Hi, I'm new to the boards and in the Bay Area too. I've been to the MINI of Concord dealership, so I thought I'd share this email from the sales rep:
From reading the posts here, I've decided to go to East Bay MINI this weekend and put down a deposit there.
BTW, getting a test drive at Concord is a no-hassle process, and the people are nice enough -- not pushy, and
they let you take the car out without the sales rep!!

If it weren't for the mark-up, I wouldn't mind dealing with these people.