[normalizer]

Put my deposit down on an S with MINI of Nashville last June. Car was built and delivered to the VPC last month, June 28th, with a delivery date scheduled for today.

MINI of Nashville hasn't yet finished their building, it's all done except for a 5x12' area out front that needs some concrete. Until this is completed BMWNA will not allow them to sell me my car, which still sits at the VPC. Due to weather conditions here in Nashville, it will be very difficult if not impossible to lay concrete for at least another week. Assuming they finish it friday, for which weather forcasts still show us as having rain but it will slow down a but, I still won't get the car until the week after that because they WON'T deliver cars to customers on sundays.

I thought that at least I could have some of the accessories I wanted installed and ready for when I eventually can pick up the car, but no.... they can't order parts or install them on cars until AFTER the building is complete (concrete dry.)

MINI of Nashville is owned by Sonic, which also owns MINI of Atlanta. I asked if they could have the car instead sold to me through the Atlanta dealership and they said no, that it isn't allowed. BUT if I need a part that they don't have in stock in Nashville but do have down in Atlanta they can ship it up to me.... just not the car.

To top it all off, the state sales tax goes up this sunday night at midnight so due to all this the car is gonna cost me several hundred dollars more than it would if I paid for it today or tomorrow.

I want my car NOW! Any more snafu's like this and I'll get my deposit back and buy a different car,

[MGB Boy]

Quote:

Originally posted by normalizer
I thought that at least I could have some of the accessories I wanted installed and ready for when I eventually can pick up the car, but no.... they can't order parts or install them on cars until AFTER the building is complete (concrete dry.)

That seems crazy, I can maybe see not selling the car until the building is up (and full demerits to them for not having the building up well before the cars got there), but not even ordering accessories? What a crock. They can order a car and have it delivered, but they can't order parts? Seems absurd.

-Ricardo

[normalizer]

MINI/BMWNA - I know you are reading this....

I know what's going on in Nashville, somebody better do something soon to make me happy or there WILL be a stink.

[normalizer]

Hey BMW - taking a testdrive of a WRX this weekend, better get on the ball....

[normalizer]

After about 6 phonecalls to MINI of Nashville, only one of which was ever returned, and only getting info by cornering them at closing time.....

codes hasn't approved the dealership yet but they tell me they are selling cars. Mine has been sitting at the VPC longer than it took to build it and ship it to the states.....

now saying I won't get the car any earlier than monday....

took my second WRX testdrive today, dealership has one exactly how I'd want to order it and will sell it to me tomorrow at MSRP.

Sorry MINI......

gonna sleep on it but looks like you lost me.

[gromit]

Hope you had a good night's sleep and have reconsidered. Buying the WRX at this point when your MINI is so close would be a mistake. WRX is a great car, test drove the heck out of one a few months back but every time you pass a MINI you're going to have second thoughts. The WRX is an appliance when compared to an "S".

Hang in there for a couple more days bro...The "S" *will* be yours!

[sdmidget]

It's not smart to p*** off a Postal Worker who's also a gun nut!!

Seriously, Normalizer, sorry to hear about your negative experience

[normalizer]

It's just that every time I go in they say 3 more days, it'll be here in 3 more days.... they've been saying that since about the 4th.....

Problem is, the only car's I like as much as the MINI are the Boxster and the Audi TT Spyder.... and I don't quite have enough for either of those. The WRX is only about $500 more than my MINI and no BS....

[JaridP]

So...your car is sitting at the port and MINI of Nashville has been delivering other MINIs? Do you know if your vehicle was damaged in transit? Thats the only reason I know of that it will sit at the VPC for a while. I do know that if the dealership doesnt have a showroom completed that they cannot order accessories. They must have a completed facility to sign the dealer agreement. Just seems odd to me that they can sell other MINIs but not get you yours.

[normalizer]

the showroom is complete but Nashville Codes department hasn't come out to check it yet, so they don't have the paperwork needed for BMW. They did get at least two truckloads of cars, which the salesman told me they are selling, but mine is still at the vpc. No damage, just BMW won't let it leave until they get proof codes has been out and approved the building.

At least that's what I am being told by the dealership....

[normalizer]

Just called MINI, the car hasn't left the VPC still.... then called the dealership and Codes still hasn't come by. This guarantees no car will be sold to me this week, at least not by MINI.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by JaridP
.... Just seems odd to me that they can sell other MINIs but not get you yours.

Perhaps they, (like some other BMW dealers who don't have MINI franchises), are selling used MINIs (often demo cars from MINI dealers).


Sorry this is dragging on Normalizer. Just hold on a bit more. The MINI is the car for you.

[JaridP]

Quote:

Originally posted by normalizer
the showroom is complete but Nashville Codes department hasn't come out to check it yet, so they don't have the paperwork needed for BMW. They did get at least two truckloads of cars, which the salesman told me they are selling, but mine is still at the vpc. No damage, just BMW won't let it leave until they get proof codes has been out and approved the building.

At least that's what I am being told by the dealership....

That definately makes sence. Here at Rasmussen MINI we are almost finished with our showroom....But in order for us to get cars we must have EVERYTHING completed. So even if your car was at the dealership they could not sell it to you until the dealer agreement was signed. I think I would rather have it at the VPC then at the dealership where you would have people poking and prodding it... Just my two cents.

[normalizer]

it makes sense but is unacceptable.... was assured I'd have the car the first week of July, then the second week, then the third, now they aren't saying anything at all.

Building hasn't passed codes still, they say they hope it passes monday and if so I might see my car this week sometime, but they just don't know. Of the 25 or so cars they received they have evidently delivered all but 6, as that's all that's left on the lot.

Told them today that I was about to jump ship and they didn't have much to say, guess they'd actually like me to do that so that they can keep my $1K deposit and then sell the car to someone else above MSRP.... makes sense to me anyway.

Still, I started saving for this car when I saw the first Rover designs about 5 years ago. Another week won't kill me.

Feels that way though....

[Sealevel]

Wait for it normalizer, especially an S, 'cuz whenever you turn the key (even with the "cold start problem") and put it in gear, all's forgiven!

[Lorenzo D'Martini]

Normalizer--Hold on. Take a chill pill. The wait can be frustrating but the driving experience is worth it.

Russell @ BMW of Nashville is a good guy and is doing everything he can to get the Mini program up and running. He is just as frustrated as you just many times over. Your complaining on the "net" does not cut any red tape with the Metro Codes Dept. The dealership wants to open. The contractor wants to get paid for his work. Deposit holders want their cars. Relax, everything will come together before you know it, plus a car is not worth an ulcer.

Keep in mind those guys read these forums too. I would not want to burn any bridges at this point. Who knows there may come a time you need a favor.

No, I am not affilated with the dealership other than a very satisfied long time customer. Yes, I own a Chili Red S with the Union Jack on the roof. My purchase was made out of town because I did not want to wait and I paid a little more for not waiting, but I know Russell will take care of my car just the same as he will your Mini, that's the way he operates.

As for your frustration give me your tele# and you can drive my car around town for a while. I know it will not be the same but consider the offer.

[normalizer]

Just got off the phone with Phillip Johnson and they finally got it approved....

As far as burning bridges, I understand what you are saying but they work for me and not the other way around. I understand the issue with codes wasn't their fault but there were ample opportunities to get the building finished weeks ago. Not trying to complain, just stating the facts.

Having said that, I know what it's like to have a customer like me riding their coat-tails.... just like to be dealt with straight up.

[normalizer]

another update:

just called MINI Customer Relations and they say MINI of Nashville hasn't been approved to receive cars yet and all vehicles are still being held at the VPC.

She didn't know why, could be they didn't get approved by codes as I was told they were, might still be lacking paperwork, or it might not have finished the gauntlet at BMW but the cars sitting at the VPC are not being shipped to Nashville as of 2 minutes ago.

[normalizer]

I called MINI again about an hour ago and the cars are now released to the carrier..... the person I spoke to didn't know if cars were actually leaving or not, that the trucking company sometimes takes as long as 3 days to remove them from the VPC, but at least it's another hurdle crossed.

[normalizer]

my car showed up at the dealership today... HURRAY!!!!

Hope to have it tomorrow....

not much to tell at the moment, but am feeling much better.

The only problem is that the factory put the wrong wheels on it... have to order new wheels and get them remounted.