[Bob W]

I'm sold on the idea of a new Mini. It'll be our first new car since 1983. Baron BMW of Kansas City, MO. let us drive one, it was what sold us. They didn't even ask for ID or anything! The car was a lot of fun, and holds our two kids just fine. Does anyone have any feedback about Baron BMW? They require $700+ of options, but the salesman said they can be what we want, so no problem there. The wait for an S is 1 1/2 years, the Cooper is one month, maybe less. Obviously that is for whatever comes in. Four months for a custom ordered Cooper. When we drove the test car one month ago, they said the wait was four months. So I am guessing it won't be long before you can just go in and buy one off the floor. (not the S, though!) Thanks for any experiences shared here. Bob W

[Bob W]

Hello, with no responses, it makes me think Kansas City area is really dead in the MINI world. A friend drove one yesterday, and could have bought it on the spot, no waiting at all. A silver Cooper. I don't know if this means they are good enough that no one is mad at them, or if it means they are so despised that no one WILL buy from them. Oh, well. I guess I will keep trying to figure out if they are any good. Later, Bob W

[BRG4Me]

Bob,
As a Texan, I'm going to have to go out of state to get a Cooper, but I won't be going to KC if the dealer is requiring you to purchase stuff you don't want. Why knuckle under to their extortion? I'd either wait until they are a little less greedy, or I'd go to another dealer. Personally, I think the MINI is going to be a tough sell in the midwest, especially outside of major metropolitan areas. Hopefully, this will work to your advantage - good luck!

[Sealevel]

Baron shot themselves in the foot early, when they were so hard up for cash they sold both Cooper S demos a week after the March rollout. This left nothing for customers to see, they were apparently expected to order an S without even sitting in one, never mind a test drive. Salt was poured in the open wound when one of those MINIs then showed up on eBay almost immediately with a $28,000 reserve price. You might say all this caused a wee bit of doubt about Baron's commitment to customer service.

[moodymo]

Baron, Is asking me to purchase $900 of extras . I also have heard that many Texas customers are ordering them online and by phone and not required to buy the extras. I really hope this is not true for us KC buyers that plan on using Baron service as well.

[stanMINI]

So far I have had a reasonably good experience with Baron. From time to time the communication has been less that stellar. I suggest you visit with Gabe. I have always found him to be courteous and straightforward. I am still waiting for my car so the deal is not done. Feel free to send me a private message if you want any more particulars. As to the dealer add-ons, I may or may not participate in that. I was told MSRP when I put my money down, so I think I can fall back on that. That said, I am sure I will want floor mats and am undecided in the CD changer. Since these cars are selling for 5K over sticker, these don't seem like unreasonable add-ons.

Stan


I have to add that it did annoy me when they sold the "S" demos.

[Bob W]

I went to Baron's yesterday, a Saturday. Too busy! Two salespeople, and lots of customers. They had the following:
1. British Racing Green Cooper, sold
2. Liquid Yellow with sport package - available
3. Red w/ US Flag roof. available (was in big mall, idiots had been picking at the edges of the flag, and messed it up. Something to consider when getting a roof decoration!
4. Blue Cooper S Demo, looked cool,couldn't get a ride. Too long a line.
5. Silver Cooper with aero package-available
6. Liquid Yellow-available


I still want one. I can't talk to a salesperson, always too busy. I have left two phone messages, and two emails, and have never got a response. Bummer. Seems like a lack of commitment here somewhere. I guess I will have to go on a weekday to get someone to talk to. They are putting driving lights on all of them, almost $700 for two little lights!!!! I can't get them to talk to me, so I don't know what their current policy is on add-ons. I don't need $700 lights! One time about two months ago (first time I saw one, and only time I got to talk to someone) they told me there were required options, but I could choose them. That is OK, I want some options anyway. Just wish I could talk to someone that cared enough to answer! If the service dept. is as committed to service as the sales dept., maybe I am making a mistake. I know they are busy, but to NEVER return a call or message seems careless at best. Dang, I haven't bought a new car since '83, and now I want a Cooper more than any new car release I can remember! But I guess so many people want one they don't have time to deal with people like I would like. But with about 5 available for delivery, it seems like the craze is slowing down in the mid-west. Maybe I'll just wait 'til the craze is dead, and they have time to sell it to me for less than MSRP??

[Johnson]

Just an observation, but if there were three Coopers available and you REALLY wanted one, how long did you wait to talk with either Gabe or Lisa? They are really busy and do not have the best record of responding to inquiries promptly, but if it is important to you, be agressive.

[moodymo]

I cancelled my Cooper with Baron because of the required add ons. I'm now getting an S in Sept from Westchester in NY
@MSRP. Baron told me a year wait for an S and I was going to get a Cooper for a year, but after reading this and the other message board I rather go out of state and get an S for a little more than Barons Cooper with options.
Gabe is a nice guy and generally will return calls, but
Barons add on policy stinks. Its says a lot that they have so many now available

[Bob W]

Quote:

Just an observation, but if it is important to you, how long did you wait to talk to...

It is important to me. But I also learn by observing. I haven't counted them out yet. The one time I got to talk to Gabe was pretty short. This is why I will go back on a weekday. The surplus of cars does make me wonder, when it seems much of the country is having a long wait. Of course, the S is 1 1/2 year wait here! I'd have been more aggressive if they had the car I really want in stock. Red, white top, S package, 5 speed. I have a feeling their add-ons will kill the deal, but I hope I'll be pleasantly surprised. Maybe I'll have to order what I want to get it, but that's OK, 3-4 month wait isn't too bad. But their window stickers looked pretty high. I saw one window sticker that said $21K without the sport or premium packages. Important, yes. But I'll take my time to get what I want at a price that is fair.

[stanMINI]

I was in there on Saturday, too. I think the one you are referring to at 21K had the CVT transmission, in addition to some of the dealer add-ons. One of the reasons they do have cars to sell is that many people are waiting on special orders instead of taking what's in stock. The waiting lists don't seem quite as long in reality as originally represented. I think many people either back out or find a car elsewhere. I would recommend making an appointment for a test drive and then sit down with them and get the straight story on the dealer add-ons. Obviously, if it is a stock car they will have already added these things, whereas a special order car should have more options on what you may or may not want.

Stan

Also, I did drive the S when I was there. It was very nice. I am more anxious than ever to get my car, but at least I know I am waiting for something I can be excited about.

[Johnson]

When the wife finally agreed we could get an "extra" car, it was opening day (March 22). I was 225 on the list at Baron at that time, but at least 180 of those were waiting for the S. When I first talked with Gabe I could have been 90 on the list with 80 wanting an S. Oh well. I special ordered in mid April and should take delivery this week. My friend ordered at the same time and took delivery last week.

While a minimum $ amount of dealer options is a requirement, I had complete freedom on selection. I actually had to use some restraint to keep from running the tab too high. You do not have to take MINI items either, third party items like film paint/headlight protection, radar detectors, etc are acceptable.

I do not know what dealers in Denver, St. Louis or Chicago are like, but I am satisfied with my experience at Baron so far. And they are only 15 minutes from home and 5 minutes from work. If only they would respond to inquiries in less than geologic time!

[catalyst]

I spent most of June deciding whether or not I really "needed" a MINI. When I had made up my mind, I called Baron and spoke with Lisa. I found her to be very forthright and knowledgeable answering all of my questions.

The "add-ons" didn't faze me, since I wanted the CD changer, the boot box and floor mats anyhow (I could live without the $28 chrome sport exhaust tip, but what the heck).

I inquired about needing an appointment for a Saturday afternoon test drive, and was told to just come by (I live 100 miles away and didn't wan't to waste my time).

I wound up having four (unescorted) test drives that afternoon: 2 in the 5-speed, 1 in the S and 1 in the CVT. I was very satisifed, and put down my $500 deposit on June 24. I decided on my specs over the weekend, and e-mailed them to Lisa the following week. I had my production number July 2, and am now scheduled for an August 16 build. Lisa also promptly responded to and executed a request for a change in my color.

So, based on my limited experience thus far, I'm quite satisfied with my dealings at Baron. Of course, the true test will come after the car is delivered . . .

[Bob W]

Good for you, Catalyst! What did you order? I'm assuming a Cooper, but maybe not. I did get a test drive in the S, thanks to Lisa. What a car! I want one now! But I'll have to wait a bit, need to sell the Suburban first. I need to get my '60 Mini roadworthy in the meantime I suppose. Later, Bob W

[catalyst]

Bob -

I went for the Cooper 5-speed: after honestly thinking about my driving habits, it was an easy decision not to consider an "S", although it is a fine and impressive car.

I opted for an Indi Blue with white roof, the chrome line bumpers, silver 7-hole 15" wheels, black cloth sport seats, fog lamps, rear spoiler, DSC, and the multi-function steering wheel.

I wasn't sold on the 16" runflats (although they would have come cheaply with the Sports Package considering the other options I chose): my guess is that they probably won't have the tread life of all-season tires, and I liked the ride of the 15" wheels with standard suspension the best.

This will be our first new car purchase in quite some time also (since 1993) . . .

best wishes,

catalyst

[abscars]

I put $500 down in April 2001. I was 32 on the "S" list, here's the story of my purchase as originally printed in The Write Line, newsletter of the Salina Region SCCA. The August issue of the SCCA magazine, Sports Car, features photos of me and my MINI on page 42. Overall my experience with Baron has been OK, but there are no bargains there.

"On Monday the 25th(March) I again talked to Gabe at MINI. He said that there would be 6 to 8 cars to
see, but that I probably could not buy one on the 26th when I had a scheduled test drive. Tom
Dupler called and volunteered to join me on the trek. We met in Salina early Tuesday, took the
Prius to Baron’s. When we arrived a service guy was putting a yellow, black roofed MINI on a
display stand. I asked if it had been sold. He didn’t think so. I told him I’d take it. He said I’d
better talk to my salesman. Well. my salesman could not be found, but Lisa (Babe Alert!)
reviewed the appointment book, and volunteered to take us for the test drive. I got behind the
wheel, Lisa took the back, Tom the navigator’s seat. The MINI Cooper demonstrator was silver
and black, with Dynamic Stability Control. Lisa directed us onto I-35 thence to 635, some curving
ramps , one of which I approached way too fast in third gear, stood on the brakes while turning
in, and almost came up against the extra tall Jersey barrier. The CBC - Cornering Brake Control
works! We did not spin into the wall! Grabbed second and proceeded to Metcalf and 63rd,
which is an old slow cloverleaf, where we went through three of the loops to get headed back to
Baron’s. On the last one Tom called for second gear, full throttle, which I of course applied, until
the MINI pushed, I did a little left foot brake, the tail started around smartly, and then the DSC
took over, throttle went away, till the car settled, then we MOTORED on. Tom also took a lap,
less dramatically. Lisa never screamed, much too her credit, and only quietly allowed that most
people don’t drive that fast on the test loop. I think I was the first to ever demonstrate the DSC!

Altogether, it took 3 1/2 hours, but I drove the MINI home. MSRP and a mandatory $937 Dealer
Option Pack that contained a 6 disc CD, mats, chrome exhaust tip, and cargo tray. (They didn’t
actually have the mats and cargo unit, so I don’t even know what they look like
They had a couple cars that had come with the $500 optional 16 inch wheels, which they had
switched out for 17’s. I tried to get them to swap one of those 16” sets for my 15’s. They first
said the price is 1300.00! we’ll take $900.00. I whined and pointed out that they were off a car
that they were then charging another $2695 for 17 inch wheels and that I didn’t think they need to
be that greedy. They came back with $600.00 but by then I was looking at the final ticket with the
most galling “$97.00 Documentation Fee”. So I stood on the $500 which meant I ended up with
the 15’s. I’ll probably regret it, but it annoys me that they’ve had my $500 for 11 months, I’m just
begging to buy the car, pay their price, even for the Pack of overpriced stuff I didn’t want, and
they wouldn’t swap me the wheel and tire upgrade for sticker price! They took 3 people and an
hour to do this negotiating. Things are done a lot more expeditiously at Abner’s Autos. Cheaper
too! But they have a really cool building, and way much overhead.

The woman who took my check and was actually going to do the “Documentation” was the most
car knowledgeable staff person that I talked to. The Service man stopped by and shook my hand,
saying a lot of guys pull in and say “I‘m buying that car” few actually do it. "

I now have over 4,000 miles on my MINI, several autocross trophies. It is the most attention attracting car I've ever owned. Even Little old ladies in Grand Marquis' inquire about it!