[BigStuff]

Good service after an initial haggle and set off against another dealer to get part ex offer up (eventually + £800 on original offer).

Yound lad named Struan.

Overall dealership have been pretty good to deal with. Can't complain at all.

[pigmy]

Bought our first mini, (not new but with mini cherished warranty) After a couple of weeks a knock started on the steering, took into our local dealer at Stafford, they took a look and have since put a new column in under warranty, they also looked at some other problems I highlighted and are doing them under warranty as the parts are special order. (I will post later and let you know how these went.) So far so good with my experience of Knights Mini, and would recommend them on dealing so far.

[stefanr]

Sorry about the long post, but I need a rant.

I was limited to where to purchase as there wasn't many all black Cooper S Automatic Convertibles on the market. Hence, why we (+ wife) went to Cooper, Thames Ditton in Surrey. Unfortunately is was not an experience I'd like to repeat.

The initial sale preview and test drive was okay, it was only when we got to the money side it went sour. Short of the story is we needed a car quickly due to me writing our previous car off.

Any way because we still had finance outstanding, although we had a letter informing imminent payment from the insurance the finance through BMW Mini wouldn't go through. No problem we would and did source our own and did. After that they were most unhelpful in getting the car ready etc. Must be on a whacking commission. We resorted to having to go down to the dealership with a second larger deposit, details of our finance etc etc and sat there until they did the paper work with the intent we would be driving the car away that day.

The initial reaction from them was, "we wasn't expecting you until tomorrow" this is after about ten phone calls the previous day, again that morning, without reply and left messages of our intention.

We got there at 12.30am and left eventually at 6.30pm with the car. We even had to arrange for the 7 day insurance from the showroom ourselves even though we had confirmation in our hand of insurance cover from ours.

Absolutely shocking, the sales man, won't name names, dropped us like a lead balloon. The finance guy wasn't that particularly forthcoming either. We had some poor girl doing all the running about on our behalf, sorting faxes, log books, tax disc etc.

To rub things in, there was supposed to be a 6 disc changer in the boot, just before driving off I checked, no there wasn't. "Oh" was the reply, a deal was quickly struck to appease us. We had been there six hours and they didn't even valet the car, it was filthy, they said bring it back and we'll do it for you. Well the car went back not once but three times and it was still dirty when it came back to us. They couldn't even clean a car properly.

Well, after many phones calls of utter disbelief and shock with management they still haven't got back to us and the flowers were a very inadequate gesture.

We have since been to Berry's in Chiswick and their service team were all over us like a rash, if you know what I mean. All services etc will now be done by them.

I feel sorry for Cooper because they could have had at least two more sales through us, but we advised our friends against it.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Just read the thread on Wollaston Motors by 'stuvoi'...

It seems all the local dealers round here are a bit 'off' nowadays...

Specialist Cars Stevenage - All of my MINIs (thats around 60k worth in 3 years!!) have come from there, the sales people are lovely but after the way I was treated over my 'S' by a certain member of staff who should know better, its put serious doubt as to whether or not I will be returning there again, which is a sad moment I got a satisfaction call from MINI a few days later, and they were told everything and agreed that it was absolutly disgusting. It resulted in the 'thank you' post being deleted and I wont be updating the thread anymore.

Stratstone (for how long though..) Tring - they tried to con me once, that was bad enough!

Scotthall Borehamwood - seems ok, but maybe a bit odd.

Murketts Huntingdon, Elms Bedford, are yet to be visited But I fancy a Park Lane MINI next maybe...

[mister.t]

Specialist Cars Stevenage were very rude to me this afternoon

[MML]

MINI (BMW) Hong Kong

Staffs were polite and had great attitudes, but when it comes to the actual work; it was rather disappointing.

Had my car serviced a few weeks ago there and had them look at some squeaking noise coming from outside when turning left (warmed up). They came back to me and say because engine mount and suspension bushing were extremely wear out, so I agreed to change which was not cheap. Got the car back, still the same noise exist. Gave them back the car, 2 weeks they still could not figure out the problem and said can't even hear the noise! I hear it every time when i drive it!

Finally, they acknowledged that the noise was there and claims its because one of the brake pads dragging the disc. They suggested me to change all pads and discs and quoted me around 500 quid, so i said bye bye.

[Tobes]

Specialist Cars Luton

I have to stand up for them I have been with them for over 6 years now and have had 3 minis from them

There services has always been first class dealing with major faults (on first mini) to minior niggles

First mini eventally rejected with fine dealer contribution and BMW contribution towards a better replacement. They couldnt have worked harder on my behalf.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tobes (original)

Specialist Cars Luton

I have to stand up for them I have been with them for over 6 years now and have had 3 minis from them

There services has always been first class dealing with major faults (on first mini) to minior niggles

First mini eventally rejected with fine dealer contribution and BMW contribution towards a better replacement. They couldnt have worked harder on my behalf.

That is one thing I am grateful to Stevenage for...the way they dealt with the Dooper 'rejection' package, no denying that. Just a shame someone had to let them down bigtime afterwards!

Also my friend that I took over to Stevenage to test drive a ONE that she wants, has said that she will not be returning there after the way I was treated as well.

[Brayster]

Hi guys, I need to vent some anger. Against my better judgement and after what happened last time I took my car into Sytner I decided to give them one more try. So I took my MCS for it's TLC service today and have just noticed that now I have it back it has a cracked and scratched bumper it easy to see another car has brushed the rear corner and left plastic on my indi blue paint.
Now I am 100% sure that when i washed it on Sunday it wasnt there and I have a private parking space and walk to work so am pretty sure it MUST have happened today???

Can not believe I decided to give them a chance. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhh
I will not be going back!!!

[ClubbyHeaven]

Just wanted to mention Cooper Thames Ditton as i recently had a puncture whilst i was down visiting family, they were really helpful, Andy in service(think he was an Andy) bent over backwards and got me back on the road within an hour of me turning up out of the blue.

Not been to any of my local dealers, but friends of mine have used Bedford and bought a mini one even though i told them to go to Luton,,, seems they were ok, have my car booked in at Luton next month for it;s inspection one so confident they will be good as ever,

*oh oh oh please hide the works dooper s * i might have to get my wife to drop the car off as if i go in i know my sales chap will try and sell me another one and i will fall for it

[Darth Mini]

Quote: Originally Posted by K88RNX (original)

My mini had its engine management light on so I took it to the Mini dealer in Hamilton, Scotland. They kept my mini for 6 weeks!! They didnt give me a courtesy car until i complained. (I was only 18 at the time though) So they hired a Chervolet for me. I had to pay for the fee of adding it as a temporary vehicle onto my insurance and am still waiting to be compensated on it - which they promised. This happened in March. So beware Mini owners from this dealer!

That'll be Douglas Park - I agree - totally disinterested and unhelpful - awful!

[snick]

I've just bought a 57 plate cooper for my wife from Williams Manchester. I found the sales people polite enthusiastic and reasonably knowledgable and I was happy with the trade in and the small discount offered on the ticket price. Pickup went smoothly and we are very pleased with both the car and the the whole purchase experience. The only "lost marks" were for the Mini Cherished offices being a portakabin.

[Youghy]

Quote: Originally Posted by jcsinnh (original)

This may be, and should be, repetitive but, here in New England there is really only one dealer to go to for sales and service and that's MINI of Peabody, MA.

I did not buy mine there but, when I need to go, the 80 mile trip is not an issue. Not only are the techs terrific and the advisors knowledgeable but it is like being in a clubhouse, for example, if I'm there at coffee break time, I'm included in the gaggle of techs and sales staff around the truck that carries the food goodies and, more often than not, someone buys my coffee and....

This MINI is my 14th new car purchase. This place tops them all.

I completely agree with you.

I had rattle noise issue with my 2007 MCS, which is one of the worst problem for a mechanic to find solution for, and for a owner to have. But everyone at Mini Peabody were great. I don't want to get into more details, but let's say they went all out to fix my problem and didn't hesitate to work on my car for many days to fix it. I haven't had as many car as jcsinnh (only my 5th one) but I can say that I have finally fund a dealer where the customer satisfaction is a priority.

Service people, especially Graham and Garry, have always been very accomodating and understanding, and the mechanics (Scott and others) are very dedicated.

If you own a mini or plan on buying one in New England Mini of Peabody is THE place to go.

I

[gordysmit]

Quote: Originally Posted by willc38 (original)

Williams Rochdale what a total JOKE!!!!!!

"Here HERE" But seems all WILLIAMS is a joke NEVER NEVER GOING TO THEM AGAIN Wanted a Car of them they said I can have one but needs be under my insurance and guess what they want £35! sorry but having a car off them should they give me a car on there insurance? is there **** up

[Bluebabe]

Have bought many Mini's from these guys 4 to date! which I think shows the service level of the sales staff they are really great and always helped on info and even though I made their life hell over specs they were always good to deal with, real pros!

Unfortunateley the same cannot be said of the After sales team

They really are the pits and always have some bull to lip at you about any probs you may have.
I have had a few probs with at least 2 mini's from them. My current R56 really has showed them up to be a right shower. Honestly the car is under warranty but they act like scrooge and spin all sorts of bull to avoid doing any work!

I suppose the average joe just puts up as they don't know any better! They really treat everyone as an idiot! When you challenge them with quoted facts and reports of a problem area they go into more deflections and spin. It's embarassing

Even the reception staff who are great say the managers are useless. But it really is plain that they are !when you deal with them. I have to ignore their feeble and dumb excuses for probs so as not to get into a confrontation. It really does fume me!
Needless to say this will be my last mini from them due to the AFTERSALES let downs!