Need advice on dealer offered options!

[katharine]

Hi MINI lovers,
Just found out today that my mini is sitting on the dock awaiting transport!! This came as a big surprise as I never received my production number via email so I didn't have the fun of tracking it. I called my MINI dealer in Boston today to see what was going on and she told me that it was about to get on the boat! I'm thrilled!

BUT she also mentioned a few things to me today that I would love some feedback on:

1) she told me that the car does not come w/ an alarm as standard (I seem to have missed this when I ordered) and that I had the option of getting LoJack. My sense is that I should get LoJack and have them install it so I know where to go if something is wrong, but it's $699....

2)She offered me a "Simonizing Treatment" for $399! THis seems crazy/unnecessary for new car, but I am interested to hear what others think..

3) FLoor mats are not standard! THis is REALLY crazy! She wants to charge me $99 for them! I obviously want them but think I can get them thrown in if I raise enough of a stink about not getting my Prod. # as promised.

4) ANd then she offered "AUTOBOND" which is some sort of clear shell/bra for the front end of the car to protect against dings. (they will take dings out for free if I get any) And this costs $599! Has anyone gotten this "autobond" treatment? How does it look?

Are all of these just ploys for my dealer (Herb CHambers MINI in Boston) to make more $$$$$?

THANKS!

Soon to be motoring!

[kcmini]

Wouldn't recommend either option that protects the paint. If you want to do it, you could probably find more inexpensive solutions by searching this site.

Of course, I am biased, but look at the options in my sig, that is what I recommend.

Congrats. You will enjoy your mini with or without the extras.

[monica]

1.) I don't know about the Lo-Jack, I always drove convertibles, really easy to get into and I probably wouldn't want to find it if it got stolen 2.)a "what" treatment I really do not know what that is, anyone 3.) the floormats, well I'll get back to that 4.)the clear bra thing was something I was considering, but from what I read they need to be installed by someone who knows what there doing, which would make me wary about purchasing the clear bra from someone who has the nerve to try and push $100 floor mats. There is a world of dog sh*t out there, floor mats, yes, but remember they are FLOOR mats. Also I don't think your getting much of a deal on that bra thingy, don't rush into it, I'm sure you could find someone in the Boston area to install it at a later time.

[BigMack]

I went for the floormats,
Forget the paint treatment
the delux clearbra is available for $177.00 on the internet from www.invinca-shield.com if you can DIY.
Lo-Jack,,,, in NJ, go for it, or at least a very good alarm with a pager function,,,,,

Good luck,
happy motoring

[Barbara Ann]

Hi Katharine!

I bought my MINI S from MINI Peabody and they have been great. They offer the clear bra for about $100 less and have someone install it there who really knows what they are doing. They charged for floor mats, but given that they gave me MSRP, I couldn't complain. Be aware that LOJACK usage is like cell phone usage--it only covers certain areas of the US and Canada. For those of us who live in New England, this is a problem. There are large areas of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine where LOJACK is worthless (you can't be tracked), so it may not be the least bit helpful to you if you travel in those directions. You can visit their website to determine coverage areas. www.lojack.com (MINI Peabody is cheaper on this option, too!)

Enjoy your MINI!

[Cape Cod MINI]

Uh oh! Must be Herb Chambers you're dealing with.
The "simonize" job is a rip off. Don't do it unless you feel like paying $400 for a $50 wax job. Don't know about the "auto bond" but it sounds like Invinca Sheild or something similar. My only concern with that is that they have an expert, not an in-house technician do it. Hopefully it'll be subcontracted to an expert, or they are lucky enough to have a professional installer on the payroll.
I'm sure you will absolutely love your MINI
Just be careful that HC doesn't try to pull any quickies on you. Caveat emptor.

[EBMCS03]

Does Lo-Jack make any sounds? Or is it as silent as a mouse? I know the LO-Jack itself is silent but does it also come with some sort of "alarm" that at least jsut use the horn to honk?

as for the Zymol-izing forget it I dont know about u but I wouldnt let anyone touch my car but me! heheh I'll wash wax detail her all by myself. I'm going to request it not to be washed when I get my car. Will do it myself at home.


Clear Bra... Not sure about getting it from the dealer... but I'm planning to get something like that too Stoneguard or whatever. I dont want paint chips.

Floormats... nope they dont come with cars... $99 is standard price I beleive. *sign* more money I have to spend.

OH YA and CONGRATS ON THE MINI!!!

[Bilbo Baggins]

Quote:

Originally posted by katharine
Hi MINI lovers,
.............
Are all of these just ploys for my dealer (Herb CHambers MINI in Boston) to make more $$$$$?

NOooooo, say it isn't so! Would your dealer really do that????? Ya think?!?!?!

[hapaboy]

I wouldn't go for any of the options. Just a bunch of extra dealer profits. The only thing are the floor mats. Doesn't look like you can pick up a pair of mats at your local costco/sam's club to fit in the MINI, as i don't think generics will fit by the looks of it. anyone try? and you shouldn't have to be thankful to them for selling at MSRP, it should be expected! the floor mats at $100 are a rip ! My dealer here told me they were $125 . IMO, the dealer should include the mats as they are already making a profit by just selling the car at MSRP. BTW, congrats that your MINI is on the way!

[katharine]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I really appreciate it! I'll probably take the mats and forget everything else. The clear bra is something I can get by a licensed guy in Boston if I want for much less...

And to my local Boston area MINI drivers, you sure are right about Herb Chambers! See my posting in the Dealership thread for the story on my Herb Chambers nightmare!!

[sjbartnik]

Quote:

Originally posted by katharine
[b]
1) she told me that the car does not come w/ an alarm as standard (I seem to have missed this when I ordered) and that I had the option of getting LoJack. My sense is that I should get LoJack and have them install it so I know where to go if something is wrong, but it's $699....

The car does not come with an alarm as standard. Prior to August 2002 production you could order an alarm and it would be factory-installed. For 2003 models the car will be prewired for an alarm and the alarm itself is a dealer-installed option.

Lojack is not an alarm, it's an anti-theft tracking device. If your car is stolen, the Lojack system emits a signal that the police can track if they have the equipment. Before spending the money on Lojack you might want to make sure your local law enforcement has the Lojack tracking equipment or you'll just be throwing your money away.

Quote:

2)She offered me a "Simonizing Treatment" for $399! THis seems crazy/unnecessary for new car, but I am interested to hear what others think..

This is the kind of crap that dealers try to make their money on. Don't fall for it. Like others have said, it's a $400 wax job.

Quote:

3) FLoor mats are not standard! THis is REALLY crazy! She wants to charge me $99 for them! I obviously want them but think I can get them thrown in if I raise enough of a stink about not getting my Prod. # as promised.

It's true that floor mats are not standard with the MINI, which is cheap but true. The MSRP for the dealer installed MINI floormats is $94 for the carpeted set front & rear. So they are at least in the ballpark.

Quote:

4) ANd then she offered "AUTOBOND" which is some sort of clear shell/bra for the front end of the car to protect against dings. (they will take dings out for free if I get any) And this costs $599! Has anyone gotten this "autobond" treatment? How does it look?

Again one of those dealer profit centers. Some people actually recommend these though as a paint protectant for the front end, due to modern water-based car paints being softer than older solvent-based paints. Still, I don't think I'll be opting for that one, and even if you decide it's a good idea, you can probably get it done elsewhere far cheaper than your dealer will do it.

Quote:

Are all of these just ploys for my dealer (Herb CHambers MINI in Boston) to make more $$$$$?

Absolutely! A dealer will try to squeeze as much money out of you as possible.