no dealer nearby

if you buy a mini, but don't have a local dealer. Is the warranty and service plan honored at a BMW dealer?

Nope. We've had to turn away tons of business here at BMW of Austin. Thank heaven our MINI dealership will be open in February!

No, but Mini Roadside will generally tow it to the dealer for repairs, and if you live more than 100 miles from your home dealer, they will tow it back to you at no cost.

More dealer service is definitely needed. The closest agency to me is 45mn.-1 hour in brutal traffic. I'm on the verge of buying a MCS but not impressed but any of the dealer locations.
I hope Mini continues to grow and expands their dealership locations.

I waited until I could fine the Mini I like out of warranty, and then I'll service it at a local indy shop. I just purchased a 2006 Mini CooperS convertible and get it serviced about 12 blocks away. Previously, I had to drive from Seattle down to Olympia (~40 miles) for service, which is a non-starter. I might have bought this car new in 2006, but held off four years because of the service issue.

Current models have a very long interval between scheduled maintenance. We've had our R56 since Feb 2009 and it hasn't been back to the dealer yet.
The OBC says the car is due for an oil service in July.

Originally Posted by Andrew*Debbie

Current models have a very long interval between scheduled maintenance. We've had our R56 since Feb 2009 and it hasn't been back to the dealer yet.
The OBC says the car is due for an oil service in July.

+1.

I just got the first "SERVICE DUE" light on my car, at 19,500 miles.

Can't say the same for "long service interval" on the brakes, but maybe it is just my driving. It's going to call for front and rear brakes within the next 10k miles.