[coach]

Can I get any feedback on Mini dealers in Australia please?
I'm in Melbourne so ideally any there would be great but it would be interesting to hear what experiences others have had around the country.

Before anybody suggests it, I know this post would be better off in the Aussie Section, but I can't post there,can I?

( Coach falls to his knees,head in hands feeling left out )

[OZChris]

Coach

I am really happy with the dealings that I have had with Doncaster MINI.

Cheers
Chris

[Pom Down Under]

I used Menere's in Brighton.
They were great at selling me the MINI (even though it sold itself) however trade in price on my old motor was laughable and Ben had to be chased for replies on more than one occasion.

Demini used Melbourne MINI garage on Kingsway and was happy with their service.

Phil

[DEMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pom Down Under

Demini used Melbourne MINI garage on Kingsway and was happy with their service.

Phil

I sure did, and I sure was. Helpful,friendly,and I got a good deal!!

[minigolf]

I test drove a JCW MCS from Donacster and they were very helpful and easy to deal with.

In my experience the same can be said of Rolfe Classic MINI Garage in Canberra too.

[hyprblu]

Doncaster BMW/Mini have been great for the buying and the servicing. Plus Peter the service manager has a JCW and is very helpful with any tuning advice etc. Would recommed them to anyone.

[MiniFr34k]

In terms of sales etc. i refer you to Anthony Rodriquez at BMW Sylvannia. We have bought BMW's and recently a MCS. Im pretty well aquainted with him and he hooked me up with a good deal on the mini.

If you plan to see him let me know, ill contact him personally so he'll know ur coming.

[Todd!]

I really enjoyed my experience with Pek & Stokes in Geelong with the young bloke - Ben Peck - but he has since left there when the dealership changed hands to go to sell Mercedes Benz...

Shame, as he did a good deal on our 330ci too.

I'd probably say that the Doncaster Service Dept would win out for me, depending on how good they could be with their price on the initial sale, everyone raves about the service side there... Peter (the service manager I think) is a MINI nut and his enthusiasm really shows from all I have heard.

Todd

[Todd!]

What part of Melbourne are you actually in? I would recommend buying near you, as you get a better deal if you service where you buy... In my experience anyway.

Todd

[Tit]

Quote: Originally Posted by coach

Before anybody suggests it, I know this post would be better off in the Aussie Section, but I can't post there,can I?

( Coach falls to his knees,head in hands feeling left out )

Mate...send a message to Paul Mullet.....he should be able to sort you out...

I fear this new 'method' of keeping the vagabonds out of the Aussie section is also resulting in many potential new members not returning to the site ....I've spoken to two other owners that have mentioned this problem....

Having said that...Paul had a hard time trying to deal with some of the above mentioned 'vagabonds' and this method was probably the best option at hand...

anyway...dealers...

I've dealt with Rolfe Classic in Canberra, BMW Pennant Hills and Alto Artarmon...in Sydney...(and Mini Garage Winnipeg in Canada, and Mini Sylvania in Virginia, USA)

Rolfe: good sales and service etc....but because they are in Canberra, it can take some time to get parts in - they aren't particularly chummy with the dealers in Sydney... ...the guy I bought my car from was 'promoted' to BMWs and has since left Canberra....don't know the new guys there, but apparently they are pretty good.

Alto Pennant Hills BMW: Not really a Mini dealer, but they did my aero kit and colour coding - very helpful service/parts department....would reccomend them for body work - mine was of good quality and they were the cheapest colour coding quote I could find - I was comfortable doing it there considering it was good enough for M5's....

Alto Artarmon: STAY AWAY....I got my service done there, and the price was extortionate - almost $500 for the first service - with no particular problems fixed on the car....when I checked the car before I drove off, they'd left the silicon hose from my alta intake disconnected and pointing up towards the bonnet..(!)

..my bonnet is also corroding for some unknown reason....I asked them to look at it and replace it under warrany, instead they tried to wash it with what looked lik 2pH 50 Molar acid and made it 100 times worse....the service manager there found out a little bit later (because he often goes to PITS and I mentioned that I was going make a formal complaint) and ordered a new liner for me, but I got moved to canberra at short notice and then was out of the country for a month...when I returned, I tried to call 3 times, of which none of the calls were returned...

I may sound a bit sour, but my experience is that most mini sales people know sweet FA about the car they are selling (with exceptions)....you'll get way more info on a site like this (and www.northamericanmotoring.com , www.motoringfile.com ) than from them....

the key, once you have the car, is to try find a good service person and make friends....some mini2'ers here have done that and have reaped the rewards...

good luck!

[Gr1zzLy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tit

Alto Artarmon: STAY AWAY....I got my service done there, and the price was extortionate - almost $500 for the first service - with no particular problems fixed on the car....when I checked the car before I drove off, they'd left the silicon hose from my alta intake disconnected and pointing up towards the bonnet..(!)

really??!? That's where I get mine serviced.. although mind you not a real service yet. sheesh and mine didn't cost me a cent.... Well thanks for the heads up on them.. but I bought my car through them and haven't had a problem so far... maybe it's coz I did buy from them. Although mind you they said they were ordering in a new sunroof for me to get my dodgy one replaced under warranty and that was like 2 wks ago.. haven't heard buckley from them since.

[coach]

Wow ! I'm totally blown away by the responses from you guys.
Thanks to all of you. ( XMINIX Pom Down Under DEMINI minigolf rbanks555 MiniFr34k
Todd! Tit Gr1zzly)
Its much appreciated.

I'm in Eltham which ,for those of you who don't know, is a stones throw from Doncaster.
( though you would need a really strong arm with lots of muscles and a stone that's not heavy and maybe a tailwind....oops I'm off track sorry )
I have been to Doncaster Mini and was dissapointed by the salesguy there who hasn't followed up with me.
I've been to Brighton Mini as well and the experience was better but not enough to get me signing yet. I'm in the process of seeing Kings Way Mini and that should be about it for the purchase I would think. It has to be out of these three for the best deal, though it sounds like I could get a great deal through MiniFr34k's contact. ( if only I lived in NSW)

Of course after sales service is all important to me because I don't won't to be travelling all over the place for a service so Doncaster Mini is top of the list.

I'll keep you all posted on any developments.

And if you find any really aerodynamic stones out there.....?

[bigturtle]

I'm after similar info. We're in Brisbane, and keen to buy a Mini. We've only dealt with Brisbane BMW so far, and while the service was polite and competent any suggestion of price negotiation was dismissed. We won't buy until we've been in contact with the other SE QLD dealers too of course (Motorline at Daisy Hill, Lynton at Southport, and one at Caloundra too?) but I'm very interested to hear any opinions on who I should give my money to or who I should avoid.

[OZChris]

Quote: Originally Posted by coach

I'm in Eltham which ,for those of you who don't know, is a stones throw from Doncaster.

Another local , I am over in Plenty. There are few MINI owners in the neighborhood.

Quote: Originally Posted by coach

Of course after sales service is all important to me because I don't won't to be travelling all over the place for a service so Doncaster Mini is top of the list.

Like others have already said Peter @ Doncaster MINI is a fellow MINI owner and a real enthusiast

If you are looking to go for a blast, come along to a clubMINI Sunday morning run (Apologies for another plug for clubMINI )

Cheers
Chris

[OZChris]

Quote: Originally Posted by bigturtle

I'm after similar info. We're in Brisbane, and keen to buy a Mini. We've only dealt with Brisbane BMW so far, and while the service was polite and competent any suggestion of price negotiation was dismissed. We won't buy until we've been in contact with the other SE QLD dealers too of course (Motorline at Daisy Hill, Lynton at Southport, and one at Caloundra too?) but I'm very interested to hear any opinions on who I should give my money to or who I should avoid.

Just my 20 cents, I purchased my Cooper from Motorline and they were a pleasure to deal with.

[21Blue]

Quote: Originally Posted by bigturtle

I'm after similar info. We're in Brisbane, and keen to buy a Mini. We've only dealt with Brisbane BMW so far, and while the service was polite and competent any suggestion of price negotiation was dismissed. We won't buy until we've been in contact with the other SE QLD dealers too of course (Motorline at Daisy Hill, Lynton at Southport, and one at Caloundra too?) but I'm very interested to hear any opinions on who I should give my money to or who I should avoid.

Hi there big turtle, please stay away from Brisbane Mini Garage and head down the motorway to Motorline to see Darren Griffith...you will not regret it... PM me for info if you would like..

[bigturtle]

Hmmmm, couldn't send a PM 21Blue. Not sure why - I presume it's because of my long standing belief that the internet hates me. Be that as it may, I'm all ears and would appreciate the benefits of your experience. Email or PM me if it's not appropriate to discuss in open here. Thanks in advance 21Blue and XMINIX.

[coach]

Thanks for the offer XMINIX. I would enjoy that although it might be embarrassing being the only non Mini driver there.

Good to know you are out my way, I'll keep a look out for you.

Sounds like Doncaster Mini is doing a great job at the moment. I think I'll wander on over there and have a friendly chat. hmmmm

[Mike Clarke]

Quote: Originally Posted by bigturtle

Hmmmm, couldn't send a PM 21Blue. Not sure why - I presume it's because of my long standing belief that the internet hates me. Be that as it may, I'm all ears and would appreciate the benefits of your experience. Email or PM me if it's not appropriate to discuss in open here. Thanks in advance 21Blue and XMINIX.

Hi mate, you have PMs turned off, go to user control panel - edit options - messaging and enable private messages

[daisygirl]

Quote: Originally Posted by bigturtle

Hmmmm, couldn't send a PM 21Blue. Not sure why - I presume it's because of my long standing belief that the internet hates me. Be that as it may, I'm all ears and would appreciate the benefits of your experience. Email or PM me if it's not appropriate to discuss in open here. Thanks in advance 21Blue and XMINIX.

I would also suggest go to Daisyhill. We bought at Brisbane Mini Garage at Fortitude Valley but have heard excellent reports about Darren. Private message me if you want and I will tell you more.