hey guys,

after a week of driving the car, the "brake" light and service went on at around 20800 miles, thinking it was completely covered by mini so i made an appointment with southbay and brought it in today.

unfortunetley my maintenance warranty was expired on april 2012, they wanted 1995 out the door for an extended warranty with 3 years/100k miles but my powertrain is still under until next april. im very upset at the fact that the original owner did not mention this ( still trying to find him as we speak ) and the fact that mini is quoting me 425 for pads only on the front... 1995 is alot of money for an extend warranty, what do you guys think i should do? i personally cannot tell how bad i need to replace my pads but i don't want to drive rubbing metal to metal.

sux! today is just not my day. any comment will help.

thanks,

-MS

 

Not sure how this is the original owners fault. All you had to do was read the manual to get the warranty information. You could have even called with the VIN to get it. You bought a used car, and that is what you got.

As for the brakes, that is a high price, but you are at a dealer. Get your car, and find a good and reputable mechanic in your area to get your car repaired. Pads for the front only should probably be no more than 150 (depending on what you get).

 

I'm with daflake, that is hardly the previous owner's fault from what you wrote. If you plan on keep the car long term that maintenance plan is not a bad buy, I had it on my last one and will probably buy one again.

 

Does the Mini extended maintenance plan even cover brakes to begin with?

 

Don't think so. Brakes are usually considered wear and tear.

 

brakes and rotors ARE specifially included in the extended maintenance plan, i know, i bought it

scott

 

Fair enough... Tis the reason that I "think".

 

$1995 is a lot of money for 3 oil changes and a set of brakes, filters and fluid flushes... (which is all the extended maintenance plan is going to give you.) You were talking about the extended maintenace plan, not a warranty. You are paying a lot up front for maintenance.

It's a real money maker for the dealer. You are probably better off not getting it and paying for service at a Mini specialist.

Or better yet, do the brakes yourself. It's really an easy DIY.

 

mini sell both an extended warranty and an extended maintenance plan

they are mutually exclusive

before buying either option, make sure you understand which plan and what is covered by each

personally, i passed on the extended warranty, but bought the extended maintenance

i have also confirmed both with the sales manager and MiniNA that before the warranty expires, i will receive a letter offering me the option of purchasiing the extended warranty for the same price as at time of purchase of the car.

the extended maintenance plan can also be purchased later, but tends to cost more if not purchased at the time of purchasing the car, this is based on my sisters experience on her 2009 MCS and also talking to other owners at the dealer

i keep vehicles a long time and my experience is that warranty items (faulty manufactering or assembly) show up quickly and the standard warranty will catch them, but maintenance goes on forever

btw, also included in the extended maintenance, you get roadside assistance extended to 6 years, something that the SA never mentioned. i discovered it when i read the extended maintenance agreement in full

scott

 

my 03/2012 all4 has oil change interval of 9,000 miles, so i will get 7 additional oil changes from the extended maintenance plan

also included in the extended maintenance are: all CBS maintenance that comes up on the on board computer, and brake and clutch fluid changes, coolant changes, brake pads and rotors, wiper blades, air and cabin filters, spark plugs, CLUTCH, external drive belts, and all of the labor, sales taxes and "shop fees" for all of the above (i have the agreement in hand as i type this)

also, i paid $1795 for the extended maintenance plan

all in all, i think it is a good deal, as i will own the car for well over 6 years

scott

 

I have seen and talked to people that have had this have their clutch denied as they were told it was abused. I'm not saying that it will happen to you, but be careful what you are telling others what they will get. In general I have found that these extended plans are generally not worth it and I seldom recommend it.

 

Priority - get your brakes fixed one way or the other!

I have just been quoted $1895 for the MINI extended maintenance plan.
Yes, brakes are covered under the MINI extended maintenance plan. Oil changes, fluids, brakes, wear and tear items - sometimes the clutch is covered depending on circumstances. My dealer gives me a loaner while my car is being serviced.
If the OP works on his car or lives in an area with a good independent MINI mechanic, the maintenance plan may not be a good deal.
Should the OP decide to take out the extended maintenance plan, I suggest asking the dealer to cover the brakes. The price quoted is the same if the maintenance plan had not lapsed. Considering the price of the extended maintenance plan, it would be hard to justify that cost and the high price of the brake job. It can't hurt to ask the dealer to make the plan retroactive.
Or, try to negotiate the price of the extended maintenance plan down, since the brakes are included in that price.

 

Please don't embarrass yourself by confronting the previous owner about this. Getting extended maintenance/warranties is far from essential - some feel entirely unnecessary - and is certainly not a "must disclose" item. Plus, it's one that's entirely within your ability to track down.

 

I agree with this.
It is confusing that there are two extended options, one is the extended maintenance plan, and the other is the extended warranty against defective parts. Had the previous owner purchased either one he would have likely wanted more for the car, having invested several thousand dollars in either or both of these entirely optional add ons. You yourself note that the extended maintenance plan is expensive. Sellers who have purchased these plans use this coverage as a selling point.
If you buy the extended maintenance plan, then I suggest asking the dealer to cover the brake job retroactively as the brakes are covered under the plan. Otherwise, I would take the car to a brake shop and get the job done there at a much more affordable rate.

 

Yeah, can't see how you would have any legitimate complaint to the previous owner. That is ridiculous. I would not do the extended maint warranty, its very expensive and oil changes are very easily done your self. Brakes as well. Even if you have no desire to replace the brakes your self I can't see how you will save money spending $2000 for the warranty. They are only offering it because odds are they are going to make money.

 

I was told the clutch would NOT be covered by any of the maintenance or warranty plans. Brake pads are covered as well as other items identified in an earlier post. Normally I do my own brakes and oil/filter changes. As this is my first Mini I am considering just letting the dealer to do. The problem is the dealer is 50 miles away. I know they will come and get the car leaving me a loaner but the idea of a 100 mile round trip just for oil does not sit well. My Mini is only three months old so I have a lot of time before I am faced with being out of the new car maintenance. I also have to consider how long I will keep the car. Normally I keep a vehicle until I run the wheels off of it. For something like the Mini I am thinking maybe this car should be a shorter time interval. When the new car warranty runs out it is time to trade it in on a new one.

 

it does not matter what anyone says is covered, the wording of the actual service contract is what counts, and my maintenance contract specifically covers the clutch

the SAs are not well informed about the details of the contract, none of them knew that the maintenance contract also extended the roadside assistance an additional 2 years to 6 years total

scott

 

Here is the OP's thread when she was buying the car.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-mcs-auto.html
She seemed to believe that there was a warranty, which there is, just not on the brakes.
Question - did the OP not understand the terms of the warranty or was the warranty misrepresented to her?
The is a lot of confusion between the maintenance plan and the warranty.
Although complimentary, they are 2 separate and distinct kinds of coverage.

 

guys please note a few things:

i mentioned i was upset because i did not know that the maintenance was expired when i asked and it was written on the Bill of sale that it was. thats why i was upset, when i purchased the car i was told and it was signed that the car was under both maintenance and powertrain warranty, which maintenance wasn't after finding out 2 weeks of driving the car. i should of read done more research on the car i know but i also have the rights to be upset for a buyer not stating the correct information.

the car i have finally got isn't what i have posted, this private seller sold the car to me below kbb and it was in very good shape.

what my question to NAM is simply if you guys know a place that i can go to to get this done for a cheaper price but under a "mini specialist" or even if any dealer sees this message that are willing to offer a lower cost than 1995 aftertax. im in orange county

-MS

 

OK, that's not what you posted in the OP, but...
I suspected when I read your original thread that the warranty may have been misrepresented to you.
I'm really sorry you are dealing with this and hope that you get it settled satisfactorily.

As far as your brake situation, it is my understanding that brakes and wheels don't require any special "MINI" knowledge or certification, but I'm sure that someone will correct me if I have that wrong.
Any good, reputable brake specialist should be able to do your brake work.
I'm in Florida and don't know anyone in your area.