2 questions
 

Starting to look into Mini ownershipas a DD.

1) Can they get serviced at any BMW dealer or just Mini dealers?

2) Is the throttle la due to the drive-by-wire? My wife's 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee has the same feel to it and it's DBW for the go-pedal.

Thanks!

1. No, only MINI dealerships will service them especially warranty work. I know of MINI owners that drive 5 hours one way for scheaduled service intervals.

2. Yes, its a BMW and all new BMW's are DBW. I have no issues with it at all. The car is a little laggy from idle but VERY responsive at speed.

Thanks! It seems a pain for the travel to "local" Mini dealers...
Included maintenance for 3 years is a nice selling feature, but it pales a bit when you need to travel so far to take advantage of it...

[sigh] I guess the drive to Greensboro from Raleigh (1 hour) is much better than 5 hours mentioned.

I drive 1 hour to my dealership. I have not had to go for any other reason other than my normal service intervals. My car has 17 K miles on it, my next interval is at the 20K mile mark.

If your trip from Greensboro to Raleigh has twisties the drive will be a delight. I hate FWD cars and swore I would never consider one as a sporty car. This car changed my mind.

Unfortunately, it's a pretty straight, boring drive from here to there...
Good to know that you've had no problems with it, though.