Tigermann -- Where are you going for the oil changes not covered by the warranty?

Caulyne -- Your badge looks great! The idea of drilling into the grill [not to mention taking it off and putting it back on] is what prompted me to look into alternate badge options. I don't have the patience for a project.

 

I was fine until I had the one melted/stuck pin and the wrong size screws.. but, aside from that, it was actually pretty easy.

 

MINI Surgery this early in the Game??!!

 

LOL.. Not quite surgery. Fitz just picked up a nose ring.

 

Ivygirl you should always take your car for any maintenance to the Dealer, I know...I know, people complain about the cost, but look at it this way. $$ paid now eleviate major problems later.
Oil changes included, your Dealer may look at you like you are NUTS, but give them the *STINK* eye if they do!!
AND let them know how important Lucy is to you and that she is a PERMANENT part of YOUR Family!!

 

Or, learn how to do the oil change yourself. There are some great how tos here on NAM.

I rebuilt a 68 Mustang with my dad as my first car, so I'm okay with the work. But we also have a great import mechanic here in town that we take hubby's Lotus to. The dealer is 3 1/2 hours from home, so I doubt we'll do much more than the scheduled maintenance there.

 

I'm a bit OCD about getting my hands dirty. I don't even like getting the rubber gloves on my hands dirty! I would much rather pay someone to do whatever is going to get me dirty... Crazy, I know.

I've always gone to the dealer for maintenance on all the cars I've ever had. This is the first time that I've ever heard about changing the oil in a new car after the first 1500 miles. This is our 4th new car...

On the warranty, it isn't covered unless the car "says" it's time for an oil change, is it?

 

Correct-- you pay unless it is at one year or the computer says to.

I'm OCD too-- but I've also rebuilt an engine while wearing acrylic nails. LOL

 

Well, then you are a brave girl.

Thanks for answering my question. I'm going to have to talk to my husband and see what he wants to do. I see both sides... What a quandary.

 

Ivygirl...I only see ONE pic. in your Gallery....Me want MORE!!!

 

I know, I've been meaning to take more, but now Lucy is filthy. And unfit for pictures. I'm going to wash her this weekend and then I will take more and post them.

 

You've evidently not tried getting a genuine Mini oil change yet.

Depending where you go, a lot of people report prices of about $160 to well over $200. For an oil and filter change.

Paying for two extra a year, at Mini prices, will cost you a good chunk of that new engine price over the lifetime of the car.

You can do them yourself... OEM oil/filter runs about $70. California disposal still needs sorting on top of that.

The biggest danger I've heard about going outside of Mini is that you run the risk of getting idiots putting a non synthetic in and messing things up badly. Other than that, it's also apparently pretty easy to strip the thread. Then, whether you or a quick lube place did it, you're still out the cost of a whole new oil pan or whatever or have to deal with adding your own non standard part to replace it.

Short version: Mini's painfully expensive. The extended maintenance warranty at least saves you from the scheduled ones. Most people are uncomfortable with how infrequent they are but Mini will charge you a fortune for a simple task if the car doesn't request it. But it's very easy to end up with an even bigger bill if someone other than Mini screws up.

 

TheEnglishGuy I understand what you are saying about $$$, but I've always maintaned my cars through the Dealerships. Oil Changes have been done by JiffyLube on our other vehicles (Rip '99 ChevyBlazer) and our '01 Dodge Duragno. Molly with have the best care possible and I think that means going to the dealer for her Oil Changes as well as ALL other maintenance. That's just how I am...ask my Husband!!

 

Ok, I've added a few more pictures in my gallery. Just got done with Lucy's first bath. Have to say, it was very theraputic.

 

Awww. Lucy is so cute!

 

There seems to be a lot of FIRST Baths today...Molly got her's too. After a 245Mi. drive out SR14 to Biggs crossed over into OR and came home I-84. Beatiful Day for a Drive!! Came home, did Yard Work...Bleck!! Molly's been Bathed, Hydro'd, Black Wow'd, had her Floor Mats cleaned, and Exterior Chrome Polished!!