I just got back from my 10,000 mi. "service". (I'd call it "oil change" but hey, who can complain with "free service"?) So for those of you new to MINI and are concerned about reports of unreliability and constant repairs, here's what I've spent for the first 10,000 miles of motoring with my '04 MCS: (Should have voice-over with the announcer from the MasterCard commercials...)

Scheduled Maintenance: (Free oil/microfilter change; rotate/balance tires): $62.47

Uncheduled Maintenance: (Oil Change at 5,000 miles/Air Filter at 7,200 miles): $68.81

Repairs: (Dent Wizard to remove dent in hood from the idiot in the SUV who opened their door into car, and touch-up paint for rock chips): $151.03

Warranty Repairs: None.

Motoring 10,000 problem-free miles in seven months: Priceless.

How about you?

 

Well, my last "bill" (everything was covered under warranty) was for $976, then there were 2 windshields @ $100 deductible/windshield plus 4 other warranty covered visits--the hypothetical cost of which I cannot recall, $980 for new tires and mounting, around $50 for a drop-in air filter, $100 for door ding repair and (come Monday) around $300 to repaint my passenger door which was sideswiped, plus my 2 "free" service visits...

so, in 17 months and just under 35K on odo, my MINI has been... well... we'll call it slightly less than inexpensive

 

Is that less than inexpensive or more than inexpensive

 

How did you manage to have the door ding and paint done for free? I have a few dents I would like to take care of.

 

Well, my 38,000 miles have cost me about $1,000 for new tires, and balancing, etc..., but the repair bills - all done under warranty at no cost - would have run up to approximately $6-7,000 by now:
New speedo instrument cluster, new tranny throwout bearing, new steering column, new drivers side window winder motor and controller, still waiting on: new speaker covers (my rear HK speaker covers are rusting), new BC1 computer, and an unresolved issue with the xenon lights (the right eye of my MINI is lazy and doesn't come on all the time), shifter buzz, and a few more things....

 

Your 10k miles is about what I've had to spend in 50k! The key word is "had" because I've certainly spent way more on things that weren't absoultely required.

 

Lot... you pose an interesting question. I do suppose that "more" than inexpensive works better, although I was thinking "less" because it fell considerably short of my expectations of "inexpensive." Hmm... now I've gone and given myself a headache!


I didn't get the door ding/painting done for free. Paintless dent repair for 3 door dings ran me about $100, and the door, which will be repainted on Monday at an independant body shop, is estimated at $300.

 

MGB-GT

Please tel me more about the shifter buzz. I get shifter buzz at 4000 rpm. Can it be fixed?

 

In 20,000 miles, I've gotten new tires, Yokohama AVS ES-100 for $450 installed, and a new windshield for $450. Regular Servicing & Detailing was free. I spend about $10 a month in Quik Detailer, and another $20 in Microfiber towels and cleaning supplies! Oh and another $50 in Pep Boys for my Hydraulic Jack and stands + $50 in tools and a torque wrench for maintenance I haven't even attempted yet!

 

Sorry Omtoast

 

Out side the hopups I bought, I only spent money on gas.

 

The only bill I have had after 14,000 miles, not including items I chose to do, has been an oil change at 4,500 miles and a software upgrade. I did need the expansion tank replaced and that was covered under warranty. Repair costs to date after two years of ownership $50.42 for a software upgrade. I am a happy camper.:smile:

 

Yes, the shifter buzz at 4k rpm is a known issue and can be fixed by the dealer. DO a search on shifter buzz and you will find more info, but any good dealer show know about it and how to fix it. I haven't had mine done since I haven't had the time to take it in to the dealer (fro what, the 15th visit now in 18 months) since it is 1 hr driving from where I live.

M.

 

My MINI had the same problem....at EXACTLY 4,000 RPM. They replaced the shifter assembly and problem solved!! THe only problem was it was not in stock so it required two visits with a two week delay to get the part in. Maybe if you call ahead of time and discuss the issue with your dealer they can order it ahead of time and save you time if live a ways from your dealer.

 

While scheduled oil and filter changes are covered at approx. 12,000 and 25,000 miles you can get your oil changed inexpensively at earlier intervals by buying the filter and o-ring and full synthetic oil yourself and paying a shop to do the change for about $25-30 or do it yourself.

One thing to think about before taking in your MINI for any problem or servicing is if you have lots of mods you may be charged for removal of any non stock item so that the dealer can get to the part covered under warranty or to perform troubleshooting/diagnostics.

A front tower strut brace would block access to some engine components and the oil filter.

A rear boot subwoofer would block access to the battery in an MCS which would be an issue if you updated ECU software.

Aftermarket electrical mods (car stereo/alarm/ignition upgrades) might interfere with the MINI wiring system and lead to difficulty troubleshooting and electrical malfunction.

 

Well MINI CA has spent
New glove box
New brake computer
New rear wiper motor
Many hours on frozen door handles
One low tire
Many washes
New rear hatch latch
New rear high lens
ME
Rubber floor mats,,,60
rotate tires,,,,40
BMW wheel cleaner ,,,10
Front mud flaps 60 installed
Detailer by the gallon 25
Elbow landing device 70
All my costs are CND
But I'm way ahead I feel
First New car,love that no charge total when I motor away
Oh 80 for the first service/oil change
sounds like 180 for the next one in about a month

 

Purchased new Anter rims & es100 tires last year, new JCW rims & tire set this year plus JCW Kit over the past 17 K miles but no repairs.

 

I had my shifter buzz "repaired" under warranty as well. Unfortunately, I realized after about two minutes into my two-hour drive home from the dealer that the buzz was as bad as ever. It was only in 1-3-5 gears; not when the shifter was pulled toward me in 2-4-6 gears.

I scheduled a return visit for another attempt but discovered that the problem was solved by the addition of a new Whalen shift ****. The added weight cured the buzz!

I gave a shot at having the dealer cover the cost of the **** as a warranty expense but NO SUCH LUCK!

 

People have some odd ways of computing cost of ownership. I see people counting replacing tires on cars with under 10,000 miles. It is difficult to believe that these were required replacements. On a front wheel drive car, where the rear wheels just are pulled along, this means with proper rotation, tires were destroyed at an alarming rate. Also why does "free routine maintenance" seem to cost so much? Are not oil changes and scheduled maintenance cvered for the first 3 years/30,000 miles?

Also, dents, dings, and windshields broken by gravel are not a cost of ownership, just bad luck and poor insurance. Last time I had a windshield replaced, it cost $0.00 - not even a deductible. And they did it at my wife's workplace - she did not even have to travel to get it done.

Lets face it, the real cost of repairs is the time most of us have to spend traveling long distances to the dealer. My dealer is 2 hours away. That is 4 hours each repair just driving back and forth.

 

First 10,000, zero, zip, nada, nothing. Last 30,000 plus new tires $600.00.


So $600.00 in 42000 miles, not bad.
Oh and $300.00 in mods. I must say its the cheapest car I have eever owned (as for maint. anyway)

Nik

 

I just completed a 2,550 mile round trip which brings me to 19,850 miles.

10,000 mile service -free
4 Oil Changes (I'm compulsive) - $120 for oil and filters (performed myself)
1 Windscreen Replacement - free (no deductible)
2 Front Tires - $302.00 (ordered from Tire Rack; installed locally)

That's it.

Except for countless $$$ on mods.

All in all, one of the more dependible vehicles I've owned - and without question the most fun.:smile:

 

This will teach you to get a BRG job........

Under 4000 miles........

Mirror covers
Trunk net
valve stem caps
mud flaps (didn't fit)
some kind of kit
shocks
springs
set of wheels and tires (18")
set of racing wheels and tires (15)
roll cage
fire extinguisher
aluminum driver seat
kill switch
fire extinguisher (chrome kind!)
LSD (minus the bearings)
aluminum flywheel
double secret super clutch
set of race tires..............
other stuff......

watch out for BRG jobs.....

 

Nice specs Pocket Rocket - but I thought we were talking about maintenance expenses and warranty claims to get a handle on running costs?

I suspect that most of us have gone over the top on mods.:smile:

 

will they charge me if i go in at 9k instead of 10k.......because i have a problem now... please help...


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=27551


any ideas?

thanks

ant

 

It was my understanding that the free maintenance services would be performed so long as you were within +/- 1,000 miles but there were some rumors a while ago that 500 miles was the figure. You should call your dealer as there may be some variance. My last service was done within 600 miles without a problem.

Hope it's nothing serious.