MINI2

Sooperlids · May 27th, 2005, 12:23 PM

Another $tealer to add to my never use again list. Refuse to return calls.

Had my 20 grand so I guess they are no longer fussed.

ShaunSheep · Jun 3rd, 2005, 12:53 PM

Hi Sooperlids,

I was surprised to read your post as I've been very happy with Elms so far. Found their staff to be polite and generally very helpful - both when buying the car and visiting their service dept.
My closest dealer is in fact Specialist Cars in Stevenage but chose to travel the extra miles to Elms after poor customer service from SC. I was desperate to part with my hard earned cash but the sales staff seemed happy to blank me

Be interested to read other peoples thoughts on Elms.

Sooperlids · Jun 3rd, 2005, 01:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ShaunSheep

Hi Sooperlids,

I was surprised to read your post as I've been very happy with Elms so far. Found their staff to be polite and generally very helpful - both when buying the car and visiting their service dept.
My closest dealer is in fact Specialist Cars in Stevenage but chose to travel the extra miles to Elms after poor customer service from SC. I was desperate to part with my hard earned cash but the sales staff seemed happy to blank me

Be interested to read other peoples thoughts on Elms.

I to have been to Specilaist before. Travelled to Bedord for the Mini becuase Specialist took £30,000 off of me for a 330 convertible with 2 bald tyres.

I am sure all dealers are great until you have a problem. Perhaps you haven't had any so far? Elms gave me false info when I bought my car. They told me R90's would be £1795 extra on top of what I paid for the Bullets. I found out afterwards I could have had them for £450 extra.

I have now phoned them 3 times to try & get a decent price to buy the R90's. It's been over a week now & no call. So I would guess there won't be one.

I have bought the R90's elsewhere now. They could have had some extra business if they could only be bothered to return calls.

I will try for 3rd BMW dealer lucky next time I buy a new car.

ShaunSheep · Jun 3rd, 2005, 02:06 PM

I guess I've only had 1 fault with my Mini so far but Elms were quick to look into it - although the fault did magically fix itself in the end

My car will soon be back there for a service so I'm hoping Elms will continue to keep me happy, have to look even further a field otherwise.

Hmm does sound like you've had a bit of a nightmare when it comes to Mini / BMW dealers... good luck with your 3rd choice !

Sooperlids · Jun 3rd, 2005, 02:29 PM

Hoping not to need one for a while

Will probably use Specialist for servicing as I have never had any problems with them in that respect. And they won't be getting much of my hard earned because of the TLC

jediross · Jun 9th, 2005, 12:55 PM

Well, my MCC is due its first service soonish, and after reading here am in two minds as to where to take it. Elms is the nearest for me and they were great when I took a mates MC in when it had windscreen wiper problems, but my next door neighbour works for Specialist so maybe if I take it there I will get prefferential treatment!!!

Mmmmmm decisions decisions

tobmob · Jul 14th, 2005, 07:27 PM

I have always found Elms to be excellent - perticularly their Service dept. They are always very thorough and frienldly. Sometimes very hard to get through to on the phone as they are so busy, but you can arrange to wait whilst the work is done and they offer courtesy drinks/snacks. Very welcoming.

I bought my previous car from them (Z4) and they sourced me exactly what I wanted from near Gatwick.

I also took my MINI (a 52 plate Cooper) in there, which I had owned for less than a week, on Tuesday as I thought it had a puncture. Turned out there was a nail in the tyre and they commented on some uneven wear on one of the rear tyres too. Adding these issues to alist of things I wasn't happy with about the car, I decided to take things further with the dealership I bought it from.

I bought my car last week from Specialist Cars in Stevenage. To say I wasn't impressed with SC is an understatement, but I'll post my problems on their thread.

Paul · Jul 14th, 2005, 07:57 PM

I was a happy Elms customer in the past, and I know a few others too. I was very unhappy with Victoria in Milton Keynes, which is why I went there. I think I'm now officially a "Wollaston Man" though, as they've been very good to me, and they're nearer than Bedford for me too.

Sooperlids · Jul 14th, 2005, 08:22 PM

[quote=tobmob

I bought my car last week from Specialist Cars in Stevenage. To say I wasn't impressed with SC is an understatement, but I'll post my problems on their thread.[/QUOTE]

They were crossed off of my list vefore Elms

Would be interested in what you have to say about them.

minicooperphil · Jul 15th, 2005, 07:29 PM

in my experiece its just the service desk staff that are incompitant. all mechanic work has been fine

Roofas · Aug 8th, 2005, 02:48 PM

Ordered my MCSa in July from them. Opinion is 50/50 at the moment - initially they offered me a great deal, throwing in approx £800 of extras where Specialist Cars in Luton (my local dealer) were only willing to throw in Duraguard?! (is that off QVC or what?). Unfortunately, two days after putting down my deposit and signing the order forms, I was phoned and told that the basic price of the MCS has gone up and I'd also have to pay extra for the metallic black.

I reluctantly agreed, although, having a business of my own, I felt it was a bit unprofessional to pass the price increase on to the customer - although only £300-400, it seemed principled to for them to absorb the increase for a price already agreed on.

However, saying that I have found the slaes staff very helpful, but that's sales I suppose.

Will post again when I receive the car.

Sooperlids · Aug 8th, 2005, 05:43 PM

Johnny, I think that is mostly my point. The sales staff are great right up until the point of delivery. Then they mostly couldn't give a t*ss. Running a business myself I see the benefit of looking after customers as they will come back if you do & also just as importantly recommend you to others. I am staggered that both Elms & Specialist don't seem too interested in this principle.

I am so annoyed with them I ordered a replacement set of plates today just so i didn't have to drive around with their name on my plate

MikeTango75 · Aug 8th, 2005, 07:31 PM

I don't have any experience of Elms Bedford but Elms at Cambridge have been fantastic. I would certainly recommend them.

May 27th, 2005, 12:23 PM	#1
Sooperlids MINI2 Senior Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Stevenage Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 663 Offline	Elms Mini Bedford Another $tealer to add to my never use again list. Refuse to return calls. Had my 20 grand so I guess they are no longer fussed.

Jul 14th, 2005, 07:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 41,220 Offline	I was a happy Elms customer in the past, and I know a few others too. I was very unhappy with Victoria in Milton Keynes, which is why I went there. I think I'm now officially a "Wollaston Man" though, as they've been very good to me, and they're nearer than Bedford for me too. There aint no party like my nana's tea party

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Jun 3rd, 2005, 12:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
ShaunSheep Sooooper Trooooper™ Join Date: Sep 2003 Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 3,180 Offline	Hi Sooperlids, I was surprised to read your post as I've been very happy with Elms so far. Found their staff to be polite and generally very helpful - both when buying the car and visiting their service dept. My closest dealer is in fact Specialist Cars in Stevenage but chose to travel the extra miles to Elms after poor customer service from SC. I was desperate to part with my hard earned cash but the sales staff seemed happy to blank me Be interested to read other peoples thoughts on Elms.

Jun 3rd, 2005, 01:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sooperlids MINI2 Senior Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Stevenage Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 663 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by ShaunSheep Hi Sooperlids, I was surprised to read your post as I've been very happy with Elms so far. Found their staff to be polite and generally very helpful - both when buying the car and visiting their service dept. My closest dealer is in fact Specialist Cars in Stevenage but chose to travel the extra miles to Elms after poor customer service from SC. I was desperate to part with my hard earned cash but the sales staff seemed happy to blank me Be interested to read other peoples thoughts on Elms. I to have been to Specilaist before. Travelled to Bedord for the Mini becuase Specialist took £30,000 off of me for a 330 convertible with 2 bald tyres. I am sure all dealers are great until you have a problem. Perhaps you haven't had any so far? Elms gave me false info when I bought my car. They told me R90's would be £1795 extra on top of what I paid for the Bullets. I found out afterwards I could have had them for £450 extra. I have now phoned them 3 times to try & get a decent price to buy the R90's. It's been over a week now & no call. So I would guess there won't be one. I have bought the R90's elsewhere now. They could have had some extra business if they could only be bothered to return calls. I will try for 3rd BMW dealer lucky next time I buy a new car.

Jun 3rd, 2005, 02:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
ShaunSheep Sooooper Trooooper™ Join Date: Sep 2003 Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 3,180 Offline	I guess I've only had 1 fault with my Mini so far but Elms were quick to look into it - although the fault did magically fix itself in the end My car will soon be back there for a service so I'm hoping Elms will continue to keep me happy, have to look even further a field otherwise. Hmm does sound like you've had a bit of a nightmare when it comes to Mini / BMW dealers... good luck with your 3rd choice !

Jun 3rd, 2005, 02:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sooperlids MINI2 Senior Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Stevenage Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 663 Offline	Hoping not to need one for a while Will probably use Specialist for servicing as I have never had any problems with them in that respect. And they won't be getting much of my hard earned because of the TLC

Jun 9th, 2005, 12:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
jediross MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2004 Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 48 Offline	Well, my MCC is due its first service soonish, and after reading here am in two minds as to where to take it. Elms is the nearest for me and they were great when I took a mates MC in when it had windscreen wiper problems, but my next door neighbour works for Specialist so maybe if I take it there I will get prefferential treatment!!! Mmmmmm decisions decisions

Jul 14th, 2005, 07:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
tobmob MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Northants Local Time: 05:07 AM Posts: 9 Offline	I have always found Elms to be excellent - perticularly their Service dept. They are always very thorough and frienldly. Sometimes very hard to get through to on the phone as they are so busy, but you can arrange to wait whilst the work is done and they offer courtesy drinks/snacks. Very welcoming. I bought my previous car from them (Z4) and they sourced me exactly what I wanted from near Gatwick. I also took my MINI (a 52 plate Cooper) in there, which I had owned for less than a week, on Tuesday as I thought it had a puncture. Turned out there was a nail in the tyre and they commented on some uneven wear on one of the rear tyres too. Adding these issues to alist of things I wasn't happy with about the car, I decided to take things further with the dealership I bought it from. I bought my car last week from Specialist Cars in Stevenage. To say I wasn't impressed with SC is an understatement, but I'll post my problems on their thread.

Jul 14th, 2005, 08:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sooperlids MINI2 Senior Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Stevenage Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 663 Offline	[quote=tobmob I bought my car last week from Specialist Cars in Stevenage. To say I wasn't impressed with SC is an understatement, but I'll post my problems on their thread.[/QUOTE] They were crossed off of my list vefore Elms Would be interested in what you have to say about them.

Jul 15th, 2005, 07:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
minicooperphil MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2004 Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 25 Offline	in my experiece its just the service desk staff that are incompitant. all mechanic work has been fine

Aug 8th, 2005, 02:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
Roofas BMW Quality - LOL!! My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Luton (pron: Loo'un) Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 730 Offline	Ordered my MCSa in July from them. Opinion is 50/50 at the moment - initially they offered me a great deal, throwing in approx £800 of extras where Specialist Cars in Luton (my local dealer) were only willing to throw in Duraguard?! (is that off QVC or what?). Unfortunately, two days after putting down my deposit and signing the order forms, I was phoned and told that the basic price of the MCS has gone up and I'd also have to pay extra for the metallic black. I reluctantly agreed, although, having a business of my own, I felt it was a bit unprofessional to pass the price increase on to the customer - although only £300-400, it seemed principled to for them to absorb the increase for a price already agreed on. However, saying that I have found the slaes staff very helpful, but that's sales I suppose. Will post again when I receive the car.

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Aug 8th, 2005, 05:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
Sooperlids MINI2 Senior Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Stevenage Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 663 Offline	Johnny, I think that is mostly my point. The sales staff are great right up until the point of delivery. Then they mostly couldn't give a t*ss. Running a business myself I see the benefit of looking after customers as they will come back if you do & also just as importantly recommend you to others. I am staggered that both Elms & Specialist don't seem too interested in this principle. I am so annoyed with them I ordered a replacement set of plates today just so i didn't have to drive around with their name on my plate

Aug 8th, 2005, 07:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
MikeTango75 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambridge Local Time: 05:07 AM Posts: 86 Offline	I don't have any experience of Elms Bedford but Elms at Cambridge have been fantastic. I would certainly recommend them.