My R56 S is in the shop for some warranty work as I am typing this. When it comes out of the shop, it should have a new transmission (due to the flywheel/clutch/transmission noise everyone seems to talk about) and a new timing chain, tensioner, and all the associated parts (for the death rattle).

When my SA put my key into the keyreader I figured it would tell me that I was due for my standard scope (1900 miles left on the countdown) and rear brakes (1100 miles left on the countdown). My SA mentioned that it was due for 'an inspection' as well. Is that something different from the 'standard scope' that shows up on the service indicator? It seemed that on my printout both the 'standard scope' and 'vehicle inspection' were close to due. Since my car is out of warranty maintenance and I am pretty religious with my own maintenance plan, I declined to pay $170 for an inspection of my car. I feel that I notice when something is wrong with my car. I did notice that when I run a service check on the tachometer, everything checks out 'OK'. What gives?

I guess my real question is, how many of you actually follow what the keyreader says and what the service indicator says? It seems I am half and half. Personally, I come from a background where I change my oil religiously, change my air filter every 15k, change my microfilter every 15k, etc. I do plan on following the indicator for coolant and brake flushes. So what do you guys do?

To those that answer some of my questions about the service indicator and keyreader, thanks in advance

 

Once any car of mine is out of warranty, I change the oil every 10k (synthetics), the filters when they're dirty, and timing belts whenever they're supposed to be changed. Anything else, I wait until it wears out or breaks. I don't touch the trans fluid on autos, rarely mess with the antifreeze, or much of anything else. If I really like the car, I usually keep it to 150~200k miles. Most of the time the only things that go wrong are batteries, belts, an occasional radiator or a u-joint.

I've never had an engine fail or even start smoking. I've never had an auto transmission start slipping or break. MOST cars are very durable.

I bought the 100k maintenance plan (with regret) for the MINI, so I'll keep up with whatever the computer requires, but I doubt I'll keep it for the duration.

 

Regardless of Molly still being under Warranty, I still have her checked out every 6mos., she gets an Oil Change, Tires Balanced & Rotated, and what ever else she might need.

 

I have not followed the service indicator for oil changes. I had my first oil change @ 1200 miles and am getting ready to take him in for a 5000 mile oil change. I plan on taking him in every 5k for an oil change.

 

009

I've been on your plan since I bought my first MINI in 02 . . .

no problems or complaints here . . .

know where to look for wear and decide if you trust the engineer so far as lubrication interval or not.

I just remember that the pres' of Jiffy Lube has been quoted as saying at a "lube guy convention" that extended life oils presented the greatest challenge their industry had ever faced and they needed to continue to press the 3000 mile oil change . . .

look it up . . . it's out here . . .

 

You're right, Captain. Even back in my days of small-block Chevys and big-block Pontiacs, I always changed at 5000 miles with conventional oils... no problems. I've ran a Trans Am, Mustang GT, and a few Jeeps to 200k+ without changing trans fluid or antifreeze until a radiator, water pump or something similar went bad... usually in the 180-200k range. The 88 Mustang GT was the first car I used synthetics and ran 10,000 miles between oil changes. The engine/drivetrain was great at 225k, but the rest of the car was falling apart when I sold it. Doesn't mean this approach is right for everyone, but I've owned a lot of cars in 30 years and had very little trouble from any of them. No reason to change now.

 

For me, first oil change at 1800 miles then every 7,000 miles or so. Manual transmission fluid changed to Red Line at 1800 miles and then every 30k thereafter. Other than that I will follow the indicator.

 

How long are you going to keep it?

If you take good care of your vehicle, it will take care of you. If you wait until things break, there are more things that are going to because you really don't care about maintaining your equipment.

I used to divide the manufacturers recommendations by half, because I always thought that they liked to engineer in wear out factors, so you would buy a new car in a few years down the road. The oldest vehicle I have is older than 70 yrs, (older than me), I just gave my sister-in-law my 14 year old Ford Ranger, what I'm saying is if you maintain them, you can keep them forever.

Of course I've bought and sold other cars and trucks, just didn't want to keep em.

I'll change the oil on my MINI every 5,000 Mi. Air filters sooner than MINI recommends, brakes when they need it, brake fluid every 2 yrs, anti-freeze every 3 (yes it does degrade).

Will it cost me more to maintain my MINI? Probably not in the long run, if you wait until your engine breaks, how much did you save then?

Use the service indicator as a guideline, good luck and have fun.

 

I am starting to think I want to keep this car so I do plan to maintain it. I think I would be better off sticking to my own intervals as they seem to be much better than the dealers.

What's the deal with this inspection though? Is it just a money scam for those of us that keep a close close eye on our cars?

 

Hi Chris, I don't think the inspection would be a scam for those that are not mechanically inclined. It sounds like you have a leg up already.

Just think, 20 years from now you'll own a classic! Good luck.

 

Yeah the more I think about it the more it makes sense. The inspection would be good for those that don't really know what to listen for, or don't listen for, abnormal noises. I guess 1 time a year really isn't that much.