Hello - This question is a bit unique in terms of warranty.

My newly purchased Mini Cooper S arrived yesterday. This is a 2008 model with 34,840 miles. This should be under warranty until June 2012. In the Carfax, the history of the Cooper is that it went through Mini Next Program and was CPO-ed until June 2014. Mini Next then sold it into auction and an independent dealer purchased it. This is where I bought it as well.

Now, I inspected the Cooper S and found a Magnaflow exhaust system. I am quite surprised that it went under the Mini Next program with an aftermarket exhaust.

The question - How would Mini dealer react to this when I bring it for service during the period. I hear some maybe a bit strict.

 

As long as the exhaust is legal (meets emissions requirements, sound requirements, etc.) they legally cannot do anything to you for it. If there are problems, they have to prove that the aftermarket parts caused the problems.

That said, some places ignore that and figure most people don't have the guts and money required to fight that fight.

 

^ Thanks for the input. It makes sense.

 

NEXT 2014/100k will kick in after New Car warranty ends in June 2012/50k. So check windshield, shocks, struts, warped hood scoop, clutch, flywheel, ball joints, tire rods, motor/trans mounts, CARBON CLEANING(rough surging/putting at idle) anything that needs attention get done now. Once it rolls into Mini Next those things wont be covered among a lot of other things, your car is considered a new car until next year.

The original 2012/50k is faar better than the CPO/Next(2014/100k) take over. Make sure all things are fixed and done before 2012/50k, everything is covered until 2012/50k with no expen$e to you. I know I keep mentioning it but that needs to be drilled in your head that after 2012/50k you are going to have to fight for almost anything to get done under CPO/Next and most stuff wont be covered.

I'm on NEXT and Maintenance Warranty until 100k and most dealers are hard asses when it comes to cover worked. It's the MINI way, charge a premium and don't back the product. Like a dead beat dad(MINI) who only comes around when it benefits him, not like a unconditional caring mother.(like Hyundai coverage and help) I came across 1 incident where an owner was charge for work and the dealer also got paid from MINI USA on top of it.

Get used to phrases: "that's normal" "can't replicate or hear it" "bad gas" "not covered but we'll do a good will and help with about half of the expenses"
Best owner advice: invest in camera to record noises and issues, keep a "Capt's Log" of your car.

 

^ thanks. I'll schedule an appointment in the near future. Excellent analogy btw.

 

I'm in a similar situation. Regular/new car warranty about to expire in Sept. 2012.

This car was JUST CPO-ed at 26k miles.. and I have about 30k on it now. Then the MINI NEXT takes over for another 2yr/100k.

My question is:
Can I just go to MINI and request the carbon cleaning be performed? For the sake of getting it done before the "new car" warranty is expired? My car feels like it stutters sometimes at low RPM and idle.. but half the time I think its in my head.

Thanks.. RumpyPumpy, what did you do for your situation?

 

The sluggish feel and weird sound turns out to be the infamous death rattle. They replaced it under warranty. The car has been performing well (now at 50k). As far as I know, no carbon clean was done. They also didn't care of my subtle mods (intake, exhaust).

 

I too would like to know if you can just go in and request the carbon clean be performed without any symptoms. For that matter, before the warranty runs out, do they allow you to bring the car in for a once over before it goes out of warranty?

 

Thanks Rumpy. Good to know.
My MA told me if the Death Rattle ever comes up under my MINI NEXT warranty they will replace it no problem. He was very aware of the problem. Guess I will just keep an ear out til that day comes