Hi all,

2008 Mini S convertible, 26k, took it in to a local Mini dealership for an oil and filter change. It was a bit before the mileage due, but I don't drive it much in the winter and had never had it changed (bought it used last November with 17k on it). The only service experience I had with this dealership was to get the flywheel/clutch replaced under Mini warranty soon after I bought it.

Midway thru, service advisor came out with this list of problems and their costs to repair:
1. Power steering lines leaking - $490 + tax
2. Engine mount collapsed - $250 + tax
3. Crank sensor seal leaking oil - $$330 + tax
4. Tire rotation and balance - $89.95
5. Alignment - $140
6. Brake fluid very dark, needs flush - $130 + tax
7. Fuel induction service recommended every 30k miles - $280 + tax

My question to the group is: do I need to have all these done (especially the last two, brake fluid and fuel induction)? Should I have them done at a Mini dealer or go to an independent garage (with Mini experience)? I kinda feel like they "saw me coming" and figured I would go for it all. Actually, I almost did, but there was a hassle getting a loaner car which made me hesitate. I also have a third party warranty that I will check into to see if any of the first three are covered.

Thanks in advance!
Jim

 

I'm not familiar yet with the wierd world of Mini service, but I'll take a shot.

You mentioned that the clutch was covered under the Mini warrantee ( I can't believe so many Mini clutches go south. They should last 100k), is the car still under warrantee? If so, I would think that 1, 2 and 3 would be covered. Stuff shouldn't be leaking at 26k. Hopefully, your 3rd party warrantee will cover it.

#4 - Routine maintenance (a little pricey). Usually recommended every 15k.

#5 - Necessary if your wheels are out of alignment. Are they? Does the car veer to either side when you take your hands off the wheel? Can you see unever tire wear? If so, it's alot cheaper than new tires.

#6 - Never heard of that at 26k.

#7 - I don't know what that is, but I don't recall having to have it done at 26k, and I'm on my second LAND ROVER.

 

i agree, 1-3 should be covered under warranty. with the car being 4 years old, i almost believe it (kinda lame though).

brake fluid flush: YES. the fluid is 4 years old, and it DOES go bad. mini rec'd i do mine, i suspiciously said Yes. Was Immediately glad i did! it was like i got new brakes! thats a decent price to, IMO.

injector service: that is where they hook up some deal to your fuel rail and run a caustic fluid through it to clean everything out. not sure on the R56s, but someone else on the forum did that service with many more miles than yours, claimed it was a waste of money.

alignment, maybe, only if its "off", but couldnt hurt. kinda pricey tho, see if you can talk them down to 100$ (what i pay). tire rotation, rip off from them IMO. seems like it should be about 40$ at most. and that should be done every 3k, not every 15k.

 

I think his Mini would be an R52 since it's an '08 convertible.

 

The services listed below are what MINI requires:

Annualy, based on production date, is an oil service.
Every two years, based on production date, is a brake flush.
Every four years, based on production date, is a coolant flush.

Other services, such as Inspection 1, or intervals will be based on the milage computer.

Your car should have at least all of the above services.
Most likely your best bet would be an independent shop.

Hope this helps...

 

dealers trying to run up a service bill is nothing new. I once had a dealer tell me he made nothing selling cars; all his profit came from the service department. Had an advisor from this dealer come out and tell me I needed brake pads right now. That's fast wear .... since I'd put new ones on myself about a month b4.

Comments on your list:


1. Power steering lines leaking - $490 + tax
easy to take to another mechanic and have verified. if you know where to look you can do this yorself. do you see oil on the ground where you normally park?
2. Engine mount collapsed - $250 + tax
ditto in the easy to check - if you read here much you know there is an issue with the fluid filled top mounts of certain years
3. Crank sensor seal leaking oil - $$330 + tax
ditto and not uncommon but do you see drips?
4. Tire rotation and balance - $89.95
do you feel vibration? how long b4 you'll need new tires? some do this annually, many don't. price is not outrageous given balancing 4 wheels
5. Alignment - $140
ditto the rotate and balance. on this one I'm a strong advocae of if it ain't broke don't mess with it tho cuz a poor job can make things worse and there's more shops doing this poor then there are good.
6. Brake fluid very dark, needs flush - $130 + tax
MINI recommends new fluid every 2 years.... recommends
7. Fuel induction service recommended every 30k miles - $280 + tax
IMO if you run top tier gas this is snake oil. if the car runs good don't mess with it. run quality fuels

not all dealers try to run up the bill tho. My current dealer just invited me in for a free service check. Sounds like a plan to run up sales to me but I had the time so went by. "Everything looks great" ... and din't try to sell me a new car either .... what's the world coming to?!?!

you might want to look at DC Metro MINIS for a mechanic recommendation

 

My Mini is no longer under manufacturer's warranty, that expired in January 2012. I see no leaks on my garage floor. The service advisor said they saw cupping on the rear tires was the reason they recomended the rotation and balance. I did hit a curb with the right front wheel last spring on a misjudged U-turn, so that's probably the reason for the alignment recommendation. The Mini tracks straight and true with no pulling or vibration of any kind, so I was surprised at these recommendations.

 

I see 1 and 2 and 3 all the time. but they should be able to show you what it broken, it seam a bit high cost wise, but we replace a lot of them here at the shop.

We also see the need for number 5, and see a LOT of number 6. it needs to be clear, not brown.

Chad
Detroit Tuned.

 

if your tire is indeed suffering from "cupping" then YES to the alignment...

 

The MINI (sic) tracks straight and true with no pulling or vibration of any kind, so I was surprised at these recommendations.

then do NOTHING repeat NOTHING about tires or alignment unless YOU get your butt on the ground and see cupping .... if you don't feel vibrations I'd be very surprized you'll find cupping but I'll also ask again, when are new tires due???

 

Do yourself a favor and stop going to the dealer. They will only rip you off....

Being in Frederick, you can take your car to MachV Motorsports in Sterling. They are top notch and will take care of you.

http://www.machv.com/

 

Just one more guy (auto business mgr) agrees w/ other posters. Is your car really out of W on time? I'm new to the breed but I was under the impression that you had 4 years. Even if you timed out, @ 26k items 1-3 should be warranteed good will IMO. 4,5 only if YOU can see cupping or YOU feel it. I don't see what what alignment or rotation would do to fix it anyway - if tire is cupped, it's likely for good. Brake flush is a good idea, I wrote BMW service in the 80's & that was the first time I was exposed to the practice of regular flushes. It did immediately make sense to me, just hadn't thought about it previously. EFI service is probably as described above - running solvent through engine end of system. Probably not a bad idea but pricey, unless they are running through the intake ports too. Pardon me for not being entirely up to speed on differences in engine evolution of these cars but intake tract may get cleaned in same operation too if not direct injection or as a separate operation w/ DI which would make price more palateable.

 

Here's a URL that has tons of links to helpful information including a growing list of independent service shops.
http://soopercooperinfo.com/

For a smooth running engine try running a can of BG44K thru your tank every 6 months or so.
Any independent tire or alignment shop can take care of your undercarraige. I just had all four corners mounted with new rubber and balanced for 10 bucks each (not counting cost of rubber from another source).