Free Service for 1st 36,000 miles TRULY means 36,000, not a mile or 78 over! Last week schedule 36,000 mile service, 1st availible date June 11th, I say OK, and much to my surprise I was over by 78 miles which nets out at a $381.85 FEE!!!!!!! So if you are REAL close be carefull!!!!!! Airbag LIGHT STILL on, need to set another appt, because they need it for a FULL day to troubleshoot? Next service WILL require a breakdown of cost/services(really $10.00 for a 10" wiper blade??)

 

I'm pretty sure they have some kind of "grace period". This all comes down to having a great dealer/customer relationship.

Half of us love or service dept and the other half can give many horror stories.

When you by a car the service dept needs to be part of your game plan.

 

Well how could anyone get it there @ 36k on the dot? That's weird.

 

I would have tried to get them to cover it. Since you made the appointment under 36,000 miles. It wasn't your fault they didn't have any open spaces until after you hit 36,000.

 

Yet another example of the BS I hear about MINI service around here, so so different from what I received on my two previous BMW's. I had a sunroof issue on my M3 when it was about 2K miles over warranty and they fixed it for free with no questions asked as it was a known issue. I have yet to personally have any dealer issues with any of my three MINI's but I'll be squawking pretty loud if it ever happens. What happened to the OP is totally ridiculous.

 

Did they advise you of the cost before they did the service? Did you authorize the service after knowing what it would cost? There are regulations covering that sort of thing and I'm sure the cost was a surprise when you showed up but not when you paid the bill.
There is some onus on you to schedule that sort of thing before you reach 36,000 miles or at least work it out with the dealer before you get there. As in
"HI MINI service department, I need to schedule my 36k service, it's crept up on me all of the sudden."
"We don't have anything open until the 11th, we're super busy."
"That's cool, I'm available, but what if I go over 36k by then? Like I said, I just noticed that I was almost at 36,000."
"Oh, no problem, I'll make a note here that it should be covered since you called at 35,845 miles."
OR
"Well, I'm really sorry but our corporate owners are being really strict about coverage for that sort of thing anymore. You should be careful to not put many more miles on or only get what you absolutely have to get done when you get here and do your own wiper blades. What I can do for you is dig out one of the 15% off service coupons we sent out a while ago."
"Ok thanks, I appreciate the heads up."

 

Aren't they supposed to extend it for any miles that are put on during service/repair?

 

I would definately send a nasty letter to the owner and manager of that dealership. Im sure that he is not aware of the practices that his service dept is doing. You have nothing to lose.

 

Another factor that no-one is considering is that everyone knows that the speedo on MINI's is 3 mph off from the factory. Now, I'm just saying, do the math and "technically" at 36,000 you're only at 34,920. I'd argue to the heavens above about the 78 miles as that seems just a little ridiculous to me.

 

Supposedly the mileage isn't affected by the speedo being off. I dunno if this is true or not though.

 

I don't think the speed calibration has anything to do with the mileage. Since my MINI is spot on with highway markers, even though it does read speed high.

 

MINI of The Woodlands just did my 36.000 mile check at 36,700. Hood scoop replaced, horn repaired, brake check and fluid flush. Multi point inspection and computer review.

No charge.

 

Ya I would call BS since they wouldn't see you before 36k and thats bad business to not fix it for 78 miles over

 

This isn't right you need to contact MINI about this. Keep us updated if you decide to take it further.

 

Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed.....First, talk to the GM of this dealership. If nothing is resolved send a letter to (or call) MINIUSA.....Start documenting just in case.

 

Yeah I would totally talk to the dealership, this just doesn't seem very fair. I mean what are you supposed to do? You can't set an appoinment BEFORE 36k miles and then afterwords they charged you nearly $400 for the service? I don't think so.

I will say though this message made me very glad I got the 7 year/100,000 miles service plan on my mini. I love my Mini.... but oi!! Sheesh cars are such a big money sink.