Bad news
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 6
From: NC
Bad news
Well I took my car in to flow mini in Winston Salem NC to get a recall done on the power steering pump and upon the process they did a detailed inspection of my car and found to them what is $4,400 worth of repairs needed, needless to say my upgrades will be put on hold for awhile
6th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,260
Likes: 87
From: Pacific NW
Most of those repairs ar probably B.S. Dealers are for warranty repair only.
Take it to an Independent MINI repair shop.
https://www.minirepairshops.com/
Take it to an Independent MINI repair shop.
https://www.minirepairshops.com/
Yes I'd like to review that list. Our local dealers magically find at least $3000 in repairs on every R53 they get in. Most of the time they don't need half the stuff the recommend, and many things they do recommend can be done with better parts and cheaper with aftermarket stuff.
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 6
From: NC
Yea most of it I do need to do but they are so over priced it’s crazy here’s the list of interested and as far as the small things like tires and brakes I already have that planned p.s. my oil leaks are only using 1 quart between oil changes so it’s not as bad as they make it seem but I will fix them all
FYI; In regard to the insane $934.87 power steering line replacement quote, they have to disconnect both of the lines to do the recall pump replacement, so they’re really screwing you on the price of that particular job.
Back when I did the recall on my car, I instructed the dealer to replace both my lines since they had them off the pump. They told me it wouldn’t cost much as they were “in there,” but later tried to bill me $349.00. I protested and got them down to a much more reasonable $179.00.
Most of those repairs on the list are fairly easy DIY if you’re handy with a wrench.
Back when I did the recall on my car, I instructed the dealer to replace both my lines since they had them off the pump. They told me it wouldn’t cost much as they were “in there,” but later tried to bill me $349.00. I protested and got them down to a much more reasonable $179.00.
Most of those repairs on the list are fairly easy DIY if you’re handy with a wrench.
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 12
From: Roseville CA
1100 dollars for the oil leak is highway robbery. The car needs to go into kinda front end service mode to get to the oil pan and cps. It took me all of 40 minutes the first time. Once it's there the cps is one bolt and the oil pan is: 4 engine mount bolts, 3 ac bolts, and the oil pan/bell housing bolts. If you have jack stands and like 3 sizes of sockets it should cost you maybe 100 bucks since you'll need new oil.
190 dollars for a serpentine belt is the biggest scam ever. The bmw part is 27 dollars on pelican parts and has to come off the car to remove the ac compressor (to do the oil pan). That's either the best margin for a part of all time or they're trying to charge you labor for the 30 seconds of removing the belt twice.
Fwiw, I had a slightly worse oil leakage issue than you. I replaced my oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and cps o ring. I intentiainten didn't do the oil filter gasket out of fear of breaking/warping the housing since it's crazy expensive. My oil leakage has pretty much ceased to negligible between changes
190 dollars for a serpentine belt is the biggest scam ever. The bmw part is 27 dollars on pelican parts and has to come off the car to remove the ac compressor (to do the oil pan). That's either the best margin for a part of all time or they're trying to charge you labor for the 30 seconds of removing the belt twice.
Fwiw, I had a slightly worse oil leakage issue than you. I replaced my oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and cps o ring. I intentiainten didn't do the oil filter gasket out of fear of breaking/warping the housing since it's crazy expensive. My oil leakage has pretty much ceased to negligible between changes
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 6
From: NC
Oh trust me I’m not going up there to get the work done I’m going to start ordering parts and do it myself I have access to a lift so I’ll be in pretty good shape. I mean the fact that I went in there for a recall that ended up taking over 2 and a half hours with me waiting in the waiting room I figured something was going on just never imagined doing a power steering recall would lead to them inspecting my gas cap among other odd things but hey what do I know maybe that’s standard process at the dealer
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 117
From: Gulf Coast FL
Jesus.
$180 to replace the belt.
$400 to replace the brake pads.
$550 for the axles.
$1,100 to drain the oil and replace some gaskets. And they still want another $180 for the actual oil change.
Apparently, I'm in the wrong line of work.
Go watch some Mod Mini videos, bust out the toolbox, and you'll be able to fix almost all of this yourself for a fraction of the price.
$180 to replace the belt.
$400 to replace the brake pads.
$550 for the axles.
$1,100 to drain the oil and replace some gaskets.
And they still want another $180 for the actual oil change. Apparently, I'm in the wrong line of work.
Go watch some Mod Mini videos, bust out the toolbox, and you'll be able to fix almost all of this yourself for a fraction of the price.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 6
From: NC
Jesus.
$180 to replace the belt.
$400 to replace the brake pads.
$550 for the axles.
$1,100 to drain the oil and replace some gaskets. And they still want another $180 for the actual oil change.
Apparently, I'm in the wrong line of work.
Go watch some Mod Mini videos, bust out the toolbox, and you'll be able to fix almost all of this yourself for a fraction of the price.
$180 to replace the belt.
$400 to replace the brake pads.
$550 for the axles.
$1,100 to drain the oil and replace some gaskets.
And they still want another $180 for the actual oil change. Apparently, I'm in the wrong line of work.
Go watch some Mod Mini videos, bust out the toolbox, and you'll be able to fix almost all of this yourself for a fraction of the price.
Wow thats al lot.
PS lines are here with DIY: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html
Then get the pump replaced. When they first replaced my pump (circa 2009) they did not do the lines and when the pump was finally recalled, they checked mine and found the pump had been updated(from 2009), I did get a check from MINI for the old pump and used that for mods and parts here at ECS.
Most of that stuff you can do yourself and save $$$. When I see most MINI service per hour the same rate as rolls royce (at some dealers that share the brands), I shake my head.
PS lines are here with DIY: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html
Then get the pump replaced. When they first replaced my pump (circa 2009) they did not do the lines and when the pump was finally recalled, they checked mine and found the pump had been updated(from 2009), I did get a check from MINI for the old pump and used that for mods and parts here at ECS.
Most of that stuff you can do yourself and save $$$. When I see most MINI service per hour the same rate as rolls royce (at some dealers that share the brands), I shake my head.
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MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 117
From: Gulf Coast FL
yea tell me about it, and I watch mod mini all the time I’m actually replacing my belt today for a big whopping $15.99 that will really brake the bank lol I asked how much the belt is there and they said $30 and the job is less than an hour so you tell me where the $150 extra is coming in because I know that labor isn’t $200/hr I couldn’t imagine if my power steering pump wasn’t under recall how much it would be it took them over 2 hours and a new pump which is every bit of $800
They are just scamming for people who blindly agree to have work done. I never understood the business model but apparently it works.
Last edited by Derek86; Dec 14, 2018 at 08:37 AM. Reason: Grammar.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 6
From: NC
Wow thats al lot.
PS lines are here with DIY: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html
Then get the pump replaced. When they first replaced my pump (circa 2009) they did not do the lines and when the pump was finally recalled, they checked mine and found the pump had been updated(from 2009), I did get a check from MINI for the old pump and used that for mods and parts here at ECS.
Most of that stuff you can do yourself and save $$$. When I see most MINI service per hour the same rate as rolls royce (at some dealers that share the brands), I shake my head.
PS lines are here with DIY: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html
Then get the pump replaced. When they first replaced my pump (circa 2009) they did not do the lines and when the pump was finally recalled, they checked mine and found the pump had been updated(from 2009), I did get a check from MINI for the old pump and used that for mods and parts here at ECS.
Most of that stuff you can do yourself and save $$$. When I see most MINI service per hour the same rate as rolls royce (at some dealers that share the brands), I shake my head.
thats a great write up I’ll be using your kit to do the job doesn’t look that difficult to be honest and I already have the new PS pump installed it’s so much better not having the whine while sitting still and turning
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 752
From: DFW, TX
The dealer business model targets repairs as the NUMBER ONE revenue source. They make very little on car sales (except used vehicles where the margin is much higher). To wit, the ridiculous estimate detailed here. Everyone should bear that in mind where approaching a dealer's service department. Also don't forget that you're repairing a BMW which, for no reason, pretty much triples the price on parts/labor.
Stealerships make all their money off of labor rates ...... the longer they work on your car, the more money they make so of course they are going to find everything wrong under the sun
6th Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 246
From: Washington state
Oh the dealership, lol.
yeah man, listen to what Way and everyone is saying. I took my R60 in to get the turbo diagnosed (even though I already had a diagnosis from an Indy shop) and even knowing ahead of time what was wrong, I even bought the paperwork from the other shop. I still got charged $150 and then denied the warranty extension that was the entire reason to bring it in. long story and not particularly relevant.......but they included a list for me as well, totaling over $7500 in parts and labor! About $5K was for the turbo replacement. The rest was small stuff. But not cheap there! Almost $900 to replace the $40 gaskets in the oil filter housing! And a bunch of crap like that! I ended up doing it all myself for a total of around $3000 or so. That’s including upgrading the turbo, catless DP, fixes from the list (mostly oil leaks) and a tune to boot, and still saved a ton of cash!
The dealers are a money machine in the service dept. it’s ridiculous!
Edit: They also had my car for 4 days to tell me what I already knew going in. 4 days! The Indy shop had it for an hour to diagnose the same issue without being shown what it was before hand!
yeah man, listen to what Way and everyone is saying. I took my R60 in to get the turbo diagnosed (even though I already had a diagnosis from an Indy shop) and even knowing ahead of time what was wrong, I even bought the paperwork from the other shop. I still got charged $150 and then denied the warranty extension that was the entire reason to bring it in. long story and not particularly relevant.......but they included a list for me as well, totaling over $7500 in parts and labor! About $5K was for the turbo replacement. The rest was small stuff. But not cheap there! Almost $900 to replace the $40 gaskets in the oil filter housing! And a bunch of crap like that! I ended up doing it all myself for a total of around $3000 or so. That’s including upgrading the turbo, catless DP, fixes from the list (mostly oil leaks) and a tune to boot, and still saved a ton of cash!
The dealers are a money machine in the service dept. it’s ridiculous!
Edit: They also had my car for 4 days to tell me what I already knew going in. 4 days! The Indy shop had it for an hour to diagnose the same issue without being shown what it was before hand!
Last edited by MrGrumpy; Dec 14, 2018 at 09:28 AM. Reason: Addition
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 231
Likes: 43
From: Central NY
Its an interesting list from my perspective as I get to see what I have potentially saved by working on my own R52. Since getting my 2005 in the summer Ive changed out axles and tires and am about to do brake pads, For information purposes my cost to buy the parts was:
Both front axles $180 (ECS tuning), plus 2 qts R-P Syncromax ~$30 (Pep Boys)
Two 205/45R17 BF Goodrich Comp 2 tires $240 inc installation (Pep Boys)
Front and Rear Akebono brake pads $88 (Amazon/Premier Auto Parts)
Front and rear pad sensors $11 (Amazon/Import Parts Depot)
As a bonus I got to spend some quality time with a friend installing the parts and feel more of a connection with the vehicle having got my hands dirty on it.
Both front axles $180 (ECS tuning), plus 2 qts R-P Syncromax ~$30 (Pep Boys)
Two 205/45R17 BF Goodrich Comp 2 tires $240 inc installation (Pep Boys)
Front and Rear Akebono brake pads $88 (Amazon/Premier Auto Parts)
Front and rear pad sensors $11 (Amazon/Import Parts Depot)
As a bonus I got to spend some quality time with a friend installing the parts and feel more of a connection with the vehicle having got my hands dirty on it.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,037
Likes: 283
From: Melbourne, FL
a couple of years ago the local MINI dealer invited me to bring my car in for a FREE service and maintenance check 
... I'm retired so decided it might be an entertaining way to spend an afternoon and made an appointment. Btw at the time I'd been doing all my own maintenance on the car which was 2 years + out of service coverage and warranty.
Sitting in the waiting area I eavesdropped of the service folks coming out to talk to several other owners who'd brought their cars in. SURPRIZE SURPRIZE SURPRISE .... each time the service agent had a long list of required right now items often running into the thousands of dollars. So far: no surprises for me, this was exactly what I was expecting.
And then the SA came to me: "You're good to go, car looks great."
You have no recommendations?
No, nothing ... you're good to go.
+++++++++++
wrt to dealers and where they make their money ... I agree 1000%. In the early years of MINI (2002/3) I was helping get a local club started and we were working with the local dealership for help. I approached them about hosting a 'tech day" and show folks how to change oil and do basic maintenance. MAN did I cross a line! While the dealership had earlier hosted a party for a pre-release showing of The Italian Job (new) the idea of cutting into their shop profits resulted in my being invited to leave NOW. "I make nothing selling cars, all my profit comes from the service department". BTW, at the time the BMW side of the same dealership was hosting 'tech days' annually . . .
... I'm retired so decided it might be an entertaining way to spend an afternoon and made an appointment. Btw at the time I'd been doing all my own maintenance on the car which was 2 years + out of service coverage and warranty.Sitting in the waiting area I eavesdropped of the service folks coming out to talk to several other owners who'd brought their cars in. SURPRIZE SURPRIZE SURPRISE .... each time the service agent had a long list of required right now items often running into the thousands of dollars. So far: no surprises for me, this was exactly what I was expecting.
And then the SA came to me: "You're good to go, car looks great."
You have no recommendations?
No, nothing ... you're good to go.
+++++++++++
wrt to dealers and where they make their money ... I agree 1000%. In the early years of MINI (2002/3) I was helping get a local club started and we were working with the local dealership for help. I approached them about hosting a 'tech day" and show folks how to change oil and do basic maintenance. MAN did I cross a line! While the dealership had earlier hosted a party for a pre-release showing of The Italian Job (new) the idea of cutting into their shop profits resulted in my being invited to leave NOW. "I make nothing selling cars, all my profit comes from the service department". BTW, at the time the BMW side of the same dealership was hosting 'tech days' annually . . .
6th Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 246
From: Washington state
Its an interesting list from my perspective as I get to see what I have potentially saved by working on my own R52. Since getting my 2005 in the summer Ive changed out axles and tires and am about to do brake pads, For information purposes my cost to buy the parts was:
Both front axles $180 (ECS tuning), plus 2 qts R-P Syncromax ~$30 (Pep Boys)
Two 205/45R17 BF Goodrich Comp 2 tires $240 inc installation (Pep Boys)
Front and Rear Akebono brake pads $88 (Amazon/Premier Auto Parts)
Front and rear pad sensors $11 (Amazon/Import Parts Depot)
As a bonus I got to spend some quality time with a friend installing the parts and feel more of a connection with the vehicle having got my hands dirty on it.
Both front axles $180 (ECS tuning), plus 2 qts R-P Syncromax ~$30 (Pep Boys)
Two 205/45R17 BF Goodrich Comp 2 tires $240 inc installation (Pep Boys)
Front and Rear Akebono brake pads $88 (Amazon/Premier Auto Parts)
Front and rear pad sensors $11 (Amazon/Import Parts Depot)
As a bonus I got to spend some quality time with a friend installing the parts and feel more of a connection with the vehicle having got my hands dirty on it.
And you do get more of a connection to your car when you do your own maintenance and repair on it. I don’t know if it’s a sense of accomplishment, or just the act of doing, but I definitely feel more connected. And also can tell when something isn’t right before any major symptoms or codes sometimes because something just feels or sounds a little different. Maybe not what’s wrong, but you know something isn’t quite right.
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 6
From: NC
Yea on all my other vehicles I have done all the maintenance myself from simple brake pad changes to pulling out an engine and reinstalling it, I always work with a friend to enjoy the time a bit more and always feel satisfied after completing it. The OP was more or less to tell my experience of finding out everything I had to do to my car as I have not yet put her on a lift I will NEVER go to the stealership to get the work done but hey good news I got a free car wash out of it and got to play around in a RHD Austin mini for the first time
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 6
From: NC
I do have one question tho they told me the rubbing/rough sound from the front right of my car when I turn slow was due to the axles being raw but I could have swore it was the top of my shock tower as you can physically see it moving when turning every other axle I have replaced sounded like a clicking not rubbing
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 12
From: Roseville CA
Could be the strut tower bearing or whatever they call it. I had mine go out a few years ago and it would make an awful sound whenever I would turn close to full lock in a parking lot. There's a mod mini video on how to do it and it's super easy.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 231
Likes: 43
From: Central NY
I do have one question tho they told me the rubbing/rough sound from the front right of my car when I turn slow was due to the axles being raw but I could have swore it was the top of my shock tower as you can physically see it moving when turning every other axle I have replaced sounded like a clicking not rubbing
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 12
From: Roseville CA
My favorite was getting quoted 2000 to do the two window regulators. Took like half an hour a side
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 543
Likes: 8
From: Raleigh, NC
Brought my Mini to the Stealership a few years ago for the airbag recall and they provided me with a list of items needing replacement.
$600 PS hoses
$45 to replace a fog light bulb
$700 for the airbag module
$90 to replace front wiper blades
$600 PS hoses
$45 to replace a fog light bulb
$700 for the airbag module
$90 to replace front wiper blades