Dealer Ratings (BMW - Mini)

[V12 BRY]

Well I haven't yet taken delivery of my car (Monday), but the buying process went a little like this:

Decided by internet/reading mags/friends recommendation that the MINI Cooper was going to make a lot of sense for me. Lower running costs than my Jag, and Mrs V12 has a Volvo so no need for two big cars.

Start looking at MINI Cherished, budget £12k. Find a cracking car at Cooper Thames Ditton. Pure Silver/Black roof, Chilli pack, 17" wheels + a bit more. I make a call. "Sorry the sales staff are busy, can they call you back?"
"No problem" says I.

As promised I get a call. Not the most enthusiastic of chaps, but helpful. Decide that I am going to go over and have a look. Mate and I jump in his Audi A3 and shoot over.

"Sorry, too busy to let you have a look at the car sir," says sales guy "could you come back through the week for a test drive?"
"No problem, I'll call you on Monday and make an appointment." Off Steve and I go.

Monday: I ring the chap "I'm free today, is there any chance later this afternoon?"
Intake of breath "Oooh I'm afraid not sir, far too busy"
"What about this week then, when would be convenient for you?" (Can't believe I am accomodating him)
"I'll have a look in my diary and call you"
"Ok, talk to you later"

To date, I have not received a call from him.

Went over to Cooper Cobham and met Stuart. Fantastic service. Told me everything I needed to know about the car, arranged a demonstration and an extended demo so as I can show Mrs V12. I placed an order for a new car. All the staff there have been lovely, helpful if Stuart wasn't there with any query I have had.

Now I should point out that I am a car salesman myself, so I am pretty easy to deal with. However I just cannot understand the first guy's attitude. His loss!

[techiedoc]

Anyone any experience with Heathrow MINI or any other MINI dealer in London ,for example Whitehouse Ruxley in Sidcup, South East London?

[techiedoc]

Quote: Originally Posted by adamlondon69

I am due to pick up my MCS this thursday from Park Lane Mini in London. I have been dealing with Alex there, and he has been great so far. However, I did mention that I would not be upset if he sneaked a set of rubber winter floor mats in, but it doesnt look like Im going to get much in the way of freebies. They have been very polite and helpful and I would recomend them to anyone considering buying a Mini in London.

All the best,

Adam

______________________

Adam did you get any freebies in the end? People mentioned-CD bag,model car,rubber mats.chrome hand brake,umbrella and GB number plate.Anyway,is it worth bargaining for?I am planning to get them match the www.drivethedeal.com price for the MCS.Is the that guy called Alex a manager there?

Cheers.

[techiedoc]

Which Park Lane dealership Alex works at?

[techiedoc]

Quote: Originally Posted by holder

Well, I have placed my order through Park West (Chiwick) and the sales team have been really helpful, been out for several test drives (just to make sure of course ). I assume that sales staff are keen to get the sale, will get a better picture of the service once I've I've handed over the cash!

________________

Are you happy with their service?Did you manange to get a deal or some feebies?

[holder]

In the end I managed to get them to chuck in the TLC and the first tank of fuel in for free. Was very happy with their service too!

[techiedoc]

thank you holder.

[Richard M]

Anybody know what this dealer is like with TLC/service on modded cars

[imcharg]

Harry Fairbairns Irvine - 3 Minis for the price of 1!

I bought a black Mini Cooper from Harry Fairbairn's in Irvine on the 17th April 03. Craig Borland was the salesman and mentioned at the time of passing over my keys 'if there is anything you ever need dont hesitate to call'. I called them back a few months later and asked if they hired out mini's as I was getting married and we fancied the idea of having mini's as our wedding cars. The answer was no, but he would try to sort it out, then the biggest surprise was that they said it would be at no charge! We got married on the 5th June '04 and the dealership gave us 2 mini's for the day. Stuart McInness (marketing manager) arranged the whole thing. We dropped off our Cooper on the Friday lunchtime and he arranged for it to be valeted so that it was in tip top condition along with the 2 freebies that we picked up later in the day. And all for the price of nothing, now that is what I call service. 3 minis for the price of 1 (well for a day anyway)


There are few people I would like to mention from the dealership for helping us with this and also for helping to get my new cooper S that I picked up today (yipeeeee).

First of all Craig Borland (salesman), he has been extremely courteous and professional, even though I changed the spec of my new Mini Cooper S at least 3 times!

Second, Craig Sturgeon (Finance) who got me a cracking deal on the finance, he is a wizard with those sorts of things.

Thirdly, Stuart McInnes (Marketing) for arranging the mini wedding adventure. Stuart on behalf of my wife and I (kidding kidding) we would just like to thank you.

Fourthly, Alan, who was excellent when we got our new '05 Mini Cooper S today (17th July '04). He pulled in a few favours and managed to get the car taxed today (Saturday). No easy task as the people who sort this, only work Monday to Friday. What a great guy.

Anyway, I can not fault Harry Fairbairns, they're service was truly outstanding and professional.

Highly recommended.

[Oggymini]

Williams of Rochdale BMW/Mini
Such poor service I can't believe, they are still in business.

I have visited several MINI sites and had quotes from all over the last 6 months.
They are all the same with very little cost reduction incentive for cash.
Firstly I wanted a new all blue mini with Chilli Pack and Aero kit and Chrono Pack.
This company said they could get me one for July.
I asked for 4 MINI spots fitted but they refused giving the lame excuse that they would only install 2 of them then I would have to get the others installed by a 3rd party and would still cost me £600. (What's that all about)
I also asked for white S-spokes instead of the silver standards but they told me I would need to have the roof in white too or buy them separately. (Personalising your own mini was what I thought it was all about).
I have since ordered 4 x OZ Superturismo's in white so as not to line his pockets anymore.
And bought 4 x spots from a 3rd party supplier @ £250

So I anyway completed the deal and P/X'ed my Audi TT. (foolishly)
They wanted it straight away or reduce the deal by £500 /month, so I lived with just the Motobike for 3 months.
No communication at all from these guys, but suddenly end of July came and went, so I rang the dealer.
Due date was second week in August!!!!!!!!!!!
Not bad - 2 to 3 weeks late.

I still don't have it as yet as the Aero kit aledgedly can not be ordered from Germany until they have confirmed receipt of the car itself, and the coluor isn't available at present.(He says).
I rang every other day, and the web site isn't big enough to go on about the excuses, but I eventually got him to get me a primed kit which is due to be sprayed up in the correct colour when it arrives next week.

You must bear in mind that I have not had a car for 3 months.
The New MCS was registered two weeks ago, and taxed but I am now not to collect it until the end of August.
If I had known I would have asked him to postpone registration until September and get a "54" plate. So in essence I have lost some residual value due to the poor service from this company.
The OZ wheels I have just received yesterday after 6 weeks of waiting on delivery from Italy (I was hoping to drive it down to the Tyre dealers to have them fitted on purchase....., MINI Dealer wont put them on my NEW MCS as it would mean he would have to pay a mechanic from MINI to do it. (Pathetic) Even though if I had actually taken delivery by now I could have taken them to have been fitted by the supplier.

I asked for compensation, but you can guess what type of response I got.

The trouble here is that these types of dealers know they can sell these cars without any problems whatsoever and don't actually give a monkeys whether we buy them or not. as there will always be someone around the corner to sell to.

(I have bought several NEW cars in the past and this has been my worst experience so far)

So be aware of Rochdale from my point of view, as from my experience the second Cooper I am due to buy for the other half will be from another Dealer and that's for sure....



From,
Oggymini

[desjo]

Took delivery of my MCS just a little over a week ago from Patrick MINI in Chicago, IL. I could not have been happier with the way they treated me or the ease in working with them. Highly recommended in my books - excellent service from Kevin McConnell.

[Dave&Stacy]

Here's a vote for Motorwerks MINI in MInneapolis. They seem to be a well kept secret on this board as not many people talk about them. They give excellent service both when buying a car and servicing. We've been very happy with our experiences with them. Our MA, Amy Marver, will get it done for you. Give her a call!!!!

-Dave & Stacy

[Parc77]

BRIDGEGATE CHESTERFIELD POOOOOR

Myself having previously owned BMW and (BMW) MINI and currently a 2nd MCS, Ive had pretty good service all in all from sales through to service from all the dealerships I have used, originally living just between Sheffield and Chesterfield I used to take my BMW to the afore mentioned dealership and they have been pretty good in the past, anyway a couple of years ago I moved from my parents home up to Leeds to live with my girlfriend, my father continued to take his 318i to Bridgegate.
When he told me of his expieriance I felt the need to let others know how abismal Bridgegate actually are, story goes like this - Father takes car into Bridgegate for service, after having previously called up on how much the relevant service was going to be "£159 Sir" was that £159? "yes thats correct Sir" my father being no fool and knowing exactly what he was asking for. So father leaves them with his mobile number incase there are any problems or if any work needs to be carried out as well as so they can let him know when the car is ready to be picked up.
Anyway when he walks into the service dept they tell him its £200 and something pounds, in a rush and going on previous ocassions he leaves and assumes theyve had to fit a new part of some description as the car is a 1996 model, so thought maybe something was worn or the like.
Well this was not the case they had done nothing extra to warrant the extra charge, either this or they had an inexpierianced person taking his afore mentioned call of the cost.
He had a look around the car, it was dirty, so the obviously dont bother cleaning the cars for there customers anymore, he had been charged for the screenwash (normally if they topped the screen wash up they would give you the remaining half a bottle of screen wash they had charged you for as this was yours you have paid for it) the wash bottle was full of water and there was no sign of a full bottle of screen wash fluid - so they had charged for something they hadnt given him. Then it says on the service tick list that the brake pads need changing ( it also says if they need changing to change them) they didnt do this and didnt call my father, when he called the service dept the service guy just fobbed him off and told him that the original price quoted was wrong in an arrogant way and that they had probably tried to contact him about the brakes but no-one had probably answered, so they gave up (so why no missed call or voicemail) not sure if this dealership has had any changes recently or new management or something but its a big thumbs down and custom lost from us for good. Although this is about a BMW being serviced, I feel obviously with there links to Mini would be equaly as poor, especially with the severe attitude problem of the servicing guy.
An alternative dealership? Sytner Sheffield maybe.

[AMJ]

Yep another Newbie, I've just bought my Mini Convertible from Rydale Central in Birmingham, and can only say what blindin customer service i recieved, right from when i was looking at a possible purchase, to the time i picked the car up last week.
Got my follow up call this morning to find out how my 'newborn' was getting on..
I've bought several makes of car over the years, bit this is by far the best dealer..

[carols]

My dealer is Nick Alexander of Los Angeles. Ive had a pretty terrible experience at the Mini dealership there (to make a long story short, they forged a paper w/the original price agreement of the car)...I want my car really bad, which is why im still dealing w/them. The original girl who sold me my car has left...and now im dealing w/another guy who seems like he wants to change my experience there so far...
my cars not gonna be here for another 2 wks tho