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MINI Cooper Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1094 messages,  Last post on Aug 26, 2008 at 1:28 PM

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What is this discussion about? MINI Cooper, Coupe, Hatchback


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#422 of 1094
Does the Mini Cooper plant go on vacation in August? by bfromhold
Jul 21, 2006 (10:36 am)
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Replying to: markjenn (Jul 21, 2006 7:59 am)

I was told by a dealer in the Northwest area that the Mini Cooper plant in Oxford, England goes on vacation nearly the whole month of August and that's why the delay in delivery of special order MCS. Is this a made up story? A dealer at Moritz in TX says production is slowed but not halted. Who is telling the truth here?
 
 
I ended up emailing the Mini Factory in Oxford directly. Maybe they will set the record straight.
#423 of 1094
Factory info I found interesting online by bfromhold
Jul 21, 2006 (10:46 am)
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Replying to: markjenn (Jul 21, 2006 7:59 am)

Here's something interesting I found on Mini Cooper's website that gives information about the Cooper's manufacturing. I don't see anything about a vacation in August:
 
"A highly skilled and highly motivated staff of approximately 4,500 work on three shifts seven times a week, with an average output of 3,500 cars per week"
#424 of 1094
Re: Buying out of State - Please Help [markjenn] by bfromhold
Jul 21, 2006 (1:22 pm)
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Replying to: markjenn (Jul 04, 2006 9:00 pm)

How many weeks from the time you ordered your car from Moritz until the time it was ready for you to pick up?
 
I'm considering reordering my MCS through Moritz instead. Did you drive it home? I guess it could be a nice road trip back to Washington State.
#425 of 1094
Re: Factory info I found interesting online [bfromhold] by cct1
Jul 22, 2006 (2:44 pm)
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Replying to: bfromhold (Jul 21, 2006 10:46 am)

The factory has shut down, or significantly slowed down, at various times for various things--retooling and modification being major reasons. Not sure if it will slow down in August or not (but that would make sense--the 2007's are due in Europe in the fall, and this will require more retooling, although some of it is apparently already done), but it's not unheard of for the factory to significantly slow down for a period of time; often times this is known in advance. For example, most recently this spring, , they changed how they paint the cars--gone is the 3 coats (one being primer) and in is a 2 coat process, no primer or baking. This put a crimp in the factory for a few days (but overall speeds up the build process--not sure what it does to quality though).
 
If you look at those numbers, they are prefaced by "approximately" and "average"--the Mini assembly isn't continuos, but has fits and starts here and there.
#426 of 1094
2004 Mini automaitic with 12k miles by art07154
Jul 22, 2006 (9:28 pm)
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I want to buy Mini as a birthday gift for my wife but I 've bought 2 cars in my life.I need some help on pricing.I've found 2004 Mini cooper base model in red with automatic transmission with panorama roof,leather seats and stability control for $17500 still has plenty of warranty left!Good deal,fair deal or bad deal?Thank you
#427 of 1094
Re: Buying out of State - Please Help [ncowling] by exit64
Jul 25, 2006 (8:43 am)
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Replying to: ncowling (Jul 20, 2006 1:23 pm)

I just ordered a mini from Moritz yesterday and I have had a great experience so far. I actually live in Colorado but chose to order from Moritz in Texas because I had a really negative experience with the dealer in my state. They added a clear coat bra and a another protective product for an additional $1000. I was willing to pay the price for the car, I just wasn't going to pay an extra $1000 for products I didn't want. I would have paid the extra $1000 for better rims or a roof rack or something. Anyway, my brother also had a good experience with Mini of Dallas. I called maybe 15 dealerships across the country before I ordered my mini. I also thought that Ferman mini in Florida was very helpful.
#428 of 1094
Re: Another option? [plekto] by exit64
Jul 25, 2006 (8:48 am)
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Replying to: plekto (Jul 17, 2006 8:56 am)

I read that the new one is only slightly longer and that is to accomodate a new pedestrian impact bumper requirement, so the interior should not be noticeably different. Also, reports of the 2007 indicate the exterior styling is indistinguishable. The major differences should be in interior options & packages. The 2008 Traveler (soon to be renamed) is longer with suicide doors for a REAL backseat.
#429 of 1094
Re: Another option? [exit64] by jackel142
Jul 25, 2006 (10:38 am)
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Replying to: exit64 (Jul 25, 2006 8:48 am)

Ok, Drove my first Mini S this past weekend at Otto's in West Chester, PA. Great car, great dealership. I'd buy the car today, except for one minor issue. The lease rates are insane!
I drive a pair of 04 Mountainer's. The leases are up in a couple months, and I want 1 smaller, fun car. The Mountaineer listed for $40,000, and my payment is $325.00 per month, and I put 0 down. The resale on that thing is terrible.
The Mini listed for $29,600. I was quoted $560/month! The resale is great, so I assumed they would offer a much better money factor.
I know I paid 10k off sticker for the mountaineer, and I'm paying sticker for the Mini, I would think that the payment should br close.
Has anyone leased an 06 S for around $325-$350 with $0 down?
#430 of 1094
Re: Another option? [exit64] by cct1
Jul 26, 2006 (8:29 am)
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Replying to: exit64 (Jul 25, 2006 8:48 am)

The interior is noticeably different. There is slightly more leg room, slightly more room overall, and it's more modern looking--I prefer the older retro interior to the newer look. The speedo is still in the center and is larger, but telescopes out--kind of hard to explain, but I like the old look better. On the plus side, the switches are a bit more intuitive and layed out better, and supposedly they're using higher quality materials. But from what I've seen, I'm not an overall fan of the new interior.
 
The 2007 is very similar to the 2006 at first glance, but depending on how much you follow the Mini depends on how distinguishable it is. I'd venture to say it's very distinguishable--these things stick out: The wheel arch trim is much bigger. Looks terrible--it really sticks out, don't know what they were thinking--it's totally out of proportion to the car now. I could pick out a 2007 on the trim alone. The rear end is substantially different, mostly for the better. The front isn't as nice on the 2007--you lose the lines and proportion by adding heighth and length to the nose--it looks more like an accomodation to the euro pedestrian laws than a further evolution of the Mini (The original designer of the Mini didn't work on the 2007, and IMHO it shows) . The lights are no longer integrated into the clamshell bonnet, but this will be tough to tell with the naked eye. (but the clamshell bonnet still remains--good choice, a standard hood would look awful on the mini). The grill shape is also more angular, less oval--I like old one better.
 
There will be potentially some very nice additions though--HP may go up slightly (by 5), and wieght should be substantially reduced, and gas mileage should be substantially better on the newer model.
 
From a looks standpoint, I think the 2006 wins hands down. From a performance standpoint, the 2007 is looking good. I own a 2006 (I bought it specifically because of concerns with the 2007, rather than waiting for the 2007), and bought it with the intention of either holding on to it forever and modding it, or trading in. I'm fairly set on holding on to it (I've added the JCW brakes and suspension), but won't make a final decision until I've driven a 2007.
#431 of 1094
South Bay Mini Purchase gone wrong. by shaymbs
Jul 26, 2006 (1:04 pm)
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Replying to: sitcur (Apr 20, 2005 1:27 pm)

At this time I am extremely unhappy with my MINI experience and will probably be forced to cancel my order. I ordered a customized MINI S through the dealership in Hawthorne California.
 
I custom configured the auto online and it’s scheduled to arrive at the dealership in mid August of 06.
 
A week ago I logged into my account to check the status of my MINI and noticed a Navigation system was listed as installed…even though I did not order it.
 
I called my MINI Rep that same day and let her know. She confirmed that they did install the navigation and that it was a mistake made on their end (MINI).
 
My rep told me there is nothing she or the MINI Dealership can do about the mistake. She said my only options are to either:
 
A.) Take the car “as is” and pay the additional costs of the Navigation
B.) Place a new order and wait for them to build a new car according to my configuration.
 
Unfortunately I’m not at liberty to wait several more months while a new car is built...nor should I have to. I need a new car by the end of August regardless of what happens. Also, I have a very tight budget and don’t want the navigation system that was installed…I bought my own portable navigation so I have no need for one even if I could afford it.
 
This is such a strange situation; MINI messed up the order and I will be help accountable for it? After waiting so long to get this car I can’t believe this is the result.
 
Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Also, has anyone had a similar experience? Does anyone know who I should contact with my issue?
 
Thanks,
Mike

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