MINI of Montgomery County - Service Center

Get a second opinion on any service they try to sell you The people are nice enough, but was severely disappointed that this visit, on 11/18/16, was the second time they lied to me about the things the car n The people are nice enough, but was severely disappointed that this visit, on 11/18/16, was the second time they lied to me about the things the car needed done and the things it did not need. I came in for service because the red BRAKE indicator and service symbol came on and after checking the car myself I found that the rear driver side rotor was severely pitted and the caliper was locked-up and the inner pad had almost no friction material left. I indicated to the service writer to look into rear caliper issue when I checked in. He came to tell me after they supposedly looked the car over to tell me the prognosis, which they also noted in my invoice: 1) That I would soon need front rotors and pads (there was actually a third life in all pads and rotors were just rusted on the non-friction areas.) 2) That I did NOT need a new caliper but would soon need rear rotors and pads (I actually needed immediately both the driver side rear caliper, because piston seal was torn and the piston was pitted, the rotor, which was SEVERELY pitted on the inner side, and of course pads). This indicates of course that they did not look at the brakes at all, let alone the one I indicated they should look at. 3) The oil solenoid was leaking and that its replacement was needed soon with a cost of $830 due to the cost of the solenoid and the removal of the half-shaft and oil pan. While the condition was true, it is a common enough problem that back in 2013 Mini released a service kit (which costs $30) and a bulletin SIM 11-01-12 which clearly states NOT to remove oil pan or replace oil solenoid. Considering their trustworthiness, it is likely they would apply the cheap fix while charging me full pop. They sent me on my way with the BRAKE light and service indicator still lit. Thank you Mini of Montgomery County for attempting to bilk me for work not needed and for ignoring my observation and overlooking the work I desperately needed. For these reasons I do not recommend this service department at all. I do recommend getting a second opinion for any items the service writers try to sell you. More

Bad service They have done decent work in the past for my college-age son and his 2008 Mini. For example, they installed a new clutch and performed several other They have done decent work in the past for my college-age son and his 2008 Mini. For example, they installed a new clutch and performed several other minor repairs with a good customer experience with Brian. I am motivated to write a poor review based on a more recent experience with this dealership and a different service advisor. After spending a few thousand dollars on an older used car this past winter (with Brian), we noticed the engine light had come on this spring. To make the story short, this dealer was unwilling to help unless there were dollars in it for them (i.e, charging diagnostic fees instead of just helping us) though they knew they were working with a collage-age boy trying to minimize expenses. I spoke to the GM who told me that it is fair to charge a diagnostic fee when we are not going to perform the work (or not with them), despite the fact that we have spent thousands there over the past couple years of owning the car. He said that its normal in the industry. So over the past couple of months since this bad experience, 5 other friends and family cars were taken to different dealerships (American, German, Japanese - all local) with only the intention of asking them to do a diagnostic check. Every single one of them did the computer check, which took 15-20 minutes each and none of them charged us - instead giving us a smile. Bad on you Mini of Montgomery for not paying attention to the people by focusing on long-term relationships. These five other dealerships will get business from me and my large circle of friends and family, as will anyone else who cares about relationships, and you will not. My college son likes his Mini and will not buy another from you, nor will his circle of friends. So, when you look at your financial results over the next couple of years and wonder why you're not doing better, perhaps you can re-read this review. More

WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAVE EVER HAD! MINI told me on the phone I could drop my car off Thursday and pick it up Tuesday even if the work was done early because I was going to be out of MINI told me on the phone I could drop my car off Thursday and pick it up Tuesday even if the work was done early because I was going to be out of town. This is the second time I brought my car in for a recall issue and last time it took a week and a half (HIGHLY doubtful my car would be done by Tuesday). I left work to go out of my way to drop my car off. I get there and they tell me they cannot give me a rental car until Tuesday because the car may be done Monday and request that I pay for taxis everywhere and they will reimburse me later. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING?????? They were requesting I taxi back to work in Rockville, taxi home to Tysons corner, and taxi to BWI airport and then taxi back on Monday evening from BWI to Tysons corner. Those taxi fares alone would well exceed the amount it would even cost for a rental car. If it was going to be an issue to give me a rental car in the first place I would have gotten service done another weekend. THAT IS NOT what they told me on the phone when I was scheduling the service request and asked if it would be a problem. I have used their rental cars in the past and they are filthy so I wanted to avoid that at all costs. Dropping my car off on a weekend when I was out of town and not needing a car seemed to be an ideal option. Also, when I say filthy, I mean there were used q-tips in the door panels, stains and spills, and it smelled. I will never get another MINI again. More

top -notch service; professional employees The service in this place is top-notch. The employees were professional, polite and they got the work done super-fast. I must have sent less than 5 The service in this place is top-notch. The employees were professional, polite and they got the work done super-fast. I must have sent less than 5 minutes dropping off my car and getting set -up with a rental. Also while my car was in service, I received daily updates via email on the progress, also was notified when the car was ready for pick up. These guys are super-professional and know how to get their work done in time. I highly recommend this place. More

I was feeling a vibration at high speeds after nailing a pot hole. I took my car in hoping that the rim would be repaired or replaced under the 3rd party tire & rim package I purchased. As expected, it was pot hole. I took my car in hoping that the rim would be repaired or replaced under the 3rd party tire & rim package I purchased. As expected, it was. What wasn't expected was that Mini gave me a free loaner for the 3 days it took to have the rim inspected, replacement authorized, part ordered, and then replaced. Everyday I got an email about the progress. When my car was ready to pick up I got a txt. Everyone was super nice and my filthy mini was returned squeaky clean to boot. Very good dealership! More

I brought my 2008 cooper S in for some warranty work and was extremely pleased with my experience. My service advisor Jaime was great staying in contact with through the process. The car was ready the sam was extremely pleased with my experience. My service advisor Jaime was great staying in contact with through the process. The car was ready the same day an the work was done correctly the first time as promised. Great experience!! More

My 2003 Mini Cooper S was overheating and I took it in for service and this is the service estimate I got from Mini of Montgomery County: Overheating issue: - Water pump is leaking $1080 - The core suppo for service and this is the service estimate I got from Mini of Montgomery County: Overheating issue: - Water pump is leaking $1080 - The core support is also cracked and radiator is damaged and leaking $1740 - The tech is recommending the thermostat be replaced due to the vehicle overheating $260 - Also would be a good idea to do the coolant flush $240 Total: $3,320. They also came up with additional list of "recommended" fixes for $8,550. They had me so intimidated I thought I was going to have to buy a new car. When asked what they would give us in a trade-in, they offered $300 (yes, hundred--not thousand) --despite the fact that the blue book value on a trade-in for my car in fair condition is $5,185 ($6,435 for excellent) to give a frame of reference. I had replaced the water pump about 2 years and 2 months ago at Mini of Sterling and they refused to stand behind their work, saying that they warranty it to 2 years, that's it. Customer loyalty, years of taking my car there, and thousands of dollars later meant nothing. They wouldn't stand behind it. Although, Mini of Sterling did say that they would do the work for less than $2,700--meaning that Mini Of Montgomery County was charging over $600 more for the same work. I decided to get an estimate over the phone from a local, respected, foreign car mechanic in the area and his estimate for the same work was $1,570. I (thankfully) decided to take my car there for service. Almost immediately he told me that the problem didn't appear to be the water pump, radiator, or the thermostat. The problem was a hole in one of the hoses. He replaced the broken hose, another hose, pressure tested the system and my bill was $280. I've been driving the car for weeks with no issues. Not only would Mini of Montgomery County have screwed me out of over $3,000, but also their estimate didn't include replacing the hoses. So, either they would have tacked more money onto the bill later or I would have had the work done and it still wouldn't have fixed the problem. Either Mini of Montgomery County have incompetent mechanics or they are dishonest or some combination of the two. I will never take my car there again for service and I would advise anyone to steer clear of these thieves. PS - Mini emailed a customer satisfaction survey in which I expressed my displeasure and I requested a follow-up call from both the dealership and corporate. Mini corporate called and listened to my complaints and made excuse after excuse for the dealership, even going so far as to say "well, we stand behind our dealerships." Translation: They made the phone call because they had to, but they weren't going to do anything for me and if they lose me as a customer so be it. The person I spoke to didn't seem to care at all. Despite requesting that they contact me, Mini of Montgomery County didn't bother to call. More

Brought my car for an oil change and a recall item. I had the first appointment of the day, 7:30 am. I did not hear from them until I finally called at 3:30 at which time they said they were just beginning m the first appointment of the day, 7:30 am. I did not hear from them until I finally called at 3:30 at which time they said they were just beginning my repair. Told me that if I didn't hear from them by 5:00 that it wouldn't be ready today but just come and get it the next morning. The next morning comes and just to be safe I call before heading out. Is my car ready? "Nope" okay when will it be ready? "don't know but we'll call your right back". 0ne hour later .... Radio silence. I understand that you can't always predict how long a repair will take but just communicate with me. More

From my first call to Ryan in service till I left the dealer with my car repaired, I had nothing but the best service ever. This is the most friendly dealership I have ever been to. I am new to Mini and dealer with my car repaired, I had nothing but the best service ever. This is the most friendly dealership I have ever been to. I am new to Mini and it was my Sons dream car. We purchased a used Cooper S from a private seller and within a few thousand miles started to experience problems with the engine. I called Ryan at Passport and he spent quite a long time with me on the phone, as I am 100 miles from dealership. He wanted to make sure that I did not drive all the way there for something I could fix myself. I had no dealings with this dealership in the passed and they owed me nothing. Simply put, being a mechanic myself, I know what it is like to go to someone with something used and ask for help. Most dealer and service employees have no time or patience to help. Ryan and the service team at Passport went way above and beyond any dealer I have been to and even purchased from. I cannot think of one thing with my experience at this dealer that was not a step above all others. I will take my Sons Mini back to Passport for any other service needs with complete trust that it will be returned in better shape than they received it. The car was even washed without request. That is service. Thank you Passport Mini of Montgomery Co. More

All work was covered by warranty, no extra work was pushed on me, which has happened in other dealerships. I was give a loaner to drive. I was kept up with what was going on and when they found a rattl pushed on me, which has happened in other dealerships. I was give a loaner to drive. I was kept up with what was going on and when they found a rattle which was not part of the original clutch problem they fixed that too. What can I say, I am stunned, happily, by this experience. More