Hawkins,

Don't let the negative folks here make you gun shy! I was following this thread and wanted to chime in. People here will go out of their way to spend thousands on mods...... ~$2000 for turbo back exhaust, 300 CAI, 750 for ECU,.........etc, then go and complain when they have to replace something that goes wrong that costs $600. It really gets old listening to the complainers around these parts. Welcome to car ownership!

Chances are you have a pretty good vehicle and is should give you many years of pleasurable driving. I own 6 cars that I am responsible for maintaining and I'll let you in on a little secret......... they all cost big bucks to fix!!!!!!!! Any time you have a used vehicle, you gotta be prepared for maintenance costs, the Mini is no different. Congratulations and have safe fun!

 

Congrats on getting the MINI, Hawkins! Welcome to the community! I drive mine cross-country and back every year and load lots of stuff into her without blocking visability. You're gonna love yours, too!

 

I've done the oil change twice on my 06 MCS, it's about $7 for the filter at Autozone, I can't recall what I spent on oil, but I just buy a case of Mobile 1, so maybe around $30? And then the shop here on post charges you $7 for bay rentals. You don't use and entire case of oil in the change so I'd estimate, minus the bay use, it costs me about $28 for an oil change. You can take it to a lube shop and they'll charge you less but I wouldn't trust them to even be able to find my filter, much less be able to replace it, and the oil they use probably won't be full synthetic.

 

I bought an 05'MCS with low miles (12,000) it currently has 70,000 mi. The motor mount broke, replaced all four rotors (upgraded to slotted) one cable in the door handle thats it. Today the driver door quit locking via FOB or toggle. Nothing else but preventative maintinance. Great but when the clutch goes MINImum of $2500.00 I did the brakes myself parts alone $500.00

 

Well, I have an extended warranty for it now, so I'm good for another 5 years, 65,000 miles, atleast on the stuff that goes wrong, as for clutch and brakes and whatnot, thats still on me unfortunately.

 

Congrats on your new MINI! I loved reading your story. I lurked on these boards for a couple years before finally finding the right deal on a MINI. I've had my '02 MC for over a year now and love it...still brings a smile to my face every time I look at it...and drive it! Get to know your service advisor at the dealer and they'll take care of you. MotorWerks MINI in Minnesota replaced my transmission out of warranty free of charge! They have forever sold me on MINI. I'm actually in the market for a family car and am thinking about getting the new MINI Cooper Clubman.

...anyway, to answer your question about oil changes...I just had my first oil change done at the MINI dealership and it was $62. I could have had it done cheaper somewhere else, but for the peace of mind, a couple of free Starbucks hot chocolates while I waited, and a freshly washed MINI...I figured it was well worth it. And now I'm good for another 15K miles!!!

Enjoy your MINI!