Auto Express magazine awarded the MINI (UK) Cherished programme ‘Used Car Scheme 2006’ at its annual Used Car Honours Awards in London. In the first three months of the year sales of MINI Cherished have risen by 21 percent while in March alone an all-time record of 2,060 new owners bought a Cherished MINI.
To win the award MINI Cherished beat all the other manufacturer-backed schemes. Judges examined which scheme offered customers the best value for money, protection and user friendliness.
Mike Brewer, awards compére and contributor to Auto Express, said: “Our judges were swayed by a brand that goes one step further than the others. It provides peace of mind when you actually buy the car and, thanks to its market-leading inclusive servicing packages, can continue to provide tender loving care into the future.â€ÂÂ
The MINI Cherished scheme was set up in 2001 and has sold over 56,000 cars in the past 5 years. Every Cherished MINI is scrutinised by MINI technicians and comes with 12 months unlimited mileage warranty, full service history, independent mileage and history check and 12 months membership to the 24-hour, MINI Emergency service in the UK and continental Europe.
In addition, with 96 per cent of new MINI buyers purchasing the five years / 50,000 miles MINI tlc service package for the bargain price of £150, it’s likely that a Cherished buyer will benefit from this as the pack is transferable to second and third owners. Plus, MINI tlc XL is available when the initial tlc pack comes to an end and offers a further three years / 30,000 miles fixed-price servicing for £300.
Andy Hearn, MINI UK General Manager, said: “The award-winning MINI Cherished scheme offers assurance to customers that they’re buying a MINI in the best possible condition for their driving adventures. MINI’s excellent residual values means owners also have the added confidence of making a good financial decision. Five years after the car first went on sale and a typical three-year old MINI Cooper still holds a value of 71 per cent* on the forecourt. â€ÂÂ
Source: MINI UK Press
<blockquote>Used Car Scheme 2006</blockquote>
If a U.S. magazine named MINIUSA winner of the best “used car scheme 2006”, something tells me MINIUSA wouldn’t be putting out a press release.
Same planet. Different worlds.
Funny how language and cultures work sometimes.
I know of young man in England who has had a horrid experience with his Cherished MINI. He is still having problems with his “Cherished” Cooper and has been lied to and has found little to no satisfaction with his local dealership fixing all the items wrong with this Cooper. He found that none of this; “Every Cherished MINI is scrutinised by MINI technicians” , seemed to be true.
My experiences with my dealer here in SoCal has been trying. Every item that needs to be fixed is a mine field of BS. Replacing my ’04 MCS engine, dead at 22,000, was a 3 week ordeal. Had to change my SA a week and a half into the process because of his incompetence and BS. If it weren’t for my usual SA, who was off the day my car came in, I would never go back to this place! He seems to know the right way to deal with get through the BS MINI MINE FIELD.
So I think “SCHEME” is the correct word for most of what I have experienced with my two MCS’s and my daughters MC!
If I was close, even a state away, I’d go to MINI of Peabody, MA. as it seems to get rave reviews.
Oh Yeah…… :¬(
LTZMOTR, your story of the young man sounds familiar to mine. Only difference is I’m in Scotland. 🙂
I have had a lot of problems with the Cooper I bought through the Cherished program and still am. Just trying to escalate the problems to someone higher up the chain of command to get things resolved. Don’t hold out much hope though.
Yes I know, Sorry about the location.
… :¬)
Wow! I have enjoyed totally troublefree service from 3 MINIs that I have purchased all brand new (’02 MC CVT, ’04 MCS & ’05 MCS).
My selling dealer, Lauderdale MINI in Ft. Lauderdale, FL has been exceptional in my 4 year relationship with them in both sales and service.
Too bad some folks have been saddled with either bad cars and bad service depts. To me a good service dept is the difference between souring on an otherwise outstanding product or leaving it behind all together.
I think people with problemattic cars are an inmense vocal minority. Happy and reliable MINIs and owners are enjoying motoring day in and day out.
Best of luck to you both in solving your issues to satisfaction.