[vegbiker]

My MA and finance lady have both casually mentioned a "second date" after I've lived with my Mini a while. I think it's also mentioned on the MINIUSA site, but I'm assuming it's a worldwide offer. It's vague if they will contact me or I'm expected to initiate the "date." Maybe after the first month or 1K miles?

Has anyone taken advantage of this service and, if so, how was your experience? Did you gain any helpful new info? I gather it's a meeting with the delivery/tech specialist who can answer your questions now that you have a better understanding, or misunderstanding, of your new vehicle. It seems it should answer some of the questions and clear some confusion we have in figuring out controls, functions, mysterious algorithms, etc. (Open the pod bay doors, HAL!)

 

[jeremybingham]

Sounds a great idea. Not offered to me in the uk but they did ring after a couple of weeks and e mail to check I was happy. I am!

 

[Wheee!]

Did you make her pay for dinner the first time? Maybe that's why she hasn't called? . With your charm and good looks Vegbiker, I would have thought it was a given!

There was nothing like that mentioned up here but Mini Canada doesn't seem to offer as much as other places. I would be curious to hear what it is all about.

 

[jeremybingham]

Did you make her pay for dinner the first time? Maybe that's why she hasn't called? . With your charm and good looks Vegbiker, I would have thought it was a given!

There was nothing like that mentioned up here but Mini Canada doesn't seem to offer as much as other places. I would be curious to hear what it is all about.

Me too

 

[Shigaman]

Haven't heard it called "second date" but here in Japan the dealer has invited to bring the car in for a "1st month's check" , just so they can make sure everything's working as it should be. They're going to phone me in 3 weeks or so to set up a date. I'm only 3 days into driving the new car, and everything's great so far. Aiming to learn at least one new thing about the car each day; today it was how to turn on and adjust the ACC.

 

[vegbiker]

Did you make her pay for dinner the first time? Maybe that's why she hasn't called? . With your charm and good looks Vegbiker, I would have thought it was a given!

Well, gee, I wasn't sure of protocol what with the car's British origins, German engineering, and international appeal, so, in a nod to the new plant in The Netherlands, we went Dutch!

My salesman did give me over half an hour of unscheduled time to go back over controls and answer all my questions. (Call it a "pre-second date.") For instance, I learned that the voice activation button on the steering wheel is useless because I didn't buy that option; evidently all steering wheels on all models come the same, regardless. Man, you should seen me trying to take incoming calls and adjust the volume on the first few calls! Shouldn't an icon with a person talking be for the telephone?!

Anyhow, I'll report back when I get my next date. Maybe I'll get lucky. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

 

[Wheee!]

I think it's a great idea. I know when I picked up my car I was too excited to take in even half of what he was telling me, let alone be able to think of the questions I should ask. Although if there is going to be an appointment to go over everything I don't know it's going to need to be long enough that it could be considered a long term relationship by the end of it!

 

[jeremybingham]

Me too whee sat there in a total daze. Had to sit on the drive when I got home and go. Through it again.

 

[Oost]

.....Shouldn't an icon with a person talking be for the telephone

You'd think so wouldn't you? I mentioned this on another thread, it's a bit irritating, because you can't really ignore this button. It would be like including a fog light switch, but no fog lights.

maybe the second date has "presents" for you?

 

[SirAlec]

Veg, have you taken advantage of the MINI Second Date yet? I took delivery of my F56 on 11/14. Before I left with the car my Motoring Advisor (re: salesman) took me over to meet the greeter guy in the service department. They explained the second date thing and then we scheduled it right them. Three weeks later I went back.

It's worthwhile to do as I'm sure you have additional questions (have them explain how the Key-Read works, it's pretty interesting). And they should wash your car and top off the tank too.

 

[QMark]

Top off the tank? Are you serious? Mine wasn't even full on my first date!
And I don't think they are bothering with second dates in the UK. Unless it's just my dealer (Berry Chiswick)...

 

[vegbiker]

SirAlec, thanks for the feedback. No, I haven't gone in yet and they haven't contacted me. Given their lackluster communications skills, it's not surprising. I'm glad to hear it was productive for you. I really think it's a great idea - too bad all dealers aren't as proactive as yours.

I will contact them shortly and see if I can get in before the holidays. Thanks for the tip on gas and washing! You're the first one to report in on this service. I will post on my experience when it happens.

 

[MINIgirl]

I haven't heard from my sales guy either. It seems once you drive of the lot with the car, they don't seem interested in you anymore (once they've made a sale). The sales guy had said to call with any questions, but has not made an attempts to call and see how things are going.

I'll be calling him so they can put the license plate on, and already have a list of questions I have to ask when I go in. Being new to MINI, I need to learn how things work to make the most of my dream car!

 

[fatherfork]

My dealer has been great. They called for a second date a few days after I got the car. I went in a couple weeks later and they introduced the service advisor, filled up my tank (they told me about this so I made sure it was low;-), and (surprise!) gave me $100 to spend on anything they sell. I got the mud flaps. It's been a great experience so far.

Anyone who hasn't had a second date, call your dealer. Mine said Mini pays for it so it's not a dealer specific thing.

 

[jeremybingham]

Wow we don't get that in the uk. Mind they did ring to check all was ok a few days after.

 

[Shigaman]

I've just got back from my "second date" - though I only heard it referred to once here by that name. In Japan it's usually called simply the "one month check". They told me when I picked up the car that they'd like to see me in a month, to give the car a once-over check and clear up any queries I might have about the controls. I also had them switch my wheels over, so I'm now on winter tyres. I've been having a few problems operating the ACC - never seemed to work properly for me. The dealer came out on the road with me for 10 mins and showed me what I'd been doing wrong. No freebies this time, but I got a leather key holder and Spike USB memory stick last time I was there. They washed the car for me today too, which was beyond the call, I thought. Most pleased with Mini Shiga!

 

[jeremybingham]

That's brilliant service.

 

[Sunster]

Yep - don't think we have this in the UK, but have had a phone call to make sure everything is fine, and they were chasing me to book the car in to sort out the BT issue I've been having.

VERY doubtful they're going to top off my petrol any time soon - had to argue a little when I picked up my car and they said they normally only half fill the tank. Still, they did send someone out to fill it up before I drove away and all in all I have been very impressed with the level of service.

 

[LindyMini]

I had my second date two weeks after buying the car. When I was setting the appointment I was advised to bring the car in as close to empty as possible as they would be giving me up to $50 in gas. The tech guy sat in the car with me and answered all my questions. I was given a large Union Jack bag full of goodies, including a pack of really cool mini Xmas cards.

 

[jeremybingham]

I had my second date two weeks after buying the car. When I was setting the appointment I was advised to bring the car in as close to empty as possible as they would be giving me up to $50 in gas. The tech guy sat in the car with me and answered all my questions. I was given a large Union Jack bag full of goodies, including a pack of really cool mini Xmas cards.

That's amazing we don't get that sort of treatment in the UK, though I did get the phone call too to make sure I was happy, which I still am. Really pleased to notice that after not being used for a while my wife took me out for a run in it(hooray) and it smelt of leather. The half leather, diamond cloth really must be genuine leather.