I was ripped off by Mini of Charleston (SC). Bought the car in Oct 2009 and was told to bring it in for a "free" oil change in October 2010. Drove the 125 miles with an appointment and loaner car reserved. We not only had to pay for the oil change but did not get the loaner car when we arrived, we were told they don't give out loaners for oil changes (service was booked on line which I'll never do again). Now the stealership will not answer my direct questions and will only say its entirely based on the service light or 2 years.

I say fraud because I was directly told by the Sales Manager and Salesman I really needed to bring it in at one year. There is no one year "free" oil change or even at 18 months according to this dealership. Can anyone provide a document stating the "free" oil change at one year or 18 months or any time period? I beleive its totally up to your local dealer whether this happens. I went though the Mini web site and my owners manual and it never references one year or 18 months just service light based. This "free" maintenance will in theory cost my dealer one oil change in 3 years or about $80 so its a total rip off.

 

I would contact MINI USA and discuss the situation with them.

 

BMW / MINI is supposed to have a 4 year 50,000 mile maintenance free package prior to April 2010 and 3 year 36,000 after.

I have never heard of a 1 year free oil change unless your dealer just anticipated you hitting 15k after one year. They could have been feeding you some BS or just did not make themselves clear.

But yeah normally if you go in for an oil change you will pay unless the 15k oil service lamp is on and your still with in that 4 year 50k mile window.

 

Many people one this web site have said they got a "free" oil change at one year. I also drive a 335I and BMW does it by time or milage and I was told by Mini of Charleston that Mini was the same.

 

MINI has a 3-year/36k mile "free" maintenance package and has had this at least as far back as 2008. However, because the owner's manual indicates that the oil should be changed at least annually regardless of what the CBS indicates, one would receive a covered oil change (not the rest of the first CBS services) at least once a year even if the CBS was not calling for it.

Sometime circa the August - September 2010 time period, MINI tried to change their policy and would only provide the free annual oil change if the MINI had been driven less than 6,000 miles since the last oil change. Otherwise, one was supposed to wait until the CBS indicated the oil change was due. Apparently due to owner complaints that MINI had reneged on their deal, they reversed that policy after about 60 days or so.

Apparently the OPs dealer didn't get the memo. Or MINI has changed their policy yet again.

 

Both my Mini and BMW purchased new from two different dealers in early 09 have had annual oil changes (no charge) as the "indicator light" was not yet on and the vehicle was a year old.

Also at 2 years, both the Mini and the BMW had brake fluid changed as per the owners manual along with oil change.

All was done at no charge at both Mini and BMW as the Mini has "free maint" for 3/36,000 and the BMW has free Maint for 4/50,000.

 

I'm curious about this too. My salesman told me I would be eligible for my first oil change in either 15K miles or one year, whichever came first, but looking at the service indicator in my car it reads that my oil change is due either at 15K or in March of 2013 which puts it two years out, not one year.

Is there any way I can reset that date and change it to April of 2012 so that it's accurate and I can get the oil change at one year without any hassle?

 

Sorry Mike but you are wrong

Both my 02 S and my 07 S delivered in Aug of 2007 had 3 year/36,000 mile maintenance. I have the window stickers right here b4 me. 4 year 50,000 mile warranty. The two are not the same and sadly often misunderstood by owners.

MINI has had a policy of the oil being changed at 12 months since last change and/or when the computer said so but I do not recall any mention of this in the actual warranty but both dealers I bought from clearly stated this and many other users here have said the same. Now in the last 12 months MINI had backed off on that 12 month policy and many owners cried foul - you can probably find many threads here. It is my understanding that MINI has fallen back and restored the 12 month rule but as my car is now outside of the 36 month window I can not confirm. I CAN confirm that the policy WAS 12 months however as the majority of my pre-paid oil service - both cars - a new 02 and a new 07 - was done under the 12 month rule. Curiously the way the policy was implemented I twice got an oil change at 12 months, and again within 3 months following the computer called for service and the dealer would do it again .... seemed silly to me but two different dealers said MINI pays them for the work so they are happy to do it.

The last 'pre-pay' oil change under 12 months is even listed as such on the invoice which I have here I'll post a scan if really needed:

CUSTOMER STATES ANNUAL OIL AND FILTER SERVICE IS DUE

ANNUAL OIL AND FILTER BY TIME
HOLD FOR WARRANTY

DUE CHANGED OIL AND FILTER (N/C)

TOTAL LINE B 0.00

this service was 8 July 10 and previous service - computer prompted - was 10 July 09, less than 10,000 additional miles on the clock so you KNOW the computer wasn't calling for a service!



OP to the second part of your question - loaners are a dealer policy. MINI has no promise of a loaner in the standard maintenance plan or warranty. You may have a valid complaint about how the dealer treated you and promises they made but no real complaint with MINI corp' other than dealer performance.

Do they still do those post service customer satisfaction surveys? Dealers used to be VERY concerned about feedback on those. 'course most then tainted the system by pressuring customers to give them straight 5's (or was it 4's?) and to fill them out at the desk while you paid hinting anything else would be remembered for next time . . . Not the spirit of Total Quality Management I remember.

You are very correct that folks that do not put many miles on their car do not benefit from pre-paid maintenance. Assuming you are a very low miles driver and even if the 12 month oil policy is honored you will get probably:

3 oil changes (maybe)
a brake fluid change (MINI says 2 years and my dealer honored this)
you should get annual cabin filter changes but most dealers seem to overlook this item . . .


in all probability a low miles driver will never see
a brake pad / rotor change which will seldom happen b4 30,000 miles and for a low miles easy driver could be WAY more.
Spark plugs, engine air filters .... these things have a 100,000 mile life now a days.

So when the salesman tells you how much the pre-pay maintenance is worth, if you are a low miles driver, your figure is compared to 3 oil changes for most of us (3 years/36,000 miles).

My current dealer provides free car washes for all buyers every Saturday - I don't feel like driving 50 miles each way for a car wash - is this a value adding item?

I've always believed the reason MINI does not recommend rotating the tires is because an arguement would then be made that under pre-pay maintenance they would need to do this for free at the industry recommended interval - short of finding a computer model that predicted its need at longer intervals.

 

Flow MINI of Raleigh/Winston-Salem has been fantastic in regards to their services. "We want to see your car here once a year", and it has always been free.

I have never had a loaner and did not expect one for an oil change or routine service. They do drop me off at my house though, which is quite a drive (I normally for big things plan ahead and take the day off from work)

It sounds like your stealership has decided it can increase its profits by reducing the customer service to zero. I've lived long enough to realize
THIS NEVER WORKS.

So really all you can do is slam them on the survey.
Maybe even write a letter.

My sidekick at work just wrote a letter to GM about service of his pontiac thing it is that little very expensive convertible. He goes in for a water pump, and they break the fender, turbo, and something else. His letter got circulated to every dealership at least in the area. He had it all fixed at a competing dealership. Under warranty but he would have been screwed if it wasn't they did maybe $4k in damage to his car.

Write
A
Letter.

 

I got a truly BS response from the sales manager and she would not address any of my questions. She keeps refering to how great the car is that it only needs service at about 17,000 miles. Her response was like she was talking to a 3rd grader. This is the same sales manager that promised the 12 month "free" oil change. I will not be going back to Mini of Charleston, not for maintenance and definitely not for a new Countryman. I have two other choices both closer. I guess I started this thread just to let people know that nowhere is there anything in writing saying you will get a "free" oil change at 12 months so get it in writing if your buying a new Mini.

 

You need to really read your cars manual. It states once a year. OR When the computer Say's it's time for service.

If you drive the car for a year and only go 8/9,000 miles you need to change the oil. Write down the date and it needs to be done again one year from that date. Unless you drive enough miles to set off the service light.

If you bought the car in Oct of 2009 and they changed the oil when you bought it. It should have been done again in Oct.2010 along with other services due such as replacing the brake fluid and cabin filter ETC. (Depending on miles driven)

 

Yes, you need to change your oil at least once a year, however MINI warranty is not going to pay for it unless the computer says it's time, you are.

So what we're talking about here is basically $100 or less? It's not clear to me from your post if they actually told you it would be free or if they just told you that you had to come in once a year.

I understand......it's the principal of the thing, you think you were told they would do it and now they aren't, maybe they changed their policy in the meantime, if so they should tell you that - but really........it's a $100........ right?

I think fraud is a bit strong here.....

Like a lot of other owners on this site, I change mine twice a year or every 7,500 miles because I feel it's important for the longevity of my car and I plan to own it a good long time. I don't rely on the dealer for my maintenance tho, I either do it myself or time it so they do one of my services in between when I do it. It's worked out great so far.....because there really is so little maintenance to do on this car.

But I agree, you should go visit one of the closer dealers, they'll appreciate your business, but please don't wait for MINI to pay for it, just do it and consider it a cost of ownership, it really isn't that much, is it?

 

Yes they told me it would be free that's why I'm upset and yes we did not get a loaner car that we booked on line so yes I'm upset. So if the owners manual says you need to change the oil at one year that sure sounds like scheduled maintenance to me which should be free. No cost maintenance means I don't pay for the maintenance they are saying I need. Like I said this is fraud clear and simple.

 

Page 5 of the service manual in bold! Change OIL Once A Year. If its important enough for the service manual to call it out in bold letters then wouldn't you assume that means scheduled maintenance which is no cost? The owners manual tells you to go to the service manual.

 

I went by my dealer today for something else and asked the service advisor about their free oil change policy. He told me that they would change it once a year no matter what, AND, that if the mileage indicator did not say that it was time yet they would not reset it so that I'd get another oil change when the indicator finally said it was time.

Granted, this is not in writing so I have no recourse if they decide to change their mind but if I were in your situation I'd definitely be a little annoyed especially since the service manual states that the oil needs to be changed once a year. I'd show the service manager the service manual and tell him you'd like the oil changed per Mini's service requirements.

 

can't see y they want to deny your annual low mileage oil change. it just means that dealer don't know how to run a business. mini usa will reimburse them for this maintenance. so, they lose $$ and customer's loyalty.

 

You can assume all you want, you can hope, you can think, but the facts are still the same....what they will and won't do is prescribed by MINI. If some dealers are good-willing a yearly oil change, then you need to visit one of those dealers.

It's no different to me than those who get all upset because they think floor mats should be free, or at least included. They aren't, so either you negotiate them in writing in your deal, or you buy them.

We'll agree to disagree, but I think it's a lot of emotion and sturm and drang over a damn oil change!

 

Their web site and owners manual doesn't say no cost floormats it says "no cost" maintenance. No this is not like someone assuming they get floormats, not related in any way or even close to the same situation. They are trying to sell you a car through advertising and their web site with the selling feature of "no cost maintenance". So I assume we can disregard anything the service manual says or we selectively accept what the service manual says. We now get to pick and chose the maintenance or should I say Mini gets to pick and chose what is enforced on an implied contract.

 

so

MINI pre-pay maintenance is for maint' prompted by the computer

MINI recommends 12 months max interval between oil changes

and some dealer will comp this and it appears some dealers still don't

sounds like a good thing to ask b4 you buy.

Back in 07 the loaner car thing was a hot issue, and it was something I asked the sales rep, the sales manager and the final person who was presenting the paperwork - I even asked for it to be written into the contract. Which they did as it was no big deal - the dealership provides loaners to anyone who bought from them.

 

MINI Dave you are spouting more bitter ex-salesmen BS. To make it crystal clear on the floor mats on my JCW. That day I have them a $1000 deposit to order the car(Most dealers take $500). We were negotiating the price and I was told if I make the deal they will through in the Matts of my choice and a few other MINI goodies. We made a deal or so I thought. To date I have recieved nothing. I was really expecting only the mats and they stiffed me on that. That makes the SA and the dealer a liar. The closer was there at the time and he was the MOD. If you are going to open your mouth Dave know what you are talking about. They brought up the free mats and goodies to sweeten the deal then weltched. That tells me my business to them is worth about $100 bucks. All good things to know. Looking at a second MINI for the wife in ICE. It will not be from the liars. PDX probably has the best shot or back to my orginal dealer. I just didn't like salesmen. Called him when I wanted to trade and he blew me off. I went to another dealer. Such is life. Dave just a tip. I have been tops in my field for over 20 years in sales and I have never gone back on my word with a customer-ever. But if you really do not care about repeat business then you can say what every you want. Just good info to know.

 

I hear ya but I have to disagree. If the owner's/service manual says the car needs an oil change every year, that's what Mini prescribes so that's what the dealer should do. I don't think there's any assuming necessary here when it's spelled out in writing in the service manual. The free maintenance is not something that was negotiated, it is provided in writing and the manual says the oil should be changed every year. That's the minimum Mini dealerships should do. Now, if they want to do more than that on their own, great, but if they don't even want to honor the maintenance promised by Mini, that's a problem.

 

Sorry to hear of the problems at MINI of Charleston. We ordered ours new from them in '06 and received free annual oil changes (usually the mileage was around 6-7,000 but it was changed free since the oil was a year old) until the basic warranty was up. I think it was 3 years. Now we have to pay for the basic maintenance like oil changes but so far they've been pretty good to us. Hope you get it resolved.

 

There is no good- willing an oil change that should be free. If the manual says annually, that means every 12 months. I don't even care if they change the policy. When I bought my car, this is what I agreed to.

Also, I recently got my oil changed at Mini oil Charleston just before 12 months because my free maint. was about to expire. They really didn't have to do this.

 

being one of those people who does things like this, and having been pulled up short about not reading the service manual I have mine right in front of me. On mine for my 07 page 3 in the section Condition Based Service there is a highlighted note:

Note: Change oil at least once a year

BUT on page 1 is a section labeled MINI Maintenance Program:

"covers all factory recommended maintenance, as determined by the Condition Based Service .... System. "

The next section is labeled Maintenance Intervals and states Time intervals should be followed using the maintenance interval as indicated by the Condition Based Service data.

The next section is labeled Exclusions From Coverage and the last item on that list:

Oil changes performed outside the recommended maintenance intervals as indicated by CBS.

I'd argue that 3 statements saying CBS scheduled vs one note for 12 months leans towards CBS with a recommendation to go outside CBS if you are a low miles driver (as I am)

I'm no lawyer but I'm surprised MINI has kept this seemingly conflicting set of statements in their service manual. On the other hand, in MY experience dealers HAVE done oil changes at 12 months and when driven by the computer so I had no complaint.

 

Then you all are talking to the wrong place aren't you? You need to talk to MINI USA, because the dealer provides the service/maint that MINI pays for, if they don't provide it they don't get paid, if MINI doesn't pay them for it they won't do it.

Logical, right?

But you all are making assumptions not born of fact. The manual does say that they recommend a yearly oil change, they don't say it's a requirement, and they don't say anything about them paying for it. What they do say is that they will pay for the maint as proscribed by the CBS, that's all.

Next you'll be making assumptions about them buying gas for your car because they recommend you use Tier 1 gas, or ask them to pay the difference?

I have said all along that if they told you they would do something and then don't, that's wrong. Now, prove it.....

So if you have a place that doesn't (at least in your mind) live up to your expectations, don't do business with them. I already agreed you should follow your own idea and visit one of the dealers closer to you.

And Island Maser, stop making personal assumptions about me, you don't know me. I'm only reacting to what is written, I'm not making public assumptions about what a whiney *** girl you are for the way you conducted your business with the Mercedes. Or at least the way you claim you did. So lets leave personal business out of it, OK?

If you had free mats and other goodies in your deal, you should have had it in writing. If you do, you can take them to small claims or avail yourself of any number of remedies. If you didn't, who's fault is that? You claim to be a grown up and a long term businessman, but you didn't use the most basic tools available to you - a written contract? If you have it in a contract, then why haven't you enforced it?

But that has nothing to do with what the OP is claiming, that a MINI dealer should have given him a free loaner and a free yearly oil change and didn't.