Would a Mini dealer still install a JCW kit if you bought the kit from a different Mini dealer?

I don't see why not

My dealer said they wouldn't fit a JCW kit purchased from elsewhere......

Originally I ws thinking of purchasing from Classic MINI in Ohio, but then found out that they don't offer a NAM discount on JCW parts. I negotiated with my local dealer on the install labour rate and ended up with a very reasonable price. Having second thoughts about doing it now; I'm saving up for an STi/Evo instead.

"I'm saving up for an STi/Evo instead"

Too funny. I have/had both. Now getting ready to trade my STi in when our MCS arrives.

Most dealers want to make a profit on the parts and labor. Some will install others parts some will not. Check with your dealer of choice to be sure. Perhaps a better approach would be to take your JCW price to the dealer you wish to do the install and see if he will match it. Allways better to buy and install from the same place if possible. Down the road if you have a problem they won't point a finger and say they were your parts, we just installed them.

True, but if you bring in official MINI certified parts like the JCW kit, it shouldn't matter.

It's one thing to bring in an Alta intake and ask a dealer to install it, totally different when it's a MINI certified part new and right out of the box...

You are 100% correct that it "should not" matter, but in a lot of cases to the dealer it does. Everyone needs to remember that the dealers are privately owned. Mini or BMW do not own the dealerships. They have wide latitude to do what they choose. You can take a new Mini to a Mini dealer for warranty work and they are not required to work on it. A lot of people have the misconception that dealships are factory owned and obligated to perform service. They are not. Just like any independent business the have the right to refuse service to anyone. Fortunately most European dealerships are much more accomodating than any of the domestics or aisian dealerships.

Actually, Classic MINI DOES offer a discount on JCW parts as I have purchased both the upgrade kit and side sills from them. I think it depends on who you speak with, but I received 20% off on both items . I don't know how much they will work with you on the full kit however given how expensive and bulky it is to ship.

i spoke with julie regarding a discount on the full tuning kit for an '05.....she told me they didn't discount jcw stuff

minime05,

after picking myself up off the floor i gotta ask.....you're seriously trading in an sti for an mcs auto ?

p.s. did you like the evo or sti more? i've not had a chance to test drive either.

btw, we're keeping our mcs; it's my wife's

My dad is a mechanic and related a similiar story:


A guy came in to my dad's friends garage. Everyone new him to be a nickle/dimer cheap guy. He brought his own parts and asked for an install. My dad's friend said sure but first take this hamburger down to McDonalds to cook up a few burgers for us on the cheap. The guy said, 'They won't do that", to which my dad's friend replied 'and neither do I'. They make money on the kit as well as the install.



Paul

Not to hijack the thread, but as we have a Forester XT and I really like the STI, why are you trading it in? What is your experience with the STI. Personally I decided on the MCS after driving the STI, R32 and Turbo Miata. My reasons were dollars, mpgs, looks, character....but if these weren't important, I'd would have bought the STI!

That's because you spoke to the wrong person. Julie sells cars not parts. Call Brian in parts about this, not the MAs...

I've had a BMW dealer install parts I bought from another BMW dealer that was not close by (they have an internet parts dept). This was after asking the parts dept at the dealership to try to match the price and they wouldn't, it was a big price difference - so I gave the service dept the option of at least getting paid for the install if they wanted to and they did.

Call around, some places might feel the same way - something is better then nothing. I personally don't think you should be subject to being ripped off just because they feel they can make money from you coming and going. Oh, and be sure to get a price quote for the job before dropping the car off so that you both know what the agreed on cost/time to install is in advance.

PS: None of the parts I have had done were as big as the JCW kit, there is a lot of $$ involved with that so it may be very difficult. However, they might be negotiable about the price of the kit and labor if you can show them other quotes.

Yes, I realise Julie is in sales. I contacted her after receiving no reply to my e-mails from the parts dept (Classic Auto Campus). She spoke to Brian and that was the answer I received about the JCW tuning kit & NAM discount.