[wwallace]

Hello! First post here, but I've been silently reading the forums for a few weeks.

I'm looking to order a MINI Cooper S in the next few weeks---I'm in Austin, TX, and the nearest dealership is the MINI Center in San Antonio, which seems to have received high marks from people here. I'm leery about having to take the car 70+ miles to have warranty work done on it though. It is one of the only hesitations I have about ordering.

So, MINI owners of Austin, is there any dealership or shop in town that will do warranty work on MINIs? Otherwise, do you take your MINI to San Antonio for work, and has the dealership there been pretty accomodating?

I'm looking forward to clearing little hurdles like this out of the way so that I can get on with the process!

-Will

[jhwh]

the mini is considerd one of the most reliable small cars , so you should be fine.

allthough I've had some funky lamps going on & off

[jggonzalez]

Hi,

I live in Leander, just north of Austin. As far as I know, San Antonio is the nearest dealership. I just got an MC and am having a slight problem with the transmission (occasionally won't go into first easily). I'm taking my car in early in the morning on the 19th and Mini Center has said that they will either fix it while I wait or send me home with a loaner, so they do try to work with you if you live far away. You may have one or two visits while the car is new to sort out things, but after that the car should be fine.

Terry Sayther is an independent mechanic in Austin who specializes in BMWs and MINIs, so I'll probably use him for the occasional oil change until my free maintenance wears out, then he'll work on my MINI exclusively. He's also a dealer for Alta parts.

[wwallace]

Thanks for the reply jggonzalez. Sounds like they are pretty accomodating for people who have to make a trip out of it.

Guess I'll head down there on Saturday and check it out!

-Will

[jggonzalez]

Hi Will,

I'd call before you go. They get pretty busy down there. Try to set up an appointment with Susie Clarke. She was my MA (motorinig adviser) and she's terrific. I think the wait time on an MCS was around two months when I bought my MC. I'd also suggest looking into the invisishield option. Its around $600 or so, but worth it. Send me a PM if you want to hook up for lunch sometime. I love talking about MINIs.

Regards,

Joe

[skitelluride531]

Hello,

I am from Austin, TX. We got our MCS from the MINI Center in SA. Great service thus far
(except for they still have not sent us our boot mat - they say it is on backorder).

This is, indeed, the closest place to do warrant work. There is a place in Austin that does work on MINI's I believe. http://www.terrysaytherauto.com/MINIcentral.htm


I have had my MINI for about 1300 miles now (exactly 1 month ago from today), and have yet to have any problems (except for a ticket, 83 in a 60, yikes!). One word of advice: be careful on 360/Beecaves area. They are out to get you; especially if you have a fancy looking car.

[Cadfael_Tex]

I live in Lubbock and the nearest dealer is Arlington - five hours away. That kept me from getting one for a long time. I finally got one a couple of months ago (Arlington so I can't speak to SA's service). I read on here that they are pretty reliable. This compared with the fact that you only need service every 10,000 or more miles helped make up my mind. So far, knock on wood, I haven't regretted. it.

[wwallace]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm pretty convinced now, and am indeed headed down to San Antonio on Saturday to test drive!

It's nice to see so many Austinites and near-Austinites on the forum Looking forward to joining the ranks of Central TX MINI owners.

-Will