Ok, so since I've purchased my '07MCS used, it has been trouble free.

However, since I was hearing a little rattle when it was cold and my armrest was giving me fits by not locking, I decided to take the mini into the dealer one day before the warranty expired to have everything checked out.

So, after they checked out the key and the car, which apparently tells them what needs to be checked, I was given an estimate of $420 for a "service" This included resetting the computer, flushing and bleeding the brake system, resetting the "emissions" which they kept telling me they don't do there. (I'm assuming this is a CA smog test) Lastly, replacing the micro filters in the AC.

Now I'm no mechanic, but know enough about cars, this seemed exorbitant for doing what really, flushing the brakes??? I mistakenly asked, well this is includes an oil and filter service right? No, that was $100 extra. Well you will rotate the tires correct? No, that was $29. I mean who do they think they are???

Is this the standard at all Mini dealers? I am quite frustrated and almost didn't let them touch the car as I felt this was ridiculously expensive...

I asked him about brakes to see what their cost was. The service tech was estimating, but intimated new pads and rotor resurfacing would be in the neighborhood of $600-700?!?

Any Marin service shops anyone could recommend for my Mini would be greatly appreciated.

 

change brake fluid is like $20 in parts (fluid) and 30-45 min if doing it the old way. So lets say an hour. I see about $120 bill. The rest seems kind of silly. Is the cabin filter the A/C micro filter? If so add the price of the part and like a few minutes.

 

I recall once when my Mini was in for something still within the free maintenance period. For whatever they were doing all wheels had been removed and were on the ground, which I could see through the window. I asked my service advisor since as long as they were off, could the mechanic please rotate them. Sure, he said, but only if you pay $50! Needless to say I passed on that.

 

Those prices are typical for MINI dealers in the Bay Area. I believe the labor rate at dealers is currently $180/hr.

 

Time to get to know your car. I don't know about gen2, but gen1 Cooper is a pretty easy car to work on. If that's not appealing, a trusted independent mechanic would be the way to go. Don't worry about MINI, the prodigious amount of warranty repair will keep them in business.

 

These sorts of charges seem about par for the course for dealer service in a major metro area, especially CA. There are cheaper options, including DIY, but someone has to pay for the showroom, receptionist, coffee, service loaner, flat-screen TV, etc.

- Mark

 

Take it to East Bay Mini in Pleasanton.
Yes, it's farther, but they offer the best Mini service in the Bay Area.

They're the only one that I know that will rotate tires for free if you request it during your free scheduled oil changes, etc.

 

For most work that is DIY the 2 Gens are about the same (I have both).

However as for cost of things. A brake job will be ~$900 with new rotors. Rotors are about $100 each, same for the pads. 4 wheels, that $800 in parts alone. There are some vendors that post on NAM that will sell brake kits for about $500, good deal, good parts, but still not cheap. I bought $50 rotors once and won't do that again. The had laps and seams in the castings that started to show after 5000 miles. They looked like they were going to fall apart. As was said, find a good mechanic or DIY (lots of instructions on NAM for DIY), that will reduce some of your expenses but I would advise against cheaping out on parts.

 

Mini of Stevens Creek flushed the brake fluid on my 07 MCS for about $110 a few months ago.

 

East Bay Mini has been doing right by me for the past 40K miles, since I moved to the west coast. My 08 MCS is with them right now, actually, getting an oil change and brake fluid flush while it's in for a windshield replacement. My service coordinator (Jeff) worked with me to get the costs washed into a reasonably good number (around what insurance was paying for just the windshield replacement), and I've always been really happy with the work they've done.

I know they've got the brake fluid flush on 'special' right now for $159, which seems a little steep to me considering what it is, but given the convenience of having them do it for you, it's not a bad option.

 

I second Joshknot's recommendation on East Bay Mini. A month or so ago I came out and found a leak from under the car, coolant. Took it into EBM, bad water pump. They replaced the water pump (under warranty) and while they were at it, they rotated the tires (without having to be asked) at no charge.

 

I'm happy to hear East Bay Mini is a good place to get work done since I pass that place every day.

I actually stopped in there for the first time last week to pick up a trim piece that I needed and since that was my first time in a Mini store I picked up a few things (hat, key chain, wheel locks, valve stem covers) and the guy said since it was my first time there he could give me a discount on everything. Very cool.

Then as I was walking out with the trim piece in hand another service writer saw me leaving and asked if I wanted a tech to place the trim piece on for me. I said sure why not and the tech came out and put it on free of charge.

Very nice group there and I will certainly be back.

 

I have never flushed the brake fluid on any of my vehicles.....


That sounds kind of silly....

 

It should be done about every other year. Brake fluid absorbs water from the air. This water degrades its performance, in particular letting the fluid boil after only moderately-heavy use. (Instead of absurdly-heavy use.)

Water inside the brake system will eventually cause problems for the parts. Steel ones will rust, the rubber parts will get hard and may start leaking, etc.

A brake fluid flush every other year will get rid of the water in the old fluid, and is cheap insurance against brake failure.

 

I do a four wheel flush on all my cars every time I work on either the front or back.
It only adds $20 to whatever job I am doing.
You can really tell the difference too over time in the way the brakes work.
(didn't know to do this way back went a while and the gunk that comes out
is unreal)

 

I just had a brake fluid flush done, $220 at the Mini dealer. They wanted another $200 to reset the light (standard scope), $265 for an injector flush and $135 for a tire rotation/balance. I declined everything except the brake fluid flush. I thought I was being taken for a ride with the brake fluid flush but it's a legit service necessity every 2 years. The brakes feel nice and solid now, not spongy. I'll reset my own service light, instructions can be found here on NAM.

 

MINI of Portland (Oregon) rotated mine free, AFTER I pointed out they were off the car for non-free brake work. But it did take a little persuasion.

Keith
07 MCS