So my 09 S Clubman's warranty is up in a week and I've been tossing around the idea of extending the warranty. So far I feel like I've had nothing major done, but of course everything has been done under warranty and the dealership doesn't how the cost of the work when I go in. The car has only 42,000 miles on it and I was looking to keep it at least three more years before I decide what Mini I want next (was thinking the Paceman, but we'll see and if the right special edition comes along... hello Mini, where is my Mini x Barbour collab???).

Here is a list of what I've had done so far:

7500 miles:

-Intake manifold leaking
-Interlock, automatic transmission poorly adjusted / outside tolerance
-Backrest frame, rear seat unpleasant noises


15,000 miles:

-Door trim panel, front (incl. module carrier, front door) loose
-Footwell module FRM software error / internal device fault

22,000 miles:

-Rotary latch lock/system lock, front incorrect connection/contact
-Power window, front unpleasant noises
-Backrest frame, rear seat unpleasant noises

22,250 miles:

-Front door seats unpleasant noises
-Engine speed display in the instrument panel unpleasant noises

27,250 miles:

-Intake manifold leaking
-Edge protector (door aperture) poorly adapted/fitted

33,500 miles:

-Timing chain snapped
-Gas-filled prop, rear door R55 loose
-Aux Water Pump, M17 02 12

36,000 miles:

-Spark plugs permanent malfunction
-Side window, front poorly adapted/fitted

36,250 miles:

-Rotary latch lock/system lock, front unpleasant noises

36,500 miles:

-Intake manifold leaking

42,000 miles:

-Edge protector (door aperture) poorly adapted/fitted
-Replace rear barn door window, defrost lines don't work
-Rear brake light has moisture condensation
-Front passenger side, unpleasant noise

The last three in italics are what I put down as that's what it's in for today. Overall the most frequent issue seems to be carbon buildup on the engine which it's been in for twice.

So anyway, I'm torn as to what to do. I don't know what the above cost, which is making it tough to gauge whether or not I should do it. I do know that rattles won't be covered, but if they can fix that last one, which the tech could hear driving with me today, then all the rattles will be out.

The two warranty options I am considering would be the following:

1 XL 84 months or 70,000 miles. There'd be a $50 deductible every time I bring it in and rattles wouldn't be covered. Cost: $3370

2 XL 84 months or 100,000 miles. There'd be a $50 deductible every time I bring it in and rattles wouldn't be covered. Cost: $3720

I'd likely do option 2 since it's only $400 and I'd likely break 70,000 miles before 84 months is up. Neither option would cover Nav or the stereo, but I don't have Nav anyway.

Anyway, I thought I'd solicit some feedback and see what folks think. I know a lot of you have more miles on your car than I have on mine.

 

That is an exponential number of things more than I've ever had done on my MINI...with a history like that, I'd go for the extended warranty since you're looking to keep it for 3 more years.

 

I'd bet that if you put that amount of dollars in a sock, at the end of the milage/time period you'll have quite a bit left in the sock. The main thing you get when you pay that much money for a "warranty", is peace of mind. I do realize that peace of mind is worth something, this is just too much money for whatever peace of mind I might feel!
I've owned over 60 cars and the one time I bought a "warranty" was on a used C5 Corvette I bought. It cost me $1800, gave me some peace of mind, and I used it one time for a total of $650. Was $1150 I gave to the "warranty" company worth the peace of mind? Not sure to be honest, however, I'll never buy one again as these "warranties" are obviously designed to make money for the company offering them. They can make money on someone else, not ME!

PS--with that much trouble with your car, I'd be inclined to get rid of it and go with either a new mini or something else. The almost $4000 you'll pay for this 'warranty", you could make a pretty good dent in the trade price for a new mini ( or some other brand)WITH factory warranty!

 

Thanks for the replies guys. Keep them coming.


Well I think the list is a bit misleading. I mean the intake manifold issue was really only once from what I know and that was a known issue for me when the weather got cold. Sounds like it happened to a lot of folks. A lot of the window issue is the same issue they just never got right the first time, or the second time. They had to fix something with the door/window, then when they did I had a rattle. On top of that the window wasn't fully sealed the time or two I was in a touchless carwash, and hopefully now that's fixed. The "unpleasant noises", or rattles, have all been taken care of but one. This is a concern since the extended warranty won't cover it and despite knowing about it now having heard it, they're starting to write it off still.


THE MAIN ISSUE I've repeatedly had is the carbon build up. It's happened twice and now I'm using different gasoline, but I'm concerned that will come back and I don't know the cost of that.

You can read above, but I think it's largely all been taken care of and I think the issues aren't that big. I'm not ready to trade it in just yet, but I do agree with you that the near $4000 could just go to a newer model at some point (3 years or so). So I've definitely considered that.