I just got my Clubman today. Do thouse of up with older MINI's think is it worth $1695 to cover service untill 6 y or 100k.

 

I think the maintenance intervals on the Mini's are a little to high. For example, I prefer to change my oil more often than aprox 15k. The prices the dealers use to calculate what you are getting for your money is also very high. $150 for an oil change. $500 for brakes etc... When I did my analysis I figured I could maintain the vehicle myself using "Specialty" shops in town cheaper. I also would have to drive 120 miles R/T for an oil change?? I can do it myself or get it locally for 1/2 that price. The dealer that had maintained my car before I bought it stuck to the service intervals. When I looked at the air filter, which was below the service interval (miles) it was totally full of crud!

I think the money is better spent extending the warrantee. That is where you stand to save the most money in the long haul. Extend the bumber to bumper or the power train warrantee.

My $.02

 

I have also provided 'supplemental' oil changes and other maintenance on my '05 JCW, which currently has @38.5k on the clock. I purchased the old extended service contract for @$1k, that brought the 3 year/36k service contract to 4 year/50k. As far as I can see at this point, this extension will cover a brake job and an oil change...perhaps a radiator flush if I'm lucky.

From the perspective of someone who only does their servicings from the stealership (which I have always been with my previous cars), I will break even, if not come out a little bit ahead.

From the perspective of someone who has their maintenance done at a reputable independent shop (as I will convert to with my MINI because I don't like getting bent over with BMW/Mini Dealerships excessive prices), the money I spent on the extended maintenance plan was a waste.

 

I'm up to almost 72,000 miles on my 04 MCS and have had to make 3 repairs, all since my warranty expired: wheel-speed sensor ($210 at dealer), hydraulic engine mount ($191 at indy shop), valve cover gasket for oil leak (approx. $135 at indy shop).

Any extended-service is a gamble. Obviously MINI wouldn't offer it if they didn't think it was going to pay off in their favor. Your best bet may be to put $1700 in a CD or something to earn interest during your regular, free service period. When it matures at the end of that period, you'll have a couple hundred more bucks than you started with, and probably come out ahead.

 

The only way it would be justified is if you needed a brake job during that period. If you are a high mileage driver it is likely that you will need brakes. If not a high mileage driver the the cost benefit ratio really gets bad.

 

I recently had a $911.00 coolant leak and control arm bushings replacement covered by my extended, 100K mile warranty. I think it was worth it. I paid around $2,000.00 for the warranty. Piece of mind.

 

Very important! Do not confuse the MINI Extended service contract with a "Bumper to bumper" Extended Warranty contract for part failure due to defects or age-wear and tear. TWO VERY DIFFERENT ANIMALS!

The MINI Extended Service Contract is basically an extension of your initial 3 year or 36K mile (Whichever comes first) scheduled service plan. For an extra $1,400, qualifying MINI owners planning to keep their cars for at least 100K miles are given the opportunity to extend the scheduled maintenace coverage for another 3 years or 100K miles, whichever occurs first.

The term "6 years" is a little deceiving... MINI counts 6 years from the original "In-service" date of your car, hence "6 years or 100K miles".

For example if you bought your MINI on March 2005, your original 3 year scheduled maintenance plan would have expired on March 2009 (By time) or at any point during those first 3 years if the car had reached and exceed 36K miles. If you get the plan within the first 3 years since the original in-service date of the car, MINI will extended your scheduled maintenance for another 3 years or when the car reaches 100K miles.

I bought it for my 2005 R53 S because I plan to keep the car at least until 100K miles, and with the amount of driving I do (15K-20K miles per year) the $1,400 asking price for the contract to "Prepay" for all the maintenance needed for the car until it reaches 100K miles seemed like a reasonably good deal. I am not a "DIYer" type, nor I have a garage or tools to work on my cars. I rather let the dealer deal with all oil changes, filters, brakes, discs, clutch assembly, etc.

My MINI is already at 50K miles and I have used the MINI Extended service contract twice already. The first time was to replace the rear brake pads and discs (A $600 plus job at the dealer) and the second time for the 45K mile oil service (A $400 plus value at the dealer). So as you can see, between these 2 items, my initial plan investment has already paid for itself and I have another 2 and a half years left in the coverage.

The MINI Extended service plan is not for everyone! Only consider it if you plan to keep the car a few years after the warranty expires and plan to put a healthy amount of miles on it. This plan is not a good deal for folks that trade every 3-4 years or drive less than 12K miles per year!

If you are like me, that is not a DIYer mechanic and doesn't have a garage/tools to do your own maintenance on the car and plan to hold onto your car for a long time (And drive at least 15K miles per year), this plan may be a very good deal for your situation.

The plan is transferable to a second owner if you decide to sell the car during the coverage period at no additional charge to you or the next owner. This gives the car extra value and peace of mind for the next buyer.

But what really attracted me to the MINI service plan is that it covers the entire clutch assembly. Replacing the clutch in the R53 is a a 9 hour job as the engine has to come out to replace it. Expensive job out of pocket!. Also your brakes and discs are covered! Big plus in my book.

MINI does not sell EXTENDED WARRANTY CONTRACTS. If you want to get coverage for major component coverage (Engine, transmission, electronics, A/C, etc) you need to go to the aftermarket. Warranty Direct is one of the most reputable companies out there.

I personally skipped the extended warranty contract as I am a firm believer that preventive timely maintenance is your best insurance against major component failure. In the unlikely event my engine, transmission, electronics give a problem I have setup an emergency bank account fund that pays me interest and the money is always there ready to be tapped in in the unlikely event of a major repair expense.

Hope this helps!

 

+1 Great advice in this post.

Setup a CD or savings account and set aside an emergency fund for unexpected repairs. Much cheaper than buying an aftermarket extended repair contract and if you don't use the money for repairs, it will be available for whatever else you may need it for.

 

You can buy the plan at any point during the first 3 years (Since the original vehicle in-service date) or within the first 36K miles of the vehicle whichever occurs first.

I got my Clubman S back in February and declined buying the MINI Extended service contract until later. The car will be paid off in 2 years, so it is likely I'll wait until then to get it.

 

Great point! I agree that placing your money into a secure investment, CD's, etc. would be a wise choice. Most people will be financing the extra $1700 extended service anyways and after 5 years that $1700 extra will be like $2000. Invest the money into something else. My 2 cents worth

 

I paid for my extended MINI service contract in cash back in Aug '07. So far, my $1,395 expenditure has paid for new rear brakes/pads, complete 45K mile pit stop and today, a brand new clutch and flywheel. Total tab paid so far...Nearly $4,000.

Not bad at all.