R56 how long did you spend at the dealer ordering your Mini?
#1
how long did you spend at the dealer ordering your Mini?
How long did it take you to order a Mini?
My story is I intend to order a Mini on one of my trips from Tucson AZ to Frenso CA. That is usually a 11-12 hour trip done in one day. Do they jack you around to different offices and make you wait for extended periods of time and be there for hours or can I take a quick test drive, order it and be out of there in an hour? I don't wanna spend all day there. Think it'd be wise to make a special trip?
My story is I intend to order a Mini on one of my trips from Tucson AZ to Frenso CA. That is usually a 11-12 hour trip done in one day. Do they jack you around to different offices and make you wait for extended periods of time and be there for hours or can I take a quick test drive, order it and be out of there in an hour? I don't wanna spend all day there. Think it'd be wise to make a special trip?
#2
I ordered my from MINI of Murray in UT. I called my MA, configured on the Web site, e-mailed the config. My MA faxed the config for approval. Zero time in the dealership. A couple e-mail messages and a phone call. This was for MSRP, and so there wasn't any negotiation time.
When I test drove at another dealer, it was a quick test drive and then out. The only reason I didn't order from my local dealer was the 8 month wait.
When I test drove at another dealer, it was a quick test drive and then out. The only reason I didn't order from my local dealer was the 8 month wait.
#3
#4
Yea I kinda wanted to do that too. reading on this site has made me doubt the auto A/C and Hi Fi upgrades. Also wanted to see how the leather/cloth seats feel. Maybe also I can finally figure out if the mellow yellow color is more of a school bus yellow or what. It looks pretty neat in the pciutres, but you can only tell in real life.
#5
Personally I think the black roof looks better on the yellow because the bottom trim is black. Also I thought the HiFi upgrade was good because I listen to sixties music (I'm not old though) and for that type of music it doesn't make much of a difference. Plus I thought it sounded better than the stereo in my Honda after I tested it. I think it depends on what your listening to. The auto AC came with my premium package.
#7
All depends on you and the individual dealer. Call the dealership and tell them what you want to do.
As for me. I went to my local dealership and wound up driving 4 cars. A JCW, a Cooper S auto, a Cooper S manual, an 08 Sidewalk JCW cabrio.
I never did order a car. I wanted a very specific config and they gave me a great deal on a car that they had in stock with my specs plus much, much more.
In the end I spent 5+ hours at the dealership over the course of 3 days. I only 20 minutes away.
As for me. I went to my local dealership and wound up driving 4 cars. A JCW, a Cooper S auto, a Cooper S manual, an 08 Sidewalk JCW cabrio.
I never did order a car. I wanted a very specific config and they gave me a great deal on a car that they had in stock with my specs plus much, much more.
In the end I spent 5+ hours at the dealership over the course of 3 days. I only 20 minutes away.
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#8
#9
We made 3 trips to the dealer, which is about 60 miles away, 1st trip we looked around, asked a few questions and took a test drive. (We were sold after test drive) about 1 hr. 2nd trip we looked at fabric samples, and options we were interested in. about 45 minutes. 3rd trip went in and spoke with same MA whom assisted us the prior trips, sat in his office configued car and options, and ordered. wrote check for deposit Done. 30 minutes. The process was one of the best experiences at a car dealer ever. Total time 2 hrs 15 minutes - Mark
#11
I don't remember, but I'm sure its less than a couple of hours including the test drive.
We go in talk to Jeff, say we're thinking of buying another MINI, find a suitable one to test drive, test drive it, find a bunch of other MINIs which have examples of the other options we're thinking of, then sit down with Jeff at the computer and make the order.
I'm pretty sure that was about 2 hours total for Shawn, and we dithered a lot about colours.
We go in talk to Jeff, say we're thinking of buying another MINI, find a suitable one to test drive, test drive it, find a bunch of other MINIs which have examples of the other options we're thinking of, then sit down with Jeff at the computer and make the order.
I'm pretty sure that was about 2 hours total for Shawn, and we dithered a lot about colours.
#13
I also spent ZERO time @ the dealership. My purchase was done completely via internet/fax/phone. BEST buying experience I have ever had with a car.
One the best things you can do prior to starting the entire process is get your financing preapproved and out of the way.
The only time I visited a dealership was to see the interior trim options to make sure I was getting quality materials.
Good luck to you.
One the best things you can do prior to starting the entire process is get your financing preapproved and out of the way.
The only time I visited a dealership was to see the interior trim options to make sure I was getting quality materials.
Good luck to you.
#14
#15
#17
How long did it take you to order a Mini?
My story is I intend to order a Mini on one of my trips from Tucson AZ to Frenso CA. That is usually a 11-12 hour trip done in one day. Do they jack you around to different offices and make you wait for extended periods of time and be there for hours or can I take a quick test drive, order it and be out of there in an hour? I don't wanna spend all day there. Think it'd be wise to make a special trip?
My story is I intend to order a Mini on one of my trips from Tucson AZ to Frenso CA. That is usually a 11-12 hour trip done in one day. Do they jack you around to different offices and make you wait for extended periods of time and be there for hours or can I take a quick test drive, order it and be out of there in an hour? I don't wanna spend all day there. Think it'd be wise to make a special trip?
From personal experience - I had my build sheet ready and with me, but went in w/o an appointment and spent a whole Saturday afternoon at the dealer just to get a test drive and ended up helping to close the place down. Once I finished the test drive, though, it was about 30-45 min. I reviewed the build sheet with my MA and we went over certain options (incl. a quick jog to one of the lot cars to look at the checkerboard dash) as well as financing/payment options, which took about 30 minutes. After that it took 10 min to enter the build in the system and give up my deposit.
The more you research beforehand the shorter your visit will be, but I think everyone will agree that trips to the dealership always take a long long time regardless.
#18
Visit to dealer, 15 minutes.
Visit to MiniUSA.com, 15 hours.
Visit to NAM site, 15 hours.
Made my decisions based on MiniUSA offerings/info, NAM recommendations and feedback, and one more short visit to dealer for color and one option decision.
Very little time needed at dealer. Though dealer buying experience was extremely positive.
Visit to MiniUSA.com, 15 hours.
Visit to NAM site, 15 hours.
Made my decisions based on MiniUSA offerings/info, NAM recommendations and feedback, and one more short visit to dealer for color and one option decision.
Very little time needed at dealer. Though dealer buying experience was extremely positive.
#20
Personally I think the black roof looks better on the yellow because the bottom trim is black. Also I thought the HiFi upgrade was good because I listen to sixties music (I'm not old though) and for that type of music it doesn't make much of a difference. Plus I thought it sounded better than the stereo in my Honda after I tested it. I think it depends on what your listening to. The auto AC came with my premium package.
Yea I kinda wanted to do that too. reading on this site has made me doubt the auto A/C and Hi Fi upgrades. Also wanted to see how the leather/cloth seats feel. Maybe also I can finally figure out if the mellow yellow color is more of a school bus yellow or what. It looks pretty neat in the pciutres, but you can only tell in real life.
Interiors also must be seen and sat in; (I didn't find any of them comfortable, so did my own later as my second mod after Euro Armrest).
Beyond the Test Drives, color choice and interior sits, the actual order shouldn't take more than 15 minutes, or you could even do it later,
over the phone with a CC Deposit.
usually only one finance officer per dealer, so pick a slow day.
Expect at least an hour with your MA, as he goes through all the features and programs both key/fobs (pay attention,
you will soon want to change those programs).
#21
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Yea I kinda wanted to do that too. reading on this site has made me doubt the auto A/C and Hi Fi upgrades. Also wanted to see how the leather/cloth seats feel. Maybe also I can finally figure out if the mellow yellow color is more of a school bus yellow or what. It looks pretty neat in the pciutres, but you can only tell in real life.
I love the L/C seats, had them in my first car, have 'em in my 2nd, best of both worlds. but then I need the lumbar supports.
Last edited by sequence; 01-12-2009 at 10:51 AM.