[jcsinnh]

Quote: Originally Posted by Suzannne

I'm still shopping around for a well-recommended dealership in the Southern California area, and from what I've heard on this forum South Bay is the one to try...I stopped by Crevier MINI in the Santa Ana Auto Mall today and was surprised to find that each one of their new cars include a Maintenance Package markup of $3,995! This supposedly includes 5yr/40,000 miles free scheduled maintenance, free car washes M-F, free storage when travelling, free loaners when being serviced, etc.

I don't care how much maintenance they're going to give me, I'm not going to pay another $4K for that! Next stop will be South Bay MINI.

And that's the stuff MINIUSA needs to hear about. Don't drop it even if another dealer treats you well. Call MINI. I'm convinced that we, the people, helped transform a horrible dealer into a good one...well, a concerned one....here in New England.

[AndyH_MCS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul c

Weve just bought two Cooper S from them.

The sales Girl Vicky Bird comes highly recomended, she is extremely professional whilst making the experience as fun as much possible.

We were kept informed at all times even when one of the cars was delayed due to Harman Kardon and we were given a loan car until the other 's' arrived too.

The rest of the team Ed, Vannessa and Glen were extremely friendly and helpful too.

I just hope that the Service team/Parts can mimick the good service of the sales team when we require their help.

So thats a BIG 10/10 for Lind MINI Chelmsford from us so far.

I have just bought my mini from Vicky Bird! She is very helpful and her after sales help is very good.

Unfortunatly Vicky couldn't be there on handover day and things just went to pot.

10/10 for enthusiasm
1/10 for Customer Care

It just seemed one hand didn't know what the other was doing which was a real shame. Had she have been there i'm sure it would have been a different story.

[C11 XFF]

Quote: Originally Posted by minimattblack

From Stockton area, my first M0 was supplied from Preston Hall BMW and would never use this dealership again.
The most aggressive, incompetent, thoughtless dealership ever, like northandy I wanted to reject my car after the prop shaft developed an oil leak after 500 miles.
I was persuaded not to reject the car and would regret that decision with a string of faults occurring... with the car spending more time in the dealership than on the road.
Next MO from Fawdington Newcastle as to date with few problems

In the past I have purchased 4 BMW's from Preston Hall, but the service I received when I bought my Z4 was shocking. I tried to reject the car after it developed endless faults but they would not except it, I even had the backing of BMW Financial services.

When my girlfriend bought her MCC there was a small scratch on the bumper. The car was new and we said we want that repairing before we accept it. We thought it would go to the bodyshop to get repaired.....big mistake, they got a guy who works in the valeting bay to spray it. There was about eight drips of paint along the bumper and two finger prints in the paint!!! Needless to say I was not happy.

I would never ever take a car back there, not even with the slightest fault. This is undoubtedly the worst dealership I have ever come across.

I would strongly advise anybody who is going to get a car from there to think again. When you have problems and you will.......when you eventually get to the Sales Manager and the Dealer Principle they are the most arrogant t*ats you could ever meet. All they want is your money and no thought to customer service.

Elvet MINI......

On a more positive note.....I have nothing but praise for ELVET MINI at Durham. I am now in the process of purchasing my second MINI from there and the service is nothing short of excellent. To date I have dealt with both a Salesperson and the MINI Manager himself and it has been a pleasure. Everything has gone so smooth changing cars there, even down to the transfer of my private plate! (which was achieved within 5 days).

As its a new dealership, they have the opportunity to get it right from the start with a clean slate. My new car is scheduled to be ready for Friday and I have no doubts in my mind that it wont be ready, even including the additional JCW conversion that is been applied to the vehicle.
Highly recommended

[C11 XFF]

Just to follow on from my post above.

My car was ready on time on Friday with all the work carried out including the no. plate transfer. I would recommend Elvet MINI to anybody who lives in the North East, they are by far the best MINI dealership.

When the transfered the JCW 18" wheels they even did a full laser wheel alignment check.....how many dealerships would have done that !!!

[Darren Briggs]

CASTLE MINI YORK

Excellent service from top sales chap Roger Wood.

I would recommend taking a trip to see Roger to buy your mini in the future.

The other guys, well, just ask for Roger, I knew more about the Mini than one of the other sales guys!

Have yet to see what the service Dept are like (Still only got 700 miles on the Checkmate so far)
Will update soon

Darren

[KrisMcGrath]

Is there anyway that someone from admin or anybody creat a list from this thread with good or bad next to it? saves trauling through 7 pages of comments!
Thanks guys
Kris

[Alibali]

Quote: Originally Posted by uhh

has anyone had any dealings with scotthall in southampton.

I've had to make quite a few visits to them over the past few weeks for various problems,
mainly rattles, and I've got to say they've managed to sort it all out for me. a lot of the guy's there show a real genuine interest in mini problem solving.

I know this is an old posting but I have suffered some of the worst customer service I have ever received at Scotthall mini in Southampton.

Car had major roof problem (convertible) after delivery - was repaired relatively quickly only to find that the actual fabric of the roof itself had been damaged because of the fault. Then came the fun and games. Long lead times to get the car booked in with a courtesy car. Then, first visit, they didn't have the part (and just returned the car with no note or indication that they hadn't been able to repair it - I had to phone them to find out what was going on); second visit, they had the part but there was a bit missing so car was returned without repair; third visit, got back from business trip (having scheduled the maintenance to coincide with me being away so I didn't need courtesy car), to find no car in the drive way and no means of transportation. Again, I had to phone them the following day to find out where my car was when they informed me that the car wouldn't be back until the following week. Then I had to throw a strop before they would provide me with a courtesy car for the next 5 days. Finally, I had to sort out the courtesy car with Mini Assistance and go and collect it (which is really easy when you don't have a car).

Finally, got set of tyres fitted yesterday to find that the telephone quote I had received was inflated by 50% when it came to pay for it (as the service receptionist had given me the wrong quote) and put up with a lot of attitude from the service guy when I refused to pay the higher sum.

Will now switch all my service needs to Hampshire BMW who have a service arm (but no dealer) for Mini and who were very nice when my poor mini had a bump.

[jcsinnh]

Methinks it's time to remind ourselves that, while we might be enamored with the vehicle, it and the MINI organization (as in MINIUSA) are subject to the independent nature of the dealer. While, for me, both MINIUSA and my current dealer, MINI of Peabody in Massachusetts, have been terrific, we too in the US have horror stories to tell...mostly re service.

As the initial euphoria of a "new" marque wears off and the car ceases to market itself to a degree, service becomes even more important, I think. I know these threads are monitored by MINI and I just hope that they put some effort into pressuring bad dealers as we put effort into chronicling experiences.

We in the New England area are blessed with a superb dealership in Peabody, an improving one in Boston, and 2 so-so places in Connecticut.

[Simon Syddall]

What an excellent idea! If a database of good/bad dealers can be built up, for each country/area, the baddies will have to clean up their acts, but, more importantly, so will BMW/Mini UK, more of which later. Here goes:
SYTNER NOTTINGHAM - bad experiences years ago with my M5, Mini experience - they sold their MCS JCW demo, just before I had a test drive, not really arsed to sell me a car.
TAYLORS, BOSTON - couldn't really be bothered to sell me a £20k+ car, either.
SOPER, LINCOLN (where I went post Sytner, with M5). Really nice people - sales and service, but didn't have an MCS JCW demo car. Recommended them to my sister, who has MC on order with them.
SYCAMORE, PETERBOROUGH (1) - had a demo, David Luff - salesman absolutely excellent, MCS JCW ordered. Through no fault of Sycamore's, delivery was 8 weeks late (**** up over JCW kit going from 200 to 210), but couldn't fault Sycamore. Car perfect when delivered, service performance faultless since, though I am becoming annoyed with rattles and squeaks and suspect bearing rumble. I am worried, given BMW's poor support of their dealers, with tech backup and parts, this may take time to sort out - but again, a BMW, not dealer issue.
SYCAMORE (2) On the experience of my MCS, my girlfriend ordered a MC PL. Usual exemplary performance from David and the team, however, on delivery day, fuel pump relay ticked permanently. Delivery refused. Sycamore once again received poor backup from BMW, eventually resolved by new fuse box 6 weeks later, Sycamore having lent us their MC demo (BMW didn't seem interested in the customer).
Message which comes through, is that though dealers do seem to go above and beyond for the most part, the back up, which they are given, is a disappointment. This is the same symptom as my M5 experience with Sytner - the big "we are" and I believe, whether you are looking to spend £12k on a One or £25k on an MCS, the service should be the same as a £70k M6 - after all, it is their business to sell and maintain cars, a prerequisite of which is to keep the customer happy.
PS VICTORIA, NEWCASTLE sold my eldest daughter a used MCS. I thought that they were very pushy to start with, but they looked after her well and the car (which I didn't see prior to purchase) is excellent.
Keep up the good work - information is power!!

[Greenie1]

Ordered my Mini Cooper yesterday. I was told it will be ready mid August.
Mini Cooper - Hyper Blue, white roof.
Chilli pack
Harmon Kardon speakers
Ipod connection
TLC

Paying for most of the car with cash. Did I get anything reduced?, No!
After 3 hours of chatting to the Sales guy, I got knowhere.
So if you don't want a good deal go to Lind in Colchester, UK.

[malinga]

Fairfield in Southend, particularly Alex were pretty good. Only took my old Cooper in to see what they might give me and an hour later walked having bought a Hyper Blue MCS. They offered me a choice of 3 from stock and that was the one I wanted. It was to their spec as a showroom car but hey I got it in two weeks (back in April) if I had ordered one I would still be waiting. They even fitted bonnet stripes and spots (at a price) and i got a mini cushion as well!

Just wish I knew where my old 51 Cooper went. It was Yellow with Black roof and full leather trim, only done 32000 miles and answered to the name Norman.

[Spamini]

Sycamores may have a good sales team, but in their service dept their labour charges are crazy compared to Taylors of Boston. I have just had my rear pads and discs replaced, plus a coolant change for £237 at Taylors. Sycamores quoted me £100 more!

[alcibiades]

Hello,

I have just read this thread to find a good service dept/dealer in SoCal. I bought my S two years ago from Nick Alexander Mini, and actually had a good experience. The sales staff were helpful, knowledgeable and actually quite fun people. I received a fair price (well over msrp, but it's a popular car I wanted badly, and I received a deal well below their usual markup). Their service department, however, has prompted me to shift my services to another dealership. I am as yet undecided, and I would appreciate any helpful feedback in addition to what I have found in this forum.

I will not name names, but suffice it to say they are, in my experience:

1) slow. For example, I took it in for a minor issue and when I booked the appointment I specifically asked that it be done while I waited as I did not want to leave the car for various reasons unrelated to this issue. I was given a date, showed up and was told I would need to leave the car overnight as they would be unable to look at it that day. Rescheduled, got a loaner and it took them 3 days (three roundtrips to the dealership for me.)

2) incomplete. I took it in for multiple issues early on, booked a couple of weeks in advance, left the car and received a call two days later (note issue 1) being told that they would have to order a part for one issue (obviously didn't believe they would need to fix something) and that they would not address my rattling speedo as they could not hear it. Picked it up, drove the service guy around for two minutes with the speedo rattling, at which point they said they would order the part. I said I didn't want to make another round trip for an issue they should have fixed, the service manager told me they would order the part, put my name on it and fix it when it came in for regular service in a couple of months.........they didn't fix it then either. They said they ordered the part, held it for a couple of weeks and sent it back. The same manager who made me the promise told me at that time they never hold parts as space and time are at a premium. It stopped rattling when I made a diy gasket to put under the ring.

3) they do the least amount possible. I have taken my car to them on multiple occasions to fix a problem. The "fix" it. I pick it up. Shortly thereafter the problem reoccurs. I take it back, angry. They really fix it. This last time was the final straw. My a/c broke. they "fixed" it. Three months later, hottest part of our heatwave year, it stops working again. I called them up, said come get the car, I'm tired of bringing it in repeatedly for the same problem, wasting my time, taking time off work, etc. Am told they will only pick a car up for regularly scheduled maintenance. Period. And that they stand by their service. Called 888-ask-mini. filed complaint.

I'm done with them. Unfortunately, I have had these experiences with them repeatedly, and I feel I've given them enough chances to treat me like a valued customer without actually getting said treatment. In my opinion one should not have to ask repeatedly for adequate service in any situation that is customer based, and that's all I want is adequate and competent service as promised by the manufacturer. Still love the car, though. Anybody got a better service department within a hundred miles of Santa Monica, California?

Thanks.

[Heather P]

Quote: Originally Posted by Spamini (original)

Sycamores may have a good sales team, but in their service dept their labour charges are crazy compared to Taylors of Boston. I have just had my rear pads and discs replaced, plus a coolant change for £237 at Taylors. Sycamores quoted me £100 more!

Sycamores sales department is good, but the service is rubbish. Have had endless problems with them over the last few years - faults not fixed, tried to bill me for warranty work as well. Now use Sorenson's of Kings lynn, miles better on price and great on service as well.

[scooperman_uk]

anyone used Hampshire cars? in basingstoke? i normally use Cooper Reading, but they are booked up for 2 weeks and understaffed on techs at the moment.

[Xena]

Hi

If your car is still under warranty but you are unhappy with dealership (Preston Hall) can you take your car elsewhere or are you stuck with the ones you purchased the car with??

Xena

p.s can anyone recommend a good dealership in the North-East?

[Paul c]

Weve just bought another two MINI's from them and once again they have surpassed themselves

Vicky was her usual efficient self whilst making the whole experience fun and hassle free.
Glen sorted a great trade in price for both our cars too.

Whilst Scott(service manager) and Gerald (parts manager) done a blinding deal for the works aero kit and wheels for the convertible.

We are really pleased with their help and friendly no hassle approach to us.

Another 10/10 for Lind Chelmsford.

[ricky1981]

Bought my 54 MCS from Robert Stern and they were great for me, very friendly and didnt push me towards the S (did that all by myself). Absolute pleasure to deal with and I even bartered £450 off the price so I was pretty chuffed

[salocin]

I can totally reccomend Vines Mini at Redhill.

Not only have they been friendly & helpfull but they are true Mini enthusiasts.

So impressed am I that I have delayed pick up of my MCW GP to enable them to keep the car in their showroom for a while!

A frustrating gesture!

[scooperman_uk]

I can seriously recommend Hampshire Cars in Basingstoke as a MINI service center. I used them instead of using my normal dealer Cooper Reading. I was very impressed with the experience and im thinking of using them for all my servicing and warranty work in the future. They have convinced me that you get a far superior treatment from a service only center as the arend spending most of their time dealing with new car prep and sales like a MINI dealer would do. The quality of the valet was much better and i even managed to get some technical information from them that my normal dealer refused to give me.