We are going to be taking delivery of our R60 very soon. I've gotten all of the financing details worked out and we're ready to talk signatures.

What extra packages or programs have you been offered in the finance room? I'd like to be ready and have already thought about everything. It'd be great to hear your thoughts on them too.

I've heard of:
--Tire Repair and Replacement Program
--Extended Warranty

 

Maintenance?

Other stuff is standard, such as Gap Insurance, Paint Protectant/Sealant, most of which are crap.

 

I chose the extended maintence.

Keep in mind all of the items are price adjustable. IIRC the tires were 900, the warranty was 3500 and the maintence was 1900.

The warranty could be added later, before the 36k warranty is up.

 

Yes all negotiable. We got the tire warranty only. Sure enough though in the first weeks after delivery i got a small crack at the bottom of the windshield from a rock probably. It's small and hidden for the most part by a wiper blade and it hasn't grown thank goodness...so I haven't done anything for it. You might consider the windshield warranty-maybe.

 

Some insurance companies replace windshields with zero deducible, depending on coverage.

 

I bought the Tire Warranty, although I haven't needed to use it.
I also bought the paint/interior protection and wish that I had not.
I regret that I didn't get the extended warranties as my car now has 35K. I am adding extended maintenance warranty now and will add the regular extended next year.
It seems from reading this board and some others that extended warranties are a good idea if you want to keep the car and don't work on it yourself. I love my car and intend to keep it a long time.

I have replaced my windshield twice and both times it was covered under our regular auto insurance, no deductible. It's my understanding that state laws vary on this so you might want to check with your insurance agent about that.

Good luck and congratulations.
It feels good to finally get the key fob and motor away!

 

I bought the extended maintenance and tire warranty....my CM is 9 months old, with a hair more than 9000 miles, and the tire warranty has already paid for itself.

 

extended warranty. people having premature clutch wearing out. you'll probably get at least a new clutch out of your money

 

thats also included in the maintenance. I figured a new clutch, and at least 1 set of front/back brakes, but its looking like it could be 2

 

Got the extended warranty and am so glad I did; already had two sets of front brakes, one rear set, headlight bulb blew out, thermostat went out (before recall) and having turbo replaced (@41K)... Wondering how many more brake jobs I'll have done in next 59K. I didn't get tire warranty and glad I did; stock tires suck - bad ride, noisy... Can't hardly hear Bluetooth

 

^ wow. Did you get the warranty or maintenance? Usually wear items like brakes aren't covered under a warranty. And how many miles do you have on the car already? Can't believe the turbo died already

 

So...from all this, it looks like the only worthwhile options to consider are:

Tire Warranty (seems a lot of bad stories w/ tires)
Extended Warranty
Extended Maintenance

So a few questions:
1) What are fair, negotiated prices for each (and "Fair" is subjective, I realize)
2) How difficult is it to make a claim against the tire & extended warranties? Is there a deductible? (if so, how much). Are they difficult to deal with and hesitant to accept a claim?
3) Is the Extended maintenance a decent deal vs. paying as you go? I typically will do oil changes, air filters, brake pads & sometime rotors myself--not sure it'd be worth it to add this.
4) For those DIY-inclined owners, how easy is it to do oil & brakes on the CM?

 

No, no no. Just shake your head and smile...

 

Normally, this is my approach. I've never bought a dealer add-on such as they offer in the Finance room. With my wife's Outback, they were relentless and overly pushy.

I'm not inclined to go for any with my CM, but seem that some were glad they did.

 

i bought the extended maintenance (6 years / 100k miles) as i ordered my countryman, i tend to keep a vehicle a long time, last vehicle: 1997 GMC Sonoma V6 5speed 4x4 extended cab that now has 287,000 miles (and i am keeping it!)

the sales associate figured the bottom line / out the door price, with the sales tax, tags, etc

at the time of delievery, i showed up with a cashiers check for that amount, i never finance vehicles and had 16 years to save for the mini

in the Den-Of-The-Closer, i was shown all these (in my opinion) worthless add-ons

paint and interior "wear and tear" insurance
tire and wheel insurance
windshield insurance
undercoating and paint sealant (does that mean a wax job?)
mini extended warranty
aftermarket warranty
and even more, but i cannot remember them all

the Closer started to explain the first add-on, i interrupted and said

"i'll take all of them that fit into this check", showing him my cashiers check

the Closer looked at the check, looked at the sales contract, sighed, took all the papers back, gave me 3 pieces of paper to sign, the sales contract (strangely it was an exact duplicate of one i had already signed when i ordered the countryman), title application and tags application

i was out of the Den-Of-The-Closer in about 3 minutes

i was almost tempted by the tire and wheel insurance, but it only covers oem tires (runflats) and when these wear out i am not getting new runflats, the sales associate tried to push the tire/wheel insurance when i ordered the car

i was told by the sales associate that the mini extened warranty can be purchased later and that mini will mail me before the standard warrant is up

scott

 

Thank you so much, everyone!

We are beyond excited about delivery tomorrow. I really appreciate this community for its wisdom en masse. It is a huge help. I say this community, which you'll be hard pressed to find with any other brand, helps justify so much of the cost of these cars.

 

Post pictures, OK?

 

If I were a DIYer, I would look very closely at cost/benefit of the extended maintenance. Since I don't have clue about what to do under the bonnet beyond checking oil, coolant, and wiper fluid, it's worth it to me to hand over my key fob, get in the loaner, and let the dealer do their thing.

Edit to add: I have been quoted 1800 for the extended maintenance if I buy it before 36K.
After that, the price goes up.
I don't know what the extended 6 year/100K miles warranty costs, but am starting to shop around.

 

I picked up my CM on Friday, I got a very good deal on the car & was able to apply my Take Down certificate as well.
I passed on all the 'extras' except the Interior/Paint protection. I was told these are normally $1000+. I paid nothing even close to that. Although the treatment sounds like a 'magic elixir' I like that its for 7yrs & covers things like stained carpets, loose stitching, torn seats, paint imperfections from the elements etc.
I was told if I tear the seat, it wil be replaced w/ a new one.
Done deal! cause I know the drivers bolsters will wear after 3-4 yrs.

 

I went for extended warranty and maintenance because I didn't have a good local MINI guy at the time and because the CM has a bunch of engineering in it that's relatively new to MINI. I figured the chance of something going seriously bad is higher than normal, simply because it's a new model with so many new elements.

Plus, I really can't be without a car on most weekdays, so having a loaner is really helpful to me, and my dealer always gets me a loaner.

So if you have a good mechanic, these warranties are generally a bad gamble, because they won't pay for themselves for most people. It only makes sense, right? At the price the dealership offers, that warranty makes them money, or they wouldn't sell it. However, if you're going to the dealer for all your service anyway, it starts to be a better deal, and if you figure in the extra potential for things to go wrong with the CM, it starts to look like a good deal. I never buy things like extended warranty and maintenance, but I did this time around.

So now, if I hear a creak I don't like or the radiator fan runs slightly longer after shutoff than I think it should, I'm on the horn to my SA, who is wonderful and patient and flexible with scheduling appointments and loaners.

 

but wont things usually show up within the warranty time period?

 

Life experience tells me that things usually go wrong immediately after warranties end.

 

Ah Murphy's Law

 

2011 countryman all 4, 2/1/11 delivery, 28500 miles
got the tire warrenty, they have ups'd to me 2 tires now, both had nails...covered the intall at the local tire place...the tires are $250 each, run flats...where u gona find them when u need them?
Got the maintance...negotiated to $1600..
Full brakes $1600 or more...
Those are a must.
Negotiating the extended warrenty now

great car!

 

Alan if you are paying $1600 for a brake job, you are getting wildly ripped off...