So the other weekend, Mini of Concord had an event, a free check of your Mini, some swag, they even washed it. It was great. But they suggested two things for mine, a "scoping" that was listed as $78, and an oil change quoted at $165. If I had the work done that day, I got 15% off. But at that point I only had the car about 3 weeks, so I decided to check with the lot where I purchased it about what service it may have already had before I bought it (like an oil change)?

Then on the forum, I read that if you went to the Mini Owner's Lounge, and put in your VIN, it would tell you about any factory service done on your car -- so I decided to try it. Entry comes up for "Brake Flush and FULL SERVICE" -- all in caps like that. So what does "FULL SERVICE" include? Might it include "scoping and an oil change?"

And if it does, couldn't Mini of Concord have figured that out? Anybody know??

 

The dealer should have been able to check you CBS data from you key, to tell you what is due. The scoping is a 'Standard Scope' which takes very little time, but good to do. They read the codes in your car, and check all your maintanence items. The 'Full Service' Could be anything.
MINI has Oil Service, a Brake Flush (which goes along with a Microfilter), a Vehicle Check, a safety Check (which can be reset to any interval by the dealer), along with telling you when you need brakes.
The Vehicle Check is probably what you need done, and that is a through inspection of the entire vehicle, including topping fluids, measuring brakes, and tires, it usually goes along with an oil change but not always.
If they said you need an oil change, its because the key says you need one. If you had one done somewhere else, then they probably didn't reset the service light in the cluster.

I hope this helps.

 

Your 2009 should have free maintenance still in effect. If so, why would you pay for these services.

 

While this is true, Mini's free maintenance is more like NO maintenance...

 

LOL Thanks. I think I will check with my regular mechanic, see how much he charges for an oil change. As long as he gets it reported correctly? I bought the extended warranty, so I don't want a supposedly missed oil change to mess up my warranty!

 

Oh by all means let Mini change the oil when it's due, I just wouldn't wait till the CBS system says it's due. Blackstone Labs, has said a 7500 mile interval is fine, 18K is just stupid...

 

This is something that has always puzzled me about my Mini.

I got the extended warrenty for a reason. I did not want to pay for anything on that car for the next 7 years. But I was told that I only need to get my oil changed once a year, or whenever my car tells me to. Now, I put about 7,000 miles on my car a year, at most. I'm at 18,000 miles and have had the car 2.5 years. I've had 2 oil changes done (both at my dealership.

Why do most cars need to be changed at 3000 miles? Twice a year oil change seems a lot smarter and safer to me than once a year like I'm currently getting. Is this because of the synthetic oil?

I mentioned this in another thread, but the dealership has told me they don't want anyone else touching the car because it could mess with my warrenty... this isn't true... right? I SHOULD be able to take my car to an Oil Can Henry's or whatever and get my oil changed when I want, right?

 

You said warranty but I'm pretty sure you meant maintenance. The extended warranty is totally different than the extended maintenance.

Yes Mini says change the oil after 15,000 miles or when the computer tells you - they used to do it at least once a year if you didn't hit 15,000 but I think that changed now - I'm sure someone else can chime in.

Based on your mileage and years of ownership 2 oil changes is most likely sufficient for your driving (or lack thereof ).

Keep in mind changing the oil on an 09 MC is super easy. You can buy the oil and filter at the dealership for ~$60 and there are plenty of threads on here showing how to do it yourself. I do my own change every 7500 miles and then let the dealership do it at the next 7500 (extended maintenance program).

 

I doubt that an Oil Can Henry's or any of the quick lube joints will have the proper oil or the filter that is necessary to do a proper oil change. (And I don't trust em, there a bunch of hacks.)
$165.00 is way too much even with the 15% off it's too much.

You can change your oil all you want yourself and it will not void any warranty. You can also buy the filter and proper oil and take it to your garage of choice and they will change it for you. (At least most shops that I deal with will. Some may not.)

I take my care to the dealer for all service. My service states that the oil is changed when the car says so or at least every year. The year starts from the last oil change not from the delivery date of the vehicle. I typically drive 15K a year and will change the oil least once per year on my dime. My dealer charges $110.00 to change the oil. I just pay it. I'm too lazy to do it myself and I can afford it.

One poster said he puts 7K a year on his car. That car will need the oil changed once per year. Easy. Don't forget also that Mobil 1 says they have an oil that works for 15K miles. For most individuals that is 1 years worth of driving. Mobil 1 is a good oil.

Pat

 

They still do low mile oil changes. I had one done a few months ago.

 

That's good to know - I remember reading something about the newer maintenance plans not doing it at yearly intervals - only when the computer said it needed to be done. IIRC it was also for the plans that cost more that then $1395 we paid. Didn't the extended maintenance increase in price for 2011?

Or I could just be getting old and you know what happens....