Hi,

First of - My prod-week 37 new car will be here within a month, yay!

My questions are :

- Anyone has any problems with the dealer's push for unwanted items at Long Beach Mini? I don't get the vibe. Bobby seems different than any car sale guys I ever dealt with. He's Very hands-off'ish.

- Do all the services under warrantee need to go to the place where I get the car from?

- Since I live far from Long Beach, I hope to get a servicing relationship with another dealer close by. The closest would be the Universal City one, but I heard bad things. Who should I go with? I live near the Dodger Stadium, and work in Culver City.

- Do you guys do your own car washing? Where's the best hand car wash place that is kindest to Minis?

- How often does the convertible top need to be polished?

- Can someone tell me how to make the car most efficient? Do bigger wheels help anything in practicality department?

That's all the random ?'s I have for now. Hopefully I don't look too much like a dork. I really don't know this stuff. First brand new car ever!

Happy

Peak

 

I'm a relatively new MINI owner, so I'll try and answer what I can.

- Anyone has any problems with the dealer's push for unwanted items at Long Beach Mini? I don't get the vibe. Bobby seems different than any car sale guys I ever dealt with. He's Very hands-off'ish.
I purchased else where, so I have no idea, but others may have the answer.

- Do all the services under warrantee need to go to the place where I get the car from?
No, many of the MINI owners buy from out of state and do servicing at different dealerships. I heard South Bay has good service.

- Do you guys do your own car washing? Where's the best hand car wash place that is kindest to Minis?
I wash my own at least once a week. It really is a joy to do, and it doesn't take much at all, because of its size.

- How often does the convertible top need to be polished?
Tin top here, can't help.

- Can someone tell me how to make the car most efficient? Do bigger wheels help anything in practicality department?
No idea, other than make sure your tires are inflated to the right pressure (I keep my 17" run-flats at 36-37psi), keep the foot light, and all the usual stuff to get more miles per gallon.

Just out of curiosity, what are your specs?

And make sure you post pics of your MINI after you bring it home

 

1. Long Beach MINI does NOT push unwanted items unless you are buying off the lot. If you custom spec it, then they won't be too pushy. They will try and sell you the alarm, the radar detector in the bumper, the tire warranty, hmm thats mainly it, just say no no and no.

2. No. You can take the care to any dealership you want and they will service for free. I dont reccommend any dealership at all for servicing, because they only employ monkeys. On the other hand, there IS a place called Steves Auto Clinic on Nordoff Street exit off the 405, one of the best garages in the State. Steve treats every customer as if they were with him the last 15 years. He also knows more about the car then any dealership's top monkey.

3. Try them all if you like. Just be sure to pack some bananas.

4. NEVER let a dealership wash your car. NEVER EVER EVER take your car to a car wash. Hell, if you are seriously considering doing that, I'll wash the poor thing for free. I highly reccommend you Zaino your car the first week you get it. Mcguiars NXT is a good alternative. Dont be lazy now... you just spent 30 big ones, no time to go cheap on the soap now.

5. Cant help you there. I ride hard top.

6. lol bigger wheels. Contrary to what some people say, it isnt really a clown car. Nothing will ever be as pretty as S-Lites. :p. I hope you like the ride rough.

You're going to LOVE the car. You couldnt have picked a better car to be your first new.

Matt

 

Hey, Thanks Matt! I guess I could take any maintainance under the warrantee to Steve? I heard so many good things. That's what I'll do. I don't want to carry around bananas in the car enough for all the dealers' zoos :] That's too many.

And thanks for the washing the car offer - I get the point. It just a little itty bity thang, if my life is going to be changed because of having this car anyway, that life's extra routine I could get used to.

So, no fancy wheels, eh? Okay then. I'll just save the thousand something bucks and put it into full coverage insurance instead.

 

Oh no no no, if you take it to Steve you have to pay. (But dont worry, his rates are great!)

If MINIUSA knew whats good for them they would have special "approved" garages that they will allow to work on the MINIs under warranty...

that way they will

1. Save alot of money (because dealers ripoff MINIUSA BIG TIME)
2. Garages do better work than dealers.
3. It will make dealerships clean up their act.

 

I had the same experience at Long Beach MINI too, they weren't really pushing much, the most prominent in my mind is at the time of final pick/sale for things like an extended maintenance period.

If you are going to take your car to a dealer for service (at least the free service), I recommend South Bay MINI in Torrance. They have free loaners (regardless of where you actually bought your car from), just ask for one when you make your appointment. I have been happy with the service both times I have taken my car to them.

Making the car efficient? Don't rev the engine much, but that also takes a lot of the fun out of it.

 

I bought my car from Crevier (Santa Ana), but I don't take it for service there: I have had nothing but extremely bad experiences with their service department. It's so bad, that I can't even talk about it with getting so enraged that I risk damaging my laptop computer, so I'll stop here. On the other hand, Long Beach MINI service has been great. I had a problem that occurred on a Thursday afternoon. I was scheduled to drive to Las Vegas on Friday. Friday morning I took the MINI to Long Beach and they had the faulty part (super charger by-pass valve) replaced in time for me to hit the road on schedule.

You can take your car to any MINI dealer for service under the warranty. I have heard that Nick Alexander in LA is good.

I sometimes take my (hardtop) MINI to the do-it-yourself wash when I am in a pinch. I would not take a convertible there (in fact, the owner's manual from my last car, a convertible Saab, specifically advised to avoid high-pressure washes). If you do go to one of those, be very cautious. I usually wash MINI at home and use the "Mr Clean" car wash system because it treats the water to prevent hard-water spots from forming on the car.

I actually traded out the 17 inch wheels that come standard on the Cooper S for 16 inch wheels. I need the option to use snow traction devices (aka snow chains or snow cables) in the winter. You can't use cables/chains on the 17s. So I guess my car doesn't look as good or handle as well as it could, had I left the 17s on. To save gas keep your eye on the MPG read-out (if you have that option) and make sure you check the tire pressure often.

As Matt said: You're going to LOVE the car.

 

Just want to mention that I had my car in at Long Beach just yesterday and was completely pleased with the service I got. Much nicer experience than Irvine, was well informed of what was going on with my car, and so far my speakers aren't buzzng like they did prior to me dropping it off. They also performed the most recent recall. Got my car back quickly. I will definately go back there for future service.

 

I got my car for 3 weeks now from Long Beach. I love them! They don't fool around with any non sense. Ordered it, bought it. I'm yet to put them to the test with maintenance. I'm sure it's going to be fine.

And sorry everyone, I haven't washed my car one time in 3 weeks. Gonna do it tomorrow with Zaino as suggest ...

Thanks everyone for the input.

-peak

 

I hit the wrong buton. Please ignore this.

 

recall? What recall?...