Took my '04 Mini in for a check up on why the a/c was rather anemic. I figured I am just low on refrigerant. To my shock the estimate came out to be $2809.
New evap core 489.00
New evp valve 168.00
evap serv kit 38.89
new drier 160.58
high low service valves 28.00
freon 14.00
new condenser 640.00
compressor oil 10.00
labor 1260.00
Anybody suggest a less costly way to get this job done, or have anyone who can do this for less?
Thanks

 

Did you take it to the dealer? An independent shop should be able to do it much cheaper.

 

This is a classic case of a time when you should get a second opinion.

The compressor clutches go on those (mine did to the tune of $1400) which requires a whole compressor. But there are too many things that they are recommending to make this seem plausible.

Rich

 

This was an independent shop

 

New evap core 489.00 – Unless it has a hole in it or contaminated with debris, why?
New evp valve 168.00 – expansion valve if refrigerant is ok, but cooling is poor or only on one side of the cabin vents, or debris in the system. It’s not easy to get to so only as a last resort.
evap serv kit 38.89 – What’s this?
new drier 160.58 – If the compressor is replaced, or the system opened, or it’s lost its desiccant, this should be replaced also.
high low service valves 28.00 – What’s this?
freon 14.00 – Recover the existing refrigerant and recycle back into the system.
new condenser 640.00 – Unless it has a hole in it or contaminated with debris, why?
compressor oil 10.00 – a new compressor comes with oil in it, but if you have the system professionally serviced this is included along with a charge dye.
labor 1260.00 – Definitely need a second opinion. First have it professionally serviced (refrigerant recovered, vacuumed, dye & oil injected, refrigerant recycled) and then see if cooling is within specifications. It sounds like they are claiming debris in the system probably from desiccant contamination, if it is from the compressor that would need replacing. If you need to replace parts do it yourself and save money big time. http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/foru...read.php?t=571

 

Would be weird to have a leak in the evap core AND a bad compressor.
Would be much weirder to need $1260 in labor. It can't take that long
to do this work.

 

Where do you live? Perhaps there are some suggestions as to where else you might try.

It just seems that whomever gave you this quote is just changing everything and not addressing the problem. And considering that it is cooling but not well would seem that even if they didn't know what they were doing they would recommend an evacuation, system testing and reinstall of Freon before anything else.

Rich

 

That list is incomplete; they forgot to include the engine and tranny.

What is the problem... did they tell you?

I'd get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. Might even get a diagnostic from from a reputable dealer.

 

I'm in Torrance. Someone suggested a place in North Hollywood.

 

Yea, I looked at that and thought geez, were getting close to the price of a tranny or engine. My wife took the car in and had the car for half the day and submitted the estimate.
Going to a dealer I didn't think about because of the $$$$ involved. I wonder if they would charge for an estimate?

 

I second taking it for a second opinion. They should give you specifics on what is damaged and what it being replaced at the same time - which they should know if they did a proper test and are making this recommendation.

But if you do need those components, (and I don't know your mechanical ability), but last weekend I bought a new AC compressor, dryer and expansion device from here
http://www.discountcompressor.com/ad.../60-01993.html#
for my son's '05 honda accord. Took about 3 hours, and then I took it in to be leak tested, and recharged.
(the mini's condensor and drier sells for $160 total.) Saved me some money....but I'd get more specifics before I started (or let someone do) a repair.

 

That estimate makes absolutely no sense, they're replacing pretty much every component in the A/C system, no shop would do that on a "not cooling adequately" complaint - that's nuts!

I'd take it to the dealer, they might charge you some diagnostic time but I can't believe they'd come up with an estimate any higher, no matter what they did to it.......

 

I suggested Danny at MINICorsa when you last PM'd me on my site. Not sure why you are continuing to ask for suggestions. Did you call him?

I drive from Yorba Linda to North Hollywood for a reason to have my MINI worked on.

 

Just being polite, and responding to people who took the time to help me.
Also, I appreciate your help as well and I thank you for that, but if I can get something local, I would prefer that than having to hassle with traffic. You just never know who people know who live close to where you are.

 

I understand the convenience factor but there are certain individuals in the community that we go to for reasons beyond convenience..because we know they won't rip us off and will get the job done right the first time. It just amazes me that members of the community won't consider that and instead put convenience over reputation. I'll take a reputable independent MINI shop over an independent shop over a dealership. But I guess that's just me. Your "independent quote" is certainly an example of what you won't get from Danny.

 

Exactly! Don't freely bend over and take it. I bought a brand new condenser on ebay for $116 FREE SHIPPING!! BMW wanted $590 and I was going to pay it if I did not do some extra research. the a/c system is not worth 2800 to me, I never use it.

 

Go to Mini Corsa, your shooting yourself in the foot if you dont.
We told you if you dont listen. tough.
Id never pay 2800 to to my ac. Id go to oh wait. MINI CORSA>!!!!!
Big deal if its in north hollywood. Beleve me its worth ever bit of the traffic.
Ive never once had bad service or herd of bad service from danny.
he is with out a doubt the man.
However If your willing to Pay the Idiot Tax be my guest.
PS I sell oem parts at a discount.

 

I'll 3rd MiniCorsa.

I greatly appreciate Danny's brute honestly. He'll tell you that something is a waste of money and here is why, but if you really want it he will sell it to you. He's been excellent to me so far and is very accommodating. Well worth the 30 min drive.

I also like the fact that he doesn't mind if you watch. I like that and he's open to questions as he's working.

Danny will be getting all my Mini servicing or after market purchases & installs.

 

Jeeeshh.

Have a mechanic Dump some dye in the system, find the leak, and filler up....

There is no need to replace the entire AC System....

BTW: who ever gave you that estimate should have been wearing a mask when they handed it to you......what a thief.

 

Any update on this? Mine is also 'not cooling adequately' (R134a is full) and I've just been living with it for fear of the quote you got. Unfortunately the Bentley manual doesn't even really give troubleshooting hints. I'm fine with doing the mechanicals, I just don't want to replace parts *****-nilly 'just because'. Any A/C place recommendations in the Bay Area? Does Bay Bridge Motors do A/C - they seem like more of an engine/suspension place to me.

 

I think basically they will start with dye and a leak test, and then put guages on and see if it's over/under filled. I think pretty much any shop / service center can do that ok. probably < $100

Then if it still not cold, they'll determine what part(s) need to be replaced and that's when you can do it yourself or find a good mechanic.
I'm in the east bay - kind of far from santa cruz.

 

NEED HELP!!! My A/C on my R53 just stopped working. Since last summer till now it's been very weak and not cooling very well. Finally it just quite without warning. When I depress the A/C button, the compressor does not engage. Is there a possibility that the freon could just be low and maybe it needs a recharge? Any help would be greatly appreciated. By the way, does anyone know if any good independent shops in Las Vegas, in which I can take it too?

 

For a reputable mechanic, I always look for a place using Car Talk's Mechanic Files. Click and Clack know their stuff....

http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/

 

I wish people would follow up with the resolution when they post problems like this....

So oliverm, what happened?

 

First post!


I had my compressor clutch go out last week. Indie BMW/Mini shop wanted $1600 to replace just the compressor and drier. Called around and eventually found a shop that only works on automotive A/C. They ballparked it on the phone, then I took the car over there and they quoted me $800 for parts and labor to replace the compressor, condenser and the drier. All brand new parts, no refurbished. That's half the price and only $150 more than the compressor, ALONE, that the other shop wanted to charge me. I suggest trying to find an AC specialty shop as they may be able to get parts cheaper because that's all they work on.