[kshapiro]

I was just pleasantly surprised to find out that my dealer (Towson MINI) does give MINI loaners to their customers. I'm guessing this is unusual here in the US. Let's see!

[BigMack]

Going for service next week, NO Loaner,
But,,,The work is being done at a dealer other than where I purchased the MINI.

You are lucky,,,,,,

[fadec]

Nope! No loners here. But they will rent you a wreck if you want.

Told to me by the service dept.: "The loners are for BMW customers only."

[izabhl]

I am a Mini owner myself and would like to share my experience to you all.I questioned BMW about this at first but they said they do not handle
the loaner car service for Mini and that I'd have to contact Mini directly about this. I've voiced out my opinion about getting us Mini owners this
service but they may need more voices for this to get attntion. Below are the emails exchanged between me and Mini and you guys might want
to share your opinion to them as well..email: MINI.Assistance@askMINIUSA.COM
-----Original Message-----
Hi Maria,
Thanks for writing in.
I understand your stance on the loaner program, and I do empathize with your position. Hopefully in the future the supply of available MINI's will
allow the dealers to offer the loaner program. Please let us know if you experience any problems in the future and we will do our best to assist
in any way we can. My deepest apologies again for your trouble.
Sincerely,Sam Sawaged MINI Division
--Original Message--
Hi Sam,
I got my car back but for future service repairs, it will still be an
inconvenience not having a loaner car/shuttle service. The dealer
nearest my location is San Francisco MINI. I assume other MINI owners
would not be pleased to find out there is no loaner car/shuttle service
presently offered. Since "Loaner car programs are administered and at
the discretion of each MINI dealer."--would you kindly inform me when
this service will be available? I hope you understand where i'm coming
from, if you had a MINI and had to take a half day off or spend timne
and money for taxi/subway/bus everytime you need to get your car
serviced, wouldn't you be concerned?
Sincerely,Maria
-----Original Message-----
From: MINI.Assistance@askMINIUSA.COM
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2002 11:37
Subject: RE:General customer service [#251317]
Hi Maria,
Thanks for writing in.I'm sorry to read you had a frustrating experience with your MINI.Unfortunately, MINI Division's warranty does not include
alternatetransportation at this time. Loaner car programs are administered and
at the discretion of each MINI dealer. I'm sorry to hear your dealer could not provide you with a loaner.The satisfaction of our customers is a
top priority. We want to be responsive to customer feedback that helps us better serve MINI owners. Please accept my apology for the
impression of a lapse of good service and customer focus. I would be happy to contact the dealer on your behalf, if you would like.
Sincerely,Sam Sawaged MINI Division
--Original Message--
I am greatly concerned about why MINI does not have a loaner car or shuttle whenever i need to get my car serviced. I've had my mini for
around 2 months and I had to get it serviced bec. the engine stalled without warning. I've contacted the service advisor managers and they
said that MINI corporation does not issue out loaner cars or have
shuttle service to get to work. Toyota, Honda, Volksawagen, Benz, and
BMW have loaner cars or shuttle service however MINI doesn't. If I knew
this was so I would have thought twice before buying my mini bec. its a
hassle and money wasted to take a cab 20 miles to work whenever i need
to get my mini serviced. Do you plan to have loaner cars/shuttle service
available in the near future? please let me know what we(consumers) need
to do to get fair service. I paid all the extra extended warranty and
service plans and I assumed this service was part of what i paid for.
its just very disappointing to think that mini customers are handled
like this. sincerely, maria

[paddy]

of the three times I have had my MINI serviced, I have received a loaner 2 of 3 times. The two times that I received a loaner, I scheduled the service in advance and made sure that I would receive a loaner. The other time my MINI was towed in late on a Fridy night, about 10:30pm. Needless to say, they didnot have a loaner for me that time.

On the positive side, Towson seems to be getting better on the service side. This is making life better.

Way to go Towson...

[Bilbo Baggins]

Purchased my MCS at MINI of Fairfield County, in CT. Service to be performed at BMW of Darien. I was informed at the time of purchase that loaner cars were not available for MINI owners, just BMW owners. Can we say, DESCRIMINATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's beacuse we are MINI's. Do we also have to enter thru the back door? Can we use the coffee machine? Maybe if we bring our own cup. Can we drink from the waterfountain?

[Clutch Cargo]

Hi Bilbo! I'm a MINI of Fairfield customer too. I ordered full Armourfend front and back (that's the 3M clear chip guard stuff) and it was only installed on the front; they gave me a loaner for the day while they installed the rear parts. Also, I have a faulty gas gauge sending unit that needs to be replaced, and they indicated that it would be the same deal -- drop the car off in the morning and drive off in a loaner, return in the evening to pick up the MINI. So, their policy might be "Loaners are for BMWs" but it looks like if they can arrange a loaner, they will. I hope this doesn't get them in trouble with their parent BMW dealership...

[Allybrit]

Checkered Flag MINI Va Beach told me yes they do....we shall see when the need arises...

[RBEmerson]

MINIUSA was very specific on this point: MINIUSA does not authorize loaner cars. Obviously individual dealers can supply loaners at their discretion but MINIUSA isn't going to help them with costs so far as I know. Following my misadventure with Don Rosen service (including being told I had to rent a car while the car was down for 4 days for ECU service), I called MINIUSA and, after some arm twisting, got so far as a promise to reimburse rental costs after I obtained and paid for the cost up front. (Hmmm, there was no cap on the fee - maybe I should rent a Ferrari? [wink])

I agree this is a short-sighted policy on MINIs part and one of the few real problems in living with a MINI. Unfortunately there's very little that owners and potential owners can do to get MINI to change their policy, at least when potential owners will accept long waits to just become owners.

[lionofpurity]

no loaner for los angeles and barely a shuttle service which they never mentioned until I already was at the dealer with a friend to drive me back.
Universal city mini

[w00t]

The dealership I purchased my MINI from says they will give you a MINI loaner if your service takes more than 90 minutes to complete. I have not had a chance to test this as I am only up to 1,000 miles.

[Cooper76]

My dealer gave me the official slip saying that MINIUSA doesn't do the loaner thing, sign here. However, my MA then said, but if you need one, we can probably get you one. The dealership (Motor City MINI / Bavarian BMW is tops in just about every regard) is good like that. I went in to get Sirius installed and had my wife come with her car so I could get back home, but whilst shooting the breeze with my MA, he asked me if I "want to take a MINI?" I assured him that I was all right to which he replied, "you sure?! I can get you a MINI!" Hahaha... Awesome!

[EBMCS03]

Long Beach MINI, Normally No loner...

But there was once a special occasion and my SA put me in one.

[scanner]

Habberstad MINI in Huntington NY does offer loaners for service customers

[alpinamike]

They have a 8 MINI's to loan out and sometimes demos if your lucky, It should not be just for BMW owners and I am one, but its easy to a loaner through MINI then BMW, you have to have a NEW BMW to get one. And it has to be bought at that place by YOU and no one else!
Thanks MINI of Pittsburgh/ BMW also.
-alpinamike

[barbaloot]

Yeah San Francisco, doesn't. But they give them to BMW customers!! I wouldn't mind having a 325i while my mini is getting worked on!

[Rennie]

My MA at Morristown MINI in NJ said they do loaners, however, I haven't needed service yet to test it out. He also told me that if they dont' have a MINI loaner available, they will put you in an Enterprise rental at their expense. Nice, eh?

[jean-ji]

Prestige Mini, Mawah, NJ does. They are a stand alone Mini dealer, BMW is down the road, separate service. I had my windshield replaced and they loaned me an MC40. Nice with lots of pep.

[bluetoothmini]

At MOP (MINI of Peabody) I get a rental from Enterprise car rental. Im not sure if this is a MINIUSA thing, or just a MOP thing?

[EBMCS03]

Loaners are all dealership provided... MINI USA doesnt give reimbursement to the dealers...