Hello, I have questions about the 1 year maintenance.

I read that the policy just changed and I am confused about what I get now.

I have a MINI that turned 1 this month! I got an oil change for him a little while ago on my own. Now that he is 1 year old I had thought that I get to bring him in for an oil change even though the computer doesn't say he needs one (I am not sure if the computer was re-set when the oil change was done) but now I am reading that the light needs to be on or it needs to have less than 6,000 miles?

Also, do they usually do inspection for you at this 1 year thing that may or may not exist? Or is that a dealer case by case basis? Can I just bring it anywhere to get the inspection, or is it better to go to the dealer (Dealer is over 1 hour away).

Thanks for the help! I am just a little confused.

 

You will get your annual oil service, yes. If it is time for the 'Inspection 1' youll get that as well, as it very much does exist. I dont remember exactly when Inspection comes about, though 1 year makes sense (usually shows around 25-26K miles). There is oil service within the Inspection 1 anyway. Its only going to be free at the dealer.

Id call the dealer and see. If theyll do all this then set up the appointment.

 

Thanks for the info... Sorry I forgot about the MINI inspections...What I had meant was state inspection!

Sorry for confusion!

 

State inspection varies (no surprise here) from state to state. Generally speaking, I think most states are at the point where new cars get a few years before needing their first inspection... in NJ, for example, new cars are exempt from inspection for the first 4 years.

Short version - check with your dealer or with your DMV's website and see what it says about new car state inspections.

 

ohh haha. may want to ask in the regional forums!

 

State inspections are usually pretty basic. If your MINI dealer is very far away and you do not have any other service needs at this time, I wouldn't hesitate to take it to another shop for the inspection.

 

I'm a little confused about the new rules for the annual low-mileage oil change. Is it that the car must have gone 12 months since the last oil change and have fewer than 6,000 total miles on the odometer, or does it just have to be 12 months since the last oil change and fewer than 6,000 miles since the last oil change?

In other words, if you had the oil changed at 10,000 miles and a year later you're only up to 15,000 miles, does that rate a free annual "low-mileage" oil change or not? It's been more than one year and fewer than 6,000 miles since your last oil change, but the car has more than 6,000 total miles, so I'm not sure how to interpret the new rules.

 

in my experience in a state with inspections - VA

some dealers provided free inspections and made a big deal about it (another dealer I knew offered free tires for so long as you owned the car), most will do the inspection at a cost as it would not be considered a MINI maintenance item.

you have to ask how it works for you

I guess if I decide to buy another MINI I'll have to figure out this 'changed' service policy. I just had my oil changed under the annual with no miles contraints a week b4 this alleged change and no one said anything about it. I'm low miles on the 7 and the first computer service is still a ways down the road - pre-paid maint' ended at three years last month.

 

I thought it was that they would only change your oil if you HAD gone over 6,000 miles in the year. Now I'm confused. I'm at 13,000 miles in 6 months, so i guess it doesnt matter because my indicator will be on before the year is up.

 

Call your dealers service dept and let them explain it to you - since they'll be the ones doing the service.......

I believe it's that they will change it on cars that have gone more than 6k. If you don't reset the service counter when you do your own interim oil change (and you shouldn't reset it) then they'll go by that.

If your dealer is in your state, they should be able to do the state inspection at the same time if it's due - and they'll know the rules for it as well.

 

MINIUSA will not pay for the 12 month oil change if you have driven 6,000 miles or more. Or so they told me when I asked.

 

If you go back to the dealer where you bought your car, they most likely will give you a free oil change after a year.

 

the whole annual oil change policy is effective even on all bmw cars as well.

 

Are you sure? I think it's the other way round, they'll only change it if you have 6k or more....

Whichever policy they use, it doesn't impact me as I change mine every 7,500 anyway, but I thought that's what started another thread earlier - a MINI owner took his in with less than 6K and they wouldn't change it under the "new" policy.

 

When I called to confirm this urban legend - They said under 7K they will do a 1 year oil change. Higher miles wait for CBS to tell you.

Yes it makes NO sense.

Except reinforces why I already have the tools, filter and Mobil 1 collected and waiting for my first DIY oil change.