So, I just got a mini about 4 months ago -- and it's finally time for my first oil change.. (i love that!) anyways... the mini dealership here (in Orlando, Fl) said they charge $250 for the oil change and normal check up (brakes, etc)...

I got the "gold" or full warranty when i bought the car, but the guy said that's different from the "service" warranty?

I'm confused. Do i get warranty on the check ups? Is $250 a rip off? And where can i get the service warranty if i didnt buy the mini new or from a mini dealership and is it worth it? :impatient

 

My oil changes at the dealer are $77 and I thought that was steep!

A four month old MINI and a $ 250 charge? That must be a mistake...or I would run for the hills.

I just had my 10K check at my dealer...I paid for the first oil change at 3500 miles...My bill was $ 0.0...I got a new cabin filter and an oil change.

 

So do you have the service warranty?

yea, i was running for the hills! lol, i mean i knew bmws and minis are expensive upkeep -- but that's, well, uh, really expensive.

 

Service warranty comes with the brand new car. It will include your oil changes. You must have bought a used MINI off of the lot. You purchased a full warranty which includes repairs (which should be listed in your warranty) to your MINI. This might include a transmisson, engine, or other listed components. It does not include service. I think 250.00 is high, even for a MINI oil change. I dont know what they intend on doing, but it seems to be double what a normal service is around here...maybe its higher in FL??? I dont know about a service warranty on a used vehicle. SOmeone else may know, for me its cheaper to save the money you would spend on the warranty, and apply it towards any repairs/services yourself. Hope this helps.

 

Is your car new, or am I mis-reading it. If its new, the service should be included.

 

The only oil changes that are free are the ones at 10,000 miles and 15,000 miles later if the latter is within the 36,000 mile maintainance. Any others, if you are like me and change every 3,000 miles, you'll pay for it. For routine oil changes I carry it to a local shop that charge $70 then get my free ones when they roll around.

 

As some others have stated, it is unclear if you bought your Mini new or used. I'm assuming you got it used and paid for a "service" warranty. There are two different warranties, there is the service warranty which covers mechanical failures and then there is the maintenance warranty which covers all scheduled maintenance. It sounds like you got the first warranty and not both. If you did get a maintenance warranty it will only covered scheduled maintenance visits so if you want to take it for oil changes more often than once a year or when the computer says its due, then the cost is out of pocket.

 

My first oil change was free! If I have to pay for the next one it will not be done at the dealer. No way should a oil change and read your codes (if they do) should cost anywhere near $250.00... It's like when I had mine in getting the oil change, the service manager calls me and ask if I want them to rotate the tires while they have it. I ask how much...$55.00...and thats not balancing, just unbolt and bolt back on...I can't believe they try to charge some of these prices while wearing a str8 face. Oh yea,I had them install a JCW CAI and they tagged on a $10.00 charge for disposal of the tech's rubber gloves.....

 

Daaaaamn!!! Ten bucks for glove disposal??? That sounds like the 60.00 sharpie marker I was charged for when I had surgery. Or the 650.00 scissors (scissors...what the h*ll do surgeons use scissors on????) I was charged for...never even got to see them. Thats ridiculous. I hate overcharges. I figured that the 125.00 for oil change and 'saftey' check of car was outrageous, cant imagine them billing for glove disposal...h*ll they only charge 4.00 for old tire disposal!

 

A must read is the Service & Warranty Information manual that came with your car. We're entitled to quite a lot, more than I had thought

 

I agree that what they charge for the oil change and service is steep, but if you look at it as you would have had 5 oil changes (1 every 3000 miles instead of 1 every 15000.) it doesn't seem quite as bad.

 

assuming you bought used as well........READ YOUR CONTRACT!

nobody ever reads anything, then ask a bunch of people who didn't read thier contracts either what to do....arrrgh!

 

My mini is used. I bought the maintenance warranty, so i guess oil changes aren't included. i called the dealership and they said the 250 includes "checking the fluids..."

so 250 is way too steep. so i wonder, can i take my mini anywhere for the oil change or is there somewhere i should take it for better care?

 

Do the oil changes yourself.
It is not hard and you will know it is done right. I don't trust many people with my cars, and also save a lot of money doing the easy things myself.
Oil change DIY is about $30

 

Where are you located? And how many miles on the car?

Learn to do it yourself or ask the local MINI owners who they use.

 

Here is a link to a place where you can order the filter and o-ring.