[ChadB1216]

Any indication that Mini USA will be adding dealers anywhere in the USA within the next year or so, or is the number of dealers static? Thanks.

ChadB1216
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

[stryder]

Welcome to MINI2.

There haven't been any rumors of any new ones, so I doubt anything within the next year or so. After the 2007 updates which could add more models, maybe.

MINIUSA has said they plan on adjusting dealer allotment a bit more for '05, so dealers that still have waiting lists (mostly on the west coast, so doesn't affect you) should be getting more cars.

I'd also tend to think they're more likely to add dealers where demand is greatest, which would be both of the coasts, so again don't count on anything for Michigan, but you never know long term.

[sequence]

...is being built in Albuquerque NM as we read this. Due to open in Oct. That's the only one I know of fer sure (drove by it last week.)

I've heard rumors about other places: Little Rock, Tucson, Co Sprs., all mostly in large Western and Southern cities along major interstate routes. Welcome 2 M2. Jimbo

[sequence]

Oh the reason Albuquerque is getting a dealership is because BMW grossly understimated demand in the western US (after all, no one lives out there, eh? )

In addition to the high demand for MINI's in the Colorado Front Range (Pueblo to Ft Collins), nearly 20% of the Denver d'ship's business are New Mexicans, thus creating even more demand for cars--and thus longer waits (plus the longer ship times).

Plus many New Mexicans have to drive 300-500+ miles one way to Schomp MINI for service, so it's logical that in hindsight BMW understands that 2 (sales demand) + 2 (service demand) = 4 (new dealership.)

Yet BMW put a dealership in OK City, where the MA told me it was a "low demand" market. Go figure. Jimbo

[AuthiMini]

Sure hope they add a second dealer in San Diego. The one we've got (Brecht) charges an ourtrageous markup on the cars, and is forty miles north of downtown. They badly need competition - and we MINI owners need a closer service facility.

[tavis1]

I am sure that whoever decided where to put MINI dealerships smoked there lunch. In CA we have 8 in LA, none in the central vally wich makes up 65% of the state, 1 in San Diego, two in the bay area, 1 in sacramento and thats it. Toatal lame.
Tavis1

[stryder]

I know for a fact some of the decisions on who got MINI dealerships was which BMW dealerships BMWUSA liked.

They basically rewarded the dealerships that they got along well with, with the MINI franchise, as well as the ones willing to spend the money to build a showroom etc. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work for the public's interest. Though I have to admit, it is nice to have the dealership a bit out of the way sometimes, because it makes the cars less popular if people aren't willing to sacrifice.

[Poisonedwell]

I really hope Open Road BMW in Edison, NJ becomes a Mini dealer - it would be about 10 min away from instead of 50 min for Princeton Mini

[steebo777]

The Michigan dealer, Motor City MINI is a great dealer ChadB1216. CS is great and it'll take a total time of about 3 months from the first visit to order to my MCS to arrive at the dealer. It's a long drive for you, but worth it in the end