"Because every new MINI is backed by our Boot to Bonnet No Cost Maintenance Program, which will save you an estimated $1,428 over your first 3 years/36,000 miles." -- MINIUSA.COM

All I get is three oil changes and a set of wiper blades. $1,428, really?

 

Shouldn't this included brake pads, rotors, and wear sensors? it's not just the cost of parts you're saving, it's also labor costs.

 

Did you have pads, rotors, and sensors replaced in 36k miles?

 

You must remember that $1,428 MINI dollars = $142.80 U.S.

 

jajajajajajajajjajaj this was soooo funnyyyy and sooo true

 

It comes standard with every new MINI† and is one of the most comprehensive maintenance programs in its class, covering all factory-recommended maintenance for the 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first) saving you UP to $1,428 in service costs.††


Up to is the important words along with factory recommended. Pretty much meaningless, I'd rather have them take up to $1428 off the purchase price and forget about the maintenance nonsense.

 

But reread what I copied. There is a significant difference there. It is the third thing on the home page of MINI USA. There is an asterisk but no corresponding note/explanation that has anything to do with maintenance. To get your information one must click on "learn more." What is even more interesting is that if you go to the bottom of the page you'll learn it is no estimate at all pertaining to a MINI but an "up to" figure attributed to Edmunds for undisclosed competitive models.

I bought a new 1992 BMW 525i*. One of the big selling points at that time was that there was no maintenance on the engine other than oil changes for a number of years. I knew the "free maintenance" was a joke but savings of an "estimated $1428" is blatant untruth in advertising.

*1992 was a different era and BMW was a different company.

Could someone who has had a 36k service done in less than three years tell us what is actually done?

Engine Oil Services
Inspection Services
Brake Pads and Rotors
Brake Fluid Service
Wiper Blade Inserts
Engine Drive Belt
Engine Air Filter
Cabin Air Microfilter

 

I purchased my Mini used and it still had the 3 year / 36000 warranty which expires in 10 months. My question is what is inspection services & when will they replace the wiper blades?

The last time I took my Mini in to have the end links replaced, I asked them if they could look at my cruise control button on the steering wheel because it didn't engage consistantly. They told me, they would have to charge me to have it inspected. Shouldn't the inspection services cover this???

 

Based upon my experience, EVERYTHING covered by the warranty is mileage/computer based.. They will pretty much do what the key fob tells them to. My third year just came up at the end of December.

My service history was: 1 oil change at the end of the first year and cabin filter. Nothing after two years. I took the car in because I thought the service was 15K or 1 year. The key fob told them nothing needed to be done. I took the car in a few weeks ago for it's final covered service. The key fob told them cabin filter and brake fluid change, nothing more! My SA decided to comp the oil change because the computer told them after 1/7/16, nine days past my covered service.

My total miles currently is close to 11K.

My SA said I should bring in my car before the end of the fourth year for a last warranty covered check of the car. Also during year 1 and 3 I had a list of issues which were addressed. If I had the button issue, I KNOW they would cover it, even during this final year.

 

Consulting my 2014 manual:

The on-board computer will determine when scheduled maintenance is due and what is scheduled when is subject to changes which may be retroactive.
Some items will be scheduled with regular oil changes, for example, the ventilation micro filter should be changed at the 2nd oil change, the air intake filter at the 5th oil change, and spark plugs at the 6th oil change (approximately 60,000 miles).
Some items are scheduled at certain mileage points, but the only examples I saw were the oxygen sensor at 120k and beyond.

The owner is supposed to ensure that the dealer stamps the service/warranty book when service is done to keep the warranty valid. There is no place in the book for the dealer to do this. (This requirement has been rescinded by MINI in the recent settlement of the federal law suit for violation of the warranty laws.)

 

Just bought my F56 a month ago, and only have about 2000 miles on it. But since I live almost an hour away from my nearest MINI dealer, I doubt I'll be using it much.

 

Well, when I brought up the cruise control button problem, the SA said they would have to charge me if I wanted them to look at it...REALLY!!!

 

I'm pretty sure that should be covered by the 4yr/50,000 mile warranty.

I complain about any little thing while I'm under the full warranty. I had a steering wheel insert and the shifter replaced recently because some of the soft touch coating was coming off. I also had them replace an air pod because it would slowly dip as I drove the car.

Contact MINI USA if you have too. If you don't want to call try twitter, they've responded to me on there before.

 

New brake pads/rotors seem unlikely unless you drive long distances daily and do nothing but panic stops. I don't think I got a cabin filter but they did change the wipers (told them they are streaking) front and back at least twice. Got a couple 15k/1 year oil changes. Too much hassle to take it in but I did it for the "free" service which I'm sure is just bundled into the purchase price anyway.

 

MINI of Peabody charges about $250 per oil change. But it comes with an "inspection".

 

Isn't that crazy? You can buy genuine filters and royal purple oil for such a good price online and do the oil change in your parking stall if you draw it out of the dipstick tube. Easiest car I've ever changed oil on since I don't have to go under to change the filter. Really taking advantage of BMW/Mini owners that have too much money and not enough DIY skills.

 

I know some MINI dealers that have pretty high labor rates. Near $200 and hr. Which is the same as Rolls Royce at the same dealer. Kind of funny.

 

When I owned my previous Mini we drove it about 12k a year. In 3 years we literally got 3 oil changes and one wiper replacement. At the end of the free maintenance I took it in to try and get whatever I could done. Brakes/rotors were fine and they said nothing else needed to be done.

For me the free maintenance that Mini/BMW offers is a sham.

The other problem I have is if you don't have a maintenace plan or you own any other branded car, none of them recommend changing the oil at 10k when you are paying. The most I have seen is 7,500 and many "recommend" 5k.

 

Key phrase here is, "Up to."

Maintenance can include brakes (pads, rotors, sensors), includes a brake fluid flush, includes wipers (if they're streaking, ask for replacements), includes oil changes, and includes cabin and air filters. It can even include the clutch.*

So, YMMV depending on how much and how hard you drive the car.

*This will all be changing for MY2017 vehicles. Maintenance will no longer cover brakes, wipers, or clutch replacements.

 

One more time, the key phrase "up to" is not used on the MINIUSA.com home page.

"Because every new MINI is backed by our Boot to Bonnet No Cost Maintenance Program, which will save you an estimated $1,428 over your first 3 years/36,000 miles." -- MINIUSA.COM

 

Oh, in this case, it's 'estimated.'

 

For your further amusement from the UK site:

"With MINI TLC your MINI has the luxury of going all-inclusive, with all your servicing requirements fully covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles, whichever milestone is reached first, for just £399. With MINI TLC XL, you can ensure your MINI's comprehensive servicing requirements are covered for a further 3 years or 30,000 miles, for just £275. That's up to 8 years or 80,000 miles in total."

£275 = $393

"all your servicing requirements" includes:

Engine oil change incl. oil filter
Vehicle check 
Replacement air filter 
Replacement fuel filter (diesel) 
Replacement micro filter 
Replacement spark plugs (petrol) 
Replacement Brake Fluid 

 

They were betting hardly anyone would need brakes/clutch but some crazy people proved them wrong haha

 

The BWMUSA site is considerably more straight-forward:

"When you own The Ultimate Driving Machine®, you should get the service to match, for no cost. As a part of BMW Ultimate Service when you buy or lease a new BMW, it includes maintenance costs for up to 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.* This alone, can save you up to $2,000 in maintenance costs compared to other luxury vehicles."

MB pre-paid maintenance on a CLA:
2 years or 20,000 miles / $750
3 years or 30,000 miles / $975
4 years or 40,000 miles / $1,275

 

Couple of things:
- If you're paying, why wouldn't they recommend a low interval? They'd much rather charge you for it more often...
- 5k oil changes on synthetic would be a waste. I'm hoping if they recommend that they're using conventional oil.

I'm a bit surprised there are so many people here saying they've not had brakes done. All three of the MINIs I've owned have had brakes done under scheduled maintenance. One I know for sure had rotors in addition to the pads replaced, the current one may have but I don't recall for sure.

I wouldn't call the type of driving I do unusual... Lots of freeway, some in traffic some not. Suburban running around. The MINIs actually seem to go through pads much faster than any other car or truck I've owned (and generate more dust).

Beyond that I've had oil changes, cabin air filters, wipers off the top of my head. I'm pretty happy with the included maintenance. I've always done all my own maintenance with other cars and it's nice to be able to let someone else do the work.