Hi, everyone,

We bought our Mini Cooper 2009 last August, so now it is one year old with about 6,700 miles. When we took it to the dealer for free maintenance, the dealer told us that they just changed policy, we are not qualified for free oil change unless our mileage is under 6,000, and we have to wait for the service light coming on (I suppose it is around 15,000 miles).
We are concerned about waiting for so long for an oil change, and not sure what effect it will have on our car. Is the dealer trying to rip us off? Anyone has similar experience? Should we change the oil by ourselves?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot in advance!

 

hmmm confusing post

did you buy a NEW MINI in 2009? Well then you posted in the wrong place but we'll {did} take care of that

Under pre-pay maintenance you get the oil changed when the computer says or at 12 months from last change date which ever comes first - or sometimes BOTH! If this has changed it has been in the last 3 weeks as I just got my oil changed under the 12 month rule 3 weeks ago.

May I ask what dealer?

Oh - btw - you bought a MINI, not a Mini . . . there IS a difference

 

A lot of us agree that is too long to wait for an oil change. Your only option other than waiting for the service interval light is to either pay or do it yourself at an interval of your choosing. I won't let my Minis go more than 5,000 miles without an oil change. To each his own though.

 

You get one every time the counter says so, or every year, whichever comes first. I would try another dealer in your area, or call back and ask for the service manager. If that doesn't work go to the dealership manager, then MINI USA. Your service agreement with them is in writing - they can't just "change policy" at will.

And personally, I wouldn't wait for the counter. I do mine every 7500 miles.

 

Sigh

MINI does not equal Mini

otherwise I'd just take my 79 to the dealer for service

 

So, what's wrong with doing it yourself or paying the dealer to do an interim change? What's more important here, the life and health of the car or whether you're getting "ripped off" for an oil change?

Cheez, when did people get so freakin cheap?

 

Sorry for the confusion of writing MINI as Mini, which I was not aware of.
MINIdave: I don't understand why you are referring people as freaking cheap. As I mentioned in the post, we bought the car one year ago. It is still under 3 year free maintenance plan. Indeed, the different people in the same dealer are telling different stories. The service manager told us they just changed the policy one or two weeks ago. But, the Business Developer Manager told us that it hasn't gone into effect yet. Another guy in the service department told us that it was changed one month ago.
The dealer is in Morristown, NJ.

 

actually go back to that dealer and tell them to do it. that low mileage oil service can still be done, the new maintaince ruling don't take place till september 1.

 

This bulletin outlines the new requirements for the annual low-mileage engine oil change effective September 1, 2010.

In order to perform an annual low-mileage oil change and receive payment under the MINI Maintenance Program, the following criteria must be met:

• At least one full year must have passed from the original in-service date (listed in DCSnet ) or the date of the last engine oil change; and
• The vehicle must have been driven 6,000 miles or less.

 

We never received any notice regarding the change.
StlBlueBMW325ci: How did you get to know it?
Thanks a lot.

 

im a mini technician. and you will never receive anything about the change. mainly you'll only get stuff on warrenty extensions or recalls.

 

I'm saying xhes is cheap because they're going thru all this sturm and drang over a $35 (if DIY - $100 from the dealer) oil change! Cheeze louise!

However, do not take it to "Iffy Lube" or one of those cheap oil change places - if you can't or don't want to do it yourself, take it to the dealer or a good independent shop that you trust.

 

I really want to see where in my sales contract, MINI can just change the terms of the agreement at their whim. Perhaps they can, but I'd be right pissed and let them, (MINI USA, BMW NA, BMW AG), know about it.

I bet if I start to picket on the sidewalk, they'll do it... Especially after I call the new media.

 

So far, our experience with this dealer has not been good. Our car had two problems in Last Dec. and Jan. The first one was gear light comes on and off, for which we had to take our car there three times to finally fix it. The second one was water pump leaking which led to engine overheat warning.

 

Picture this you drive 60miles one way to get the oil serviced. Its been 14months and 15,000+ miles. They refuse to change the oil. WTF! This happened to me this past Saturday.

PS I have the Oil and filter now to do it myself but I thought it would be nice to have MINI do this one. BASTARDS!

Matthew

 

It's not about being cheap, it's about getting what we were promised. Kinda like buying a dozen eggs and on the way out the door they take 6 eggs away because "oh, we just changed our policy, when you buy a dozen eggs you only get 6 now". Without knowing we all paid an extra hidden cost for the "free" 3 year/36k mile maintenance. We should all fight for what we paid for...

 

I don't care if they try to change the rules, they can't just up and change them now. They have to stick to what the rules were when you purchased the car. When you bought it that was a contract with the conditions they told you or had in print at that time, they can't just change it like that. Fight it, it's a silly oil change your not asking for an engine.

But either way make sure you change the oil, with the long intervals we've seen alot of oil sludging and that isn't good long term. Oil changes are cheap engines aren't.

 

This is the main thing I'm trying to get across - poorly I'll admit.

But where is it written that they'll change the oil in the first year if the light hasn't come on? I haven't seen that in any of my warranty booklets or service information.....

I think it needs an oil change yearly, even tho it hasn't been driven that far, but does MINI? I think the "free" yearly oil change was a courtesy, one they can decide not to do anymore if they want - legally if not morally.

 

when you feel it needs to be done, do it. dont wait.

 

By my experience, Morristown is the one dealership that doesn't try to bend you over the barrel at every opportunity. They consistently have the lowest prices on parts, extended warranty/maintenance plans, etc. [for example, look at the range of prices on an extended maintenance plan … Morristown undercuts them all at $1295] I would find it extremely hard to believe that they are trying to rip you off.

If you do decide to pay for an early oil change (I did after the first few thousand miles on my 2009 MCS... but have been following the 15,000 recommendation since), make sure they do not reset the oil change counter in the car's computer. If it's on your dime, you don't want it to push out the next covered change by starting your 15k over again.

 

I have the car for one year, which comes first before 15,000 miles and oil should be changed for free under their maintenance plan when we purchased the car one year ago. It is already one year and not an early oil change. Why should I pay for an early oil change?

 

I've had my MCS since November and I've changed the oil twice already myself. First was at 1500, miles, and I just did the second at 8000. Mini will change it in November, or I see a press release and news film at 11...lol

I sent a oil sample to Blackstone Labs when the oil had 5,000 miles, they said it would be ready for the change at 7000 miles on the oil. So I changed it a bit early.

 

I know I'm adding to this kind of late. I bought my MCS from Prestige after having heard some pretty poor things about Morristown Mini, especially their service department. I would recommend trying out Prestige or even Princeton Mini.

 

I'm planning to change my oil at 5000, if not sooner. I work so close to home that it's going to take forever to reach 15,000, and I don't feel like going a year with the original oil. I do a lot of my own mechanical work anyway, so an oil change is no big deal at all. And when I do change it, I won't reset the counter - meaning, the dealer will never know about it when one year or 15,000 miles finally rolls around and they do the "official" oil change.

Spridget

 

It's difficult to say what you are entitled to without reading the actual text of the maintenance plan. If you have that and it says you are entitled to an oil change, then you have a case. But if not, let me turn the question around on you... why should the dealership pay for an early oil change on your car (and everyone else's car) when they will not be compensated for it by MINIusa?

If I remember correctly, there was someone on here not long ago who said he put 300k+ miles on a new MINI and always followed the 15k miles oil change recommendation. Your car is probably fine.