I thought I’d relate my experience on my very first ever Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance Program service on my 2017 F57 Cooper (3 cyl) Convertible, which is also my very first MINI (or BMW) product.

Drove up to my local CT dealership at 7:30am with no appointment.
Car showing ~7,600mi, and Mini Maintenance System (MMS) sez I still had another 1300mi to go before required oil change.
So I’m a bit “early”.

(Actually, I had already done a DIY oil change at 2500mi,
(Oil & Filter sourced from ECS Tuning of course)
without resetting the MMS. Look up my other post if interested)

Service Writer asks which of the two keys is my “daily driver”,
removes the metal key part and slides the remote part into a key reader’s slot.

After much staring of screen and printing out many pages of info,
Service Writer informs me that the system is calling for an oil change
and also that there’s an “open campaign”
(which I assume is like a TSB or hidden recall)
calling for a software update.
He says that it’s not a safety issue, but it could cause my MIL to come on.
(Not happened yet).

He offers to do the required oil change on the spot, along with a wash,
and recommends I call for an appointment for the software update,
since (as is confirmed in other posts on this forum) it, oddly, takes a couple of hours.
He’ll also have a complimentary loaner reserved for me for that day.

Anyway, 90 minutes later, oil change is complete, MINI’s washed, and MMS sez I’m good for another 9000mi.

I plan on another mid-cycle DIY oil change at around +5000mi,
sort of halfway between complimentary ones.
I’ll also take them up on the software update when convenient.

Overall, not an unpleasant first service experience.
----

 

Good to hear. I did the same on my 2015 Justa.....did not want to wait for 10,000 miles on break in oil. Plus I just don't trust the "electronic dipstick". At least after only 5K there should still be some oil in it!

 

My wife just had the software update on a 16 4 door. They couldn't figure out how to complete it and had to keep the car over the July 4 holiday so they could contact Germany to unlock whatever it is they screwed up. She had a nice 17 Clubman S All4 loaner so no harm done!

Generally I've found service at Portland MINI to be pretty good.

 

Good to hear. Our dealer here in Franklin (Mini of Nashville) has a good service department. They just have to deal as best they can with these computer issues. Crazy isn't it? Computers now dominate engine and transmission management. Overall, not bad, but surely not good enough for self driving cars. Nice job on the loaner-did you guilt them into it I would have.

 

No they are generous with loaners if they are available. They want you to drive the newest so you will buy one.

 

Thing is with the software update, you'd probably lose some custom feature programming you might have done. (windows up with remote, doors unlock on ignition off, etc). I'm looking forward to redoing them, especially since I forgot how I did them in the first place.

 

So, what did you think of the Clubman S All4??? Ready to join us BIG MINI folk on the Dark Side????

 

My first service (new car from new dealer) didn't go as well as service with my other MINI.

They are buffing out scratches beneath the door handle that were there before I bought the car and doing a software update. They put me in a 2016 base F55 compared to my new F56s. Loaner car is filthy and has trash in the floorboards as well as glove box! Pretty disappointing.

 

I test drove several when they first came out. Wife thought it was too big for her and I hated the brake light fiasco. Now I think she wishes she had gone for the Clubby. When lease is up we shall see.

I'm happy with the F56 and at the rate I drive it could last a bit or until boredom sets in. Now if a used JCW Clubman was in front of me, well maybe.

 

Right. A used JCW Clubby that has been gently driven by the first owner.. doubt there is or ever will be one of those

 

Surprisingly some people buy these and trade them in fast. Saw a 2dr JCW last year at the dealer that had 1000 miles on it. The MA told me that the buyer routinely buys them and trades them in fast, must be boredom. It was $9,000 off of list price by the time it sold.

I can dream!

 

Cool. Next time I go unicorn hunting, I'm inviting YOU!

 

I'm ready !!