MINI North Scottsdale

I was dreading coming to another Mini dealership since my horrid experience in San Jose, Ca. However, the experience was Night and Day! Truly, everyone here basically made my car breaking down… a treat. Okay, Maybe that is not totally true but I truly did feel like these people were looking out for me. Whether working with my insurance, my warranty or my constant questions, everyone took the time to make sure that everything was handled. Jonathan is a rockstar! Some of the best customer service I have ever had. Also Landon is a gem!

Very pleasant experience with Paul from the first contact on the phone to schedule an appointment, throughout the entire purchase experience, and follow-​up from Paul and several others after I became a Mini owner. Top-​notch customer service and the best I’ve ever experienced.

I really wanted to like this place and feel welcome but sadly this was not the case. I had read previous reviews that they were excellent and helpful and friendly so I may have set my expectations a little high. I recently purchased a 2010 Mini Cooper S from Carmax and also an extended warranty on it because I’ve heard these cars come with some issues. We went on vacation in June, and driving back we noticed a rattling noise that got worse with time and then my oil change light turned on. I live in Flagstaff and just hadn’t had the time to get down to Scottsdale, and there aren’t many mechanics in Flagstaff that will even touch a Mini, especially at a decent price. Immediately when we got to the dealership I didn’t see the spot where I was supposed to turn in to service and ended up driving all the way around. My fault, but getting out I was greeted with a, «You didn’t see where to turn??» I felt embarassed. I told him my name and he told me to wait inside with no direction. I accidentally walked through the sales floor instead of the service door and a salesman who was VERY nice and helpful directed me to the service area and made me feel a little more comfortable. I got checked in and waited. Our service consultant who I won’t name came over, introduced himself and took me into his office. I told him the issue, and he said he would do a dip test on my car to check the oil. He came back and told me there was absolutely no oil in my car and because of this the timing chain needed to be replaced… He just made me feel dumb for not knowing this, but the car is still new to me, I don’t know much about cars, and I didn’t know that was even possible since we just got it this year. I told him I had an extended warranty through Carmax and immediately he tells me they’ve had countless issues with Carmax not honoring their warranties. This just isn’t something you want to hear right off the bat, considering I had driven all this way under the impression any repairs would be covered. He asked if I had my warranty with me, which I did not, but I had called Carmax the day before to verify I had one and what it entailed. He said that he couldn’t get that information released to him, but after me being persisent about having a warranty and that it’s covered and I that I could call them right there, he said he would call them… Skip ahead, they get me into a loaner car since I live in Flagstaff, and I’m given a very small (like smaller than my Mini Cooper, small) Mini Roadster convertible, and this is just me being nitpicky, I probably could’ve asked for a different loaner, but I really just wanted to leave because I was so stressed out. I hate to assume that my service consultant is always like this, because I have seen other reviews on here specifically for him that are fabulous, but everyone has good days and bad days. In the end, he did get through to Carmax and got everything squared away, and my car is doing great so far. I just wish I didn’t have to go through the hassle to get the end result. I was given a call a few days ago saying that they would be sending me a survey and I would have conveyed all of this there, but I did not receive one, so I’m leaving this review instead.

Brought my wife’s Mini Cooper in for what seemed to be a transmission repair.
The vehicle was under Carmax’s extended service plan so I wasn’t worried about it to much.
A day later I get a call that the car was ready and that the transmission wasn’t the issue.
Turned out to be bad gas, previous owners had not put in premium.
Scott was freaking amazing!
He was able to help me out and bring the cost down to what I would have originally paid.
Wonderful service, will never go anywhere else.
I even got a sweet loaner.
Thank you so much Scott!

In one word — amazing! Scheduled my service on-​line (great feature) — on arrival Jonathan B. was prepared and took care of me very quickly. He noted a couple «cosmetic» items that needed attention and took care of those as well. Jonathan spent extra time with me discussing car questions unrelated to the work being done and took time to go over the features, etc. of my loaner so I felt comfortable and at home in the newer model car right away.
My car was «bathed» and running great when I picked her up. Service done on time and at the estimated cost — can’t ask for much more than that.

I always have a great experience at Mini North! My service director Jonathan makes sure to keep me up to date when my cars are in for service. Paul who is my salesperson is always there to make sure that everything went perfect. Would not take my cars anywhere else!

SERVICE DEPARTMENT REVIEW:
What a POSITIVE Mini experience! After being very frustrated with South Bay Mini, it was refreshing to ‘visit’ with North Scottsdale Mini! ¼ of the way through and about 500 miles into my roadtrip I noticed that Winnie needed an oil change! I called Mini of Tempe and they were all booked for the day. So I called North Scottsdale and they were able to get in me at my preferred time of 1pm. The maintenance people were super nice and my service consultant Shaun Moss went the extra mile to do some minor service for free for me that SB Mini would have charged me for! What a difference a dealership makes. And Shaun makes a difference for his dealership! I’ll probably never go back but it’s nice to know not all Mini dealers are into scare tactics!

Horrible! I lived in San Diego and went to the dealership for every car repair, they had fair pricing and always had loaner cars available it was awesome. This is the worst they COMPLETELY rip people off, if you call this location for a quote and then call the tempe location for the same quote this locations is significantly higher (over $ 700). Being a 24 year old female I have learned it’s typical to be treated this way but this is the worst of the worst!

As second time MINI owners from the Penske dealership in North Scottsdale, and 5 time purchasers from their sister dealerships (BMW, Porsche), I wish I had a better experience to report.
Upon ordering our newest 2015 MINI in September 2014, I asked that the key be scanned (this is the method used to determine what services are needed on your vehicle — called CBS — Condition Based Service, along with periodic Inspections to determine what repairs and maintenance are recommended and required) on the current 2009 MINI so we would know what service needed to be performed under either the then in-​effect Warranty or Pre-​paid Maintenance contract purchased from the dealership. «The response was «no services needed — you’re good to go».
Move the clock ahead to December with the new 2015 MINI delivered and the existing (2009) taken in for the last service inspection and a battery replacement before handing it over to the niece for it’s next adventures.
Surprise! You need almost $ 3,000 in service and by the way, the warranty and the Pre-​paid Maintenance contracts expired 2 weeks ago! Well, I have got to say, I’m a little upset and certainly embarrassed and more-​so regretful I purchased another MINI from Penske at MINI of North Scottsdale along with an Extended Warranty and Pre-​Paid Maintenance contract that they seem to have problems honoring unless it is in their favor.
When I contacted the Service Manager in person during the drop-​off and before the work «needed» was performed, he assured me they would look into this and take care of it. After first denying the key was ever scanned in September, and with «some digging on their part», they found the key scan I spoke of, admitted some responsibility for their mess up on that end, proceeded to perform the «needed» service work and then delivered the MINI to me 2 days later along with a bill for services not covered or made right by them for $ 2,176.28. This was in addition to the new battery I purchased earlier that week from their dealership for an additional over $ 200.
First, thank you Penske for the token discounts you told me you applied to the final billing and second, shame on you for the other charges that the majority of which, should have clearly been covered under your Certified Pre-​Owned (CPO) Warranty or Pre-​Paid Maintenance had your employees done the right thing.
Consider your next MINI North Scottsdale and Penske purchase carefully, I know I certainly will based on this last experience from them!
I have left 2 requests for contact by MINI North America and MINI North Scottsdale. If they do contact me and either correct these mistakes or convince me that I am an idiot and have unrealistic expectations and understandings of how this Warranty, CBS and Pre-​Paid Maintenance stuff should work, I certainly will update this review.
Right now, I have to give MINI North Scottsdale and Penske Automotive in Scottsdale the booger of the year award.
UPDATE: 1÷6÷2015
I spoke with Tracy and Cory, both from MINI today in an effort to resolve the issues above. While I am still left with some overall questions on this whole matter and specifically the coverage (or lack there of) provided under both the Warranty and the Pre-​Paid Maintenance program that have been covered in past visits, I have agreed to stop expending any further efforts and let this matter rest. While certain of the services on prior visits were covered under one or both of these programs, I am told that the recent services rendered were not because the «Key» when scanned told them it wasn’t. pretty Smart Key don’t you think? It knows about tires, belts, hoses, brakes, fluids, electronics; apparently everything — even without sensors?
Since I the customer never get to see the «Key Scan» and since I really have very little in writing to detail those specifics of the scan or the coverage afforded under the warranty of maintenance, I am forced to rely on their verbal representation. Sometimes things will be covered, sometimes they won’t. Take out your crystal ball and make your best guess as to when they will.
Based on this overall experience and the changes in the wind, I will carefully review the new Extended Warranty and Pre-​Paid Maintenance coverage for the newest MINI purchased from them and may ultimately decide to cancel both of these since the coverage policy appears to be changing or can be bent to suit the flavor of the day and may not the best fit.
In summary, MINI did extend an «Olive Branch» to make this situation go away. While I don’t agree with the entirety of the policies of BMW, MINI or the Penske Dealership that really seem to have evolved (not in favor of the customer) over the months since first purchase of a vehicle from them, and feel more could have been done, I am moving on.
Advice — check your paperwork, GET IT IN WRITING (good luck there) and happy motoring.
Based on this update I have added 1 more star to my rating.

I have to admit these little cars are cute. I love that you can «create» your own unique mini. I like that the salesperson are not all over your shxt, standing right behind you like your shadow, etc. The guy was causal cool. Worked up a creation mini and the cost. Took us out for the test drive. I was just a tag along… It was a fun and nice experience. My friend is still itching to buy… Maybe we will be back soon…

Ok, let’s try this again… Unilocal told me I had to put more detail in the review!
So after a less than desirable experience at their BMW sister dealership, my wife and I decided to stop in at Mini NS to see what they had to offer, figured as current Mini owners (our second), we may see a higher trade in value… wrong! We were greeted by a nice enough sales associate, we explained we wanted to look at «used» or CPO”, he had no interest in showing us either of those, insisted we «check out the new Minis», already turned off we reluctantly agreed. So we drove the car, a new «S» coupe, nice enough but honestly it has lost a lot of the Mini character. We came back, they reviewed our trade, keep in mind, I handed them the Carmax offer in writing and they still came back $ 2000 less, they were the lowest of any dealer we had visited, were really pushy about us making a deal on the car we just drove, even though we did not like the color and were not overly wild about the car and told them as much. The Sales Manager, Tracy, never bothered to introduce his /​her self to us, they played the keep the trade key game for a while, and never offered to show us what we originally came to look at, used or «CPO» cars. Again, we are previous Mini purchasers and current Mini owners and this was by far the worst Mini dealer experience we have endured since we purchased our first in 2006.

«I’m always so impressed with the level of service I get from Mini — both Scottsdale and Tempe»

I certainly wish Unilocal would have been available in 2006 (correct! 8yrs ago) because then, I probably would NOT have been compelled to place a «stop payment on a check» for HORRIBLE repair job that could have possibly caused a very serious car accident, that may have injured me or killed me in my MINI Cooper. I had been rear ended by a large full size sedan, amazingly, and quite BLESSED I was not hurt… however my little car (of course) was damaged; not only visibly, BUT, subsequently after having my car supposedly repaired by the their affiliate collision shop, which (back in 2006) was NORTH SCOTTSDALE BMW/​Penske Automotive. Anyway, 2 weeks after the car being «cosmetically» repaired, and returned to me… I was driving to work; about get on the freeway, when all of a sudden my cute, freshly fixed little car literally broke down: the left rear axle arm broke for no unexplained reason… other than the rear end collision, and impact the car had recently sustained. I had the car towed back to NORTH SCOTTSDALE BMW (MINI) to have them re — fix their obvious «oversight» of the apparent compression fracture to the left rear axle. I had, also consulted with 2 reputable Auto body shops who agreed that «metal axles just don’t randomly snap for no apparent reason… other than impact»
NORTH SCOTTSDALE BMW/​PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE, dishonesty collected a hefty payment from the insurance company for the «botched» repair that looked great, but could have caused a fatality.
I regret having them touch my car! They have extremely poor business ethics (refuse to admit their error, and simply correct it.) However, with GREED, have the nerve to charge money for repairs not done well, initially and «double dipping» repair charges. I SINCERELY WARN ANYONE CONSIDERING HAVING REPAIR WORK DONE, BEWARE!!!

I had a very pleasant experience — Graham helped us out and was patient with us. I think dealerships can get a bad rap for their sales process and this was a great surprise. There was no pressure, and Graham took the time to explain everything and great at answering concerns and questions.
So happy to have a Mini and to be a part of the Mini family!

I purchased a new 2009 Cooper S from MINI North Scottsdale. Financing and maintenance all went smoothly and they have always provided a loaner car if the appointment was to take very long.
The night before Thanksgiving I blew up my engine on the Tohono O’odham indian reservation on the way to Tucson by overheating it when I was unable to stop safely for over five miles. MINI checked and replaced the thermostat and the engine failed to hold pressure. Although it did not appear to me that MINI was responsible per our agreement my service adviser, Matt, contacted MINI of North America and they agreed to replace the engine free of charge to me. In addition they stood by their repair by warrantying the engine for an additional two years from the date of the repair even though I didn’t have to pay for it.
I am also skeptical of auto repair schemes that people experience but I have never dealt with a dealer and a car company that will stand behind their autos they way that they have done for me. I would rate them a ten if I could. I would recommend them to a family member or a friend without hesitation. By the way, my car is almost five years old!
When I returned the beautiful red MINI convertible loaner and told them that I had forgotten to fill the tank the assistant insisted that they would take care of it rather than giving me directions to a gas station. It has taken a while because of my experiences at other dealers but I really do trust them to tell me the truth and to do the right thing.

We weren’t in the market for a MINI, but we did see online that MINI North Scottsdale had a used 2013 Honda Pilot for sale.
I called this dealership and spoke with Jen, who checked to make sure the Pilot was still in their inventory. When we showed up, we met sales associate Bill Bailey and he let us test drive the vehicle. Bill didn’t know much about the Pilot, but then again it is a MINI dealership. The Pilot was a standard 2013 LX, no extras, with 15k miles. There was some soda spattered on the interior and a couple of scratches on the paint. They had completely replaced the brake pads and rotors, which concerned me because I wasn’t sure how hard the first owner had driven this vehicle. Sticker price was $ 25,995, about $ 600 higher than KBB price for excellent condition.
We came in with our own financing and the first thing they did was ask how much we were approved for. Not a good start. Then they told us that after taxes and fees, we would be paying $ 29,500. Since we already knew we could get a deal for a 2014 Pilot at $ 31,000 out the door, you can imagine that the $ 29.5k price did not go over well. We offered $ 25k, then upped our offer to $ 26k when they refused. We were willing to negotiate. They were not.
The sales manager came out and tried to tell us that he «can’t do anything about taxes,» apparently forgetting that the base price does have some effect on the taxes charged. He said his last offer was $ 28k out the door.
We promptly drove to Arrowhead Honda and bought a 2014 Pilot with 7 miles on it for $ 31k out the door. Your loss, MINI North Scottsdale.
EDIT: A service rep contacted me after I left this review, asking me for my contact info so a manager could talk to me. I responded with my contact info. I’ve heard nothing back after a month. Also, I just checked their inventory online and not only do they still have this Honda Pilot, they have also dropped the sticker price to $ 24,999.
You missed out on a clean sale a month ago on this vehicle because you didn’t want to negotiate, MINI North Scottsdale, and now you’re still stuck with the same vehicle, asking about the price we offered. I do love my 2014 Honda Pilot, but it irks me that I could have saved money and you could have made money, but neither of us got what we wanted because of your stupidity. Take a class in customer service.

You can’t go wrong with a Mini and you can’t go wrong at this dealership. These people LOVE and live Mini’s and share that kind of love and professionalism with you. I went back and forth for months deciding on which Mini I wanted. Both my sales rep Drew and the finance department went completely out of their way in getting me every bit of info I requested, crunched numbers, took test dives and were absolutely amazing. I felt bad at times making them work so hard for one car/​customer but they never made me feel high maintenance (I totally was) and finally got me into a beautiful 2014 Countryman a month ago. It’s sick how much I love this car. It’s got power, great gas mileage and style for days. I’ve had BMW’s, Land Rovers and now my Mini and it’s a keeper. Thank you North Scottsdale Mini!

I was looking for a new Mini. Mini North Scottsdale had a number of offerings at what apeared to be a good price. It wasn’t until I sat down to do the paperwork where I noticed a $ 987 charge for «Aftermarkets.» It is a few items the dealer adds to the car, but doesn’t reflect it in the price, and then tries to avoid telling you until you sit down to go through things. Apparently there is some fine print somewhere that says the price online, the price on the car is not the real price. Whatever. It’s a sneaky tactic. I choose not to do business with companies that try to pull stuff like this, legal or not.
They offered to remove the items. FIne I said, but then you need to deduct the $ 987 off the price. They tried to slip me some paperwork that had the items removed, but the cost of the vehicle remained the same.
Forget it.
On to another dealership that doesn’t play these games.
The sales manager should be fired. Games like this will only come back to hurt them in the future.
If I tried to pull stunts like this in my business, I wouldn’t have any business. I wish the same for them.

I’ve been going to MINI of North Scottsdale since I bought my first MINI Cooper from them in 2006. I’m on my second one (a 2011 MINI Cooper S Convertible bought in October 2010) and the buying process was smooth, hassle-​free, and low pressure. I’ve bought a number of cars, both used and new, and MNS is easily the most pleasant experience I’ve had.
Their service has improved considerably over the years. I love MINI’s three-​year, 36,000 mile maintenance warranty and MNS makes it even better by over-​delivering. Their prices outside the warranty are higher than I’d prefer, but I really don’t know if they’re more than I’d expect. They’ve started using MINIs for loaners (love that) and fully comp the rental if you have to go to the on-​site Hertz or Avis (can’t remember which) when they don’t have any MINIs available. (They used to make you pay a flat fee of $ 9.95 per day so getting rid of that is just great.)
One time I had service and needed a loaner. The loaner’s gas tank was not full and I ended up having to spend $ 15 because I hadn’t noticed it until I left the premises. I was pretty upset about it and Matt really wowed me when he made it right.

Hilary’s first self asked for service appointment was today. only took 2 hours, fast, friendly and free! Oh yeah, with your new MINI purchase you receive your first 3 years of maintenance free. this time I took advantage of a cup of earl gray tea and watched the DIY channel on the flat screen. Also surfed on their free wifi from my iPhone. very cool set up! I would give 5 stars but Derick, my adviser got busy and my car sat completed for like 20 minutes and I got my keys when I approached the service desk. Maybe better next time?
Hilary, I love her so!