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We bought a new Cooper S in 2005 as a replacement for our aging Puma. Sytner were the only dealer who were prepared to offer any kind of "discount" (gave us the TLC pack) or actually put a delivery date down in writing (the car arrived 1 week early).
They rang when the car arrived with them and we arranged a collection date and payment method (Building Society Cheque). The sales girl then told me she would be away on holiday and the sales manager would deal with the handover. Collection day came and we arrived at the appointment time but it quickly went down hill. Despite agreeing to pay with a Building Society cheque we were informed that it was their company policy not to accept them since they could be cancelled after the vehicle had been collected if they had not cleared leaving us with a car and the money in our bank. We would have to wait 7 working days before we could have the car. This was simply not possible since we had sold our Puma and needed 2 cars for work.
Went back to our Building Society with the cheque and got to see the manager. She spoke to Sytners and explained that they were wrong about us being able to cancel the cheque and get the money back in our account but they wold not accept what she said, she was absolutely fuming, as much as we were. After some discussion the manager arranged with the Nat West Bank (just accross the street and open Saturday am) that they would transfer the sum of monies to my parents account and then the Nat West would write a cheque payable to Sytner, all i had to do was go and collect my dad and get him to sign th paperwork.
It was all pretty tight time wise but we got it sorted and eventually got the car about 4 pm, we had been on the road etc since 8 am and they are only 15 miles away.
Never darkened their doors again and never will.
The car was reliable enough and since it had the standard 16" wheels the ride was OK, no worse than the Puma but the better seats in the Mini did make it more comfortable.
Problem with the car was an oil leak, it went in 4 times in total and was still leaking when we sold it at 2 1/2 years old. I know they tried to retain the essence of the original Mini but keeping the oil leaks that the early ones were prone too was taking things a bit far.
Never really hated the car, just never liked it. Although the Puma was rough round the edges with regard to trim and had rubish front seats it was somehow better.
Good thing was the depreciation, after 2 1/2 years it only lost just over £2000. But it was pretty much bog standard car, the only options were the nicer 16" alloys (£0), 1/2 leather trim and metallic paint.
Replaced it with a 118D (not from Sytners).
Late in 2005 we replaced the Mondeo with a C-Max at the local Ford dealer. He asked us how we propsed to pay the balance and asked if Building Society cheque was OK, did not want a repeat. He was stunned by Sytners attitude, they were always delighted to accept Building Society cheques.
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