Can anyone recommend a good Mini Cooper S (2003) mechanic in the Nashville, TN area? Honest and fairly priced.

Thanks,
Rob C

 

I guess you don't want to go to the dealer, becasue MINI of Nashville is one of the better dealers.
They are not cheep, but from my experience they are fair and easy to work with.

 

Avoid Karen as an SA @ all costs...

 

Care to expand on this?
I have to have some warrenty work next week at MINI of Nanshville and any input is helpful.

 

Ahhh she was just a total jerk to me. I had an apt that was scheduled for 8:30 on a saturday. I got there 20 minutes early. Was walking around the lot looking at M coupes. At about 8:40 I came in and was waiting near the Service Desk Area's.

Many many people walked by... including karen who was the only sa working at the time. She was walking in my vicinity for about 10 minutes and totally ignored me. Not even so much as a hold on we just opened I have to get things going and I'll be right with you. Nothing at all.

Finally at about 5 to nine she start acknowledgeing my presence. At this point is one person behind me. She has be bring my car into the holding area. She asks me the gist of my visit. I tell her I bought my car in milwaukee wisconsin and this is my first visit to BMW Of Nash. And that I decided to come there from Johnson City (a 4.5 hour drive mind you) and that I would be there all day and available on my cellphone.

I tried to talk to her about a couple of things an explain that my wheels had centering rings that like to get stuck to the hubs and they have to put on the wheels before the wheels are put back on the car. She totally ignores me. Doesn't make a note and just says... "That's not important." I also tell her about my 2 airbag lights that wont turn off.

Ok i guess it's not my car and you get to decide what is and what is not important?!?! thanks...

So I tool around town for a bit. They call me 2 hours later and tell me my car is done. I come back to the dealership only to get more and more pissed off.

She tells me that they changed the oil and filled up the washer fluid and ordered a replacement sensor that they THINK may fix the problem. Keep in mind this is my second scheduled thingy. not service two but im at 32k and this is the third time my car has seen a dealer. Second schudled off teh odo and the other was for dealer painted aero kit paint that was flaking (international mini in milwaukee)

So I ask. Ok what did you guys look over what did you find. All she does is push teh piece of paper towards me that says Oil change and fluids filled, part on back order.

Now... I realize this is just an oil change maintainance that is scheduled by the odo. But... It's my 30k... When I ask the person that had my car for 3 hours out of my reach and close watching eye, what exactly went down. I expect a full rundown of what you looked at, what you touched and what you did. If all they did was change the oil and not even look at anything else... then I just spent 150 in gas and 2 days of my time to do something I could have done myself. And should have.

Basically between her being a B#@&$ and a lack of explanation of what was done by the service department under her direction. I will not return there if she is to be my sa. I will gladly let some one take the keys from my hand as long as they aren't an ***. But her... no way. I realize that it's just a job for her, it was the first appointment on a saturday morning and that it was my first visit to this dealership. But that's bs. This isn't just a car to me, it's far far more... and I expect it to be treated as such. Also, I'm pretty much a perfect bmw customer. I walked into the dealership and ordered a car with a check from a bank in hand. No funny stuff no having to sell me a car... I sold myself. On top of that my car is rarley in a dealership because I do my own work and know my stuff about this car, well at least enough to swap most parts in and out. I don't think I should be treated specially... but at least treat me as well as that guy that is bringing the 50k m3 in for service.

In this instance at mini of nashville... I felt like a second class bmw owner feel i was treated as such.

As an aside. I'm traditionally a demanding customer. And it's my gf that calms me down and sets me straight before I start getting all pissy. In this case she wanted to jump across the counter and choke the *****. (her words exactly).

oh yeah... and they told me to drive back next week to have them install the sensor in my passenger seat.... awesome... 9 hours round trip 150 in gas for a $20 sensor. I can't wait....

take my experience for what it's worth. I just ranted and let it fly off the cuff... it's for you to decide if it's me or her that's out of line.... after reading my rant I would appreciate your opinions so I know if im out of line or not.

 

Wow, that is very bad customer service.
I have to admit they are not my fav dealer, but still better than Global in Atlanta (none of the MINI service I have had is acceptable compared to other car companies).

I also felt like a second class owner (only a MINI) but just thought it was me.

However, I have some mods on my car that they did treat me good about. (15% pully, CAI, engine damper, oil catch can, etc) The service person saw the engine damper, but did not jerk me around about warrenty, so I thought all-in-all it was probably just me.

I also have a bit of a drive, Chattanooga, but can leave it for a couple of days as I fly out of Nashville.

Hopefully this is my last dealer experience as I only have about 6 months left on the warranty and then it is back to my trusted mechanic here in town.

It it really sorry that such a great car has such a crappy dealer network.

I will watch out for Karen and hope for the best.

Thanks - Jeff

 

It's my opinion that the service guys behind the sa desk are second to none as far as mini mechanics go... however, this still does not change my beef with karen.

I just suggest that you do not allow her to be your sa. That is my only thing.