[xviper]

Anyone in Canada considering doing this? Having priced one out from MiniUSA.com, I see there are many advantages to be had. The most basic Mini available in the States has numerous choices for colors. The most basic Mini here in Canada has TWO colors. Also, to get a similarly equipped Mini here, it adds up to thousands more, even after US dollar conversion. Since the US Mini has DRLs, it should be a direct import.
I'm thinking after duty, inspections, airfare, etc, we should still save thousands. And maybe the Mini dealers in some of the larger US cities are willing to deal. Plus, the drive home should be most entertaining.
Your thoughts?

[Ferroequine]

From what I understand, BMW will not issue an official letter of compliance to go with the car, which is something that is required. They will only do it if you are moving / being transplanted.

In the US, you're lucky to be able to find a dealer that will deal. Most are MSRP, with markets such as California etc paying $3-4K above sticker. I think MINI is fairly protective of the pricing, and the demand / production equation is fairly balanced (and perhaps even tipped towards demand a bit).

Having said all that, I'm with you in that I really don't understand some of MINI Canada's "odd" marketing strategies.

[xviper]

I'll have to get some friends in various US cities to look into the pricing part of this. I refuse to pay list for any new car just because a dealer thinks it's got the monopoly on them in a given city. Never have, never will. It's a "game" I will not play. I may just wait till some used ones come up for sale in the US or even in BC. I've been checking out the used Mini prices in lower BC and they are thousands cheaper than any comparable car here. I don't want one bad enough to buck up to local prices.

[Ferroequine]

Pricing wise, I don't think it is so much of "we've got a monopoly, we will charge want we want", it is more the corporate directive/policy from BMW. BMW is the same way, the price on the car is the price that you pay. This policy is one of the reasons why the residual value on MINI's is so much higher than on other vehicles.

Personally, I like the no haggle approach. Everyone pays the same, and you're never wondering if the guy that comes in tomorrow pays a different price. I've felt violated every time I've bought a domestic product.

[xviper]

The "no haggle" approach to car buying/selling would work for me except for the fact that there's still a lot of stuff going on that we don't know about. I've talked to enough Mini and BMW owners who have had "this or that" thrown in, amounting to hundreds and hundreds of $$$$ (sometimes thousands). Even though you have paid the "same" price as the next guy, you STILL have been violated.
Having purchased 33 brand new vehicles from almost every mainstream manufacturer selling cars in Calgary in my lifetime to date, I don't believe a single thing any dealer or salesman tells me, not even those whom I've gone to school with and I consider "friends". When it comes to selling a car, none of them is your "friend".
Cars that you've been told you will never get a deal on, people have gotten deals on. Anyway, the point of my thread is that I'll have to look out of Calgary if I am to have a Mini on my driveway. I've been into Crowfoot Mini a couple of times and each time, it was the same young salesguy sitting at his little desk. Both times, he barely looked up at me as I asked my questions. What little stock he had, he wasn't concerned about being able to sell them. Well, he'll never sell them to me. That kind of arrogance will never inspire me to open up my wallet.

[chkm8]

I hear you, and trust me, I've thought about this option. LIving in Atlantic Canada, Halifax is the only BMW dealer and it's a 3.5 - 4 hour drive from Rothesay, NB. The only other choice is heading west to Montreal and I'd be looking at 8-10 hours, so needless to say, with no dickering permitted and if I wanted my Checkmate bad enough, I paid the piper the MSRP as stated on the MINI.ca website. After meeting another Checkmate owner in New Hampshire last summer at MoT, she paid $6.K less than me and had more options that's after converting the dollar).

I know people who have purchased new vehicles in the US and brought them back to Canada without a hitch. I am seriously thinking of looking into to this when Checkmate is to be replaced, which won't be for a while since I only use it 6 months of the year. I don't know why a MINI would be more difficult to bring into Canada than any other vehicle, new or used.

I agree with the options and colours - I'm not impressed with what MINI Canada offers in comparison with MINI USA, plus I was very discouraged when I saw all the hype about the new GP's this year, which weren't offered to us Canucks, and nothing special was done when the special edition vehicles were produced and received into Canada.

Maybe it's time for MINI Canada to be shook up a bit and for us to have options. We start buying our MINIs on the other side of the border, it puts a whole new meaning on cross border shopping. Something I'll be keeping in mind when I'm in the market for another vehicle no matter what vehicle we replace next.

[xviper]

Quote: Originally Posted by chkm8 (original)

After meeting another Checkmate owner in New Hampshire last summer at MoT, she paid $6.K less than me and had more options that's after converting the dollar).

Just as I had imagined. $6K makes the "hassle" worth it, even if the Americans don't "deal".

[xviper]

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniVee (original)

Pricing wise, I don't think it is so much of "we've got a monopoly, we will charge want we want", it is more the corporate directive/policy from BMW. BMW is the same way, the price on the car is the price that you pay. This policy is one of the reasons why the residual value on MINI's is so much higher than on other vehicles.

I have just had a conversation with a friend of mine in Ontario, who has a Cooper S. It is what I had suspected all along. What you believe is what you've been led to believe. It's likely something that was propagated by every car salesman in this land in the hopes that all potential customers "think" that's what the pricing policy is. This just in ........................... My friend purchased his Cooper S $5K OFF MSRP. No deal? Right! I'm not buying from any dealer who won't budge on price. I'll go to the States or down east if I have to. The drive back will be my reward for having NOT paid list.

[Conekilr]

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniVee (original)

From what I understand, BMW will not issue an official letter of compliance to go with the car, which is something that is required. They will only do it if you are moving / being transplanted.

A phone call should be able to clarify this....but this should not be a problem...A friend of mine just got a brand new 2007 STI from the states and had no problem getting it into Canada

I was thinking of picking up a M3 from the US but got the Mini here instead because I decided to keep my Porsche for now...Buying the Mini here was just for convienience because I wanted the car NOW...

If I decide to get a 335 or M3 in the summer (I can be fickle when it comes to cars), I'll be getting it from the US....

BTW, I have never and will never pay MSRP on any new car I buy....

[xviper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Conekilr (original)

A phone call should be able to clarify this....but this should not be a problem...A friend of mine just got a brand new 2007 STI from the states and had no problem getting it into Canada

I was thinking of picking up a M3 from the US but got the Mini here instead because I decided to keep my Porsche for now...Buying the Mini here was just for convienience because I wanted the car NOW...

If I decide to get a 335 or M3 in the summer (I can be fickle when it comes to cars), I'll be getting it from the US....

Let us know if you do this. I'd be interested to see how your adventure goes. As for importing a BMW, again, this is what I've been "led to believe", not only can a new BMW be imported to Canada from the US, but the warranty stays intact. It's one of few brands where the warranty stays. I know that Hondas void the warranty once it comes to Canada.

[Conekilr]

Quote: Originally Posted by xviper (original)

....As for importing a BMW, again, this is what I've been "led to believe", not only can a new BMW be imported to Canada from the US, but the warranty stays intact. It's one of few brands where the warranty stays......

This much I know to be true.....

[Ferroequine]

Quote: Originally Posted by chkm8 (original)

I agree with the options and colours - I'm not impressed with what MINI Canada offers in comparison with MINI USA, plus I was very discouraged when I saw all the hype about the new GP's this year, which weren't offered to us Canucks, and nothing special was done when the special edition vehicles were produced and received into Canada.

In MINI Canada's defense, the GP was not allowed into Canada due its bumpers not meeting Canadian bumper strength standards - that is why you can't import one neither. But I think they could have done better on the Competition Editions.

[troopeur]

I just import a used car from a dealer in connecticut , if you have lot of time and patience importation is a great way to have exactly when you want and save around 7000$ for a new Mini Cooper S. ( I saved 5000$ Can for same car in canada)

check with riv.ca

call mini to confirm for the warranty
1-866-378-mini

for question ask me
ffoster@globetrotter.net

[Ferroequine]

Quote: Originally Posted by xviper (original)

My friend purchased his Cooper S $5K OFF MSRP.

When was this? Considering how low inventory has been the last little while, I can't see a dealer being desperate to the tune of 5 grand....

Are you sure he wasn't buying a Chevrolet?

[British SD]

Quote: Originally Posted by xviper (original)

My friend purchased his Cooper S $5K OFF MSRP. No deal? Right! I'm not buying from any dealer who won't budge on price.

Wow, I only got 4,000 off MSRP on my factory spec Cooper but considering the free goodies I got thrown in, extra rims and tires, mats, key ring, block heater etc I probably beat him! The extra rims and tires are worth $1,800 alone.

The secret is you have to smoooth with the MA's, buy them a couple of rounds of drinks as I did during the Flames 04 playoffs and watch what they can do for friends. You will be amazed!!!

[xviper]

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniVee (original)

When was this? Considering how low inventory has been the last little while, I can't see a dealer being desperate to the tune of 5 grand....

Are you sure he wasn't buying a Chevrolet?

He has an '05 Cooper S. Like I said before, I think some people have been "led to believe" that these things are made of gold and no deals are to be had. The dealer here may have the only game in town, but they fail to realize that there are more towns than just this one.
Take a look at "British SD's" reply. It is now quite obvious that deals CAN be had and we should NOT believe anything that would tell us otherwise. If the local BMW and Mini dealer want to be so arrogant as to hold firm on their price, that's fine by me. There are many, many other places to play the game.
Oh, and don't anyone tell you about buying from your local dealer so you can get the best service possible. From what I've gathered, their after the sales service is nothing to write home about.

[British SD]

Quote: Originally Posted by xviper (original)

Take a look at "British SD's" reply. It is now quite obvious that deals CAN be had and we should NOT believe anything that would tell us otherwise.

Of course. What really surprised me was that they sent my new MINI over the Atlantic pond within 24 hours from England in the cargo hold of the Concorde so I didn't have to wait like other poor suckers for two month boat ride! I would not trust what car dealers say either and always turn to the Internet to find the "real truth"!

If you refuse to pay MSRP, go buy from others that have cars available with a inflated MSRP to cover their discounting and 0.9% financing etc. GM and Ford will love and cherish you for a full 5 minutes for it! Its just my opinion which like yours is not worth squat but all the nice added touches and highest resale value make my car what it is, special and $ for $ a great buy.

As for the dealership, I would be deeply offended and turn my back on you as well if you came into my business with that attitude and right off the bat, tried to cheapen the products and services I provide. In fact, I would have you escorted off the premises!

[hammerhands]

Can someone who has bought from the US please post about the process and how well their local dealer(s) has worked with them for the warranty?

Thank you, I would am extremely interested!

[xviper]

Although I've never imported a car from the States, having talked to several people who have, they indicated that it was rediculously easy. You do have to jump through a few hoops but if you plan it out well, not a big deal. Here is a website that tells you everything you need to know:
Registrar of Imported Vehicles RIV: How to import a U.S made vehicle into Canada

No knowledge of how the warranty would be handled. I imagine that although they'll honor the warranty, since you didn't buy it from them, they could treat you like a second class citizen.

[faster,Tobias!]

Quote: Originally Posted by xviper (original)

Take a look at "British SD's" reply. It is now quite obvious that deals CAN be had and we should NOT believe anything that would tell us otherwise. If the local BMW and Mini dealer want to be so arrogant as to hold firm on their price, that's fine by me. There are many, many other places to play the game.

Holding the price is 'arrogance'? As MiniVee pointed out that 'arrogance' is a large part of the reason the Mini holds it's value. Yes, discounts can be had, but considering it is the end of the model year it is more or less down to what the selling dealer has for inventory - but you can wait all year to get your discount while I've been enjoying my car. I guess it is a matter of personal perspective. Oh, and did your friend buy his car in '05? Or '06? Was it brand new or a demo? By omitting the details you have strengthened your case but weakened your credibility.
As for it being a 'game' from the tone of your postings I would venture to say that it is probably very much down to your attitude. Take that into any dealer and you won't be getting hugs and smiles. They are people, and they will take offence when you insult their integrity.

I would never consider Holt Renfrew 'arrogant' for selling a $1K hand bag, as I would never consider anyone stupid for buying one. Again, it is a matter of personal preference.

When and if you do head to the states for a car, have fun, and if you need help or any pointers call or drop by Crowfoot and I will be glad to be of assistance. I don't differentiate between my customers or anyone else's, only the pleasant and the unpleasant.

On a different note;
The warranty is honoured on either side of the border, though any maintenance inclusions are not (ie. currently the 'Rallye' and the 'Soho' have a 3 yr. no-charge maintenance as part of the package. This is not honoured State-side).