Gee, we got the flyer too!

I might try them when we're out of warranty. I am disappointed that they are in the same neck of the woods as MoS.

Where are the independent shops inside the beltway?

 

I haven't used them, but if you are in the Arlington/Alexandria area, there is http://www.alexandriabavarian.com. Perhaps others here have experience with their work.

 

I tried to make an appointment with them via email and phone, but they never got back to me. Of course it may have not helped that I was deaf and called via relay service, which some people seems to have a bit of trouble dealing with.

 

Hey they new photos up on their main home page with MINIs! I've heard they are very excited to work with Miniacs and are planning some cool things.

They currently have a drawing for new snow tires for Mini owners only on their website

 

Cool

 

Did anyone else notice Walid's yellow car(I forget what it's called...) in the SCCA booth at the DC Auto Show.

Looked like a fun ride.

edit: I think it's called the Radical.

 

Just got a price quote from Funktion for an oil change and tire rotation.

Oil change: $94
Tire rotation: $20

Oil change without oil: $50

I asked them without the oil because I wanted to use the Mini branded oil from the dealer, which is 8.05/qt.

The guy I talked to said they use mobil one and it is better than the mini oil. I think I'll stay with the mini oil though so there is no questions if any warranty type things happen in the future.

So it looks like I'll be going to Funktion in a couple hundred miles for some service.

 

Thanks for the info, QZ. I have an oil change and a tire rotation coming up soon so now I have another option other than the dealers.

 

Man at the rate some of ya'll pay for oil changes, I should be doing this outta my garage....I guess I have a hard time paying anyone for things I can do myself....don't like rolling around on the cold cement floor, but I really don't like shelling out funds even more

 

I know, it's a lot of money. I was shocked the first time I heard how much it'd be for an oil change but I just chalk it up to part of owning a MINI.

But from what I've heard from people that have done it themselves is that we end up paying $50 for the filter and oil anyway. So yeah, I'll gladly give someone $40 to roll around on that cold floor for me.

Not to mention, at the dealer, you get a free car wash, fluids topped off and they can also check out any other problems while your there.

Then there's the fact that a lot of people simply don't have the tools, workspace nor mechanical abilities to mess with something so simple as an oil change. So your lucky you have all those. A lot of us don't.

Maybe in several years after my car is no longer under warrenty and after I've gotten brave enough to tinker around with her...then maybe I'll be doing my own oil changes. But for now, being the klutz I am?...Oh yeah, I'm paying someone.

Glenn

 

Interesting, because my oil change at Funktion was ~$135 and they used some oil brand called Motorol or something like that, which they claimed meet MINI specs (and it probably do meet anyway, but I didn't think to check the actual specs at that time). I was thinking of buying MINI branded oil for the next time (7.5K oil change).

 

+1.

Not to mention, free internet and magazines to read, free bagels, free coffee, nice plasma screen and time by yourself without anyone bothering you. That's priceless.

 

I gotta post the pic of my mini up on a lift looking down from the 'skybox'

 

Cool.
Don't forget to send some for this month photo contest as well.

 

ya'll must have a lot of DOUGH just pumping and dripping out of yall pockets..

I thought $80 for Mobil 1 oil change was EXPENSIVE. Do they use 24K gold wrenches or some sh*t??? The fact that they can charge $100 ish for an oil change and still be praised for just cracks me up

 

they didn't tell you about the complimentary reacharound* with Mobil1 service???

seriously though...I buy Mobil 1 by the 5qt jug at Wal-Mart for $25 and take it by the Ashburn Goodyear where it costs me a whopping $14.95 for the oil change. $8 more than a cheap Jiffy Lube service FTW






* by reacharound I mean they empty all your pockets

 

oh don't get me wrong...I wasn't ragging on anyone that pays to have it done...I just hated the fact I had to pay someone so I did something about it....I guess being mechanically inclinded helps but I wasn't always that way...I still have items around the garage that I took apart and couldn't get back together.....cars included

 

Motul?

 

Yep, Motul, thanks. Have they switched the oil brand? Can someone confirm that? Or is it just as good as the MINI brand oil (from Castrol, I believe)?

 

Motul is excellent. No worries there