Guys...I just picked up a used 2005 MCS 6-Speed, with 6700 Miles on it. Owner barely used it..

Anyhow, it looks like the 3yr/36,000 mile free Maintenance is expiring in a few months.

Is it worth it to buy the Extended Maintenance (brakes,clutch,oil) for $1600 (3yrs/100,000 miles)

I know I'll be putting on around 12k/year so I thinking of going for it. Or are the services too far and few between that I'm throwing my $$ down the trash?

Thanks for any input!!

 

At the rate you're planning on driving the car, even the extended service agreement will expire before you hit 45k miles. I really don't see you getting $1600 worth of servicing done between the 6700 miles you have now and 45,000 miles. In fact, the only possible way you could manage it would be if you needed a new clutch before 45k. Some people have, but they're very much in the minority.

The computer-recommended service intervals can be quite long. Mine was "due" for its first service at 12,500 miles, and at 32,400, the OBC is still telling me I have 500 miles to go until the second service.

Another thing to consider - are you going to be taking the car to the MINI dealer for service even if you don't get the extended service plan? $200 oil changes and $400 brake jobs from the dealer can add up, but even at those rates, I think you're going to have a hard time spending $1600 in maintenance in the first 45,000 miles of the car's life.

EDIT - Also, find out how long it's been since the oil was changed. While you're within the original service agreement, you're entitled to an annual oil change, regardless of how many miles the car's been driven in the prior 12 months. Also, I think the dealer will change the brake fluid and engine coolant for you just based on time if you're still driving around on the factory fluids.

 

You've got really low miles. Unless the owner tortured the clutch, that car should go a long way before needing anything. Since it's currently covered, get MINI to look at the brakes, fluids, etc so that you know where you stand right now. Very likely that nothing is needed for a long time. Even your first oil change isn't until like 10000 (or is it 15000?).

 

ScottRiqui - Thank you for your input as it really helps in making my decision. I was planning to service my car @ the dealership (at least for the Major services) so I was contemplating the Extended warranty.

As for your oil question, I don't think it's ever been replaced..as a matter of fact, he's never taken it back to the dealer after he bought it New w/ 8 miles on it. LOL

jkling17 - The owner bought it as one of his weekend car (Guy had 8 cars) and barely drove it. Don't think he really abused it as the car was immaculate in/out.

In line with both of your comments, I've made an appointment to take it in next week for fluids and oil change. Thanks a million!!!

 

dude had 8 cars ... yeah he probably knows how to use a clutch properly - sounds like a very lucky find. Please be aware that MINIs don't need oil changes every 3000 or even 5000 miles. They use some kind of special oil that only needs changing once in a blue moon. If I recall correctly, my GFs 2005 MC needed her first at 15K. I might be remembering the amount of mileage wrong but it's pretty darn high.

 

Brought the extended for my 04 --- Ignition coil went at 72,000 miles not covered, would have at 50,000. $457.00 -- only complaint is not knowing what is "REALLY" covered under extended. Tie-rod and window motor was covered, both done under 50,000 miles.

I drive mostly highway so have been doing oil change on own, cheaper and more efficient to do at home after free ones were over. Up to 73,800 miles today.

 

ALL Extended Warranties concern me about whether or not they actually cover specific items under specific conditions. Take for example Warranty Direct. Yesterday, I received the quote below for my June 05 Mini Cooper with 10,500 current miles.

Warranty Direct's online quote system gave my two options of coverage. The lower MajorCare coverage had all kinds of red check marks meaning conditional coverage under certain circumstances . If it fails due to lubrication failure etc.. There are more "hedge" words than in a political speech .

Ripoff Sign 1) The first obvious ripoff occurrs by the very fact that if I purchase my coverage now.....it starts now. I have a little over a year left of original factory warranty. That makes your 4 year warranty purchase actually 3 years. Warranty Direct knows full well that they will not be liable for any problems until July of next year. If I wait until next year when the factory warranty is expired, the warranty cost increases. A no win situation.

Ripoff Sign 2) Two level of coverages available for the Mini. The higher coverage SecureCarePlus is a "bumper to bumper warranty" Sounds great BUT WAIT.......even with that coverage you get the OPTION to buy ADDITIONAL electronic airbag component coverage at of course an additional cost.

In summary, extended warranties are a mine field of hedge words . You really don't know what your getting until you need it done. You may win .....or you may lose. I truly wish Mini would offer there own version of an extended warranty program simply covering ALL the items that are covered under the original factory warranty. HondaCare is a program that Honda has which I like. It concerns me when the original manufacturer of a car does NOT want ot offer their own version of an extended warranty program. Does'nt show much confidence for the car after 50K.

You can get a free quote at Warranty Direct online with no hassle. I suggest you see for yourself what your options are. For me, there is too much fine print. Since I have low mileage (10,500) with only one year left on the warranty, I will most likely not get the warranty and trust that my vehicle will last until at least 50K. By then, we may be looking at upgrading to a newer model.


MajorCare Covers the most likely to fail “big ticket items” plus many others

Terms/Miles* Will expire on... Or when odometer reaches... $0 $50 $100
4 Years / 75000 Miles 4/19/2012 75,000 Miles $ 1,526 $ 1,426 $ 1,251
4 Years / 100000 Miles 4/19/2012 100,000 Miles $ 2,160 $ 2,060 $ 1,860
5 Years / 60000 Miles 4/19/2013 60,000 Miles $ 1,413 $ 1,313 $ 1,163
5 Years / 75000 Miles 4/19/2013 75,000 Miles $ 1,694 $ 1,594 $ 1,419
5 Years / 100000 Miles 4/19/2013 100,000 Miles $ 2,267 $ 2,167 $ 1,967

* Mileage is total on the odometer, years are measured from the contract purchase date.
Review Coverage View Actual Contract

SecureCare Plus True bumper to bumper protection

Deductible

Terms/Miles* Will expire
on... Or when
odometer reaches... $0 $50 $100
4 Years / 75000 Miles 4/19/2012 75,000 Miles $ 2,752 $ 2,552 $ 2,352
4 Years / 100000 Miles 4/19/2012 100,000 Miles $ 3,287 $ 3,062 $ 2,837
5 Years / 60000 Miles 4/19/2013 60,000 Miles $ 2,431 $ 2,256 $ 2,081
5 Years / 75000 Miles 4/19/2013 75,000 Miles $ 2,830 $ 2,630 $ 2,430
5 Years / 100000 Miles 4/19/2013 100,000 Miles $ 3,360 $ 3,135 $ 2,910
5 Years / 125000 Miles 4/19/2013 125,000 Miles N/A $ 4,821 $ 4,571


* Mileage is total on the odometer, years are measured from the warranty purchase date.
Review Coverage View Actual Contract

Optional Airbag Electronics coverage (SecureCare+ & PowerWrap+)
50,000 mile plans
-$7660,000 mile plans
-$76
70,000 mile plans
-$11475,000 mile plans
-$114
85,000 mile plans
-$132100,000 mile plans
-$152
120,000 mile plans
-$188125,000 mile plans
-$188

 

In my experience, 3rd party warrantees suck. If there's ever a contract that you want to read ever single word of fine print (three times), it's these contracts. If you try and put in a claim, they'll use every trick in the book to get out of it. Use of non-OEM tires could void the whole thing .

If you really want one, get the ones that read "covers everything except[list]" instead of "covers[list]."

 

In short Extended Warranty's are designed as a revenue generating vehicle for the dealer (and warranty company). I did some side work with a company that does special financing for used cars. Dealers LOVE to sell warranty packages. Why? They usually get 50% of that money immediately up front as part of their back-end profit.

So ... since the warranty is essentially marked up 100% by the "retailer" (dealer), the VALUE of the warranty is likely less than half of the cost to you. Otherwise, the warranty company wouldn't make money either ...

There ARE situations where an extended warranty can make sense to purchase (or GAP insurance for that matter), but not on a very new low mileage car.

 

For what it's worth I threw some details in this thread about all of this.

That doesn't mean I'm *ANY* closer to knowing what to do, however

I need to read this thread and learn. This is such a great site.. Really helped me in knowing what to order and ask for yesterday!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=136719

 

In 1992 I bought a 1989 Ford Thunderbird SuperCoupe, with 19,000 miles on it, in what appeared to be mint condition. I also bought the extended warranty. I was able to grind the dealership down enough on the price of the car to cover the cost of the warranty. In the 12 months I owned the car, it was in the shop for 3 months total. First the brakes (the entire system, including the ABS unit), then the trans was pulled and serviced 3 times before they replaced it. Each time it was in the shop, the dealership gave me a rental (on their nickel). Other than the cost of the warranty (and the grief!), the repairs cost me bupkis.
Now having said that, extended warranties are like insurance; they're a gamble in that you hope you never need them, but it's nice to know they're there.
An important thing to consider, is not so much what is covered, but what isn't.
I hope these posts help in your decision with the warranty, but welcome to NAM! There's a shirt-load of knowledgeable people here.

 

The service that MINI gives isn't worth krap. I actually voiced the words "I wouldn't let your dealership touch my car if it was on fire in your parking lot" in my outside voice, inside the dealer, so that I made sure every customer heard me.

I would MUCH rather pay someone like MINI Corsa to take care of my car properly, than have the IDIOTS @ any of the SoCal MINI dealerships touch my MINI ever again.

This warranty that MINI USA offers is worthless because of the MONKEYS that most of the dealers hire to do the actual work.

Service is the weak link with this vehicle...