MINI of Fairfield County

Sales- Exceptional Service- GOD AWFUL In summer of 2012 I purchased a 2007 MINI Cooper S hardtop from MINI of Fairfield County. The sales process was smooth, the price fair, and my salesm In summer of 2012 I purchased a 2007 MINI Cooper S hardtop from MINI of Fairfield County. The sales process was smooth, the price fair, and my salesman Antonio Silva was helpful and one of the best car salesman I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with. He is a true professional. I was happy with my purchase, and things were going well. Shortly after I took delivery of the car, the airbag light came on, and I had to return the car to get that problem fixed. This is where things really went sour with this dealership. While the sales dept has their crap together, the service dept was the complete opposite. They are VERY disorganized, and don't call back when they say they are going to. The receptionist Barbara is one of the most unhelpful people out there- I really have no idea why she's there. One time I brought my MINI in to service because I observed the dash lights were dimming. I thought this was a problem with the electrical system. Well, service had my car for 2 days, and it turns out that this was a feature built in; it was supposed to do that. I'm sorry but I find it unacceptable that it took that long to tell me that there was nothing wrong with the car- I can get better information by Googling the issue. At least I know for next time. ^ As a result of this, I was issued a service coupon that said 75% off any service. I accepted it, and kept it at home, hoping to use it for a large service bill. Turns out, that there was a clerical error in writing that ticket- it really was $75.00 off, and NOT 75%. Honest mistake, but you can see my disappointment when I went to redeem for 75%, and they said it was only $75.00. I'm not being ungrateful, but these cars are so expensive to fix, $75.00 doesn't really cover anything. Barely an oil change. Fast forward a year or so. On a Tuesday afternoon, my MINI broke down, and I had to call AAA to have it towed to service. I called Service to let them know I was on my way. Barbara answered, and kept me on hold for an unacceptable amount of time. When I arrived at Service, they didn't have any loaner cars, so I had to get a ride back to Stamford. Not a huge deal, but it's not the first time they've been out of loaners. This breakdown really was the last straw with my MINI. I ended up selling it, taking a $5,000 loss, and buying a Ford Fusion instead. Perhaps the worst part of all this, was that the service dept didn't care about the numerous problems I was having with the car (more than what was listed in this review). Nobody ever apologized or said, "gee Mr Hirst, we're sorry you're having all these problems with your MINI that you've only had for a year and a half." It was just excuse after excuse. Look, I get that you're all stewards of the MINI brand, and therefore you really can't say anything, but man up and take responsibility for the product you're dealing with. I called MINI/BMW corporate, and finally a representative from the company apologized to me for all the BS I've had to endure, including the rigmarole at Service for a year and a half. After this long roller coaster ride, It is of my own personal OPINION that nobody should buy a MINI, EVER. They are crappy made cars that need constant babysitting, and will suck every last dollar out of you until you are out on the street. And that's the best way I can put it, because my review most likely won't be approved for posting if I used the colorful language more congruent with how I truly feel. As for MINI of Fairfield County, I can't recommend this dealership, because I can't recommend anyone purchase a MINI; new OR used; doesn't matter, the problems begin before the car is even broken in. I'm someone who believes in attacking a problem at the source; and in this case, maybe the service dept wouldn't have issues dealing with irate customers like myself IF THE CARS ACTUALLY PERFORMED AS THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO.. instead of being in the shop more than being driven. Perhaps your service personnel should visit a Mercedes Benz dealership.. you might take some lessons on the "gold standard" of customer service. I will never buy another MINI, and I will talk to every stranger I see that owns one and suggest to them they sell their car. They're not worth anyone's time, or money. And, if anyone from service still believes that MINI makes good cars, then you are all delusional. Stop being so robotic and regurgitating what corporate has told you to, and think for yourselves. But hey, everyone's entitled to their opinion, right? More

I have been shopping for a new car for several weeks and this was the worst experiece I ever had. My son and I spent 20 minutes in the showroom wihout even being acknowledged by a single employee. When we this was the worst experiece I ever had. My son and I spent 20 minutes in the showroom wihout even being acknowledged by a single employee. When we were finally paid attention to, "no-one was available to help us" even though we were standing ten feet from two sales people who were standing and chatting. We werent told how long we would have to wait, or offered to make an appointment to be helped later. Just, "Still busy - no-one is available". Then I remembered, I visited this dealership 7 years ago and had a similar bad experience, ultimately purchasing my car from Mini of Westchester. Could have saved an hour and aot of frustration if I had only remembered that experience. More

Have been trying to lease a car from Mini of Fairfield since December 25th last year, still don't have it due to process problems at the dealer. In general the staff and management, especially Tom the gen since December 25th last year, still don't have it due to process problems at the dealer. In general the staff and management, especially Tom the general sales manager, have been helpful. That being said Sean Goode the sales person I've been working with has been really disappointing from a customer service perspective. Was supposed to pick the car up on the 30th of December, then it got pushed to Jan 2nd. Sean waited until 330pm on the afternoon that day to call and tell me it wouldn't be ready until the following Tuesday. I had already cleared my schedule and was getting ready to board an early train out of the city. He offered no solution to the problem, like giving me a loaner for the weekend. It took one 10min call to the manager to arrange for a loaner. Tom was great and it took no time at all. As of yesterday the car will be ready on Friday the 10th but I'm not holding my breath. I would recommend a Mini and this dealer but strongly suggest working with a different rep. Several friends have purchased multiple cars from Mark Smith and can't say enough good things about him. I will be working with him on any future transactions. More

They sent out my Mini Cooper Clubman S today 11/22/2013 (which has been at the dealership since late July) after doing a $4066.00 valve job on it with a BROKEN HOSE. Got about five minutes down I-95 and h (which has been at the dealership since late July) after doing a $4066.00 valve job on it with a BROKEN HOSE. Got about five minutes down I-95 and had smoke pouring out of the hood and no fluids in the radiator. Their response when I called. . . "well, where do you think the water went and what do you want me to do" in a sneering tone not to be believed. Nothing about trying to mitigate any of this (mind you, the car had another 5K worth of repairs done on it last June 2012-timing chain, etc) or apologies. Just the most dismissive, antagonistic responses imaginable. Steven needs a lesson in customer service- or a new career. This place fails on every front. No matter what happens now. . and Mini USA is stepping in at this point. . . this is not a place I would ever want anyone else to have to deal with. I might add that I did not buy the car there. More

I would not recommend this dealership because of my experience. My 2011 mini still under warranty was towed in for a flat tire. I got a call from John Corcoran saying that my battery was dead. I told h experience. My 2011 mini still under warranty was towed in for a flat tire. I got a call from John Corcoran saying that my battery was dead. I told him it was not dead when you had it towed in and he said the computer was showing the key was left on for an extended period of time and he can't warranty the battery! He quoted me $400 to change the battery, I told him not to replace it try charging it. They charged me $65 to charge it and I still had a dead battery when I picked it up.they overcharge for everything they do,would not recommend them for any kind of service except warranty work. More

My Daughter took her out of warranty Mini to them because engine light was on and the car would shudder now and again. Diagnostic fee $190 new thermostat $500, which she paid for. they also said a new clutch engine light was on and the car would shudder now and again. Diagnostic fee $190 new thermostat $500, which she paid for. they also said a new clutch and front bushings were needed $3300 wow she couldn't afford that and said would bring it back when she had the money together. Took it for a second opinion to Karl Chevrolet automotive absolutely nothing wrong with the clutch or front end. SHAME ON YOU MINI OF FAIR FIELD I will never take the mini back to you you are scam artists More

Mini of Fairfield gave great customer service until one service in which an air bubble was left in my cooling system. The next day the car overheated and seized up. Although they took the car and fixed it service in which an air bubble was left in my cooling system. The next day the car overheated and seized up. Although they took the car and fixed it free of charge over the next 2 years it continued to have overheating problems leading to the water pump and thermostat being replaced twice (I was always told the new parts had failed). In the end I took it to another garage and the gasket was found to be cracked and was replaced with no further problems. The # 1 reason for a cracked gasket is a significant overheating so go figure. Mini always denied culpability in this and I ended up paying several thousand dollars to resolve this issue. More