So, I just took my 2009 Cooper S to Universal City Mini, and they told me the current labor rate is $165/hr. On top of that, they get $55 for plugging in the scan tool, and recommended I change the rear pads because they only had 3k miles left in them. For my convenience, (!) they would be happy to replace the pads for $550! PADS??? The service advisor then had the ***** to say, "Well, just be glad it doesn't need rotors, or the brake job would be over $900."

Now, I can do all of this work in my garage. No problem. And, they can charge whatever they want. But, what REALLY pisses me off is that without their handy-dandy scan tool, there is no way to reset the car's computer. Which, if I'm understanding correctly, means I either bend over and take it from the dealer - or I do the maintenance myself, and the car's computer never gets reset!

Am I missing something here?

 

I had thought the recommended service for brakes on the minis always included rotors?

I had a similar service experience in which I was looking at $1200 for everything that was due, and instead I opted to extend my service contract another 3 years. It saved me a lot already only after 6 months of having it.

I know what you are talking about though. They reer to it as a scope at my dealership. Not sure if you can reset it yourself though.

Z

 

If you are talking about the indicator that lets you know the brakes need service, then yeah, you are missing something.

 

+1, Like he said!

Go to this link and reset your computer: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...procedure.html

That's the procedure I used to reset my computer when I replaced my front brakes!

 

Wow really!? Do some searching there is topics about resetting the service light. Also yeah the dealer can charge whatever they want for labor and parts. It is what they do so that they can pay for their techs and make some money on the side.

 

Why get so angry when you can do it yourself? They're a dealer, you think they're going to cut you a deal because they like you?

They do whatever they can to get money from stupid people who believe whatever they say. Muffler bearings anyone?

 

Search soopercooperinfo.com for an independent service shop near you.
The term 'stealership' didn't just pop up out of nowhere.

 

Thank god you censored the word "bull." I can't have my kids reading that.

 

Check out Mini Corsa in North Hollywood. I'm still under warranty but the reviews on this place are pretty stellar.

 

Don't they just read the key at the service write-up to see what the on board computer says? Not plugging in their OBD2 reader.

 

Isn't the stealer wonderful? Such fantastic prices for such little service.

Looks like you have the skills under your belt to do much of the work yourself. This is a very easy car to work on. You can reset the service reminders in the on board computer yourself. It's a little tricky, but someone posted a "sticky" about how to access that screen on the on board computer.

 

Excuse me? Stealership?

What exactly are they stealing?

Where does this hatefullness come from?

If you don't like their prices, don't patronize them. But don't malign the thousands of hard working people who are just doing their jobs at dealerships all over this country.

Prejudicial terms like that have no more business being used here than racial terms. Stop it, please.

I have no idea why people think modern complex complicated cars should only cost $5 to fix. Remember, their repairs are held to a higher standard than those of an independant shop and are warranted for 2 years. They'll also know how to lube the slider pins, reset the park brake correctly, replace the sensor and bleed and flush the fluid. So yes, it cost's more than just screwing in a new set of pads. Oh yes, and they'll know how to reset the service computer.

If you don't like the price you have the choice to shop elsewhere, be grateful that you do, but you have no right to be angry because they charge what they do, and no right to call them names.

 

I don't see how you can argue that the charge just to look at a code is outrageous. They wanted to charge me $~225 to reset a steering angle sensor. Yea, electronic systems are complex but that much cash for 60 seconds of work is rape. Yes... rape! Labor rates are pretty equal across the board, but parts prices and policies that a lot of MINI dealers stick to do not reflect a customer service oriented business

 

Umm wow, I am going to guess you work for one?

They are called Stealerships because they take advantage of a falsehood they help perpetuate. That falsehood is that if you get your routine service done ANYWHERE other than a dealership it will void your warranty. Now most people on this forum are smarter than that, but the vast majority of drivers are not. So they charge $165 an hour when the going rate for most service centers in my area is about $65 an hour.

Doing the math... carry the one... divide by pi... they are over charging people $100 an hour with NO REAL BENEFIT OTHER THAN PEOPLE THINK THEY MUST PAY IT.

Sounds like stealing to me...

 

I will tell you where stealership comes from. If you walk into a dealership for any kind of work and don't source another place you will have your money stolen out of your wallet from their labor rate and their part mark up. Oh yes they mark their parts up and don't let them try to convince you that they don't. Yes I understand that they have to make money to keep in business but, it does not mean they need to charge your first born for some of the service that they do. My local dealership charges $125 for an oil change. The dealership that is 2 hours away charges $80. One is selling you an oil change at a lose and the other is scamming you. Now on the flip side the one with the cheaper oil change marks up their parts more than the one locally. Now if you have an idependent shop near by that works on MINIs that is a decent shop that will back their work up(I know of one who does not) I would go to them before I would go to a dealership. Also certain things you should do yourself unless a) you have a health problem or b) you are just so mechanically disinclind that you can't turn a wrench.

 

I do not work at a dealership, nor am I apologizing for them.

I'm simply saying that using prejudicial terms like this is unacceptable, like calling someone a liar when you simply disagree with what they say.

What you're complaining about is akin to being angry because Nieman Marcus charges $10,000 for a watch. Don't think anyone should pay that much for a watch, don't buy one from them. Just carry on with your Timex from Target and be happy.

No dealership I've ever patronized has ever said you have to have service work done at their facility to keep your warranty in effect. And furthermore, your argument is specious because MINI pays for all the service work required during the warranty period, even oil changes.

Nope, this appelation is without basis in fact, it just makes you feel better and gives you a target for your misplaced frustations. You don't like the fact that labor rates in your area are $165/hour, neither do I. But railing against them on an internet forum is not going to change that fact. Deal with it.

In the meantime you demean and disparage all those people who - just like you - work hard for their living fixing and selling cars. They aren't stealing anything from you. There is no conspiracy against you. No big, bad "They" .....

Just someone too cheap to pay the going rate at their local service center. It's not their fault if you can't afford your car repairs. It costs what it costs.

It's not outrageous at all that a dealer wants $55 to hook up to and scan your car's computer, they have overhead to pay. Deal with it. Or buy your own scanner so you don't have to use them.

Life is not free, not for you or anyone else.

Furthermore, let me point out once again that all new cars come from dealerships - including yours. So do all used cars, at one point in their lives. if a dealership can't survie, where are you going to get your next new or used car? If you can' afford your car, you can't afford it - there's no shame in that. But screaming that they're "stealing" from you just because you can't afford it or are too cheap to pay their rates is wrong.

 

Good grief. It's only a market, yet people treat the rates as theft, and say it with a straight face. If it's theft, call the police. If not, don't characterize it as such.

Meanwhile, if the dealership's bays are empty, and technicians are idle, then they will go out of business unless they lower their rates. But something tells me that isn't happening.

My dealership has an independent shop just down the road that does good work on MINIs at lower rates (though he gets most of his parts from the dealership). Both businesses are thriving. And a lot of MINI owners I know do their own work, if they have the time, tools, and know-how.

Is this a great country or what?

 

I have lots of blinker fluid also for anyone who needs it.

 

With all due respect, I did not say the labor rates in my area are $165 an hour. I said the labor rates at a MINI / BMW Dealership are $165 an hour. In MY area, at a non-stealership they are $65-68 an hour.

Nissan stealership in my area is $130.

90k mile "check up" at Nissan Stealership was $990. At my local qualified mechanic $410. (08 Nissan Altima)

Lastly if you truly think that dealerships do not perpetuate the notion that getting service done at a non dealer COULD void the warranty then you have the most honest dealer in the world.

I am not going to argue the point here... I think there are countless forum posts here that do it for me.

 

MINIDave's posts are perfectly said

Lol...everyone wants cars for invoice or they are getting "ripped off", then they complain that service prices are too high.

 

the reason that they are stealer-ships is not because of their rates... that can be 500 dollars an hour for all i care... it's because of their UNTRUTHFULNESS, ambiguity and deceptive practices which then are compounded and capitalized on by their RATES.

 

Lol!!! Too funny. I fell outta my chair on that one.

He kinda censored the wrong word.

 

There are good and bad ones. The same can be said for independent shops.

Unfortunately, too many are only interested in the bottom line behind the thin facet of customer care.

Overall, I can say it is not as bad as Porsche. They charge $450 for an oil change.

 

The issue of costs of service at the dealership vs independent shop is magnified by the fact dealerships often have access to proprietary tools and technologies that the independent shop doesn't have access to, thus allowing dealerships to charge higher fees because they have a monopoly on the tools and technologies. This is especially true with new vehicles that rely so much on computer technology. It is also more common in small, less populated areas of the country where there is less competition, and where there may only be one dealership of a particular model within a reasonable driving distance. Several states have legislation pending that would require automotive manufacturers to make available to all independent shops the same service tools and technologies that the dealerships have available to them. Needless to say the dealerships organizations are lobbying to prevent passage of such legislation, and even if passed, many smaller service shops probably either couldn't afford some of the tools or technologies or would decide the investment wasn't worth the return. At least then the playing field would be more level for automobile owners looking to have their car repaired.

 

It's so clever and cute that y'all keep saying "Stealership" over and over. It will be less cute when you're 17.