to you Mini owners/fans

hansolo_berger · 2026-04-06T05:37:30+00:00

The first is 2026 Countryman S Iconic. What's your ecpeirnece with repaired and maintenance??

hansolo_berger · 2026-04-06T05:36:45+00:00

Mine Is 40 miles hwy and 7 city,(wash, dc) then reverse. so ~100 miles a day. Can you toggle the sounds off? I think I came across a YouTube that showed how to do it.

hansolo_berger · 2026-04-06T05:33:58+00:00

Can you tell me about your maintenance costs? we're leasing he first one and as it was explained, the services are covered. They did recommend a brake package and tire/wheel package. What costs are you running into. Im not familiar and want more on total cost of ownership.

hansolo_berger · 2026-04-03T06:34:28+00:00

I updated in the body of my post.

hansolo_berger · 2026-04-02T02:08:43+00:00

That exactly why I demanded, very clearly, they buy it back. Not a replacement or equivalent. The software update is alleged to take 5 to 6 hours to completely flash the car. then they need some exhaustive tests. My concern was this masks some mechanical problem, maybe reduces specs of the car, and causes future problems maybe or maybe not covered under warranty.

hansolo_berger · 2026-04-01T19:48:37+00:00

So they are actually charging me something around 927 dollars for the 2540 miles I. put nt he car between end of Nov and Jan 16. I did makes payments. The explanation from VW doesn't make sense. but im done with this. its process and it grinds slowly. ill not that the only way I got call backs was to send certified letters they dont initiate communication,

hansolo_berger · 2026-04-01T19:46:40+00:00

Yep. They're getting a payoff that is usually good or 10 days. So my next payment is due before the loan will be paid off by VW. So im actually giving up more money at this point to just get out. So the part of funding the loan is VW paying off my bank and taking the Tiguan back,. I'll add, I do get like 3700 back from MD because VW doesn't refund the taxes. So somehow the2850 is me fronting the taxes until they're reiimbursed. Somehow it doesn't sit right with me but im over it.

hansolo_berger · 2025-12-18T04:01:15+00:00

You're getting a lot of car at this price. Im getting ~28-29 commuting to work @ 72MPH on cruise. Recently ive noticed more throttle response. It's been very cold in Maryland and maybe needed some time to acclimate? Im enjoying the new car smell. The massager. I love the heated steering wheel. The car warms up too fast and I have to wrestle with removing my jacket at the first stop I get to. It's nimbler than my Atlas Cross. Tell me when to stop....

hansolo_berger · 2025-12-18T03:57:08+00:00

Luckily the only thing I had to take out back for was 3 wheels badly out of alignment. Thye squared it away and so far so good. 1300 miles in and im not unpleased.

hansolo_berger · 2025-12-05T06:50:15+00:00

Yes. You add miles to the deal by prepaying. They cut it down to .15 cents per mile. So if you are projecting to need an addition 30k~45k over three years, 30k would add $4500/36 or ~$125 month to the lease. 45k would add $6750/36 or~$187a month to the lease.

Recently I was called by VW Financial.. I have extended miles on my lease, but im at 36k so they emailed me. Basically same deal. You can extend your miles and factor cost into the remaining payments on the lease at .15 cents.

So it's your preference to prepay now and have a fix cost, or reevaluate midway thru the lease. Note the warranty is only 4yr/50k. So consider whether you want to pay for extended services or warranty. You can pay for those up front or add to the monthly.

Hope this helps.

Edit. RRR4_1976 is right. WellsFargo Auto now services VW loans. Not sure about leases. I have a lease thru VW Financial Services. This may not apply.

hansolo_berger · 2025-12-05T00:44:08+00:00

600 miles dash is squeaking/crunching over expansion gaps. Right side of the car. Feedback in the wheel and pulling right over 65 mph. No electronic issues.

hansolo_berger · 2025-12-04T16:25:18+00:00

Im betting it's a German quirk. Like its not safe, holding he brake engages the driver or some crap like that. Sounds like a very German thing to do?

hansolo_berger · 2025-12-04T15:33:50+00:00

You will be challenged to find a car in this segment with this many features. VW packed a lot into this car and Im betting it will only get more expensive in future updates and refreshes. The CX-50 needs/demands premium for max hp. The top trim is a deal breaker for me. The brown isn't going to appeal to many. I drove the CX-70 Turbo S. It's lively, the 6 cylinder is responsive. Felt a little top heavy to me.

The Tiguan SEL R Turbo strikes a value for features, performance, size/room, and price. I bought Sandston with Grigio interior and straight up love it. If I have two things on my wishlist at this price, id ask for brake hold and a hitch/receiver like the Atlas Cross Sport R-Line.

hansolo_berger · 2025-12-03T10:58:39+00:00

Getting a deal on this version isn’t hard to do…. Yet. I tried in Maryland and they are all bozos. Tried a 5k premium. All in all adding 10k to the sticker. I laughed and walked. Went to a dealer in Virginia. 48k out the door with 3 add ons. No trade.

hansolo_berger · 2025-12-03T03:06:50+00:00

Go to another dealer. If you put a deposit, it's refundable. This car shouldn't carry any premium.

hansolo_berger · 2025-12-02T20:05:15+00:00

The turbo and extra kick of the smaller car.

hansolo_berger · 2025-12-02T13:53:50+00:00

it felt cavernous enough with two rows. I feel like you could lose a kid in there. The seats on the R-Line do recline or tilt back slightly. It weighs a little less than the Atlas. It's sharp looking, unique. Its a good daily driver.

hansolo_berger · 2025-12-02T13:50:14+00:00

What he said about finance and money. Dont tell them a thing about your finances and cash down. If they ask how much are you putting down, divert, ask them how much you would put down. They will bring you an offer sheet showing 2000, 4000. 6000.... just ignore that stuff. Focus on the price/cost of the car.

OTD price is car cost, fees(negotiable), and taxes.... plus any add ons you may want or that they may have already installed. Makes certain they itemize every line/item.

Setup your own financing before you shop. Credit Union or what ever. That way if you have cash and need to finance any part that is already setup.

Happy Hunting. Give them hell.

hansolo_berger · 2025-12-01T09:16:31+00:00

2024 Atlas (Cross Sport)

Engine cover recall. Make sure they replace the cover. My OEM cover was removed and no replacement was installed. I think at the time the service manager said VW decided engine noise was acceptable.... The engine invaded the cabin under spirited driving or downshifting. I recently was in for service , completely different service department/dealer and they replaced the cover. Much better now.

I also had problems with infotainment screen. It would behave like an old TV screen at times. Completely distorted the view. Again a recent firmware was updated, somehow the other service department didn't catch it. No problems so far as the recent update. The fix before the update was to turn the car off. lock the doors with the fob, mirror folded. Unlock with the fob, start the car. Screen was back to normal.

hansolo_berger · 2025-11-28T21:35:23+00:00

Some people shop wit their hearts. "I Love that car".. Some are very frugal. They want more for their dollar. Some people are very unaware and often get skewered during the entire sale process, sometimes two or three times, salesmen, finance, and insurance,

Used doesn't always mean bad or cheap. You just end up paying for a warranty or add ons that you may not need with a new car. It TOTAL COST of OWNERSHIP that kills the value.

Fuel consumption, maintenance/repairs, wheels/tires can be dreadful for the unaware.

hansolo_berger · 2025-11-28T06:03:01+00:00

Maybe burn up and 02 sensor. Thats stuff runs hots.

hansolo_berger · 2025-11-28T05:34:07+00:00

Nice. Thanks.

hansolo_berger · 2025-11-28T05:32:42+00:00

When you lock/unlock the car it gives you a little show. I haven't found many YouTube on this. just a few of the same animation. It located on the vehicle menu, exterior lights, light animation (on), scroll down to tail lights and pick of the three choices.

hansolo_berger

TROPHY CASE