A year and a half ago we dropped the scoop that MINI USA was preparing to introduce a pre-owned program very similar to BMW’s “Certified Pre-Owned program” called MINI Next. This weekend, that program becomes a reality.
The system virtually mirrors BMW’s CPO program in the way it handles prep and warranties on the cars. MINI USA will be launching the program with the help of eight “pilot” dealers. At this time we can only confirm Patrick MINI will be the Central Region pilot for MINI Next.
We recently had a chance to look at some of the promotional material for MINI Next that will be used at the dealerships. The material describes the program in details while keeping MINI’s “You-ification” theme firmly in tact. Here’s an excerpt:
>MINI NEXT Certfied Pre-owned MINI
>THE MINI NEXT PROTECTION PLAN.
The confidence you have in your MINI should increase with every turn you take. In fact, the tighter the turn the better. And while every MINI NEXT car is as attractive and stylish as a new one, they can’t rely on
looks alone. That’s because each MINI must meet the sky-high standards of our MINI NEXT Program. Only a worthy few are selected for certification. So consider yourself lucky.
>Each MINI NEXT car must be less than five years old, have less than 60,000 miles, and pass a rigorous
inspection process. Add to that the limited warranty, which covers up to two years or 50,000 miles, and
you’re good to motor like new. So feel free to express your exuberance with a loud joyous shout, and know that if you ever need help, like any great do-gooder, we’ll be there for you. practically overqualified.†And, well, you’re right. It’s in excellent condition. In fact, it’s in such great shape the previous owner may want it back. That’s why we’ve prepared this handy-dandy guide for thwarting any
previous owner’s attempts at getting their MINI back.
>WE’VE BEEN INSPECTED.
Each MINI NEXT car has been inspected bonnet-to-boot by a MINI trained technician. We like to think of it as a massage. It’s a process—carried out by some of the most dedicated technicians in the business—meant to refresh your MINI and ensure that the first feelings you experience out on the open road are ones of pure and utter goodness.
>WE’RE UNDER WARRANTY.
The 2-year/50,000-mile MINI NEXT Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty protects you against defects in
materials or workmanship. All covered repairs are made by MINI trained technicians, using only original
MINI parts, so go ahead and motor like you mean it. Oh, and don’t worry about third-party adjusters
coming between you and motoring. Your MINI Dealer can determine if your repair is covered on the spot.
>Although the MINI NEXT Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty is pretty comprehensive, it’s not an extension of the MINI New Passenger Car Limited Warranty. The MINI NEXT Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty takes over when the original MINI New Passenger Car Limited Warranty expires and provides somewhat different coverage.
>WE’LL COME TO THE RESCUE.
The road can be adventurous. That’s why every MINI NEXT car comes with Roadside Assistance for two years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first).†Available any time of day, on any day of the year, this MINI NEXT Roadside Assistance Plan covers you no matter where you are in the U.S. All it takes is a single toll-free call. we’ve got you covered.
>IN GENERAL:
The MINI NEXT Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty is designed to protect MINI NEXT motorists from defects in materials and workmanship on covered parts and components. This broad coverage includes the following parts and systems:
>- Engine
>- Automatic/manual transmission
>- Drive shaft
>- Front suspension
>- Rear suspension
>- Steering
>- Brakes
>- ABS brake system
>- Electrical
>- Air conditioning/heating system
>- Cooling system
>- Fuel system
>The 2-year/50,000-mile MINI NEXT Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty protects you against defects in
materials or workmanship. All covered repairs are made by MINI trained technicians, using only original
MINI parts, so go ahead and motor like you mean it. Oh, and don’t worry about third-party adjusters
coming between you and motoring.
>What’s Left for You
>UPKEEP ITEMS:
Maintenance; engine, transmission and body adjustments; wheel alignment, balancing or rotation;
wiper-blade inserts; engine drive belt; spark plugs; filters; fuses; all batteries; all hoses and clamps (except air conditioning and power steering); oils, lubricants, fluids, refrigerants and coolants (except as required in the course of a covered repair); brake pads and rotors; manual transmission clutch assemblies; suspension dampers (shock absorbers/strut elements); exhaust systems; tires. That wasn’t so bad.
>WEAR AND USE:
All wear-and-use items are defined in the Consumer Information Booklet for MINI NEXT (including all
suspension parts and components).
>BODY AND INTERIOR:
Paint; glass; headlamps; bulbs (except instrumentation); mirrors; lenses; body and chassis; body seals
and gaskets; interior and exterior trim, moldings and fasteners; upholstery; haircuts, sorry, making sure
you’re still with us; headliner, cup holders, carpeting, floor and trunk mats; convertible top (all components except electronics); air or water leaks; wind or body noises; wheels; damage due to rust and corrosion or contamination except as covered by the MINI New Vehicle Rust and Corrosion Perforation Warranty.
>ACCESSORIES:
Radio/CD (or cassette) player, telephone, navigation other Terms and conditions.
>Other Terms and Conditions
>HANDLING CHARGE:
There is a $50 handling charge per repair visit that must be paid by the customer for any repairs covered
under the terms of the MINI NEXT Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty.
>TRANSFERS:
The MINI NEXT Protection Plan is fully transferable from the original MINI NEXT purchaser or lessee to
subsequent owner(s) or lessee(s).
>REPAIR SERVICES:
MINI is not obligated to pay for repairs or maintenance performed at unapproved repair facilities (even if covered under the MINI NEXT Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty). The car must be delivered to an authorized MINI Dealer to obtain service under the MINI NEXT Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty. The MINI NEXT Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty does not cover additional expenses related to a breakdown, such as but not limited to: car rental, lodging expenses, loss of pay or telephone charges, except as covered by MINI .
You can download the entire brochure here. (1.2MB PDF)
The program launches this weekend at the eight pilot dealers.
It may be worth mentioning that MINI of Canada has it’s own MINI Next program already underway.
It covers alignments and…tires?!? I think something is wrong with the text.
Re-read it now. There was some text that somehow got commented out.
This might explain why I received an email last night proclaiming “MINI of Peabody is proud to announce the largest selection of pre-owned MINIs anywhere is now on display at MINI of Peabody!”
I bet that they are a pilot dealer.
<blockquote>In fact, it’s in such great shape the previous owner may want it back.</blockquote>
And why is that…perhaps because MINI will actually fix the things which they refused to do while the original owner had the car under warranty?
This is very similar to the “MINI Cherished” used car program currently offered in the UK.
LOL petsounds … If I had kept my mouth shut about my failinig clutch, and sold my Cooper S to the used (oops “pre-owned”) car department of my local MINI dealer, I could have walked back in the next day … bought the car back and had the clutch replaced under warranty when it went out and probably come out ahead financially. Nahhhh … I don’t have that much time on my hands. This brings up an interesting question: Would MINI USA “sell” this coverage to an existing owner nearing 60K miles and for how much $$$?
We already have a MINI NEXT program here in Australia… just thought youou’d like to know… http://www.mini.com.au/scripts/main.asp?PageID=14030
It’s the same here in the Netherlands.
<a href="http://www.mininext.nl" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mininext.nl</a>
Seems like they’re excluding a lot of stuff…
(and I really can’t believe they won’t cover bad haircuts, sheesh….)
I bought my Cooper S though a similar scheme in South Africa, but I’m very disapointed in the program. The dealer said he’d extended my warranty, but he hadn’t, he just added a service plan, so when I recently had some repairs done I got a nasty bill of R13k (about $1750). When I asked BMW SA about my “Motorplan” they just refered me back to the selling dealer, who said tough luck. So much for being backed by BMW. And to add insult to injury BMW want R8100 (about $1100) to re-instate my warranty.
And I’m not the only one who this has happened to! BMW really needs to raise your game.
Canada’s MINI NEXT program started in May 2006: <a href="http://www.mininext.ca/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mininext.ca/</a>
Regards,
David, MINI Yaletown
05 MCS BEP
So, does that mean that the warrantee starts after the original 50k and continues on until 110k?
Not impressed.
Wonder if they certify cars with mods like pullies…
I know that MINI of Manhattan here in the Northeast and Westchester MINI which are both factory owned stores are both Pilot Dealers. By the way one of you hit this right on the head. the additional warranty is different than the original warranty. It really is a mirror of the BMW CPO program of which I used to be involved directly with at my sister dealership. Really not a bad program but do not expect it to cover a lot of things that the original warranty covers. Some coverage is much better than none and I have to say the BMW program is pretty good from my past experience.
So who are the pilot dealers?
Peabody, Patrick, Manhattan, Westchester . . .
Who else?
Not impressed? IMO some warranty and roadside assistance on a safety certified MINI, purchased from a MINI retailer, is better than no warranty and no roadside assistance on any old MINI purchased from Doug’s Chrysler, for example. And, typically, certified MINIs will be competitively priced along with other pre-owned MINIs. You assign the value of the certified program to you then go forth and negotiate! <a href="http://www.mininext.ca/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mininext.ca/</a>
Regards,
David, MINI Yaletown
(Opinions do not necessarily reflect those of my employer!)
05 MCS BEP
Some of the members of the local club received e-mails from Classic MINI in Cleveland so I think they be another one of the Pilot Dealers.
Brecht MINI is the west coast pilot