My 2010 MCS just had its last free service. I'm pretty sure I don't want to go to the dealer for future service work. How does one know what routine service is needed when the indicator runs down to zero miles? Is it common for independent shops to be able to read the key fob, OBDII, or whatever?

 

My local indie-MINI shop wants $125 for an oil change.

My a-bit-less local MINI dealer wants $70. I drive the extra 20 miles for routine maintenance.

Check prices before you go somewhere else.

 

Unless they are a BMW/Mini shop I can say that the shop can't/won't reset your service light... And I think dealers only can read keys... I've never seen an aftermarket tool for them..

As a DIYer I'm looking into getting the NCSexpert. Setup so I can reset the service info later once the freebies are gone.

(Edit, it's easy to reset read below..)

 

Search for the instructions on how to reset the service indicator. The same procedure can be used to access the menu to see what is due. I think there may be instructions in the owner's manual as well.

 

Funny, I was just reading that... And fooling around with the menu... I didn't see anything about resetting it... I'll have a look in the am.

Ah, found a video... Looks simple.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=REyymJALb5A&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DREyymJALb5A
And another version...

 

It's not even primarily about cost. I'm not all that happy with the way I've been treated during the free service period. Also, I'd like to participate in the process more.

One time, for example, the indicator said service was needed. Turns out it was programmed to indicate the need for the annual state-mandated safety inspection, which I had already had done. Finding that out cost me 2-3 hours, a complete waste of time.

 

I understand. In my case, my dealer service has been exceptional (but still human), courteous, and friendly, so I'm prone to return.

I too find the service indicators to be a Teutonic over-reach.

 

I read this as "I'm going to start doing my own maintenance, how do I reset the indicators?" And then the guy gets "Only the dealer can"(which is absolutely false and you should stop talking without knowledge to back the advice you give), and "this dealer costs this, this shop costs that". Man, people really are anti-DIY anymore and push push push to just tell everyone on an enthusiast forum to have other people do all their work....

 

Perhaps you should have read the entire thread before you posted..

The OP asked about reading the key.

You got a DIY for that?

 

He mentioned it because he thought that was a way they reset the lights (and I did read it all). He is specifically asking about resetting service lights, whichever way it's done.

Further more, you did not say "Only the dealer can read your key". You said "only the dealer can reset your service indicator". That is false.

 

If you did read it all, I guess you missed the part where I posted two YouTube links on how to reset it yourself...

"Unless they are a BMW/Mini shop I can say that the shop can't/won't reset your service light... And I think dealers only can read keys... I've never seen an aftermarket tool for them.."

I'm standing by that, I doubt Joe's Sunoco or Jiffy Lube is going to reset your light... Or read keys,. Ok.. They COULD. But I seriously doubt it unless they want to dig for the info..


And again, do you have a DIY for a key reader?

 

I was taking "unless it's a bmw/mini dealer, they cant/wont reset it" as in, ONLY the dealer is capable. My mistake in misreading what you meant which was "Joe Blow at Jiffy Lube most likely doesn't know how to reset the light on your MINI". Which I actually agree with for the most part. Heck, even in a general service garage I was asked FAR too many times to drive in/drive out/ work out "quirks" of european cars. It scared me as the guy who had to ask someone else to start/shift/reset lights on a car.....why is he the one trusted in diagnosing and repairing the engine bits? lol

 

 

Now that that's over...

Thanks for the videos. Exactly what I needed.