Sorry, I need to vent a bit. Just took my wife's 323i in for service at roughly 26k miles. My wife doesn't drive that much so we are just beyond the 3 year free service by about 2 months. We tried to get this service in before the 3 years, we had about 800 miles to go, our local BMW dealer refused and would only service it when the light came on (I had an earlier post on this subject). So now the sticker shock! New front brakes, pads and rotors, $600, new rear brakes pads and rotors, $550. For the oil and filter change plus some kind of bogus check list (oh, I forgot they change the micro-air cleaner too), for $500. And, by the way, "you need to flush the brakes and coolant," another $350. Keep in mind, this is just beyond the 3 year maintenance "deal". If this is what we have in store for us MINI owners, I going to sell this car that I love so much and buy an Honda! BMW also told me when I was bitching, that the 2003 323i comes with 4 year/48k warranty and service. Him saying this didn't make me feel better, the idiot!

 

This is what makes me think that I'm going to end up selling this car once the 36k is past, despite how much I love it. This refusing to service the car because the stupid light isn't on yet is total BS. What were you supposed to do, drive around for 800 pointless miles just to get them to live up to their end of the deal? I can see this starting already with the MINIs, because some people have had trouble getting their 10k service and oil change (dont even get me started on the "recommended" oil change interval) because the computer says it's not required until 11k, or even 12k. How do we know how these computers are programmed? With everything that they do, I don't think it would be too much of a stretch for them to tack on miles to the service interval when it's convenient. I just don't trust these BMW people. I guess it doesn't help matters that I dealt with Herb Chambers in Boston. Sorry to hear of your troubles...

 

>>(dont even get me started on the "recommended" oil change interval)
>>

OK, I'm going to get you started on the "recommended" oil change interval. What gives? Is this just so that they can sell their cars as "low-maintenence"? I would never let any car got 10000 miles before any oil change! Are they nuts?!?!


_________________
...only 25 MINI Cooper S' until my turn....