Mobil 1 is 25 bucks for 5 quarts at my Walmart. That's not expensive.

As far as dealers go, I've only had one experience with the dealer in San Antonio and it was far from pleasant. Bought an 07 MCS used at Carmax. Realized first week that there was a recall for the aux cooler. Took it by the mini dealer to have the key read to see if it had been done. No such luck. Made an appt for the end of the week, dropped it off and was told it would be done by lunch. Only thing they had to do was the recall.
Wife gets dropped off by a coworker @ 2:30 thinking the car would be done. Nope. Don't think they had even taken it back yet. Went up to the dealer and swapped with the wife since she had to get back to work and waited about 2 hours. Finally was told that they couldn't do the recall because they found my turbo leaking oil and my oil pan leaking and the axle was leaking, yada, yada, yada.
I told them that I didn't think that mattered, since this was a gov't mandated safety recall, but they wouldn't budge. Since my car had a 3rd party warranty, I took it to an independent shop to get it fixed. They agreed the turbo lines were leaking, but could not find any leaks around the oil pan, or the axle. Found the valve gasket cover leaking and fixed that too.
I called mini usa with my frustration. They called the dealer and talked to the service mgr. The SA who I dealt with was on vacation. He said according to their records, they ddin't have the part in for the recall and that's why they didn't fix it. I was livid. They flat out lied to Mini USA, probably to avoid getting in trouble. Told Mini USA I would eventually get it back over there, but that if my car caught on fire in the meantime, I was going to be contacting a lawyer. Still haven't made it back over there since I was dealing with the timing chain.

Still not sure I want them changing my oil. I'm afraid they are going to try and add on service I don't need, which I'll then have to have evaluated by the independent garage, etc, etc. I've read bad reviews about them online, and my wife's coworker has had the same problems with her BMW getting service there.

Think I will give them one more chance. Have them change the oil when I take it for the recall. See what they come up with on the inspection. Sad really when you can't trust the dealer.

 

Not to get off topic, but is that the properly rated/tested oil? I doubt it... Not all synthetic oils are the same. Just because it says "synthetic" on the bottle and is a 5W30 doesn't mean it's what your car and turbo are going to run properly on and provide the best life/protection.

 

It is if it's the 0w40 European Formula. It's a BMW/Mini recommended/rated oil..

Walmart has it the cheapest..

As for recalls. Yes, the dealer HAS to do them.. No matter what the deal is with the car...

I once had to do a recall on a 20! Year old Ford LTD at the dealer.. Ford shipped us the parts.. That was the crappiest recall ever.. Took forever since everything on the car was so old.. Rotted.. Brittle.. Those folks made out.. Pretty much replaced all the emissions hardware/converters for free.

 

Um, yeah it is. They have the euro 0w40 at Walmart. Crazy because a quart is 8 bucks but 5 quarts is 25. Gotta love Walmart...

 

That is crazy. Really pissed me off because the recall was the only reason it was at the dealer, was what the appt was for, then they lie to mini USA to cover their butt about parts not being available...

 

Gee. This sounds unusual.

The only issue I've ever had at our dealership was that the coffee pot keeps getting empty -- they make the best coffee in the area. Our Service advisor and my entire family are on first name basis, and the Service Manager sits and talks to me every time I'm in. We talk about everything from Minis to politics (he voted for the wrong guy last election, but he's still OK).

I've had my Mini service at dealerships from Florida to Colorado, and, while obviously not as warm and fuzzy as our own, I've found them to be very good places with very good people (although some are kinda strange looking, I can't get used to the earlobe enlargement thing).

The Mini requires more care and feeding than a Honda Civic, so its a darn good thing they make the experience pleasant. People would not be on their second or third Mini if that was not the case. BTW - we have two Minis. One was purchased new from the dealer, the other was purchased used from a private seller. Both cars get the same level of service. I get yelled at if I bring my car in dirty, but they always ask me if I want it washed.