I traded my 2003 mini n/a for a 2011 Mini Cooper S in chili red with white roof & mirror caps about 3 weeks ago.

The sales guy told us it was certified and it wasn't until hours later in finance did we discover it is not certified but has the extended maintenance warranty.

It bugs me that the sales guy & the GM told us it was certified so I have gone in a few times to get them to honor their word.

This last time they told me there is nothing they can do after the fact with my 2011 BUT they have a 2010 mini S in charcoal grey that already has the extended maintenance & certified warranty.

They both have about the same miles (2010= 55k, 2011= 52k)
They each have different features that are plus, to me, about them.

2010
Heated seats
Manual 6spd
Harmon Kardon sound system
Comfort access


2011
Manual 6spd
Fully upgraded aftermarket navigation/DVD sound system w/amp & new door speakers
Ski rack base bars
17" wheels 10 spoke I think
Sport seats
Dual sunroof

After using the search bar I found a lot of negative posts regarding 2010 mini's.

Does having a full warranty make the differences worth it?

Should I take their offer to switch mini's or stick to my guns on getting the warranty on the 2011?

 

unfortunately, if it's not in writing there isn't much you can do.

 

Nothing you can do about that certified warranty. Keep the 2011 it uses the N18 engine which is an improvement over the N14 in the 2010. Trading a 2003 for a 2011 is what puzzles me. Did they give you a trade in offer that was to good to refuse?

 

My 2003 was turning into a money pit with numerous issues arising. I loved that car and I do miss it dearly, I really loved that mini but after dropping 3k into repairs in the last 7 months and learning the transmission was on the road out I just couldn't afford to keep it, not on a teachers salary.

The mini dealer was very generous with the trade in value and coming down on the price of the 2011 to help make the financing work for me, payment wise.

 

Unless the 2010 S model is covered under the MINI NEXT program, I'd stick the 2011 S model with its N18 engine. Even then I'd be leery of the N14 engine in the 2010 S model.

 

I own a 2010 S Camden which I love to drive now that the run flats are gone. However, if I were in your position I'd stick with what you have for the peace of mind of having a less worrisome engine than in the 2010. You also have fewer miles than the other car has on it.

 

Try to get them to give you major discount on Extended warranty. The n18 2011+ model is much better, especially less prone to timing chain issue.

 

Yes, stay away from 2007-2010. You can always purchase an extended 3rd party warranty.

Looks like you have Xenons on the Chili Red MINI.

 

She has a nice looking 2011 MINI Cooper S... I like the color and the ski rack is awesome! She just needs to put the smack dab on the dealer.

 

Why didn't you put the brakes on at that time? You could have negotiated before walking out.

 

It's too late...let's try to help her based on what has already transpired.

 

I agree.

Maybe she can possibly purchase an extended warranty through MINI?

 

I'd keep the 2011 and try to work with the dealership on a deal on an extended warranty if they offer them. I purchased a 3rd party warranty when I bought my then-four-year-old Cooper from a Toyota dealer, so it should be possible.

Even if you can't get a cheap warranty I'd still hang on to the N18, as others have said, it seems to be more reliable.

 

They have offered the extended warranty for $850 versus $2995. That may be my only option, I am going to try one more time to get them to pay for that warranty. We will see, it has all been very calm yet semi-firm talk. They still have made the whole experience much better than any other car buying experience.


Originally when I was at the dealer to purchase the mini it took about 4 hours, it was super late, past their closing time, and I was exhausted.


Thank you for everyone's input, I was leaning towards keeping the 2011 and now that is looking like the better option.

 

I'd say swipe ur credit card and pay the $850...it will be money well spent!

Question for you. The car has a ski rack...does it also have all season tires?

Good luck to you.

 

Extended warranty for $850, I'd jump on that. As others stated, I'd keep the 2011 for the n18 engine..

 

When we bought our 2013 Mini it had 3k miles on it and I negotiated the CPO as part of the deal.
Upon finalizing the deal in their finance office the only thing I had showing the CPO extended warranty was a print out saying the CPO extended warranty as "pending".
I questioned this and the sales manager told us that was all the documentation of the certification we would get and singed the print out for us for verification.
It took us about three months and lots of e-mails to get the CPO coverage changed from "pending" to "active" but eventually received a copy showing it as "active".
I can't really say that without written documentation along with all the e-mails I kept whether our CPO coverage would hold up in court should Mini decide not to honor it for any reason.
In negotiating the CPO coverage we did end up paying an additional $500 for it and I think, given they originally led you to believe it was a certified car when you negotiated for it, you should press for the MiniPlus two year/ 50K mile extension to the Mini warranty or at the very least negotiate a heavily discounted one.
While the n16/18 are improved over the n12/14 models they are still pretty much the same engine and as far as the timing chain assembly, they only modified the tensioner and that has recently become questionable as a long term fix.
I would definitely try to get the extra two years/50K mile added to your existing warranty.

 

The program is called "MINI Next" ... not MiniPlus and yes it gives you the 2 years/50,000 miles extension to the warranty.

 

You are correct.

 

Trying to figure out at what point they "revealed" the truth.
She might have a case.

 

I understand not wanting to load more repair dollars into your 2003. That being said spending $850 on an extended warranty for the 2011 seems like money well spent to me. Good luck!

 

I'd take that $850 warranty... cheaper if you can get it, sure, but that seems like a good price to me. It sounds like you're familiar with the repair costs on a MINI after owning the R50 for a few years, so you know that it won't take many minor problems before it's more than paid for itself.

 

Absolutely agree with this. Take the deal, it's a good one.

 

Those warranties can get costly,$850 is not bad.