I was in for an oil service today and was offered the Mini extended maintenance warranty. It adds to the standard maintenance warranty of 3 year/36,000 miles and extends it to 6 year/100,000. I was trying to determine if this is a good deal or not. The MA said they were pushing these at cost and I was quoted $1,895.00+tax. They said it is normally $2,400 based on my current mileage.


Assuming I keep my Mini until 100,000 miles within 6 years. From 36,000 miles thru 100,000 I assume I would need 8 scheduled oil changes (8x$105=$840) and the 60&90 checks for $125x2=$250. They mentioned that replacing the clutch is often needed around 60,000 and that alone would push me ahead of the game at $2,100. Add a brake change and I am in the money. It seems that if I need a clutch (they qualified saying normal wear --must not be tracked) and/or brakes I am ahead. What am I missing?


I took a photo of their whiteboard showing what is covered and potential costs labor and parts if needed. Do these prices seem OK?


Brakes front $750
Brakes rear $700
Oil Changes $105
Microfilters $100
Engine air filters $45
Wipers $45
Vehicle checks at 30/60/90K $125
Spark Plugs $175
Belts $125-$175
Clutch $1,700 ($2,100 JCW)
STD Scope $35
Brake Fluid Flush $125
Headlight Adj/Parking Brake Adj $90

 

Good work on the whiteboard photo!

I usually don't go for extended warranties or maintenance as in my track record I don't usually keep cars beyond 2 years. I just bought my wife a new Countryman 2 days ago and while in finance the guy offered the maintenance extension for $2400 or so. I hummed and ha'd and he said it goes up after I walk out the door. It was around 8.20pm so I guess he was in a hurry to see us leave and in the next breath he offered it for $1700 or thereabouts. Funny how time affects the deal. It wasn't much more on the repayments so I took it. I realized I didn't want to work on my Mini, let alone hers as well...also got the windshield replacement for $730. I learned a lesson a couple weeks ago - a rock cost me $400 for an aftermarket windshield, so I want my wife's car covered for that. It was only a few $$$ a month...and to think some people pay a few dollars a month to insure their iPhone!

 

There are also many aftermarket companies offering warranty's \. Typically factory oem extensions are the most expensive and cover the least amount of issue's. Also I would personally look for a good local shop if your lucky enough to find one I would not take it to the dealership.

P.S had multiple tiny chips in my windshield plus tons of pitting. Had new tint installed and they cut the windshield installing the top tint strip...window tint + new windshield 185.00

 

It appears most of their pricing is double or more what you could get the same work done for DIY or at an independent shop. Not sure why they are telling you clutches go out at 60k except to fud you into dropping all your money off at their doorstep (though oddly enough that appears to be the one item on the list with reasonable pricing).

 

I'm also pondering the maintenance plan. The clutch is the big one. I was offered the $1895 at 25,000 miles. No mention of a special deal. My pic is a price list from Portland, OR MINI. Some significant differences.

 

I just had a new clutch put in my 2006 MCS at 130k miles, I remembered I already had a clutch put in previously, out of curiosity I asked what the mileage was on the previous one. Wouldn't you know it was at 64k miles.

So in my case its a new clutch every 65k miles.

I has this work done at an independent; paying $1200 and $1600.

I bought the car CPO and purchased the 10 year 100k maintenance extension for $1500. For me with that car it was worth it. Clutches were not covered.

I now have a new to me 2012 roadster and I think this time around I'm taking a pass.

 

NO! don't do it!!

 

it works out to be an alright deal if you plan on keeping your car for a while and plan on having the dealer do all your maintence....and a new clutch is a big plus.

 

Yea, the ONLY way I could see this is the clutch.

Which is known to be a "weak spot" in terms of Mini Cooper S issues.

 

My take on inflated prices.

 

FWIW, I am an F&I Manager at a Non MINI Franchise Dealership. I have sold Vehicle Service Contracts for many years and I have never seen a clutch replaced under any VSC. Clutches are considered a consumable component similar to brake pads, tires, wiper blades and light bulbs. VSC's are one of those products where something bad has to happen before you will see any benefit. We sell an excellent product that is very comprehensive in its coverage and I have seen them payoff handsomely for the consumer. The biggest risk with ours is that you pay for it and never file a claim which makes them no different than your car insurance. I will make this offer, if anyone wants to PM me with their Vin and miles, I will quote you $100 over my cost and show you options. This is not a sales pitch but simply one MINI guy helping another.

 

it was in writing, and verbally confirmed to me by my service advisor that Mini extended maintence covers 1 clutch.....and i cannot recall specifically if brakes are covered, but my dealer has been replacing them and not charging me....so im assuming those are covered also.

 

Guess if you use THEIR numbers.....
but they leave out that $$$$ to have stuff done is about 40-60% less at 3rd party shops....
so the numbers simply do not work UNLESS you are a DEALER ONLY type of person...
my take...
I like having the convenience if having my "local" MINI guys do the work....especially when he says " drop by, we will fit it in TOMORROW...and do it WHILE YOU WAIT" rather than scheduling an appointment NEXT WEEK at the dealer....just saying...

 

Lots of good points made here but I'd like to add that the dealerships will do the minimum amount of work possible under contract.

For instance, You need brakes...They will change the pads and skip the rotors because they are still "in spec"...barely. Even if they will not be not be in a few hundred miles.

These are the types of things I have seen happen repeatedly in my experience owning 5 Minis so far.