Does anyone know of a dealer or car repair shop that will work on Mini's in Birmingham? Mine is out of warranty and scheduled maintenance, so I'd prefer not to drive to Atlanta anymore. Any suggestions? I just need the next oil change/regularly schedule service.

Thanks!

 

Stephen's Garage in Avondale is where I go.

 

For oil changes I go to Goodyear. It's just an oil change after all. I bring my own oil & filter & Goodyear does it for around $20

I haven't figured out what I will do for regular maintenance (makes mental note to see what regular maintenance I have coming up ) but I will prolly let Goodyear do most of that too because it's just basic stuff & a MINI is a car is a car. If I run in to any really techie problems I will prolly go to Stephen's Garage or drive over to Georgia & let Waylen do it at Way Motor Works The dealerships are too rich for my blood so I doubt I will ever let them do any work on my MINI.

 

I just did my first oil change at 6k miles on my 08 MCS and it was fairly easy. Took 5 minutes. It was the first time I've ever changed oil in a car. The DIY threads on the forums are great resources. I guess it would be more difficult if you didn't have the tools, because it would be a little work to make sure you get the right thing. Lucky for me, though, my brother is a streetrodder and I can borrow his tools.

 

By the way, is there EVER going to be a MINI dealer in Birmingham, or in Alabama for that matter; has anybody heard anything? My warranty is up next month and I don't want to drive to Atlanta anymore. Thanks for the info on Stephen's garage, I wrote it down in my MINI notebook for future reference (I'm over in T-Town).

 

I talked with a rep from Tom Williams BMW and they said a Tom Williams MINI is in the works and could possibly happen by the end of '08 or beginning of '09...
I sincerely hope this happens so I don't have to make trips to Atlanta for service.

 

Anything's possible. Maybe it'll happen by August.

Car84 is being flatbedded for service to Global this morning. I'm just within warranty, and some wheel hub assembly problem was detected during a tire rotation this week. MINI USA and Roadside Assistance is remarkable, and I wonder if all the AL folks are aware of the benefits?
For all you lucky chaps still under coverage that is.

When it comes back, I'm going to Stephen's for an oil change and rear brakes.

 

I ordered my MINI through Global as well... what's been your experience with them so far as service and maintenance goes?

 

I've been pretty satisfied. And they added a MINIs only service lane on that end of the building over a year ago, that was a great addition. They haven't done much maintenance other than the oil changes through 36,000 (what is that, two? and you have to put on the miles and pay gas to get it there and back?)- but I have had it flatbedded over there for work which requires it. I really love the peace of mind that Roadside assistance provides.

If only their sales would taper off, I'd also love to test drive an MC clubman but they can't keep them on the shelves. Good for them, move the allotment. One more reason to delay a dealership at Tom Williams.


So I'm weighing the extended warranties, and would love to read anyone else's thoughts. The rear brakes are nearing replacement, and I'm 1100 miles short of the EW deadline. $1850 for service which would include brakes and another 2K or so for roadside and would cover all else until 100,000? And as I'm surely incorrect on some of that, somebody please set the record straight.

I love my car and the benefits it has. Hate to lose the peace of mind benefit.

 

Update: MINI Roadside will reunite me with Car84 tonight. It was a bad wheel bearing like the tire guys said. Also the reason my draggin dragon car didn't make it to the end of the track... Anyway- when you need to call Global, don't pay for the call. They have an 866 number which any web search will find for you.

(866-864-0301).

 

If you don't mind me asking, was there any cost involved in flatbedding your MINI to Atlanta or does the warranty/Roadside take care of it?

 

This is the third time it has had to be flatbedded to Global for work. I tell them what the problem is (far as I know or have been told), They tell me if it is a covered charge or not (usually they say it is, once I rolled the dice and had it picked up when the leak was uncertain but it was covered after all), they fix it and send it back.

I have not had to pay one time. Enjoy your Peace of mind!

 

Global Imports and Tom Williams are both owned by Sonic Automotive. When I purchased my MINI in April, I was told, by Global, that the Tom Williams deal was signed and definately going to happen. Good for the service/warranty issues, bad for the uniqueness of the cars. I just feel that once we have a dealer in the area, many more cars will be bought and the uniqueness of what we have (or have on order) will diminish. Well, one more GOOD point, there will be more folks to come to the gatherings. (this from the guy who has only been to one! I promise to work on that.)

 

Hopefully only people who love the vehicle and understand what being a MINI owner truly means will purchase one... besides, the average DRIVER doesn't want to wait months for a vehicle... a true MOTORER would wait anxiously for as long as it takes to get their baby from across the pond.

 

[quote=Louispup;2376410]I've been pretty satisfied. And they added a MINIs only service lane on that end of the building over a year ago, that was a great addition. They haven't done much maintenance other than the oil changes through 36,000 (what is that, two? and you have to put on the miles and pay gas to get it there and back?)- but I have had it flatbedded over there for work which requires it. I really love the peace of mind that Roadside assistance provides.


So, just for clarification, how often are oil changes recommended?

 

The OBC on each of ours is saying first oil change at 12,000 and 11,000 miles (my husband drives a little harder than I do I suppose)....

We changed ours at ~6000 miles... just couldn't stomach the over 10,000miles before our first oil change....

 

Also, MINI will change the oil once a year if you don't rack up enough mileage on the OBC. It's included in the free service, if still under warranty. (Well they used to anyway.)

 

runningerin- I don't remember when, but it's once now and once later pretty much on a new car. At 15k and 30k maybe? Lots of folks get one at 7500 mile intervals, and you pay for those yourself.

 

Thanks, everyone! The last one she had was at 17,000 miles when I purchased her. We're at 22,600 right now, so I guess we are getting close.
See y'all Monday night!

 

Just got Car84 back from Stephen, who didn't see rotor replacement need and didn't charge me for it. Wish every mechanic was that honest.

And just like my Reunite tow receipt of two weeks ago, there was an 8-4 on the slip!

 

PLEASED TO SAY THAT WE ARE NOW SERVICEING MINI'S. EURASIAN AUTO HAS BEEN SPECIALIZING IN PORSCHE FOR FORTY YEARS. WE OFFER OUR MINI CUSTOMERS THE SAME EXCELLENT ATTENTION TO DETAIL SERVICE THAT WE DO OUR PORSCHE CUSTOMERS. THERE IS PRIDE IN OUR WORK AND OUR CUSTOMERS HOLD US TO HIGH STANDARDS. PLEASE CONTACT ME. I WOULD LOVE TO EARN YOUR BUSINESS!

CASEY
EURASIAN AUTO SERVICE
2831 4TH AVE SOUTH BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233
205-251-9263

 

My 08 just passed 1500 miles, I'm thinking about getting an oil change. Does Stephen's Garage have MINI oil and filter? If not, where can I buy MINI oil and filter. Thanks in advance.

 

I don't know if Stephen's stocks all that or not but you can buy an OEM MINI oil filter online from Way Motor Works in Atlanta for $8 + shipping. Waylen ships them out very fast. You can buy any 100% synthetic oil at any auto parts store. I use Mobil 1. There are a bunch of threads here on NAM discussing the virtues of different oil brands.

I get my oil changed every 7500 miles at GoodYear, I bring my own oil & filter

 

Thank you bamatt. I'd rather order the filter, buy the oil, and go to a GoodYear in Pelham than drive to Avondale.

 

you might wanna order more than one filter at a time to save on shipping since they are only $8. I think it costs about the same to ship one or 2