Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI (5700 S. Broadway in Littleton) will have a new LHD MINI Cooper on display tomorrow from Noon to 8PM. The car will not be available for test drives. This MINI Cooper is a preproduction sample, and is close to fully optioned. Note: this is a Cooper, not the Cooper S. The regional MINI Rep will also be on hand.
*** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday ***
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Re: *** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday *** (BoraVR6)
<------Previously BoraVR6 (If you have doubts, notice that the e-mail listed on my Parts4VWs account - see sig - matches the e-mail listed on this account).
Apparently the MINI Cooper was a little delayed in getting to Schomp today. Apparently the truck flatbedding it out from Salt Lake was a little slower than expected.
Maybe there was an impromptu test drive of the Cooper by the truck driver?
Anyhow, I just got an e-mail that the Cooper is at Schomp now, and will remain there until Friday morning.
<------Previously BoraVR6 (If you have doubts, notice that the e-mail listed on my Parts4VWs account - see sig - matches the e-mail listed on this account).
Apparently the MINI Cooper was a little delayed in getting to Schomp today. Apparently the truck flatbedding it out from Salt Lake was a little slower than expected.
Maybe there was an impromptu test drive of the Cooper by the truck driver?
Anyhow, I just got an e-mail that the Cooper is at Schomp now, and will remain there until Friday morning.
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Re: *** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday *** (BoraVR6)
I just got back from Schomp and here's what I know about how the MINI Cooper will be sold in Denver:
- Colorado Buyers ONLY. All potential buyers from outside the state are being removed from the wait list.
- They expect 300 cars a year
- The waitlist is now at 750
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- All cars will be sold at MSRP. No mark-up on top of MSRP.
- No dealer handling fee will be charged
- The dealership opens March 21st
- The first 10 Coopers and Cooper S's are reserved for the dealership. Thus all customer cars will be delivered without anyone else test driving the car.
- A $500 deposit (refundable) will soon be required to stay on the wait list. SO, look for the 750 to shrink soon. Also, at the time they order a Cooper or Cooper S for someone on the list an additional $500 deposit (also refundable) will be required.
- Cooper S deliveries won't begin until MAY.
My impressions after seeing the Pre Production car in person
- The back seat has no room for anyone (children may be a tight fit). This is after I made the driver's seat adjustments (note: I'm only 5' 7"). So probably best as a two seater with the back seats removed
- The cargo area behind the rear seats when folded up is also very small (about deep enough for a grocery bag - maybe).
- Stock ride height has very little fender gap (at least in comparison the the 4X4 stance the MK4 VW's are coming with).
- There is a glass retractable sunroof for the front seat passingers and a glass fixed panel above the rear seat passingers.
- The stock seats were pretty decent, but I'm still waiting to see these sport seats from the Cooper S in person:
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- The Center mounted speedo may take a little getting use to, but the tach mounted to the steering column looks like an afterthought.
NOTE: the car was not available for test drive, so no impressions of that.
[Modified by CoolWhiteVR6, 12:51 PM 2-14-2002]
[Modified by CoolWhiteVR6, 7:55 PM 3-5-2002]
I just got back from Schomp and here's what I know about how the MINI Cooper will be sold in Denver:
- Colorado Buyers ONLY. All potential buyers from outside the state are being removed from the wait list.
- They expect 300 cars a year
- The waitlist is now at 750
- All cars will be sold at MSRP. No mark-up on top of MSRP.
- No dealer handling fee will be charged
- The dealership opens March 21st
- The first 10 Coopers and Cooper S's are reserved for the dealership. Thus all customer cars will be delivered without anyone else test driving the car.
- A $500 deposit (refundable) will soon be required to stay on the wait list. SO, look for the 750 to shrink soon. Also, at the time they order a Cooper or Cooper S for someone on the list an additional $500 deposit (also refundable) will be required.
- Cooper S deliveries won't begin until MAY.
My impressions after seeing the Pre Production car in person
- The back seat has no room for anyone (children may be a tight fit). This is after I made the driver's seat adjustments (note: I'm only 5' 7"). So probably best as a two seater with the back seats removed
- The cargo area behind the rear seats when folded up is also very small (about deep enough for a grocery bag - maybe).
- Stock ride height has very little fender gap (at least in comparison the the 4X4 stance the MK4 VW's are coming with).
- There is a glass retractable sunroof for the front seat passingers and a glass fixed panel above the rear seat passingers.
- The stock seats were pretty decent, but I'm still waiting to see these sport seats from the Cooper S in person:
- The Center mounted speedo may take a little getting use to, but the tach mounted to the steering column looks like an afterthought.
NOTE: the car was not available for test drive, so no impressions of that.
[Modified by CoolWhiteVR6, 12:51 PM 2-14-2002]
[Modified by CoolWhiteVR6, 7:55 PM 3-5-2002]
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Re: *** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday *** (CoolWhiteVR6)
eeek, just got out of a meeting Dave. Sorry didnt make it.
That too bad they didnt have a test-demo. I mean, your buying a car that you have never driven.
That sucks.
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eeek, just got out of a meeting Dave. Sorry didnt make it.
That too bad they didnt have a test-demo. I mean, your buying a car that you have never driven.
That sucks.
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336 Posts
Re: *** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday *** (1BadAzzVR6)
Actually, I probably won't be getting one.
For those that are though, like I said, the first 10 Coopers and 10 Cooper S's are for the dealership to let people test drive the snot out of. Then if you decide to buy, it will basically be a custom order/spec with 60 days from order to delivery (once your number on the wait list comes up). So the car you buy won't have been test driven by anyone other than you.
Actually, I probably won't be getting one.
For those that are though, like I said, the first 10 Coopers and 10 Cooper S's are for the dealership to let people test drive the snot out of. Then if you decide to buy, it will basically be a custom order/spec with 60 days from order to delivery (once your number on the wait list comes up). So the car you buy won't have been test driven by anyone other than you.
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Re: *** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday *** (CoolWhiteVR6)
I still like them, call me wierd but they are cool.
But I would still like a polo over that!
or even a lupo if you want really small.
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*edit-thanks for posting this Dave!
[Modified by A1speedracer, 3:59 PM 2-14-2002]
I still like them, call me wierd but they are cool.
But I would still like a polo over that!
or even a lupo if you want really small.
*edit-thanks for posting this Dave!
[Modified by A1speedracer, 3:59 PM 2-14-2002]
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Re: *** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday *** (A1speedracer)
Brad: I still like the MINI too. Its just that I really am having difficulty justifying such a small car - I bought one of those chubby MK4's after all
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Brad: I still like the MINI too. Its just that I really am having difficulty justifying such a small car - I bought one of those chubby MK4's after all
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Re: *** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday *** (CoolWhiteVR6)
You know I find it more than coincedental that A1 owners really like the
smaller cars. I personally like the smaller cars, but every now and then
crave some space! I need a passat or something.
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You know I find it more than coincedental that A1 owners really like the
smaller cars. I personally like the smaller cars, but every now and then
crave some space! I need a passat or something.
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336 Posts
Re: *** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday *** (A1speedracer)
I liked the size of the MINI just fine as long as there are only two people in it. Depending on what the Cooper S is like, I may be tempted to get one and then just yank out the back seats all together. That's got to knock of another 50 or so lbs.
I liked the size of the MINI just fine as long as there are only two people in it. Depending on what the Cooper S is like, I may be tempted to get one and then just yank out the back seats all together. That's got to knock of another 50 or so lbs.
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Re: *** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday *** (CoolWhiteVR6)
ahhh, yes!!~
weight reduction! I would love to test drive one just to see what it is like.
Do you think 4 strong guys could pick the new one up and put it into a
parking spot sideways?
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ahhh, yes!!~
weight reduction! I would love to test drive one just to see what it is like.
Do you think 4 strong guys could pick the new one up and put it into a
parking spot sideways?
Re: *** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday *** (BoraVR6)
i saw the mini today. pretty cool car. i want one. i would of course have to have the s version. it is small though. it seems the same size, or shorter than my wife's cabby. would make a great commuter!! my 5 yr. old will fit in the back just fine, kinda reminds me of a porsche back seat. i used to work with a guy who had a mini back in the 70s. he's 6' tall but managed to fit in it anyway. now if vw would bring over the polo for some competition.
i saw the mini today. pretty cool car. i want one. i would of course have to have the s version. it is small though. it seems the same size, or shorter than my wife's cabby. would make a great commuter!! my 5 yr. old will fit in the back just fine, kinda reminds me of a porsche back seat. i used to work with a guy who had a mini back in the 70s. he's 6' tall but managed to fit in it anyway. now if vw would bring over the polo for some competition.
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Re: *** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday *** (thf944)
Hey Thad!
What happened to you at the first GTG?
Did you show or were you busy?
I did not see, or hear from you.
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Hey Thad!
What happened to you at the first GTG?
Did you show or were you busy?
I did not see, or hear from you.
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336 Posts
Re: *** NEW MINI Cooper at Ralph Schomp BMW/MINI Wednesday *** (CoolWhiteVR6)
Update on the MINI launch in general
Opening day nationwide is March 22nd - see below for Denver info.
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There are now only 68 dealerships in the country - 70 were planned. One in Louisiana was yanked a few weeks ago, and there still has not been an announcement about a dealership in Texas. The allocation for the U.S. is 20,000 cars per year (side note: last year VW sold 355,000 cars in the U.S.). That breaks down to:
~120 Cooper S's (163 hp) per year per dealership
~180 Coopers (115 hp) per year per dealership
Update on opening of Ralph Schomp MINI:
I talked with Ralph Schomp MINI a couple days ago. They most likely will not be opening on March 22nd (Nationwide MINI Grand Opening Day). Maybe not until the beginning of April. The stated reason for this: They don't have enough time to arrainge all the catering that BMW wants for the opening.
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I sense the unstated reason is the dealership construction (between the BMW and Honda dealers on Broadway) isn't quite complete yet.
For those that are interested, I'll pass along information about the opening when it become available.
Update on my MINI situation:
-Currently #125/750 here in Denver on the interest list (no deposits taken as of yet). This includes all prospective Cooper and Cooper S owners. 3/4 of the Denver list is made up of people wanting the Cooper S.
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-Currently #20 http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
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in line with deposits down for a Cooper S at Westchester BMW in White Plains NY. ROAD TRIP!!!!
I'll probably turn my final spec. in around the beginning of May (assuming my situation doesn't take a dramatic turn for the better at Ralph Schomp once deposits are taken). By ordering in May, I'd be in the first wave of deliveries for a custom spec'd Cooper S in late Summer.
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Thinking about incorporating a side trip to New England for the break-in period.
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Current Color Preference (feel free to comment):
Black
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Indi Blue
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[Modified by CoolWhiteVR6, 7:58 PM 3-5-2002]
Update on the MINI launch in general
Opening day nationwide is March 22nd - see below for Denver info.
~120 Cooper S's (163 hp) per year per dealership
~180 Coopers (115 hp) per year per dealership
Update on opening of Ralph Schomp MINI:
I talked with Ralph Schomp MINI a couple days ago. They most likely will not be opening on March 22nd (Nationwide MINI Grand Opening Day). Maybe not until the beginning of April. The stated reason for this: They don't have enough time to arrainge all the catering that BMW wants for the opening.
For those that are interested, I'll pass along information about the opening when it become available.
Update on my MINI situation:
-Currently #125/750 here in Denver on the interest list (no deposits taken as of yet). This includes all prospective Cooper and Cooper S owners. 3/4 of the Denver list is made up of people wanting the Cooper S.
-Currently #20 http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
I'll probably turn my final spec. in around the beginning of May (assuming my situation doesn't take a dramatic turn for the better at Ralph Schomp once deposits are taken). By ordering in May, I'd be in the first wave of deliveries for a custom spec'd Cooper S in late Summer.
Current Color Preference (feel free to comment):
Black
Indi Blue
[Modified by CoolWhiteVR6, 7:58 PM 3-5-2002]
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