[tsipple]

I'm pleased with Patrick MINI in Schaumburg, Illinois. Here's a thread describing my experiences:

Another US CVT MINI Owner

[Casey]

Yet to get my S from patrick MINI - but everything so far has been great. If things go this well, the S might not be the only car i buy from them.

Cheers

[BullDog1]

Hey Tim, et al

I live in chicago too. I went to Knauz saturday the 27 to check out the MINI and give it a test drive. I gotta say that the car experience was awesome. I haven't had so much fun in a car in a while (perhaps since high school ). The car sold itself. The dealer was busy that day so the salesdudes(I think they were all younger than me- and Im only 26!) were busy off doing whatever they do. It didn't seem there was much effort they had to exert to sell these doggies. So I would have to rate their attentivness as a minor negative but like said it ws busy. They had a couple of pre-specs available in June and custom coopers available june/july with the custom S ready around august. I decided to go with a red custom-spec'd S.

Being pumped about ordering one, I dragged my friend to Patrick Mini to test drive the S again. My ulterior motive was to see if they could get me an S earlier than Knauz. So we take out the S for a spin and I converted my buddy! I asked the salesdude (there were two of them and both pretty cool) what the availability was and he said 15mo for a custom spec'd S. Holy Crapola!!! I was lucky I went to Knauz. THey had a pre-spec'd EB S there, but I didnt want to get it. Its probably gone by now anyway. Also beware of the Hyundai dealer next door. I guess there is a feud between the two dealers... something about parking cars in.

oh well my 2 cents. Nothing about Naperville except they don't have an S to test out. (That's why I didnt go there monday)

[Little Bear]

Let me be the first to recommend Bill Jacobs highly. They have been fantastic. They have been straightforward about everything. They've kept me informed and have even been patient as I wait for my pre-spec'd S.

I called all of the dealers in the area and the only one who gave me the time of day was Bill Jacobs. And from the sounds of it, I got a very good price as well.

[BullDog1]

From what Ive heard from other people, Bill Jacobs is good and as I said before I had some positive experiences with Patrick. The least responsive is Knauz wich is the one I am getting mine from. The only reason I went with (and stuck with) them is because I am getting my S earlier than Patrick (havent really checked with Jacobs, but this late in the game it makes no sense to switch). The problem with Knauz is that they are very unresponsive. I had a question about the Xenon problems and how that would affect my order and it took them 2 weeks to get back to me!!! It got the point I was ready to go to Patrick and get a pre-spec from them (not exactly the most desirable alternative considering I wouldnt get exactly what I want). However in the last minute I got it worked out with Knauz and all ends well... so far. Ill be picking up my S within a month as it just rolling off the assembly line as we speak. Ill add my dealer pick up feedback after I get my MINI S.

[sdiver]

I posted some of my experiences right up until when I ordered my MCS in the "Arrogant MINI Dealers" section a few months back. I ended up ordered my MINI from Patrick, after being completely put off by Knauz. Since I have ordered I have had nothing but positive things to say about Patrick, the MA's are nice and friendly. Hell, I even talked to one of them for almost 2 hours a few weeks prior to ordering my MCS.

Jennifer, my Motoring Advisor has been awesome, everytime I have e-mailed her with a question, or whatnot she gets back to me within the day, and actually has the answers I am looking for, she is A+ in my book. I would actually go out of my way to tell her manager that she is doing an awesome job (coming from me, that is good).

So yeah, I would recommend Patrick MINI in Schaumburg. It might take a little longer to get a MINI from them, but at least you don't have the Knauz headaches.....I think that's an actually condition now =).

So, I am looking forward to getting my IB/W MCS in the next week or so here, if it ever decides to make it in from the east coast. Just hope it makes it safe with all these wicked storms moving across the country right now. Cheers!

[angeldazie]

I just picked up my mini from Bill Jacobs mini in Naperville on Saturday. They have been awesome. I have already, unfortunately had problems with the car, but they are taking care of me. A tow truck came out to my house and towed it back to them yesterday, I live 3 hours away, and when they are done they are having it towed back to the house for me! I have received numerous calls, the techs are great too, and the sales woman I worked with was wonderful! They are just a great dealer to work with!

[Dustikins]

That's good to hear, angeldazie. I've ordered from Bill Jacobs and I also live about three hours away (whereabouts are you?) and I was wondering how they would handle issues like that. I've liked them so far. We test drove at Bill Jacobs and Patrick and I liked Bill Jacobs much better. Everyone was much friendlier at Bill Jacobs. They pretty much ignored us at Patrick. We practically had to hit the guy in the head with a baseball or something to get him to talk to us so we could test drive! Our MA at Bill Jacobs (Justin Vallo) has been great and was definitely very low pressure (almost too low pressure, actually, but it was refreshing).

[kheuber]

Dustikins,

Justin was our MA too. He is extremely low key. I think that has to do with the fact that the MCs sell themselves. When we were shopping around for cars, and checking out other makes/models (like the VW), it was much more high pressured.

I though Knauz was pretty helpful, too. They actually had MCs in stock, and a decent shipment coming in from their VDC. The MA went out of his way to see if there was a model coming in that matched what we were looking for (but there wasn't). We ended up going w/ Bill Jacobs because of the distance (about 15 min away) where Knauz is much farther (1.5 hours).

[gtshnzr]

Anyone near Chicago, especially up north, should consider the short drive past the cheddar curtain and check out International Mini in West Allis, WI (west side of Milwaukee). For me its actually closer than going to Naperville. Knauz was great in trying to sell me the car, but when it came to ordering a JCWorks package all I got was "sorry, we only have 2 on order and they are spoken for." Not we'll try to find you one, back order one, etc. So a few phone calls later, and I got what I wanted. And my motorin'dude Kyle is great, responsive and everything.

[angeldazie]

Dustikins,
Hey, I didn't have Justin as my rep, I had a lady named Christina, very friendly and helpful! Like you said, they are very low pressure at Bill Jacobs and I liked that. They totally took care of all those problems I had at the beginning. The AAA roadside assistance is awesome with this car! The day after I got it they paid to have someone come and tow it back to Illinois, they replaced the thermostat, then after about a week of talking with the higher up, they replaced my transmission as well, given it was having problems and I lived so far away. They had my car for two weeks! However, they put the bonnet stripes on my car for free in return. They paid again to have it towed back and delivered to my front door. They are great and will stand by you 100%! I am near the Kalamazoo area, by the way, what about yourself?

[Dustikins]

I'm in central IL.

[guru220]

I ordered one from Christina at Bill Jacobs just the other day. We live up in Grand Rapids, MI and we made a long trip down there and they have been great. I hope they will he helpfull when servicing is needed because the distance is great. I am just waiting till October, it seems forever away.

[miniyup]

Had a little dustup with Patrick over my order for a MCS (error on interior trim spec) and they had to re-order the car, so we lost about a month in the process. That said, after that they were great. Very friendly and accomodating on test drives; stayed in close communication during order and delivery via e-mail. For my delivery, to make up for the order goof, they:
1. Allowed me to take an "extended" (1+ hr.) test drive to "tied me over" with a driving experience until my car was built and delivered.
2. Threw in free MINI floor mats.
3. Prepped the car for delivery right off the showroom floor.
4. Stuck to promised deal of MSRP and nothing else but tax, title, license and standard doc fee.
Can't say enough good about 'em - see Chuck Amenta or Kevin McConnell.

[bjw408h]

I have to say my friend and acquaintance predictions on Bill Jacobs may come true... that being that Jacobs might be fine to buy from, but that their service prices and after sales follow-through are regrettable. I had a great MA, Rachel, but she left 2 months before my car was delivered in March 2003. Her replacement has been eager, yet too thin on knowledge of the car and a bit too forgetful on post sales inclusion in promotions and communications for my liking. Dave Chastain, the point guy in service, is extremely competent and helpful. I sure have given him a chance to prove himself. I very well may switch dealers before my warranty service runs out....

[gtshnzr]

I said my piece about 6 weeks ago. Since then, picked up the car and Kyle and his crew at International MINI still couldn't be better. Received the promised custom rear valance inserts in the fed ex today (white lights required red reflectors ... long story to avoid cutting holes in the bumper skin), and they look great. Going to Knauz for a LOF later this week as the shake down period is now over. I'll let you know how they do with a car they couldn't sell, so I bought it elsewhere.