Find a mechanic in Central PA, or drive to dealer in Pittsburgh?

LeftyClayJar · #1 10-14-2009, 12:49 PM

2005 MC,

In March of '08, I lived 15 minutes from a dealership. I took my MINI there for its inspection (I) and then to have a coolant leak repaired, all under warranty.

I have since moved back to PA, and the warranty has expired. I changed my own oil in May. However, now the coolant is leaking again, the brakes are squeaking (and feel a little odd), and the gearshift is sticking a bit.

I live in Philipsburg, PA, and I don't know of any local mechanics who have ANY MINI experience. I have seen a few MINIs in State College, but I don't know where they go for service.

So what do I do - drive to Pittsburgh and pay high prices for mechanics who actually know MINIs, or try to find someone around here? How do I go about doing that?

Barrettrw11 · #2 10-14-2009, 04:30 PM

I'm in the same boat man. I live here in Williamsport PA and I dont know who to go to.

**howsoonisnow1985** · #3 10-14-2009, 11:26 PM

Here is a BIMRS shop
Pittsburgh
http://www.billballonauto.com/
State College (Non BIMRS shop)
http://www.geminitime.com/index.htm
Bill Ballon does MINI work, not sure about Gemini, give them a call.

minivette · #4 10-16-2009, 04:54 AM

I would be careful assuming dealer mini mechanics are the only ones who do quality work the problem I found is the mini is pretty quirky everyone should have a bentley manual who has a mini very helpful to a point also this web site is awsome alot of times I print out info from here and take it to my mechanic who is not a mini specialist but is a great mechanic we use manual and info and can usually figure it out example we replaced radiator fan the other night a dealer quoted me 380 we did it in 1 hour If you rely on a dealer for an older mini believe me you cant afford it I get my all my factory parts from parts.com they sell factory parts at 20 to 40% off dealer prices great service also

Barrettrw11 · #5 10-16-2009, 05:42 AM

Well I tried to install a pulley yesterday and failed miserably. However I am going to be in Peabody MA next week so I am going to take my car to Greasy's garage. He qouted me $125 vs. another person who said it would be $240. I also read a lot of good comments about Pete up at Greasys. However I still need to find a good mechanic here near Williamsport.

**howsoonisnow1985** · #6 10-17-2009, 01:30 AM

Did not realise you are willing to travel, that said I would highly recommend Helix MINIsport in Manyunk, PA (outside of Philly) they are the MINI specialists and do excellent work at reasonable rates. Another place some people go to is Bimmerworks in West Chester, PA.

Barrettrw11 · #7 10-17-2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howsoonisnow1985

Did not realise you are willing to travel, that said I would highly recommend Helix MINIsport in Manyunk, PA (outside of Philly) they are the MINI specialists and do excellent work at reasonable rates. Another place some people go to is Bimmerworks in West Chester, PA.

I have thought of going down to Helix but again its almost 3 hours away. It would be nicer to find one a little closer.

PA-MCS · #8 10-17-2009, 11:01 AM

http://www.swedishmotors.com/

drsilvermini · #9 10-17-2009, 01:13 PM

Anyone who needs work done on their Mini can go to Sun Motor Cars Porsche in Mechanicsburg, both the Porsch techs have worked on my car and done work on other Minis.

LeftyClayJar · #10 10-18-2009, 03:34 PM

hmm, We'll have to give Gemini a call tomorrow. We're over in State College all the time.

LeftyClayJar · #11 10-19-2009, 10:32 AM

Thanks for the tip! I just called Gemini and made an appointment for Friday. I'll let you guys know how they are :-)

LeftyClayJar · #12 11-20-2009, 08:54 PM

Wow, I suppose it's time I posted an update. The folks at Gemini are very kind and honest, and the mechanic I worked with (John, I believe - I'm terrible with names) really seemed to know what he was doing. He replaced all four of my brakes, "insisting" on using high-quality ceramic and ceramic-blend brake pads (yay for no more brake dust!). He was unable to find the source of my coolant leak that first day, so he had me come back to drop the car off overnight. After running a number of tests and doing some database research, he feared there was a problem with a cylinder head or cylinder head gasket. He suggested I speak to MINI USA and the dealership in Pittsburgh, since I shouldn't have a problem like that with an engine that has only run for 47,000 miles on exclusively premium gas. The official MINI peeps weren't going to be much help unless we had the car towed to Pittsburgh (he worried that driving it could wreak some havoc), so my dad decided to just have him take a look and fix it if he could. My moving plans had already been delayed, and we didn't think taking it to Pittsburgh and fighting for it was worth any money we could get from MINI. They took apart the engine and replaced the gasket, which had a tiny mark on it that must have been causing the leak.

They changed my oil because of coolant contamination, which was great because my oil was about due anyway. They also put a cap on the number of labor hours we were charged for - he said he would rather do the job right and make sure things were working. When I picked up my car, John asked me to bring it back in a few weeks when I got a chance, for a free "check up."

So thanks again for the suggestion - I had no clue where to start looking, and it was awesome to not have to look very far at all.

Barrettrw11 · #13 11-21-2009, 06:38 AM

Are they located on West College Avenue? I live in Williamsport and might take my MINI up there for some work soon. I need to put to control arm bushing on the front and rear of my car.

Barrettrw11 · #14 11-21-2009, 06:52 AM

Are they located on West College Avenue? I live in Williamsport and might take my MINI up there for some work soon. I need to put to control arm bushing on the front and rear of my car. Thinking of getting the Powerflex

LeftyClayJar · #15 11-21-2009, 10:21 AM

Yeah, they're about two blocks over from Atherton St, in the residential area. A big grey building. They have a parking lot a block up the hill if you can't find parking on the street.

ZippyNH · #16 11-21-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrettrw11

Well I tried to install a pulley yesterday and failed miserably. However I am going to be in Peabody MA next week so I am going to take my car to Greasy's garage. He qouted me $125 vs. another person who said it would be $240. I also read a lot of good comments about Pete up at Greasys. However I still need to find a good mechanic here near Williamsport.

How did it work out for ya?
It is not a fancy shop, knda hidden, (you need to know where to look), but he is a good honest guy who does installs for a pretty good price, with a very low overhead $$$ wise. I drive an hour and 15 minutes to him, and I have been impressed. The simple fact he will happily install parts you bring in without a song and dance about non warrentied parts, charging higher labor rates for cust supplied parts, etc is a breath of fresh air. The fact he knows his stuff, and he is not just a parts changer, or a upseller is great.
From what I have heard Helixin Philly has a pretty good reputation....might be worth it for more complicated suff....might even save enough money to pay for the drive....a good MINI machanic is worth his weight in gold!

**howsoonisnow1985** · #17 11-22-2009, 01:33 AM

Cool, glad it worked out, just made it 2,000 miles more and no warranty coverage, btw did MINI cover tow?