I'm buying an 09 JCW clubman from carmax that the warranty expired in July. I am going to purchase the extended warranty from carmax that I only have to pay 50.00 for someone else to work on it or 0.00 for carmax to work on it. Is that worth it or should I look into the MINI warranty?

 

Make absolutely sure (in writing) that you can take the car to any ASE Certified Technician. If they have to fight with the warranty company to get paid you will not have a good relationship with any tech group. Be sure the warranty company is top shelf.

 

Having had 2 MINIs now, I would not buy another out of warranty MINI from a dealer or private party without paying for a proper inspection at a MINI shop. It's much easier to pay a small amount to find out you are buying BIG trouble than it is to buy someone elses problems that will cost you thousands to correct.

 

I got my '06 MCS in 2010 from CarMax with 24K miles on it. I *DID* buy the CarMax MaxCare warranty.
I Am THRILLED with it.
In 2-1/2 years and 16K miles, my R53 has been at the dealership three times, twice in the last 3 weeks.
My MaxCare warranty pays the MINI dealership directly and I don't have to do a thing.
They are even covering re-keying because (and this is why she's in the shop now) the remotes were terribly unresponsive, and I'd have to be right next to the car for the doors to unlock.
My service advisor at MINI told me that she has NEVER seen a warranty pay for this....

I pay $50 a deductible if CarMax does the work (but that will never happen LOL), and $75 for any other ASE Certified mechanic, to include the dealership.

YMMV, for sure, but my experience has been great.

 

The only warranty better than a CARMAX is the CPO warranty through MINI. Getting parts replaced as needed is easier with the carmax warranty at any MINI service center. I'd gladly pay for a carmax warranty on a MINI. When they break it tends to be a little pricey to fix.