I recently bought my first Mini about 2 months ago(2006 S Convertible). I'd had convertibles(many sports cars..Healeys,Triumphs,Fiat and Porches) for many years,but not for the last 7 years. I was very excited about my Mini and could hardly wait for warmer weather(I bought it in late Feb) so I could go toppless once again!!

Well, after a couple of nice toppless weekends my joy was turned to sadness. The top would no longer go down . Of course I checked all the usual suspects(storage panel lock switch) I took it to the dealer.OUCH!!! The technition said it was a faulty left Stowage lock switch and would require 15 hours labor and $278 for the part...total $1954.00. I think their labor eatimate was absurd.So now I'm taking it to a private import repair shop who says no repair on a top is more than 6 hours labor. I will certainly NEVER go back to the deales since the car is out of warranty anyway. Maybe I can have it fixed for only $1000 bucks. That still sucks..

Any suggestions???

Bruce in Kentucky

 

search around on here and see if anybody has done a write up on it. Since owning my 06, I have done all of my mods and repairs myself with the help of these forums. chances are if somebody has had the problem the fix has been documented here. You have to be handy with a wrench after seeing all the classic european cars you have named off. My Fiat was the most finicky car I have ever seen.

 

You can also buy a Bentley Manual and check out what is involved in the changing of the part. There are also other places that will sell the part cheaper then what they quote at the dealer. Morristown MINI typically sells quite a few parts for less than the average dealer and yesterday MINI of Peabody let me know about their new web site: www.minipartsmass.com. They offer 15% off everything.

 

Thanks guys, I'm pretty handy and might do it myself just for fun.

 

They don't call them stealerships for nothing.
A+ on Bentley manual.
Best money a MINI owner should spend.
Check this site out for parts.
http://www.car-part.com/

 

Good Luck to you !
I drove a MG Midget all the way through college with out a top= car was old but fun to drive ! Topless is fun any how ! A little water never hurt anyone !
El Tiger

 

I have been on here for over a year and never said hello. So hello. For the thread bought my 08 mcsa on Aug 31 2008. it has been in the dealer more than it has been driven. From window motors not working to the valves being gummed up twice to replacing the timing chain. Pleasanton mini in California has had this car more than i want them too! i want to fix her up but i am held back by the constant problems it has. 2 weeks ago it was in for the timing chain and now it is making an intermittent ticking noise when warm. also now a squealing noise when it takes turn...now not me mashing the corner... but light high pitch noise sounds like a front wheel bearing. Either this 91 octane is killing the motor or it was a lemon off the showroom floor. any body else have these problems?

 

Leo,

Your best bet is to probably start a new thread in stock problems for second generation MINIs. That way you can have a title for the thread that more accurately describes what you have for a problem and also allowing you to get specific answers to your questions. I am no help to you as I have a first generation MINI.

Good luck.

 

Well, I'm happy once again!!!!
After picking up my Mini from the dealship(stealership), the top started working again!!! Then it stopped working again. It seemed as if my Mini was possessed by the convertible top devil. I located the "defective part" quite easily. 15 HOURS LABOR..ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I sprayed some contact cleaner in the part(relay switches, micro switches, etc.), and lubricated the sliding sunroof tracks...and guess what?? It works!!!! I saved myself about two grand!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!

 

You know, 15 hours doesn't seem like that far of a stretch for a stealership.
Probably took them an hour to write up important looking paperwork,
and hour for lunch...
10 mins to fix but billed the 1 hour minimum
and that leaves 12 hours or so for them to count all the money they steal from people.