to get a convertible to the west coast in March unless it was already in the U.S., so ckid might want to look at what is in stock from the Hamptons or Classic.

 

My advice to you is this - AVOID CREVIER AT ALL COSTS!!!

They're pretentious, snobby ****** who gave me next to no service when they found out I was driving a MINI and not a 7-series. When I got my bonnet stripes from the parts department they gave me the wrong stripes twice. Plus, they charge about $5000 over MSRP last time I checked. Irvine BMW is much better if you talk to the right people. Their service department will help you out with a rental at their own cost, too, even if you didn't buy from them (on certain jobs).

I bought my car on eBay from a guy in Marina Del Rey for well under MSRP and that was a year ago - the car had 3000 miles on it and had a little modification done - exactly what I had planned to do myself. eBay is great for buyers, not so good for sellers. I've bought two cars off there for way below market and never looked back. My next car will probably be off eBay too.

However, make sure you have a mechanic check the car out before you buy it if it isn't being sold by a dealership. If you haven't used eBay much before, check feedback and see if they've sold other cars before without any negative feedback. It's not hard to get 95-98%+ positive feedback. AND DON'T TRUST THEIR ESCROW COMPANIES - if they are suggesting a certain company it's a scam 90% of the time.

My 2p

Oh - and mods! I would suggest, if you don't mind some scraping noise every now and then (it doesn't damage the car) LOWERING SPRINGS! They make the car look fantastic and people will look at it and wonder "Why does that one look so much better than mine?" Very subtle.

Plus, since you're in the inland empire you should get a liscense plate frame that suggests all the truck drivers all around you are compensating for "something". You can't quite copy this but mine is "Compensating --- For Nothing"

And welcome! You'll have a blast with that car! Have you picked out a color yet?

 

One thing I'm sure you noticed....One person says go to XXXX dealer but stay away from YYY dealer. The next person says YYYY sucks so go to ZZZ. Then a third person says XXX, YYY, and ZZZ all are bad, go to AAAA.

I personally have found that where you go is:

1. Where you like the sales people.

2. Where service works for you.

3. Price is right for you.

4. Wait time works for you.

So combine all of the above and talk to several dealers them buy your MINI. But make it quick Vegas is coming up.

Earl

 

http://www.aminivacationinvegas.com

Las Vegas March 3rd-6th, 2005

 

Congrats on your soon to be Mini Cabrio. My two-cents is that you MUST get seat warmers, it makes it more tolerable to drive in cooler temperatures with the top down, and topless motoring is the BEST!

FYI I think it is the cold weather package that includes heated seats and heated mirrors, for $300, Heated seats alone is $270, go for the package on that one!

Also I bought mine off the lot at MINI Universal City, worked with Joey, great experience. I had success negotiating the price because I got what I wanted off the lot. I did settle for the Chronos package while I wanted navigation...but I love my MINI and I loved not waiting to get it! I saw the MINI at the LA Auto show Saturday and bought one Sunday, tears of joy!!!

 

Randy---Please call your local sales tax office. Arnold S./the Governor

 

Checked out the prices on some of the in stock, convertable MINI S' at Crevier just to cure my curiosity. Would sell one of my children before paying that much over msrp. No way.

As far as color. (OK, this is where the old lady part of me comes out) Thought I would have loved a MCS convertable in gold, all tricked out in black details, then found out the S does not come in gold (making me want it all the more). My Husband was originally thinking red with black bonnet stripes, but seeing as I have already had my fair share of tickets driving a "mini VAN"!!! The red just seems to scream "please ticket me". Currently thinking British racing green (Green is my absolute favorite color in general), with the camel/black leather seats.

Again, this is my choice of the moment (may change any day/minute/second)
Is this like waaayyy to stuffy conservative??? I thought it had a bit of a classic look. Any thoughts???
ckid

 

BRG with the beige/black interior is not stuffy at all - it is a great combination.

 

Your best bet is South Bay MINI in Torrance Ca. I was there aweek ago and the had atleast 30 on the lot to choose from . and they seel at MSRP not a maark up to be found. I fly in from Northern Calif. on the 21st and picked my S up and was totaly happy with the sales dept. Try them first they have double the alocation because they just opened. Good luck you will love it. My husband bought mine for my ten year anniversry.

 

Awesome to hear, I have a car on order with them And yes, it is promsied at MSRP, wait was not long. The MCS tin top has the longest wait at most dealers, by the way, so call around and your might luck out on an instant production date if you do want to order (sales guys at a dealer were actually complaining that they had too many 'vert allocations). On the other hand I have heard that plenty of dealers (including South Bay) have a lot of convertables on the lot so perhaps you can get a deal and instant gratification to boot. Be sure to read up on January production changes before you buy though, you may want to wait to get a car with them (you can read about them here:
http://mini.uglydoris.com/archives/000258.html

Oh, and about necessary options - you simply have to get the seat heaters to start. Trust me on this I personally went "whole hog", I absolutely need the navigation, black headliner, chromeline interior, PDC (which you get with the 'vert anyhow I think), and well, I think I got almost everything but the convenience pkg. It's your birthday, live it up

 

I looked at Minis at Brecht in Escondido (including the ragtop), decided I didn't want to pay the $5000 they were asking over MSRP, and got one used off ebay. I''ve had several dealings with the Brecht service department, and to be honest, have never seen the "preferential treatment for folks who bought the car there" issue come up. Service is in a different building, different folks, and they are a lot more interested in the feedback the dealer asks you to provide after service than any relationship with their sales staff. My 2 cents, shop around get the best bargin you can find, even if it is out of state, then take it to be serviced at whichever local dealer does the best work. Also, nothing like breaking your new toy in on a long pleasure drive back home!