[tcmini]

After joining the MINI hunt around a month ago, I took delivery of my Indi Blue Cooper this past Sunday. I live in the San Francisco bay area where the interest in the MINI is extremely high. As you've likely read elsewhere on this board, this has allowed most of the dealers in the areas to sell Cooper with outrageous markups or "dealer extras". In the end, three of the four dealerships are charging $2000-3000 over list. When I started looking, it certainly didn't seem like I was going to be able to get a MINI a) any time soon, b) at a price that I'd feel good about.

Here's the good news: East Bay Mini (EBM) in Pleasanton is an incredible dealership. They're taking refundable deposits to put you on their list; this leads to an opportunity to spec a car just as soon as their allocation opens up. They're also charging MSRP for the car. They're also incredibly great to customers who stop in for a visit, and are more than happy to let you take a car our for a test drive.

A month ago, I put in my deposit, got a spot on the list and set out to wait until August or so for my car to be built and delivered. As I'm sure you can understand, the wait was killing me. Part of my obsession was periodically checking the in-stock section of the East Bay BMW website, which shows their current MINI inventory. You (I'm sure) can imagine my delight when the Cooper of my dreams showed up in their inventory system as a pre-spec. OK, so it didn't have the leather steering wheel, but then again, it's April, not August :-)

So, to make a long story longer, I gave them a call, told them I wanted the car. They put the bonnet stripes on for me, let them cure for 48 hours, and I picked the car up on Sunday. I paid MSRP and not a cent more. No pressure to add additional dealer options. Perfect.

A couple of other cool things: first, when I ordered the car a month ago the rep, Dan, indicated that EBM was "VIN etching" the glass in all their Coopers and that would add a $298 charge to the car over MSRP. When I stopped to pickup the car, Dan volunteered that the VIN fee was to cover extended insurance, not the etching itself and that I was free to decline the insurance coverage if I so choosed. I declined, the cashier said "no problem," and my Cooper was back to MSRP. Cool! Amazing customer service. And it gets better.

As we're going over the car "boot to bonnet" Dan notices that a particular dealer option has been installed in the car. Neither one of us knew it was there. I'd already paid for the car. I was ready to drive it off the lot. And here, in my car, is an option that I'd not paid for. What to do? Dan had a bunch of options: pressure me into paying for it, ask me to leave the car so they could remove it, ask me to bring back the car so they could remove it, etc. All of those choices would certainly have deminished my satisfaction with East Bay MINI -- I wanted my car now! I'd paid for it; I didn't want to wait another 24 hours and I certainly didn't want to be pressured into buying something I'd not asked for. So, Dan notices that it's there. Dan pauses for a second, and says "Congratulations. It's your car and looks like it has a little something you didn't ask for. Hope you like it." I do. I know this wasn't an easy choice. I'd bet this directly effected his commision. I'm sure he had a hard time explaining the situation to his GM. But you know what? In that second, Dan sealed me as an East Bay MINI/BMW customer for life, and as an evangalist for their dealership.

Attention bay area shoppers! Buy your MINI from East Bay MINI. They're absolute pros. And they really do have their customers' best interests in mind. Truely amazing. More on the car in another post...

Tom

[helava]

Wow. That's downright amazing. Congratulations on the car! My experience with EBM, which has admittedly been limited to walking in and putting down a deposit, was pleasant, though it was when they were still requiring the CD Changer. Imagine my delight when they took that "requirement" off the list. If the VIN bit is true, and I hope it is, I'd be even happier. Given the horror stories of Niello, and the tremendous markup at Concord, it's great that not only can you get a good price at EBM, but great service and consideration, to boot.

Congratulations again! Hopefully, in ... May of next year, or thereabouts, when I get my S, I'll see you at a Mini rally or something.

*drools*

seppo

[tcmini]

Quote:

Originally posted by helava
May of next year, or thereabouts, when I get my S, I'll see you at a Mini rally or something.

I'm really looking forward to a few more mini2 Bay Area regulars taking delivery of their car so we can setup a proper caravan. I think 50 minis crossing the golden gate would make a great photo...

Tom

[MINIAC]

Quote:

Originally posted by tcmini
...

I'm sure he had a hard time explaining the situation to his GM. But you know what? In that second, Dan sealed me as an East Bay MINI/BMW customer for life, and as an evangalist for their dealership.

Attention bay area shoppers! Buy your MINI from East Bay MINI. They're absolute pros. And they really do have their customers' best interests in mind. Truely amazing.

I've been referring people to East Bay MINI since early May of last year. After a test drive last month, I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with the General Manager, Bruce Daugherty. In my dealings with the MINI staff, their attitude has always been a reflection of Bruce's goal to make customers feel like family.

[Sejanus]

I'll just join in the chorus and say I've been very happy with my treatment at East Bay MINI. That's great news about the VIN etching as well! I may get it anyhow, I just appreciate it being optional.

[eingy]

I had my first SF Bay Area MINI Cooper sighting yesterday. It was a silver one, parked near Spear and Folsom. If you are here, give a wave.

I can't wait to get my MINI Cooper. I am thinking sometime in September, according to East Bay MINI.

[mini_girl]

Went and licked the proverbial door handle of my MINI at East Bay yesterday. Dan was fantastic - I pick up my Cooper S on Wednesday morning. Bruce even showed up (the GM) when he found out I might be driving away in my car. Never in my life would I expect to have an "enjoyable" car buying experience. And I thought "great guy" and car sales man could never be used in the same sentence - but I couldn't be happier with my experience.
The folks at East Bay will be remembered when my husband and I win the lottery and come in for another MINI and that M3 with SMG...

-shawna

[helava]

SMG?

You're buying an M3 with Sub-Machine Guns? I thought that was like, a Bond-only option, or something?

seppo

[DreadedMini]

Quote:

Originally posted by helava
SMG?

You're buying an M3 with Sub-Machine Guns? I thought that was like, a Bond-only option, or something?

seppo

That was funny! But I think it is correctly called SMGII, which is for the clutchless manual transmission.

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by eingy
I had my first SF Bay Area MINI Cooper sighting yesterday. It was a silver one, parked near Spear and Folsom. If you are here, give a wave.

I can't wait to get my MINI Cooper. I am thinking sometime in September, according to East Bay MINI.

When did you put your deposit down with East Bay? When did they tell you September? As you can tell I'm clearly trying to figure out what the timing may be on mine. I assume they haven't sent in your order yet?

[eingy]

Hey Sejanus,

I put my deposit down on April 5th, 2002. Jarid had said that it would be Sept, with the possibility of August, or even as early as July, depending on how many people on the list take the pre-specs as they arrive. He said he'll give me a call in June or July to take my specs... Of course, I guess he won't be the one to do so when the time comes. I'm still bummed out about his situation.

When did you put your deposit down?

eingy

[Sejanus]

I put my deposit down a little over a week ahead of you on March 26. I was told Sept/Oct at the time, but the last time I spoke to Jarid shortly before his accident he said possibly a July delivery. I called East Bay on Friday to see if I could find out a bit more on the timing, but so far nobody has returned my call.

[Sejanus]

Just talked to East Bay MINI and it sounds like I'm still looking at a Sept. delivery with a July build. They said they'd had very few people dropping off the list (no real surprise there). No mention of people taking pre-spec cars speeding things up. I'm a little confused about that given what Jarid seems to have told eingy and myself. Bit disappointing, but oh well, more time to save up a bigger downpayment I guess. I'll be much happier once I get the actual order in and have a production number to follow along and be obsessive about.

[RedBackFur]

Just got back from East Bay Mini this morning (Saturday, May 25). I have had my deposit down since early February. I just got word that my Mini is 156 status, so about to be ready for transport! Looks like I'll have my Mini early July, so my road trip to southern CA is right on Schedule.

I had stopped by East Bay Mini find out who my new salesman would be as I had set up my purchase with Jarred, who is no longer working there. Matt remembered my name as I walked in. They have been exceptionally nice to me at all times. Even though I have my Mini on order, I still wanted a chance to test drive the CVT they finally have in stock. (I ordered mine with CVT, as well as many other options). Matt was glad to let me have another test drive.

Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised how nice the CVT drives. It almost sounds like you're popping the clutch a bit when you punch the gas. I played with sport mode, and the steptronic. I may use sport mode on the winding roads of highway 35 or 17, but I felt that the steptronic was somthing I won't bother with really.

I look forward to driving my own Mini alone soon, as with me, my other half, and Matt in the back seat, I figure all that extra weight has an affect on the power.

I also talked to Matt about the "Dealer forced options". Although the etching is manditory, the insurance with that is not. And, I will NOT be required to purchase the CD changer. I have no need for a changer, and in no way want to waste any of the storage space as it is. No problem with the dealer on that.

I also asked about the CD Navigation system. Yes, the CD's are regional. Mine will come with a single CD that covers California & Nevada. There was no word on the cost of additional areas, but at this point, I'm not worried about it.

[Sejanus]

I got the call! Patti from East Bay just phoned to say I can go ahead and order my Cooper! I'm posting this not just to revel in it, but because I wasn't expecting to actually order for at least another month, probably longer. So for those of you on the Cooper waiting list at East Bay this may mean you get your car a month or more sooner than you thought. I don't know what number I was on the waiting list, but I put my deposit down on 3/26. Now my only problen is I'm supposed to fax them my build sheet from MINIUSA, but the site isn't responding! Aaargh, after all this time and extra delay this is soooo annoying. Oh well, this is still a good day. Off to try MINIUSA again....

[helava]

Congrats, Sejanus. Heh. Maybe that means my S might have an April 2003 date instead of May.

seppo

[arichard]

I have been on the list with a deposit since January for a Cooper S with EB Mini. When I put my money down, Jarid said I could be looking at October. There was a little confusion after Jarid left about my place on the list and all, but Dan set it straight. Follow-up from Patti has been excellent, very customer service oriented. I placed my order a few weeks ago and have an early July production date. I could have had my S earlier but wanted the Xenon's. So now my delivery date is mid to late August!!! Much better than October. I am really happy to hear that EB Mini is not delivering the car and adding huge markup (like I understand may be the case at Concord). So now I am just waiting for my Mini Cooper S! It is a good wait - not unpleasant - kind of like Christmas. Anyway, I would recommend EB Mini over SF Mini for sure. I too got the cold shoulder at SF Mini. The deposit is to show that you are serious and it is refundable.

[piperpilot]

I picked up my BRG Cooper from EB MINI a couple of weeks ago. I also had a good experience there.

In fact, it wasn't until after I'd been there for a test drive and plunked down my $1000 on a pre-spec car that I realized how lucky I'd been.

I've since read a lot of the horror stories about Niello, and a bunch of the dealers in SoCal...I'm so glad I went and saw Dan and Matt!

I only paid MSRP. There was no mention of having to have ANYTHING else, no VIN etch, nothing. If you're in the Bay Area (maybe even if you're not) - I'd recommend getting over to Pleasanton. The fact that they aren't ripping everyone (and they could) should be rewarded with as many customers as they can handle (IMHO)

BTW - Is there anyone else in Fremont? Or are we all alone down here?

[phattbam]

i am awaiting a long delayed indi blue S with the delayed rain sensrs and HK upgrade and cwp, prem. and sports packages. been on the list since jan 2, 2002, WAS #32 on the S list doesnt mean much anymore since i want the delayed options and colors, but the wait will be rewarding since i have a nice car now just need the S for commuting.

ps. piperpilot, i'm not from fremont but i'm from milpitas so it's kinda close, hopefully as soon as others around here get their MINI's we can have gtg's and such... until then i'll be waiting patiently.

[Dr. Bob]

phattbam & piperpilot,

I live in Pleasanton but work at Moffett. So, you might catch sight of me on I680, I880, 237 or 101 in the early morning or late afternoon.

Be sure to catch the thread: San Francisco Bay Area - Meet & Greet. It would seem that there will be at least one area MINI meet coming up in October. See you there?