[Mike Schumacher]

hi guys,

i dont feel loved anymore.

bmw mini are turning into those horrible: drive away in an hour dealers. No wait, even worse...ford dealers!!

3 weeks ago they said they'd give me 11k trade in for my mcs, now it's 10k!!

i'm giving them cash up front for the car and wont even throw the rubber storage tray in.

i think they're playing too much on the popularity of the product.

i have to point out, this is only my dealership, not a generalisation.

just wanted to get this little moan off my chest

[designermini]

Can you call non local dealers and buy there. Service can be done at any dealership so go to the closest one for service.
If you didn't take delivery yet you don't own it, and you don't have to take it. Loosing 1,000 isn't worth your loyalty is it?

[N20]

thats the same with my dealership when i got the car they were so helpfull now everytime my car goes there for some work, they say the car will be back that day but they end up having it for a week and they never let you know whats going on

[eggtruck]

I think the dealers are living in a little world of their own now. Mini have made a big mistake with the R56 and made it way too BMW like.

They have had a good run keeping the Mini semi-exclusive for the last 6 years but as the GP has proved they are just not seen as that special any more.

Other car manufacturers are catching up and producing some nice new models - take a look at the Audi A1 for instance and even the Suzuki Swift is pretty cute.

I am a bit sad that my fist Mini wasn't until 2005 and I think that was the last year the car felt special. People still waved at each other then too!

Mini dealers are at serious risk of alienating many of their customers with their pompous attitudes.

There really are some pretty good alternatives to the Mini now and before I took delivery of my R56 I did consider moving from the brand myself.

Maybe other markets are different to the UK?

I am rather fed up with BMW and no way near as happy with the R56 as I was with any of my previous 3 Minis - so after the R56 I will probably look for a decent late R53 and keep it as long a poss - or possibly jump ship.

Sorry for being negative guys - but I know many of you feel the same.

[Purple Dave]

Quote: Originally Posted by eggtruck (original)

I think the dealers are living in a little world of their own now. Mini have made a big mistake with the R56 and made it way too BMW like.

They have had a good run keeping the Mini semi-exclusive for the last 6 years but as the GP has proved they are just not seen as that special any more.

Other car manufacturers are catching up and producing some nice new models - take a look at the Audi A1 for instance and even the Suzuki Swift is pretty cute.

I am a bit sad that my fist Mini wasn't until 2005 and I think that was the last year the car felt special. People still waved at each other then too!

Mini dealers are at serious risk of alienating many of their customers with their pompous attitudes.

There really are some pretty good alternatives to the Mini now and before I took delivery of my R56 I did consider moving from the brand myself.

Maybe other markets are different to the UK?

I am rather fed up with BMW and no way near as happy with the R56 as I was with any of my previous 3 Minis - so after the R56 I will probably look for a decent late R53 and keep it as long a poss - or possibly jump ship.

Sorry for being negative guys - but I know many of you feel the same.

I must be in the minority then. My dealer has improved no end since I bought my R53 in 2004.

They cannot be any more helpful. They done deals for accessories I wanted, etc. They gave me a great trade in price for my R53 too (Well above book price)

I think the R56 is a major step forward from the R53 in almost every way. The only thing I do concede is that it has lost a little of the fun factor, but only a little.

The R56 is far superior in terms of quality. I am currently driving a 56 plate R53 Cooper Conv and there is no comparison. Everything feels cheaper. It rattles too. My R56 doesn't (yet)

I loved my R53 MCS to bits, but after just over a month in my R56 MCS - I wouldn't go back.

[Purple Dave]

Quote: Originally Posted by Momo59 (original)

hi guys,

i dont feel loved anymore.

bmw mini are turning into those horrible: drive away in an hour dealers. No wait, even worse...ford dealers!!

3 weeks ago they said they'd give me 11k trade in for my mcs, now it's 10k!!

i'm giving them cash up front for the car and wont even throw the rubber storage tray in.

i think they're playing too much on the popularity of the product.

i have to point out, this is only my dealership, not a generalisation.

just wanted to get this little moan off my chest

The description of your dealer reminds me of how my dealer was a couple of years ago.
They couldn't give a damn whether you bought a car or not. Very poor.

The good news is, they must have had a wake up call. Everything has changed.
I cannot fault them at all. Long may it continue.

I hope your dealer has a similar wake up call. In the short term tell them how disappointed you are and buy from someone else, who does value your custom.

[eggtruck]

Quote: Originally Posted by Purple Dave (original)

I must be in the minority then. My dealer has improved no end since I bought my R53 in 2004.

They cannot be any more helpful. They done deals for accessories I wanted, etc. They gave me a great trade in price for my R53 too (Well above book price)

I think the R56 is a major step forward from the R53 in almost every way. The only thing I do concede is that it has lost a little of the fun factor, but only a little.

The R56 is far superior in terms of quality. I am currently driving a 56 plate R53 Cooper Conv and there is no comparison. Everything feels cheaper. It rattles too. My R56 doesn't (yet)

I loved my R53 MCS to bits, but after just over a month in my R56 MCS - I wouldn't go back.

The fact the boot pops open when you hold down the 'boot release' button on the key fob has cheared me up a little

[Purple Dave]

Quote: Originally Posted by eggtruck (original)

The fact the boot pops open when you hold down the 'boot release' button on the key fob has cheared me up a little

Don't put it in Autotrader yet then

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Purple Dave (original)

The R56 is far superior in terms of quality. I am currently driving a 56 plate R53 Cooper Conv and there is no comparison. Everything feels cheaper.

I often read this comment, but having owned an R50 and an R53 and having driven R56's, I don't understand it. Please can you give me some examples?

Tigger.

[Purple Dave]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

I often read this comment, but having owned an R50 and an R53 and having driven R56's, I don't understand it. Please can you give me some examples?

Tigger.

I can only compare mine, but comparing my old R53 to my new R56:

R53 - Cheap plastic mouldings on the IP (Alloy Patina) - Awful! My least fav feature of the R53.
R56 - Real Alloy faced mouldings on the IP (Brushed Alloy) - Much better quality.

R53 - Silver indicator stalks, both the feel and action is cheap. The stupid yellow indicator lamp
R56 - Black stalks, much nicer feel and quality action.

R53 - Interior Chrome pack - On cold days the chrome bezels on the speedo,etc. creak like mad.
R56 - Interior Chrome pack - New design looks classier and no creaks.

I could go on about the colour line options, seats are more comfortable,etc,etc.

However now for some R56 negatives - Doesn't affect me because my spec. puts right all the negatives IMO

R56 STD Speedo with the Audio buttons integrated - Looks and feels cheap.
R56 Speedo with Sat Nav - Looks and feels quality. Costly but worth it.

R56 STD Centre stack (CD & Heater controls) - Looks and feels cheap. Too gappy. Standard Heater controls feel cheap in operation.

R56 Centre stack with Sat Nav & Auto AC - Looks and feels good. No gaps. Controls are on rockers so do not spin. Much better quality.

I do accept that I have a high spec R56, but I am comparing it to my similarly specced R53. So for me it is a far superior car to my old R53.

[thrud]

I have been very pleased with my R56S, and the service from the dealer was absolutely excellent. One of the main reasons I keep buying MINI is the dealer service I have received over the years. Poles apart from the treatment I had from Ford a few years back.

I guess, as usual, some dealers are better than others. I can recommend North Oxford Garage.

Paul