I just bought an 03 MCS with 118k miles on a sunny day with seemily no problems.
fast forward 2 weeks and the weather here has changed dramatically. and I've realized I have no heat coming outa the vents. plenty of volume, just ambient air. the engine temp stays right in the middle as it should also.
so I did quite a few searches and have made sure to top off the coolant, check the pipes to the heater core ( which are hot on both sides) and changed the Cab filter. still no heat...
I was going to just go with getting the heater core replaced and have the coolant flushed and filled at the local BMW dealership. I got a quote today for over 900 bucks. when I replied with an experlative, he mentioned the ac system had to be checked along with the flush and fill, and heater core change, is this true?
after he mentioned that I checked my ac and it doesn't work either...

so my questions are,
is the ac system part of the heating system (btw, I do have auto climate control), and if it is how much is it involved?
I saw the youtube vid on heater core changes and seems do-able. I already have the cover off to check the pipes. I can get the core and gasket on amazon for about 110 bucks. shouldn't I still get a flush and fill after I change it myself? and get the ac recharged?

thanks

 

yeah...get a new shop....
Where are you?

 

noted.

im in southern Oregon, so southern i'm 10 mile from California, almost to close for comfort.
Im in the state of Jefferson (interesting history, google it.)

closest MINI dealership is in Portland...not sure if theyd quote me any better.

 

Could be something basic like the core...
Could be the little motor that opens/shuts the dampers to change the temp...
But telling you they must "do it all" is a lie....fixing the ac too....I would likely do it...but to restore heat...naww....

Cars that have not had the coolant system flushed every 36 months as required ( mini does not have long life coolant) can often get enough corrosion in the iron block to form enough debris to plug a heater core....it is the lowest place in the car....
Dealers typically charge MORE per hour....and hate to say it, generally know only newer cars well....
Check around...independent shops often are 50% the hourly rate of a dealer and can sometimes know gen1 minis better.....sounds like the BMW shop was not interested in working on a mini IMO....

 

A clogged heater core is a huge problem. You can replace it (cleaning it out is not cost-effective), but it will re-clog with the above mentioned corrosion if you don't take drastic measures. There is a corrosion treatment available at Home Depot which you can flush your motor with. I can't remember what it's called at the moment. The only quasi-reliable fix for this is to remove and replace the heater core, check your radiator, completely drain the coolant sytem, treat the block and reassemble with new parts where needed. It's big buxx, and don't skimp on the coolant--get the MINI stuff.

 

alright i ordered the heater core and am kinda positive i can change it myself. now about the flush and fill, can i do that myself and if so is there some instructions or youtube vid somewhere?

also someone suggested i do the flush and fill from the pipes leading to the heater core? yes? no? maybe?

 

You will also want to yank the radiator hoses.....
And flush...
And the block...
Failure to flush WILL RESULT in future blockages......