[TheFU]

Is it only me or has anyone else spoken out about the fact that the "Combo#3 - cold-weather" includes the Rain-sensing wipers and Auto-dimming rear-view mirror in the current Mini brochure but now they are charging people $140 extra for these items. Is that not a bit disingenuous? Many car dealers in the past have been forced to live by the claims in the brochure...shouldn't Mini. There is not even a disclaimer or retraction on their web-site about this.

I left an email on their site today, and, in their defense they responded within 3 hours! Quite impressive. However, the customer service person had no real information and simply called to confirm what I had discovered (he denied it was a misprint) and apologized saying he would up-channel my complaint.

What do you all think? I know its not a big sum of money, but I am a firm believer in truth-in-advertising.

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by TheFU
Is it only me or has anyone else spoken out about the fact that the "Combo#3 - cold-weather" includes the Rain-sensing wipers and Auto-dimming rear-view mirror in the current Mini brochure but now they are charging people $140 extra for these items. Is that not a bit disingenuous? Many car dealers in the past have been forced to live by the claims in the brochure...shouldn't Mini. There is not even a disclaimer or retraction on their web-site about this.

I left an email on their site today, and, in their defense they responded within 3 hours! Quite impressive. However, the customer service person had no real information and simply called to confirm what I had discovered (he denied it was a misprint) and apologized saying he would up-channel my complaint.

What do you all think? I know its not a big sum of money, but I am a firm believer in truth-in-advertising.

Well, I currently have 3 different versions of the 2002 MINI sales brochure and each and every single one of them have errors and inconsistencies. One of these errors, as you pointed out, is the inclusion of the Auto wipers/Mirrors as part of the "Cold Weather" package.

I have another brochure stating that the 16" 5-spoke design wheels are available as an option on the Cooper 'S' when in reality these have never been offered outside of the regular Cooper model.

The launch 2002 brochure, states that All MINI models have ASC traction control standard, which is not true as it is only available as std equipment in the MCS.

My gut feeling is that these brochures were printed from several months before the MINI was to be launched in the US, hence the error and inconsistencies in optional equipment and packages. These brochures were printed in Germany so there could be a mix up with Euro market options and US market options.


Your best bet is the new car configurator at www.miniusa.com which I have found to be pretty accurate and up to date with all new optional equipment offerings.

Also keep in mind that long time "teaser" options such as the Harmon-Kardon stereo and the Auto wipers/mirrors were not available until December 2002 production, so hence the confusion with these items as part of the "Cold Package".

You won't find any current print sales literature making mention of the Anthracite interior trim or the Sport steering wheels and pedals now standard in recent build MCS.

[Geoff in Ann Arbor]

I don't have any MINI brochures to confirm this with, but don't they usually include a disclaimer that specifications are subject to change without prior notification? Now, on the other hand, if you placed an order and the dealer indeed confirmed that these items were included in the price, then I think you would have a beef.

[sjbartnik]

Before the auto wipers & auto dim mirror were available, for a brief time MINI specified that they would be included in the cold weather package for 2003 models and that the price of the cold weather package would increase from $300 to $500 with the inclusion of those items, or you could get them separately for $140.

At some point MINI reversed themselves and decided NOT to include those items in the CWP (this was all in Fall 2002 BTW) and let the CWP price go back to the $300 mark.

They do have a disclaimer in the brochure no doubt about how specifications and prices are subject to change without notice. You'll find such a disclaimer in pretty much all brochures, regardless of manufacturer.