[Wynn]

I'm glad to see a lot of talk now about the other Texas and regional MINI dealerships, and I'm curious to know if people are avoiding Momentum MINI in Houston to buy elsewhere at the MSRP, and possibly waiting longer for that reason?

That's been my own preference, to wait for the San Antonio dealership to open soon. But someone asked me today whether Momentum is actually selling cars despite the $3000 required add-ons, and I honestly don't know. I THINK probably a lot of people here are choosing instead to buy elsewhere. Is that really the case?

Also, I was surprised when another dealership told me bad things about Momentum. Has anyone else heard such tales from other dealers? What a saga-- it's hard to believe Momentum has earned such a reputation so quickly.

Thanks,
wynn
in Houston

[BJA]

You do not have to wait to order from the San Antonio dealer. They have ordered many cars already and have a list of cars that are currently being built.

Call Richard Gutin - the MINI Salesman at BMW Center at 1 866 269-2368 and he will help you. Just because the building is not finished doesn't mean they are not selling and ordering MINIs.

I was there last week, saw 2 MINIs and talked to Richard. He was terrific! Not like the previous saleswoman, Cara, who did not return my phone call a few weeks ago. When I got there and asked for her and was told she no longer works there!! I was not at all shocked.

Just like the Cruiser and VW Beatle, many people do not care if the car is at MSRP or not, if they want the car they will buy it. It is common knowledge for years now that for these most wanted cars some dealers sell at MSRP and other don't, if the person doesn't want to ask then there's really no reason for us to address the issue for them. What's an issue for one person doesn't even rate a thought for others.

If you want a car at MSRP you have several choices in Texas, 2 dealers in the DFW area will order at MSRP and 1 dealer in San Antonio. All 3 are placing orders and setting delivery of MINIs. There is nothing stopping anyone from having or ordering a MINI in Texas.

So far in everything I've been reading about MINI, only you and one other person are avoiding Momentium and trying to create a bad reputation for them. I don't see the need for this type of dealer bashing in Texas. I don't see it in California, where some dealers sell at MSRP and other do not. No one is making an issue of it!! If you've had a run in with someone in Houston, then just buy your car somewhere else and start motoring!!

[Tbvf]

In addition to the DFW/San Antonio dealers, alot of Houstonites are purchasing MINI's from Baton Rouge and Memphis dealers. I, however bought mine at Momentum, and am pleased. They made it clear to me that they were there for me. I purchased my car Oct 4 and It arrived Dec 28. I didnt pick it up until Dec 31; the dealer was through with their prep. Dec 30, but because the weather was bad, I postponed pickup until the 31st. They even put it in their garage overnight to keep it safe from the weather as it was supposed to be a tornado filled night.
Regardless of what is posted on this forum, Momentum Mini will do fine--because people want the MINI without having to drive 300 miles to get it. When I picked up my MCS Dec 31, a truck had unloaded about 20 MINI's that morning, these cars were already sold, and were awaiting customer input re: computer options and eventual pickup.
I've heard Momentum Mini's sales staff are somewhat agressive in their sales demeanor, and also arrogant. I did not find that to be the case, but then if they are, it should be remembered they were former BMW sales people--what do you expect them to be -- after all even though it is called a MINI, BMW makes the car!
From the moment I first saw the MCS this past June in Nice, France, I have wanted this car. And now I have it! For me, There is no sense of exhilaration like that experienced while driving this car on the open road with windows down, and sun roof open. When they say motoring, that is what they are talking about! And when it is said people will pay whatever for the car they want, I understand -- especially now that I've driven this car for 12 days. I haven't had to pay alot extra, but hell yes, I'd do so for this feeling! Hell, season tickets to the Texans football games cost more than the extras Momentum is said to ask for in these forums, and while you'd leave each game with a sense of exhilaration, it soon dissipates. . . with the MINI, exhilaration is there every time you turn on the ignition! So when I read the constant downgrading and complaining going on about Momentum, I think, get over it, go somewhere else, purchase the car. Only then can you overcome the bad taste in your mouth. If you dont like Momentum, go elsewhere, but get the car--there is nothing like it. Terry in Houston. '03 Indi Blue MCS Premium package,sport package, 12 days, 350 miles and counting.

[Wynn]

Terry,

What did Momentum make you buy in terms of dealer packages, and what did that cost?

Peace,
wynn

[BJA]

Terry,
I'm in Austin and I know about the cost of those Texas season tickets and you are 100% correct! Your MINI sounds great! and really neat that they put her in a garage for the bad weather!

I'm personally not sure what the trip is here! No one has put a gun to a customer's head to buy a car with or without options! This is America where we are free to buy what we want and walk away from what services or options we don't want. Personally, I appreciate a dealer taking care of me and my car. I like extended warranties and I love the idea of paint protection, leather protection and LoJack finding my car when it's stolen! -- too bad we don't have LoJack in Austin! I'd be tickled pink if my dealer makes these options available to me as part of the car. Wrap it up, Nice and tight! and let me motor out of there!

I don't care what options you got or what they cost. What's the point here? You got the car you wanted. Hell, it's not like they made you pay for an option that isn't on the car! You pay for LoJack and you are driving home with it! I know of dealers in California that charge a "Finders" fee or an "Order" fee. It's just extra money you pay and you don't get anything for it!

So Wynn, Do you work at that Toyota dealer down the freeway from Momentium and you are trying to make them look bad? Or do you work for that MINI dealer in Baton Rouge and you want their business?

[Tbvf]

Wynn, Momentum did not make me buy anything. They offered two additional packages that I had the choice to buy. Those two packages were the typical 1 year extended maintanence offered on all BMW produced automobiles, including MINI. It was around 895. The other was a 5 year tire protection package that fixes any of the run-flat tires, or replaces them at no cost. If I remember correctly, that was about 400. The only thing I disliked about this option was it was good only at Momentum. If you were travelling, and had a flat, you had to purchase a small tire, drive back to Momentum with your flat to get it fixed. I was concerned about this as if you are distant from Houston, say you are in Seattle and you have a flat, you cant drive back to houston with a small replacement tire, hell those things are meant to go only about 50-100 miles range at most. Then they said I could call houston, let them know the situation, they would approve me purchasing a new run-flat and they would repay me for the expense. This is what Greg told me, but I read the guarantee, and it appears it is good for the continental USA, but says nothing about run-flat tires. My credit union offered a 100000 mile/6yr extended warranty for the Mini from a non BMW company that included a 50 dollar charge to fix or replace each of the runflat tires, the cost was 900. I havent seen the credit unions written info about this warranty, so once I see It I will decide if I want it. I couldnt decide on either the tire package they offered, or the one with the 100k extended warranty the cu offered, so I am still thinking these options over, it'll cost more the longer I wait to decide. My MSRP was 24,125 + 325 tinting of windows (done at Momentum). To calc. MSRP from 19,425 base for MCS+ 550 shipping and destination chgs. It cost 400 for Indi Blue, +3750 (1250 for each: premium pkg; for sport pkg; and for leather seats)=24,125. Momentum does charge a $387. dealer prep fee, The total cost including the 1 yr addl service which I thought excessive for about 14 hundred miles coverage, but finally opted for after being convinced by a friend that has the BMW Z4 that now has about 36K miles, and the original maintenance just expired that I definitely needed was 25,742 +TTL. No addl charges. No heavy sales pitch. I was given options and I decided. The purchase cost was alot less (about 3k less)than what was verbally quoted when I ordered the car. (Of course the original quote was verbal as they gave me no written confirmation that I purchased the car until about a month later when I emailed and they sent a production number I could use on miniusa. But originally I recall walking out of Momentum the day I ordered the car thinking I had been either been screwed, or there was something I needed to further investigate as the figure of $31,500 stayed in my head. Terry

[Wynn]

Terry,

That sounds pretty cool, and totally reasonable. I hope that means that Momentum has learned from mistakes, and backed down from their earlier totalitarian practices.

BJA, yes, the DID try to hold a gun to my head and make me buy cr@p I didn't want. Worse, they first agreed not to, then changed their minds-- which is illegal. And worst of all, Greg Chapman phoned other regional dealers, who have told me this directly, to ask them to require the same packages. Short of actually buying that gun and holding it to my head, it is impossible to imagine more blatant racketeering and illegal violation of federal anti-trust law, for which Momentum is now being investigated.

To their credit, Greg and Momentum apologized to me under duress when I brought these accusations to light, and it sounds as if they've been compelled by my publicity and public pressure to adapt their behaviors to treat customers with greater respect, and compliance with the law. That's been my hope from the beginning-- to protect other consumers, and as Terry reports the progress at Momentum, it looks as if my efforts have been successful.

Still fighting for us!,
wynn

[TxBandit]

Wynn,

We walked into Momentum on December 30th, picked out the car we wanted, paid the man and drove our new MINI home. We were offered a couple of service packages, which we declined, but never felt as if they were forcing us to purchase anything we did not want. We paid MSRP, no more, no less. Overall, I was very pleased with our buying experience and would rate it as one of the best car buying experiences that we have ever had. This is just what I experienced, so I can't speak for everyone else. I would refer anyone to Momentum if they were in the market for a MINI.

Troy

[Daddu]

Terry you said,"Momentum does charge a $387 dealer prep fee", it was my understanding that that fee IS INCLUDED in the price of the car allready!!!! It might appear you paid it twice.

[Pebbles]

Wynn,
What a story! You really showed them! One unhappy customer a few months ago really can make a difference now.

Sometimes where I work, we hear of customers who have filed law suits etc... or like you go to the BBB against our competitors. Yes everyone in an industry talks and we hear everything. So we are not allowed to book service calls to those customers. We are a small family owned business. We can't afford to take on someone elses angry customer, who may never be satisfied with anything we do because of the other vendor's mistakes. One BBB complaint can lead to 3 or 4 more from the same customer still seeking justice or a fix to a bad problem.

So jump away from the past and tell me... Were you treated badly by your new dealer when you ordered and picked up your MINI? Could you tell that they knew you were the guy in Houston that did so much for consumers? Are you going to file a complaint against them too? and What type MINI did you get? Color, bonnet stripes, packages, etc??? Do you like your car or has the first buying experience ruined your end buying and owning the car experience?

[Wynn]

Pebbles,

Those are cool questions. I originally began working year before last with the folk in San Antonio who are about to be MINI Center there, and they have been GREAT to me from Day 1. When Momentum opened in Houston, they agreed to match the offer made in San Antonio, but could put me in a car half a year sooner. So, that sounded like a pretty good idea, and I did give them a deposit, before they came back and tried to make me pay for another $3000+ worth of stuff we hadn't agreed upon. Then, I felt badly for not having waited to buy from San Antonio, where good people have treated me with honesty and respect from the start. So, even when Greg Chapman and Momentum apologized and offered to sell me a car right away without markups and extras, I decided to do the right thing, and buy from San Antonio.

I've not actually placed an order there yet, as they weren't ready to do that when I visited them a couple of months ago, but they'd kept up with the Momentum saga in Houston, and it was the manager there who first told me of Mr. Chapman's attempted price-fixing scheme; he was calling dealers, and encouraging them to match Momentum's add-on packages, so that consumers would have no regional alternative to paying for them (in incredibly blatant violation of federal anti-trust law.) MINI Center was proud to tell me they'd declined to participate in Mr. Chapman's scheme, and reaffirmed their commitment to sell me and everyone just the car that we want, at the MSRP, without any required packages or paint sealant or any of that stuff. Hooray!

So, the short answer to your question is that MINI Center has been great to me from the start, and has not only been aware of the problems in Houston, they've helped to bring those problems to light. I am totally impressed by their integrity and sincerity, and I feel really good about doing business with THEM, instead of someone else. I hope my financial situation will let me buy from them soon, though I might hold off a little bit and see how that's going. In any case, I'm content to wait for them to open, and I'm looking forward to visiting San Antonio and seeing them again soon.

Peace,
wynn

[Pebbles]

wynn,
I'm right there with you in getting my money together. I'd like to have some saved so my payments are not too large. I'm sort of in the "Dreaming of a MINI" stage.

What MINI are you dreaming of?

I think I want a S type, perhaps dark blue with the white top and white bonnet stripes! There's only a couple options I'll add so I don't think I'll get any packages. Just order the few individual options I want!

[Tbvf]

Wynn, I was out at momentum today to have an alarm installed on my new cooper S. Since you wondered how they are doing, they had about 15 minis on the lot ready for purchase -- anyone can come in off the street to buy one, and drive away with the cars.(Or so I was told.) They were reaching 200 minis sold since October 1, their opening date. The service advisor seems like a cool guy, is laid back, I find this in contrast to my experience at a northern Houston Toyota dealership where they want to force unwanted/unnecessary extras on you. (my other vehicle is a 4-runner). Terry

[Wynn]

*chuckle* I'm not surprised that the cars are starting to pile up on their lot. But, I do think it sounds as if they're learning from early mistakes, and perhaps doing better with regard to customer treatment-- it's difficult to be certain. I've clearly heard good things about their service guys, from you and others, including BruceK in San Antonio, so that's a great endorsement of the service personnel. Here's hoping the rest of the experience at Momentum grows to be just as good.

I've not ordered a car yet, but when I do, it will be either Chili Red or Indy Blue, with white roof and white 5-star wheels. I badly want the red interior, so much so that it's more important to me than the exterior color. Currently, the S isn't available with the red interior, and since my dollars are hurting anyway, this is reason enough for me not to order the car yet; the red interior on an S is a requirement for me. I'm sure it will be available eventually. On the Cooper, you cannot get Indy Blue with the red interior, which would be my first choice, so I'd then either go with Chili Red or maybe Pepper White, if the latter becomes available on the S.

And I'll buy from MINI Center in San Antonio, and have my car serviced at Momentum.

wynn

[Loud_TIGER]

so Momentum Mini is no longer charging the ~ mandatory $3400 markup fee which includes the wheel/tire protection plan, car wash, lojack system, and a few other things? they will sell at MSRP? is this with cars on the lot, or does this apply to orders only? can i buy a car off the lot without the $3400 mandatory options? also, the last time i checked, all their cars in the lot were close to fully optioned out. is this still the case?

thanks

[Wynn]

Tiger,

I don't know. I've heard some people say that if they deal with manager Greg Chapman, he tries to push the add-on packages, but in the end hasn't REQUIRED them more recently, but stories vary a bit. You should call them and ask for yourself, and get in writing a commitment from them to agree to the solution you negotiate.

Or, just buy from good people in San Antonio, whom you can trust. For me, it's not merely about price, but about working with people who respect one another.

Let us know what your experience is like, okay?

Peace,
wynn

[james4513]

I placed my order for an MCS at San Antonio. I also am comfortable with the SA guys.

I check out Momentum when I first became interested in a MINI and dealt with Andres. I have no history beyond a month ago, but I found them professional - no pressure, great test drive, MSRP. They even have some available cars, but not close enough to match what I want (intersting how picky one gets with this car). I spoke with Andres just yesterday - very professional.

I ordered from SA because they will be my servicing dealer for the next year or so (I live in Austin)and I liked and trusted Richard Gutin.

Good luck.

[smlawrence]

I just took delivery of my special order MCS at Moritz in Arlington and was very pleased with the experience.
Steve
Austin

[Wynn]

It took us a little while to get the ball rolling, but I think Texas has turned into a great place to buy a MINI.

[ruf]

I have the same crap experience with Momentum. They salespeople were snotty and treated me like I was window shopping. I bought mine from Moritz in Arlington over the phone and paid $170 to have it delivered to my door.