MINI2

GAX857W · Sep 15th, 2007, 06:02 PM

So the car is nearly ready subject to the KA being written off.

Which dealers have you used and can you make me a recomendation. The car is at ELMS Bedford but my far better half works just by Stratstone MK?????

Advice required

Kind regards

J

supa-dupa-cooper · Sep 15th, 2007, 06:05 PM

Elms.

I wouldnt go to any Stratstone dealership ever again! Plus the one at MK is probably the poorest MINI dealership i've ever seen!

Washy · Sep 15th, 2007, 06:24 PM

Wollaston in Northampton....

Washy · Sep 15th, 2007, 06:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original)

Plus the one at MK is probably the poorest MINI dealership i've ever seen!

Poorest is not a strong enough word....

Paul · Sep 15th, 2007, 08:49 PM

From my own personal experience of the two, I used Elms many years ago. Very good, never had a problem. Used the MK dealership, but when it was Victoria, not Stratstones, and I had a few very poor experiences. So personally I'd go with either Elms or as Washy suggests, Wollaston in Northampton. I know there's been a change of ownership, but I'd feel a chump to go there and have problems again, when I have two other dealers only about 20 mins or so drive away.

GAX857W · Sep 16th, 2007, 09:38 AM

Thanks for that gents its much appreciated.

Xr3i_Alloys · Sep 16th, 2007, 07:45 PM

I'd never go to stratstone for a mini again in my life
Just a catalogue of errors

Scrogg · Sep 16th, 2007, 07:51 PM

It's amazing how many people have bad things to say about Stratstone. I often wonder how Pendragon have become so successful with so many negative comments made about their dealerships

I bought my first MINI from Victoria Milton Keynes because at the time I worked for Reg Vardy and it was the nearest dealership owned by the group to where I lived in Nottingham. Maybe I got great service because I worked for the company, but I certainly had no complaints.

addo402 · Oct 3rd, 2007, 01:16 PM

Hi Guys

Just about to potentially delve into the world of mini ownership. :-)

Stratstone MK are literally a stone's through from my house, I can walk there in 5 minutes so have started talking to them.

Are they still really that bad? Surely they must read the comments on here?

What are the main issues with them?
Is it new car sales?
Is it Service?
Has there been any improvements?

I know they do have the smallest mini showroom in the world and their tiny car park is a joke.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Cheers

Adam

David King · Oct 3rd, 2007, 09:21 PM

Havent tried Stratstone, but Elms have been the biggest shambles, first of all they mixed up on the day i booked my car to have it serviced, and gave a very poor service with little communication

Then when my central locking packed up they tried to charge me £400 to fit a £30 part, havent had any experience of buying a car from ELMS, but from previous experiences i never will either

ABG · Oct 3rd, 2007, 10:09 PM

In the past 4 years we've bought a 330 convertible, 3.0 X5 and JCW Works. Both BMWs from Wollaston and the JCW from John Cooper garages. All because the sales people at Victoria (as it was then) just couldn't be bothered to even call back at any stage of the sales process.

They are our local dealer but when they can't be bothered to return calls and keep promised actons when trying to get a sale I don't give much hope for their after sales service.

SeldomSeen · Oct 13th, 2007, 05:37 PM

This is probably a bit late now, but I bought my car in May from Elms in Bedford and the sales process was very good, proactive and extremely professional.

Elms wanted to charge £2k for the JCW stage 1 kit which meant I went to Wollaston in Northampton who were very easy to do business with.

I can't comment on the MK dealer, but based on the other feedback wouldn't even bother going there.

Maybe MINIUK need to tell their dealers to have look on these forums some time, they might learn something about their customers and their businesses! (I know some already do, of course)

LUTONMINI · Nov 7th, 2007, 10:18 AM

I have never used ELMS at Bedford but have used Victoria MINI in MK just by the big tesco, they were rubbish!! i ordered a new R56 from them last October and was told i would have my car by Xmas, by January i was still waiting, so i went to Specialist Cars MINI in Luton which i did not even know exsisted in my local town, I went and saw the guys there, they found me a new R56 pretty much to the excact spec that i wanted and had it ready for me on the new 07 reg, the car was ready for me in the showroom and they even took me out when i collected the car just to show me how it worked, since then i had one small problem with the gearbox, they lent me a car whilst my car was being fixed and have kept in contact with the sales chap there, I am now off to the MINI Clubman launch there on Saturday the 10th November and i have pretty much decided im now going for clubman

57SGH · Nov 28th, 2007, 11:55 AM

Took delivery last night of my nice new Dooper.
ELMS Bedford - Annie and Ross were great.

Car ordered and delivered in 5 weeks.

Cannot praise them enough, kept me informed and dealt with any queries I had.
If they were not at their desk, then my always returned my calls.

At handover, which was at 17:30 (dealer closes at 18:00), Annie stayed until all my questions had been answered - finally left ELMS at 18:45.
Car was in the showroom so inspection was easy.
So for the purchase side nothing but praise

Hopefully I will not have to deal with the service department very often, but I will give you feedback when I do.

Bacnka · Nov 28th, 2007, 01:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 57SGH (original)

Took delivery last night of my nice new Dooper.
ELMS Bedford - Annie and Ross were great.

Car ordered and delivered in 5 weeks.

Cannot praise them enough, kept me informed and dealt with any queries I had.
If they were not at their desk, then my always returned my calls.

At handover, which was at 17:30 (dealer closes at 18:00), Annie stayed until all my questions had been answered - finally left ELMS at 18:45.
Car was in the showroom so inspection was easy.
So for the purchase side nothing but praise

Hopefully I will not have to deal with the service department very often, but I will give you feedback when I do.

Sounds great, you'll have to post some pictures of your new Dooper!

Kimberley · Nov 28th, 2007, 07:43 PM

I use Bedford for everything now. After going to MK by Tesco for a minor problem and them being very rude and un helpful.
Bedford all day long!!

57SGH · Dec 2nd, 2007, 12:28 PM

Only photo's I've got of a clean car, seems to have rained since I bought it.

Bacnka · Dec 2nd, 2007, 06:28 PM

That is once nice looking mini. I am jealous

Red Dwarf · Dec 3rd, 2007, 03:34 PM

No experience of Elms, but MK are not in my good books. Not a pleasant atmosphere, can be rude, and don't seem to give a poo about customer service.

Kimberley · Dec 6th, 2007, 03:56 PM

Just had my cooper serviced and window motor changed (all for nothing) at Elms Bedford today. They were fabulous!!!! Customer service first class, great coffee and kept me informed as to progress throughout. Use them with total confidence!! Highly recommend

ooo and not to forget they cleaned it inside and out for me too!!

Sep 15th, 2007, 06:02 PM	#1
GAX857W MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Sep 2007 Local Time: 07:18 AM Posts: 70 Offline	Elms Bedford or Stratstone MK So the car is nearly ready subject to the KA being written off. Which dealers have you used and can you make me a recomendation. The car is at ELMS Bedford but my far better half works just by Stratstone MK????? Advice required Kind regards J

Sep 15th, 2007, 06:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
supa-dupa-cooper In S Club Heaven!! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Cloud MINI Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 18,629 Offline	Elms. I wouldnt go to any Stratstone dealership ever again! Plus the one at MK is probably the poorest MINI dealership i've ever seen! * The Italian Job 2008......Team 50 - Sponsor Us Here!* UNION JACK OWNERS CLUB GB002

Sep 15th, 2007, 06:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Washy 1151bhp/tonne Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Northampton Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 18,914 Offline	Wollaston in Northampton.... Black to the future....

Sep 15th, 2007, 06:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Washy 1151bhp/tonne Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Northampton Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 18,914 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original) Plus the one at MK is probably the poorest MINI dealership i've ever seen! Poorest is not a strong enough word.... Black to the future....

Nov 28th, 2007, 11:55 AM	#14 (permalink)
57SGH MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 18 Offline	ELMS Bedford were great Took delivery last night of my nice new Dooper. ELMS Bedford - Annie and Ross were great. Car ordered and delivered in 5 weeks. Cannot praise them enough, kept me informed and dealt with any queries I had. If they were not at their desk, then my always returned my calls. At handover, which was at 17:30 (dealer closes at 18:00), Annie stayed until all my questions had been answered - finally left ELMS at 18:45. Car was in the showroom so inspection was easy. So for the purchase side nothing but praise Hopefully I will not have to deal with the service department very often, but I will give you feedback when I do.

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Sep 15th, 2007, 08:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 37,538 Offline	From my own personal experience of the two, I used Elms many years ago. Very good, never had a problem. Used the MK dealership, but when it was Victoria, not Stratstones, and I had a few very poor experiences. So personally I'd go with either Elms or as Washy suggests, Wollaston in Northampton. I know there's been a change of ownership, but I'd feel a chump to go there and have problems again, when I have two other dealers only about 20 mins or so drive away.

Sep 16th, 2007, 09:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
GAX857W MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Sep 2007 Local Time: 07:18 AM Posts: 70 Offline	Thanks for that gents its much appreciated.

Sep 16th, 2007, 07:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Xr3i_Alloys MINI2 Newbie My Classifieds Join Date: Mar 2007 Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 32 Offline	I'd never go to stratstone for a mini again in my life Just a catalogue of errors

Sep 16th, 2007, 07:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
Scrogg A huge mistake? Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gloucester Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 14,669 Offline	It's amazing how many people have bad things to say about Stratstone. I often wonder how Pendragon have become so successful with so many negative comments made about their dealerships I bought my first MINI from Victoria Milton Keynes because at the time I worked for Reg Vardy and it was the nearest dealership owned by the group to where I lived in Nottingham. Maybe I got great service because I worked for the company, but I certainly had no complaints.

Oct 3rd, 2007, 01:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
addo402 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Local Time: 07:18 AM Posts: 1 Offline	Hi Guys Just about to potentially delve into the world of mini ownership. :-) Stratstone MK are literally a stone's through from my house, I can walk there in 5 minutes so have started talking to them. Are they still really that bad? Surely they must read the comments on here? What are the main issues with them? Is it new car sales? Is it Service? Has there been any improvements? I know they do have the smallest mini showroom in the world and their tiny car park is a joke. Any feedback would be appreciated. Cheers Adam

Oct 3rd, 2007, 09:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
David King Captain Slow My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Beds Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 788 Offline	Havent tried Stratstone, but Elms have been the biggest shambles, first of all they mixed up on the day i booked my car to have it serviced, and gave a very poor service with little communication Then when my central locking packed up they tried to charge me £400 to fit a £30 part, havent had any experience of buying a car from ELMS, but from previous experiences i never will either

Oct 3rd, 2007, 10:09 PM	#11 (permalink)
ABG Yatta!! Join Date: Jun 2003 Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 8,174 Offline	In the past 4 years we've bought a 330 convertible, 3.0 X5 and JCW Works. Both BMWs from Wollaston and the JCW from John Cooper garages. All because the sales people at Victoria (as it was then) just couldn't be bothered to even call back at any stage of the sales process. They are our local dealer but when they can't be bothered to return calls and keep promised actons when trying to get a sale I don't give much hope for their after sales service.

Oct 13th, 2007, 05:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
SeldomSeen just one mod to go now Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 89 Offline	This is probably a bit late now, but I bought my car in May from Elms in Bedford and the sales process was very good, proactive and extremely professional. Elms wanted to charge £2k for the JCW stage 1 kit which meant I went to Wollaston in Northampton who were very easy to do business with. I can't comment on the MK dealer, but based on the other feedback wouldn't even bother going there. Maybe MINIUK need to tell their dealers to have look on these forums some time, they might learn something about their customers and their businesses! (I know some already do, of course)

Nov 7th, 2007, 10:18 AM	#13 (permalink)
LUTONMINI MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 14 Offline	I have never used ELMS at Bedford but have used Victoria MINI in MK just by the big tesco, they were rubbish!! i ordered a new R56 from them last October and was told i would have my car by Xmas, by January i was still waiting, so i went to Specialist Cars MINI in Luton which i did not even know exsisted in my local town, I went and saw the guys there, they found me a new R56 pretty much to the excact spec that i wanted and had it ready for me on the new 07 reg, the car was ready for me in the showroom and they even took me out when i collected the car just to show me how it worked, since then i had one small problem with the gearbox, they lent me a car whilst my car was being fixed and have kept in contact with the sales chap there, I am now off to the MINI Clubman launch there on Saturday the 10th November and i have pretty much decided im now going for clubman

Nov 28th, 2007, 01:38 PM	#15 (permalink)
Bacnka Still Dreaming Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 32 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by 57SGH (original) Took delivery last night of my nice new Dooper. ELMS Bedford - Annie and Ross were great. Car ordered and delivered in 5 weeks. Cannot praise them enough, kept me informed and dealt with any queries I had. If they were not at their desk, then my always returned my calls. At handover, which was at 17:30 (dealer closes at 18:00), Annie stayed until all my questions had been answered - finally left ELMS at 18:45. Car was in the showroom so inspection was easy. So for the purchase side nothing but praise Hopefully I will not have to deal with the service department very often, but I will give you feedback when I do. Sounds great, you'll have to post some pictures of your new Dooper!

Nov 28th, 2007, 07:43 PM	#16 (permalink)
Kimberley MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucks Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 9 Offline	I use Bedford for everything now. After going to MK by Tesco for a minor problem and them being very rude and un helpful. Bedford all day long!!

Dec 2nd, 2007, 12:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
57SGH MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 18 Offline	In the dealership (ELMS) Only photo's I've got of a clean car, seems to have rained since I bought it. Attached Thumbnails

Dec 2nd, 2007, 06:28 PM	#18 (permalink)
Bacnka Still Dreaming Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 32 Offline	That is once nice looking mini. I am jealous

Dec 3rd, 2007, 03:34 PM	#19 (permalink)
Red Dwarf Stoke me a Clipper! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northamptonshire Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 1,060 Offline	No experience of Elms, but MK are not in my good books. Not a pleasant atmosphere, can be rude, and don't seem to give a poo about customer service. Red Dwarf has left the room

Dec 6th, 2007, 03:56 PM	#20 (permalink)
Kimberley MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bucks Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 9 Offline	Just had my cooper serviced and window motor changed (all for nothing) at Elms Bedford today. They were fabulous!!!! Customer service first class, great coffee and kept me informed as to progress throughout. Use them with total confidence!! Highly recommend ooo and not to forget they cleaned it inside and out for me too!!

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