It means it covers both standard factory parts and JCW parts that were installed by the factory. It excludes mods that I made. Contract is silent about what happens if one of my own mods damages a factory part.

PS - I canceled the Continental Warranty policy. Turns out the company is lying about its product. There are "breakdoen" policies and "wear and tear" policies. The former only covers manufacturer defects. The latter covers any failure, even just a part wearing out from use/age.

Window motors, wiper assemblies, etc, infrequently die with age, so I can write off such failures as the cost of maintenance. Getrag manual gearboxes are pretty bulletproof, so it's not likely to fail. The weak/expensive failure, as I see it, is the engine, and I suspect the supercharger and head, are the most vulnerable parts. I'm toying with the notion that replacing any of these parts will be an opportunity to purchase an upgrade mod. if I bankroll the cost of the extended warranty, it can be my +++ horsepower fund. Whaddaya think

 

Most of your analysis is reasonably on point, especially if you are mechanically inclined and can replace the items (such as window motors, wiper assemblies, etc.) if they fail. (Which, if you can, the savings will add to your mod budget....) The one area that you appear to have overlooked is if you have a system failure (like the DME). I don't know what a DME replacement (part + programming) goes for, but I can imagine it ain't cheap.

 

Get friendly with a MINI/BMW repair shop. There are a number of specialty MINI/BMW repair shop here in Philly. Find one and become friendly with them before you really need something major. Helix in Philly rocks.

 

Again, brake pads (and if worn, the rotors) are an easier sell for replacement as a wear and tear item. You might even get MINI to authorize an inspection of the clutch friction material. But if the remaining material has signs of burning, fuggedaboudit - you fried the clutch (otherwise known as abuse).

 

Best argument I have heard against an extended warranty. Before you sign on the contract, be sure you are getting the coverage you desire.

 

This is a classic defect in materials and workmanship (not to be sexist). If it hadn't been covered under the warranty, you would have had a great lawsuit. Clutch friction material (unless is comes loose from the plate) wearing out in say, 25,000 miles is another matter entirely.

 

Hehe, probably because it's an argument for a new MINI.
If I go for the extended versus a new MINI, I will be sure to read all the fine print. The business manager spouted off everything that was covered over the phone, but I would like to see it in writing as well.

 

I did have my MINI dealership threaten to bill me for wasting their time if they found no defective parts. I was pretty sure of the 15 things they eventually fixed, and I compromised on the stumble issue to which there may be no fix in sight. I did have my brakes serviced under the extended warranty.

I'd have to say the dealership was not proactive in fixing my car. They didn't seem to have any check list to go over at any of the service intervals.

 

You're right on, ca. The electronic controls are the bugger. Without the reader to at least analyze the fault codes, you're stuck going to the dealer just to figure out what's gone wrong. And, as you say, then the the reprogramming, not to mention the $$$$ for the part. I am 175 miles each way to the nearest Mini dealer, and not appreciably closer to the nearest Mini tuner. My MAP and steering angle sensors went this winter. The car was towed to the dealer on Mini's dime and repaired under warranty. I could not have analyzed the problem by myself and the tow bill must have been That's why I still have a nagging feeling that an extended warranty could be the right thing to do.

 

If you can find an extended warranty that gives you 84 months/100,000 miles from now, explicit coverage for the computers (there are some that exclude electronic components), provide for towing on their nickel to the nearest dealer, and the dealer will handle all of the paperwork and billing issues, I personally would jump at the extended warranty. Just being able to avoid the hassle and aggravation alone would argue for the extended warranty (for me) - I want to be able enjoy my car, not spend a chunk of time stressing over it.

 

Yeah, I'll probably find such a policy lying just under next week's winning lottery ticket