Looking for alternatives to the dealer for MINI (04) repairs in PDX.

Suggestions and reviews would be appreciated

Thanks

 

Try Adrenaline Racing in Lake O. I think that one of their techs was a MINI/BMW tech and Rasmussen. However, I don't think that they are much cheaper.

 

Pacific Motorsports on Powell specializes in BMW's and Mini's. I had them install my exhaust and wouldnt hesitate getting more work done there.

 

+1 for Pacific.

I used to take my e46 M3 there and they are top shelf.

they have a factory trained MINI tech there now and offically do work for them.

www.pacificmotorsportsonline.com

Mini related page:
http://www.pacificmotorsportsonline.com/index-2f.html

 

On a CVT Trans fluid replacement they are quoting $235 vs the dealer wanting $340 so that is a decent improvement


david@arautoservice.net
www.adrenalineracing.com/ www.arautoservice.net

 

Try portland mini. It's actually just one guy, who is a former tech for Rasmussen. His name is Brandon, 503-771-6464, shop is on SE Foster.

 

Looking for a 2011 Update on local MINI shops.

Please advise,

Jim

 

I think the previous recommendations are still valid, had an alignment last month at AR in LakeO - they have a clean shop.

also; have heard good things about Allen's work at
Tigard SUV and Auto Repair
2394 Southwest Scholls Ferry Road
Tigard, OR 97223
(503) 590-9798

 

For work on MINIs ???

 

I know, hard to believe at first. But that's where Allen works. He's a MINI owner himself (his wife also owns another MINI) and is a member of PDX MINI. I've watched him work on mine when doing the LCA bushings and he knows them well.

 

Thanks for the opinions!

My wife's 04 has started making some very odd noise that I can't track down. I took it to Rasmussen and had one of their techs take a listen. But all he said was "yes that does sound odd but I don't think it is the steering pump or fan. You will need to schedule an appointment".

So rather than do that, I just called www.adrenalineracing.com/ www.arautoservice.net and made an apt. for this Friday. Guess I will see what they have to say..........and how much that will cost me ;^(

Jim

 

BTW,

This phone number now connects to http://www.portlandautohaus.net/

anyone know if this is still Brandon?

 

I just saw Dynasport MINI mentioned in another post. Any opinions ?

 

jrprich,

I was curious as to how your impression was of ARAutoService? I did go to Rasmussen and was not impressed with their quote for some work that I need to have done on my MCS '03.

 

I was very impressed with ARA. Eddie helped me and he kept the Mini for most of the day trying to track down the odd sounds. Turns out it was coming from the back of the CVT Auto trans and we all know what that likely means ;^(
He gave me three quotes on replacing or rebuilding the trans and was up front with how costly it could be. I decided to wholesale the car rather than spend $6,500 or so to rebuild the trans.
Eddie didn't even charge me for his time! I would go back there for any Mini work, but now I don't have a Mini ;^(

 

To further confuse the mix, Performance's website (http://www.pacificmotorsportsonline.com/index-2f.html) quotes the following: We are fortunate to have an AVID MINI owner/driver as our lead MINI technician. Brandon has been working on them since shortly after the BMW model was introduced. His experience includes extensive upgrade and modification work to pulleys, chargers, brakes and suspension on these little wonders.

Sounds increasingly like PortlandMini has changed??

I'm looking for someone to do a Supercharger pulley mod as well as basic oil service stuff. Anyone used any of the independent PDX shops for work?

 

Mini Madness in Hillsboro. They've not only taken care of me, but have patiently answered all of my questions. www.mini-madness.com

 

Mini Madness in Hillsboro. All they do are Mini's. The owner came up to my car, looked under the hood, inspected it, gave me quotes, showed me thier shop and no presure at all. Legit business, legit products and they give their prices (aftermarket) and hourly prices on their website. Love them. Have their suspension products on my car now. I'm a newbie but from my brief expierence I was impressed.

 

+1 for Mini Madness in Hillsboro. I went there 2 days ago for the pulley reduction and CAI install. They guys were really friendly, provided good advice and have a good (if small) setup. Their prices are competitive too. Definitely thinking of going back there for some suspension and brake mods. BTW the pulley mod is an absolute SCREAM - I'm addicted.

 

My power steering died the other day, but today the power steering has come back to life. Perhaps you can help.

Last Thursday I was heading home from work on Germantown Road. I am not going fast as it is wet and I really don't want a tree shaped dent in the front of my car. Anyway, I am coming out of a turn and the engine dies, stalls out, when I depressed the clutch to change from 2nd to 3rd. Lucky for me that was done in a short straight. I dump the clutch and the motor starts right up again.

On Saturday, heading to the Duck game, no issues like that, but the Check Engine light comes on for about 1 second and goes out. No other issues or noticeable issues with the car. When we arrive in Eugene, when I pull in to park, the steering dies briefly and the puts a huge strain on the motor as it almost dies - which is strange because as you know the two are only connected by a wire or two. After the game, PS is back no issues. On the way home, the brake light comes on for about a second and goes off. I am on I5 at the time and traveling at about 70 mph. Brake handle is obviously not in use.

Could the PS pump with it's silly fan issues cause this kind of electrical gremlin or do I have a larger electrical system issue.

Thanks,
Craig

 

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess that all of your issues are related. Has the car been recently worked on? I've seen many issues like this cause by a poor connection at the battery...