[pra4snw]

I am ready to take the plunge and buy an MCS. I have been reading through the Forum, and I hope to get some buying advice from those who have purchased from either Mini of Peabody or Herb Chambers.

- Both seem to have a lot of cars in inventory. Do they prefer to sell their stock, or are they happy to take an order?

- When you order, do they charge straight MSRP? Any markups or discounts?

- If you take one from their inventory, are there any "deals" to be had?

- Do either dealer take in trades, and if they do, are they reasonable, or not worth considering?

- Do you have a sales person that you would recommend that I speak to?

- The feeling I get from reading the posts here is that Mini of Peabody is better to deal with. Any opinions?

Thanks a bunch for all the help.

[m2smith]

Hi - Welcome aboard.
It's been so long ('02) since I bought mine the only advice I would have is that it is always better to not trade - sell the car yourself - from a $$$ standpoint. But the hassle is another thing...
If the car you want is on the lot it is easier to deal - but, hopefully, you be in it a while so get the car you want - yeah - happy to take an order - "Pay me now or pay me later"

Good luck!

[ravioliworld]

Be careful when checking car inventories online. It's not always entirely accurate. For instance, when I went to buy my car from MOP in 06, the website listed lots of cars. But, they actually only had the demo car on the lot available to buy when I went to visit. Part of that might be the cars listed in the inventory were already spoken for. I didn't care, since I was doing my own spec on the car (which definitely meant paying MSRP as well). My MA was Joel. He was great to work with.

[blalor]

Most of the buying experiences I hear about HC are pretty lukewarm, whereas most of the things (buying *and* service) I hear about MoP are good to great. MINI has largely built their brand around being able to customize (or "you-i-fy", in their parlance) your car to the nines. I personally be wary of any salesperson (aka "Motoring Advisor") who tries to sway you from ordering exactly what you want. From what I've seen, most of the cars on the lot are over-specced, and way more expensive than what I would personally choose. I haven't looked too closely at what MoP keeps on the lot, but the dealer in Indianapolis had no shortage of $28,000 Cooper Ss when I lived there. I think MoP does it pretty much the same way. If you can find exactly what you want on the lot, cool, but otherwise, order away!

I don't think you'll find mark-ups or discounts at either place. California had a lot of that going on, but not so much in saner parts of the country.

I bought my 2nd MINI from Hrach at MoP. He's a great guy, but be prepared to stay awhile if you give him the chance to talk!

[GBMINI]

When reviewing trade in prices from either dealership, remember the 5% sales tax savings too; I've always traded in my old MINI when getting a new one - with the 5% and the cost of advertising for private sale, I figured it's a wash.
Of course it depends what you're trying to trade too; MoP probably less high on trade for brands that they don't have through the smallish dealership group - HC is part of a much bigger group so may offer better trades; I have not compared.

At MoP, most people there in sales and service have been there since the dealership opened in 2002; shows commitment by dealership and employees ... HC has some very good and interested people there too, but higher turnover of staff.
I've had good sales & service from both dealerships, and I've heard of issues from both dealerships too ... but negative stories from MoP are very rare.

[jwardell]

MINI owners are smart, and who is smarter than someone who asks questions ahead of time?

Let's just say you have a statistically higher chance of satisfaction from MOP; of course no one can make everyone happy. HC is only 2 miles from my house, but I wouldn't think twice about driving 15 times further to mop.

Expect to pay msrp. Considering how bad the dollar is doing to the euro where these cars are manufactured, you're getting a steal. It also makes the process so much better when no haggling or trickery is involved (well, except for HC pushing dealer-added things like lojack on you).

Trade ins will never be in your favor financially, but they are happy to give you their price ahead of time and you can then decide what you want to do. It certainly is a lot easier than taking months to sell your vehicle privately.

Unless you have a reason I can't even imagine, you are better off ordering. You can pick every little option you want and don't want (there really is thousands of choices). Get exactly what you want, you're paying full price either way. 6 weeks go by fast.*

Take a few visits, and ask to see cars featuring each feature that you are not sure of. Listen to the different sound systems, feel the vinyl and ask if the leather is really worth the price, etc. And of course feel free to ask tons more questions here!

*I'm lying. It's the longest 6 weeks of your life. At least you can actually track progress through the factory and across the ocean!

[snek]

Quote: Originally Posted by blalor (original)

I bought my 2nd MINI from Hrach at MoP. He's a great guy, but be prepared to stay awhile if you give him the chance to talk!

I bought my 1st MINI from Hrach because of he test ride he took me on

[blalor]

Quote: Originally Posted by snek (original)

I bought my 1st MINI from Hrach because of he test ride he took me on

Are they allowing him back in the car with customers, now?

[snek]

He says he's rehabilitated

[pra4snw]

Thanks for all of the great information, and making me feel welcome!

I live in NH and work in Newbury, MA, so I am glad to hear that MoP is preferred - it's that much closer. I take it that Hrach is the guy to ask for? From the sound of it, the test drive could be very interesting.

I have a 2000 Audi S4, and although it has a lot of miles, it has been babied. I doubt that any dealer will offer me anything close to what I think I could get for it myself. I guess it wouldn't hurt for them to take a look at it though. Besides, I will have plenty of time to sell it while I wait for the new car to show up.

Deciding on a new ride to replace the beloved S4 has been very tough. Audi ownership has been very rewarding, but 50k+ replacement cost is ridiculous, IMO. And the V8 is a gas guzzler, to boot. I am now very enthusiastic about the MCS. I can order one just like I want (I never imagined that a car would be offered with a-la-carte options in this day of all-or-nothing packages), the dealership experience sounds very positive, and just like the Audi there are lots of Mini enthusiasts to chat with.

Thanks again, and I hope you don't mind the occasional question or two.

[blalor]

Ask away! We've got another guy kicking around here (Armen, goes by "Kriation") who still has his S4.

[DDon670]

Quote: Originally Posted by snek (original)

I bought my 1st MINI from Hrach because of he test ride he took me on

I knew a MINI could handle, but Hrach's test drive showed me the full capabilities of the car and sealed the deal for me also.

[m2smith]

Congrats! What did ya order/get?
Details - We need details!

[pra4snw]

Quote: Originally Posted by m2smith (original)

Congrats! What did ya order/get?
Details - We need details!

I am hoping that I have an answer to this question within a week.

[pra4snw]

Here is my new wallpaper:


My 2008 MINI Cooper S
Base MSRP* $21,200
Destination & Handling $650

paint
Astro Black Body Color $500
Body Color Roof/Mirrors $0

package
Premium Package $1,500
10-Speaker. Hi-Fi Sound System
Automatic AC
Dual Pane Panoramic Sunroof
Cold Weather Package $500
Heated Front Seats
Heated Powerfold Mirrors & Washer Jets

performance
16" S-Winders (Perf. Run Flats) STD
Sport Suspension $500
Front Fog Lamps STD
Xenon Headlamps w/Power Wash $500
Limited Slip Differential $500
6-Speed Getrag Manual STD
Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror $250

cockpit
Cloth/Leather: Rooster Red/Black $1,000
Rooster Red Color Line INC
Interior Surface English Oak INC
Sport Seats STD
On-Board Computer STD

TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED* $27,100

accessory**
Mud Flaps front and rear axle (installation not incl.) $62
Black Carpet Floor Mats (4) (installation not incl.) $105
Alarm System (installation not incl.) $225

TOTAL ACCESSORIES ** $392
TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED* $27,100

TOTAL COMBINED $27,492


I'm on the fence about the 17" wheels. Do they make a big difference in handling and ride quality on this car? This will be a highway car 70 - 80% of the time (unfortunately).

[pra4snw]

Another question:
Does anyone have an email address for Hrach? Their website only has a general inquiry form. Or should I just call and ask for him?

[blalor]

I'd just call and ask for him. He's not really the type to sit in front of his computer all day.

[snid]

Hrach and email do not get along... call and ask for him.

I, too, am in the Hrach test drive club. When I bought the brown MINI, Hrach gave me the test drive, and that was before he was asked to tone down the test drives.

For the yellow MINI, Hrach was in the car, but didn't drive. I did my best to drive like him, though.

[snek]

Quote: Originally Posted by snid (original)

...
For the yellow MINI, Hrach was in the car, but didn't drive.

He must've been unlicensed at the time...

[scho06]

I too am from NH, but I DID prefer to go to HC because they do lend out loaner cars (they have several MINI's to take for a day or two while your's is getting worked on) while last I knew MOP does not. Also, being very close to a T stop on the green line, you can always hop on the T and get stuff done in Boston. I just had my service done this past Thursday....dropped the MINI off in the morning.....went to lunch......went to the Sox game which was a 1:30 day game....grabbed something for dinner......got back to the dealer picked up the car and headed home.......free parking in Boston!!!

With that said, I have NOT been very happy with the quality of service at HC. I have had a few non maintenance issues, and they just never seem to get things right the first time. Most of them not very hard to figure out if you just took the 5 minutes to really diagnose the problem. I've also had a few issues where I knew what the problem was, tried to explain it to them when I made the appointment so they could have parts ordered before I got there.......but it just seems to fall on def ears........

I don't personally have experience with the MOP service, but from what I hear they are pretty good.

scho

Quote: Originally Posted by pra4snw (original)

Thanks for all of the great information, and making me feel welcome!

I live in NH and work in Newbury, MA, so I am glad to hear that MoP is preferred - it's that much closer. I take it that Hrach is the guy to ask for? From the sound of it, the test drive could be very interesting.

I have a 2000 Audi S4, and although it has a lot of miles, it has been babied. I doubt that any dealer will offer me anything close to what I think I could get for it myself. I guess it wouldn't hurt for them to take a look at it though. Besides, I will have plenty of time to sell it while I wait for the new car to show up.

Deciding on a new ride to replace the beloved S4 has been very tough. Audi ownership has been very rewarding, but 50k+ replacement cost is ridiculous, IMO. And the V8 is a gas guzzler, to boot. I am now very enthusiastic about the MCS. I can order one just like I want (I never imagined that a car would be offered with a-la-carte options in this day of all-or-nothing packages), the dealership experience sounds very positive, and just like the Audi there are lots of Mini enthusiasts to chat with.

Thanks again, and I hope you don't mind the occasional question or two.