OK, I just made an appointment to get my 10K mile service. Do all dealerships cause this much of a hassle?

I work. The husband goes to school. Yet, the dealer wants the car first thing in the morning. sigh. So, I made an appointment on one of the days in which I work evenings. My concern: if they are open a standard 8-hours and yet, they demand that the cars be in the garage within an hour after opening, what are the chances that they will have the car serviced by the time I have to go to work? The dealership is 60 miles away and I would prefer not to have to rent a fricking car just for a glorified oil change. Do I have to take a day off work to do this crap? Don't their customers have jobs?

Is it even worth it? My husband changed the oil after break-in with no problems. So he could definitely do that part himself. Are they going to work any special voo doo on the first service that we really shouldn't miss?

We have had zero problems with the car thus far, and if I never have to get the MINI serviced during the entire warranty period, the dealer's seemingly sucky service department will be moot. But I'm a little annoyed right now. I don't understand why I have to rearrange my life for an oil change.

 

The first service is really just an oil change (plus topping of fluids). If there are any service notes or recalls for your call though they will do them then. Otherwise, again, it's just an oil change. If it's that much of a hassle, I'd just forget it.

 

Sure, it's a PITA, but imagine what would happen later if something happens to the car and you go in for warranty work. Depending on what happens, the dealer might say "but you never brought it in for maintenance". The hoops you have to jump thru now are nothing like the ones you'll go thru later.


My dealer is 60 miles away, too and I'll probably take it over the night before unless I can get a loaner car.

 

i just had my first service today! 2 yrs/6K miles. they did a "low-mileage oil change", took care of two recalls, AND updated the sw. i was in at 8am and out by 11:30. the earlier you can make your appointment the sooner you'll get out of there.

btw...NO MORE STUMBLE!! yeah, i know i'm a little late on this one, but i've been putting off going in for service as long as possible. nothings been wrong so why bother?!

 

60 miles?... That would be nice. I will have to drive over 197 miles to my dealer. I will be going in for my 10k service. Unfortunately I will be taking the day off, but feel it will be worth it especially if there is any warranty work required. But I look at it as a road trip with my MINI.

 

I drive 2+ hours to get to the dealer for service. They do make it worth it though. They have a courtesy van that will take you to the mall if you want to waste some time there. They have coffee & donuts. They aslo have three computers available for surfing the net. Each time the service took no longer than three hours and I was happy to get it done. As rg said, it's not only an oil change. There could be recall work, software updates etc. My last one, they checked the brakes and did a complete brake job for me.

 

I had my first service on Monday. I was asked when I wanted it done during the day and it only took 90 minutes.


Art

 

I still don't understand why MINI doesn't allow non-MINI BMW dealerships to service the cars. Is it really going to impact the bimmer's prestige that much for a BMW to have its oil changed alongside a lowly MINI?

Maybe I expect too much of "errand" places in general. I like to go to the supermarket after work, I like to have my dentist appointments on saturdays and I like my car dealership to at least work with me a teeny bit when it comes to servicing the vehicle. It's bad enough that the service department is only open M-F, but then they won't even make a specific appointment. I wanted to bring it in the afternoon. Nope. I have to bring the car between 10 and 11 a.m. and wait until they finally decide to get around to changing the oil. Plus, they use a crappier oil for the job than I would if I did it myself. (MINI uses a synthetic blend as opposed to a true synthetic). But I digress. Thanks for letting me vent. :smile:

 

You must be talking about your Dealer. I was given a time for my appomintment 9am Monday morning. Gotta love it, Mini of Charleston they have three MINI mechanics in the BMW service area.


Art

 

Did you ask the dealer about dropping the car off the evening before the service? I have done this several times before on cars and its a breeze. They then call you when its done and you come and get it.

 

That wouold be a nice option if I didn't live 100 miles from Charleston.



Art

 

I was under the impression that it is a fact that they techs have to be trained on repairing the MINI, they are not the same as other beemers.

 

From everything I have read here and learned else where that is a fact, MINI techs only for MINI's,and BMW has their own trained techs.



Art

 

I need transportation for my job. Even if they were willing to drive me the 60 miles to work (not likely). I still need a car to be available to me because of the nature of my work.

I'll just take it and cross my fingers that they have it done by the time I have to go to work. Otherwise, I will DEMAND a free courtesy car and I will tell them I expect nothing less than an M3 :smile: