The MINI Program is relatively new and was only introduced in 2002. MINI automobiles are produced in the UK but the company is now a subsidiary of BMW AG. Consequently the MINI program is operated and administered by the well-established BMW Military Sales organisation. Whilst many elements of the two programs are the same, there are a few significant differences.
No, in order to use this special program your Duty Station must be located outside the USA and it’s territories. Alternatively, you must be in possession of TDY/TAD orders (or deployed) to a foreign location at the time you place your MINI order. **Please note that due to Customs/Delivery logistics, currently only Military/DOD personnel assigned to Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Belgium & Holland may participate in the MINI program.
No, this is an element of the MINI program that military customers like the most - you don’t have to do battle with a salesperson to get the best deal. The lowest price has already been negotiated on your behalf and prices are set in US Dollars (unaffected by daily currency fluctuations.). No agency within the Military Sales Program may arbitrarily alter the prices. The price you see is the price you pay and everyone pays the same!
Yes, that’s actually how the majority of people use the program. Provided your chosen configuration is available within the BMW program in the United States, you may specify your own preferred colour/option configuration. A reasonably accurate delivery projection will be provided at the time of order. (There are of course a small number of models that may be chosen from stock for those people with more immediate requirements.)
Although you may make a higher total down payment, the minimum amount requested at the time of order is $1,000. Pentagon Car Sales will accept this initial payment by way of a personal check, cash, money order or VISA/MasterCard. If the total amount of the car is to be financed, the initial down payment will be refunded upon our receipt of your finance check.
When placing your order, you will receive written conditions, which safeguard your initial down payment in the event that you’re unable to secure financing for your MINI purchase. It is requested that you apply for a loan within 10 days of placing your order, so that availability of financing may be established as soon as possible.
The car comes with a 24-month/unlimited-mileage warranty in Europe and 48-month/50,000 mile in the USA. Both warranties run concurrently from the first date of registration. Should your ownership in Europe exceed the 24 month warranty period, your local MINI Service dealer can offer additional warranty cover at very reasonable prices.
Although your MINI will have been manufactured to US specifications, any authorised European MINI service centre may perform any scheduled maintenance or carry out any warranty work that may be necessary. If you’re based in an area where Pentagon Car Sales has a sales facility, simply check out the relevant location page on our website for details of your closest MINI service centre.
This particular program applies only in the USA (36-month/36,000-mile) and does not cover the servicing of US models outside the USA. However, this program would be available once your MINI is in the USA (providing it still falls within the mileage/time parameters).
Yes, although the military will ship your MINI to the USA (providing the appropriate entitlements are stated on your orders). However, should you wish to take advantage of the MINI shipping option, this may be purchased either when placing your order, or at a later date when you actually ship your car to the USA.
After taking delivery of your MINI in Europe, you may take it to one of several drop-off points in Germany, Italy, Belgium, France & Holland. From where it will be taken by truck to the port of embarkation and shipped to one of several US ports of entry. Shipping generally takes around 4 weeks/6 weeks to East Coast and West Coast ports respectively. When your car arrives at the port of entry, either yourself or a friend/family member (with a Power of Attorney) may collect it.
Yes, not only do they conform fully to US federal regulations, but they also fulfil all legal requirements in the state of California.
Import Tax is charged at 2.5% of the total value stated on the Bill of Sale. As a general rule the criteria for free (non-taxable) importation are that the owner must have been stationed abroad for 140 consecutive days and has taken physical possession of the vehicle while stationed abroad. A copy of official military (PCS) orders must accompany the vehicle being shipped and as some US ports of entry stipulate a minimum mileage requirement in order to avoid Import Tax, it is also recommended that your vehicle be shipped with a minimum of 500 miles at the time of importation.
Depending upon whether you are Military, Civilian (GS) or DOD contractor, the rules can vary. If you’re unsure just check with the relevant department or visit the official US Customs Website and navigate to the relevant section. www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/import/infrequent_importer_info/personal_vehicle.xml
In the case of State Sales Tax it is impossible to list definitive criteria, as each individual state views both rates and liability differently. As a general rule you should expect to pay some form of tax upon first registration in the USA. However, as a military person you may qualify for exemption or if the vehicle has already been bought and owned out of state (sometimes for a specified time period) this may also fulfil the criteria for exemption. It’s always wise to try to obtain first hand information from the appropriate local office. For an overview of the various State rates click www.taxadmin.org then navigate to the relevant section.
- *Neither Pentagon Car Sales nor its representatives will be responsible for any form of tax liability incurred on automobiles imported into the USA. As is universally the case, tax liability rests with the individual and ignorance of the appropriate legislation will not be considered as grounds for exemption.
