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You're facing the same dilemma as every other Californian. Over the last two months I've spoken with every MINI dealer in the US. Finally ordered an '04 MCS from an Ohio dealer. I'm sharing the cost with some other (Nor)Cal and SoCal buyers for a closed transport. The added expense does in fact mean that you're paying over MSRP, That's life. If you want a MINI S, they have you by the short h*irs. Pigs. As for Nick Alexander, they wouldn't drop below $2K over. Forget it. They're selling for $2500 over in Vegas because they know CAL buyers will pay it. I've never paid even MSRP for a car before -- and that includes a 99 Vette that LA dealers were sticking an extra $5 thou on over list. But I want a MINI and I live in LA, so...
OUT OF STATE!! Screw these local theives. They'll be happy to take yours or BMW's service dollars. Just befriend a local service writer, and they won't care where you bought the car.
Motor On!