Those of you who have read my posts know I'm a "MINI-owner-wanna-be" and that I've been stalking these cars for a while. Yesterday I was having some work done on my T*y@ta Corolla (which has given me trouble-free cruising for 10 solid years now) and asked the guy behind the Meineke desk if he had opinions good or bad about MINI's. Here's what he said. He doesn't like 'em because of BMW frame/parts costs. For a specific example, he said that if an owner went to replace rear brakes on one it would run about $800!! WHOA!!!!! (WHAT?!!! I asked.) He says MINI requires replacement of rear rotors when you do brake job and that parts/labor would run about that much due to BMW pricing.

Two thoughts:
1) Surely there's a law against such practices.
2) O.K. so my 10-year old Corolla is JUST NOW needing rear brake (drums) work and rotor turning, so maybe I could AFFORD to own a MINI for the 1st 10 yrs. You get my drift? TELL ME IT AIN'T SO!!!

Scott O'

 

I don't know that isn't true, but you can get a service warranty that gives you free oil service, brakes/rotors. For a specific time. I did not go for this option as I will be doing my own breaks and I bought it used so it wasn't as necessary for me. That brings up another point do your own breaks and you can spend anywhere from $50 and up to change breaks plus it is fun. I think part of the spirit of the MINI is to learn about it and even if you aren't mechanical you can learn to do work on your MINI!

 

Generally speaking, the rotors are changed with the pads on Mini's. That being said, there are better, harder rotors available from the aftermarket.

And of course you can do your own work, saving hundreds.

 

Thanks for the feedback so far.
The way this guy talked, it was as though you could ONLY get parts from BMW and that the service prices for parts/labor for such menial periodic maintenance such as rear brake replacement costs exhorbiant amounts.

OTHER THOUGHTS PLEASE CHIME IN !

 

Check out the vendor section, there are a lot of parts available, even just brake pads and rotors. Plus that maintenance plan is amazing if you get that you basically don't have a maintenance cost for the MINI during the covered period.

 

Seems alittle high - like 600 high.

I just replaced my rear pads and rotors, and all the parts cost less than $200. I did all the work myself - so that was total cost.

On the first brake job I only replaced the pads - rotors were fine, so that job cost me less than $80

I have now done my rear brakes twice and I have 191,000 miles on my car, 1st job done at 90,000, second job at 190,000. So in total I've spent less than $280 on rear brakes in 6 year and 190,000 miles. Not to bad if you ask me!

Nik

 

I think xsmini's experience is typical. The cost, or not, of a brake job is not one of the critical decision points for a "mini owner wanna be"

 

The thing is, unless you track the car heavily, rear pads and rotors are probably going to last nearly 100K miles, so you have plenty of time to save up
My fronts looked fine for thickness at 34K miles and while I've projected their life out to around 50K miles, I upgrade them sometime after $40K miles just for the fun of it, it's more of an itch to scratch rather than anything else.

 

Service work costs on any car runs all over the map. I'd guess that Mini service is going to run a bit more than a Corolla and further that you're probably going to have a few more problems, but the Mini is a car like any other car with lots of options on where to go for service, ways to reduce unnecessary service, and ways to do it yourself if you prefer. There are not "deal breakers" where something is going to be astronomically different between the cars. The mechanic is just running off at the mouth to try and make his point.

IOW, expect to pay somewhat more for service than a Corolla. How much more? It depends, but I'd estimate 1/3 to 1/2 more on average.

- Mark

 

Judging from posts I've seen, it is fairly common for the rear pads to go before the fronts. My brake pad warning light came on at about 36K, triggered by a rear pad. Pads on all 4 wheels were thin and had them all replaced. Never tracked, around 75% stop and go urban street driving.

 

they wont let you resurface the rotors?

 

Really? I guess BMW chose to use smaller (thinner) pads in the rear since normally (and every other car I've owner) the rear pads last twice as long as the fronts, probably not such a great idea for me to be judging brake life by looking at the front pads then.
Thanks for the heads-up.

 

Ok something I didn't know my MINI did: the brake pad warning light. Sorry if I sounds dumb but I was not aware of this. Do they all have it? I have a late 2005 Cooper.

I have heard that rotors on MINI's are too thin for it to be worth resurfacing. Anyway if you don't want to upgrade and you are planning on staying with OEM rotors and brakes, there are often great deals in the marketplace from people who get a new MINI and decide to go aftermarket. You can get basically new pad/calipers/rotors for quite cheap.

 

I had my brakes replaced for free under BMW/Mini free maintenance... IMHO cost of parts is really irrelevant when the car come with free maintenance. The brakes could $15,000 for all I care, it just makes me feel better when I get them replaced for free.

 

Are you guys referring to the 36,000 mile (included) WARRANTY coverage when you talk about "MINI maintenance"? Or is this something you were sold at the closing table for an additional charge?

Thanks for the feedback thus far, BTW!

 

I think 2003 might not have had it; it is certainly on your 2005. Look at the description of warning lights in your Owner's Manual.

The initial 36K free maintenance (which includes oil changes, wiper blades, etc) also covers brake maintenance. No extra charge.

 

Well it's the initial $800 "scare" beyond that 36k mile warranty which prompted this post. You guys have set my mind at ease. I'm convinced I won't have to ransom my first-born in order to maintain a MINI.

 

Glad to hear that.

Actually, if you want to go used, you can get a CPO Mini... the free maintenance and warranty on those last out 7 years/100,000 miles IIRC. Or, if you buy new, you can just extend the warranty maintenance out to 7yrs/100K when you get to 36,000 miles. It's not free, but it's not too expensive. Or, you can DIY as other members have suggested.

 

Oops, double post.

 

I used these:
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/de...3-1624511.html
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/de...3-1618866.html
Got them at a local parts store so no shipping. I also used Akebono pads and am happy with both.
It was a DIY, depending on knowledge, not too difficult to do. If you live in an area with an active Mini Cooper club, this is great way to get involved. I promise they will be willing to help, watch, laugh, tease, advise.....

 

My 03 MC had it.

On the note of the rotors (in reference to my first MINI)... the one time I HAD to replace all four rotors and pads (because my brake light came on and I didn't know what it was - yeah, I felt stupid) it was around $500 at a local shop with OEM parts. Still kind of pricey. The other than that, I went through two more pad changes on it and never had to replace the rotors or get them turned.

However, I would definitely recommend some aftermarket rotors and pads. I'm planning on upgrading them on mine sometime this year.

 

Most standard maintenance is pretty straight forward and you can do it yourself if your even the slightest bit mechanically inclined. Just check the DIY's on here. There's no telling how many hundreds of dollars NAM has saved me in labor costs!