Hello Mini owners I have a question about carbon-buildup at this time 60,000 miles I don't believe I have any but the dealer wants to sell me this service to do away with carbon deposits at what mileage on your car do you need this service "THANKS" for the feedback MINIINHD

 

I've got the service done on my Mini with 30,000 miles. I'd say its worth while, depending on how much they try to charge you. I always thought that seafoam would do the trick, but it really doesn't getting the walnut shell blast/ dealer fix made my car feel much more responsive and free flowing than the seafoam...

 

Here is some info for you on how and why to do this.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...right-way.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...sus-count.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t-r55-r56.html

 

I have had my 2009 Clubman S treated twice (with shells) by dealer. First time at 27k miles and recently (55k miles) was experiencing poor performance and occasional rough idle but NO CEL. Took to dealer who diagnosed carbon build-up and treated with walnut shells. At first they wanted to charge me $900 but I told them it had been done before under warranty and I have used BG44k every two months and run only Shell or Sunoco high octane. They checked with BMW and agreed to comp the service. So much for the preventative measures. After this I'm not going to waste my money on BG44k. I assume I will sell or trade my Clubman before it is needed again.

 

You need it RIGHT NOW!

 

I had it done at 108,000 miles.

As you can see from the responses here and in other threads, the problem with excessive build-up manifests at a wide variety of miles. Probably too many variables to come up with a "common" mileage that the problem needs to be addressed at.

 

Service manager at Mini of Montgomery County was great. They covered both walnut shell blasting and injector cleaning and said if happens again they would cover fully. "We've got your back." Now there's someone one who understands customer service!

 

I just had my MINI done at 30K by the dealer under warranty, I didn't think it would need it this soon. I'm a mechanical engineer with two other cars a '71 2002 and a '93 Toyota truck. Guess which car is the most demanding.