Help!!--we just got a hand me down 2010 Mini Clubman we bought from a family member that is having significant issues. We have only had it for a month and it has been barely driven. Took it to the dealer who provided the following with prices that seem excessive. Would appreciate thoughts from someone more knowledgeable as to whether this is legit. Thanks in advance!!

• Multiple faults for throttle valve recommend replacing throttle and updating I-level since vehicle has base I-level currently installed -- $1,315.00
• Replace battery and program -- $456.00
• Front crank seal leaking onto friction wheel, harmonic balancer and drive belt. Replace all -- $2,010.00
• FOUND BRAKE LIGHT OUT, SIDE-MARKER OUT, AND RUNNING LIGHT OUT. RR BRAKE LIGHT BULB HOLDER IS FAULTY. THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS FAULTY. LF WHEEL ARCH LIGHT BULB IS FAULTY. RF RUNNING BULB IS FAULTY. REC REPLACING ALL BULBS/LIGHT ASSEMBLYS TO RECTIFY LIGHT FAULTS. -- $494.00

They also advised that front and rear rotors are rusted and should be replaced when brakes are due. Lastly, they said front and rear struts are heavily corroded and rusted with rear strut starting to leak fluid. Will need replacement as rust progresses.

The car only has 43,000 miles but is obviously older and I am not sure if it is worth putting that kind of money into it. Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

1st, walk away from the dealer. Wherever you're living, there's a reliable independent shop that will do right by you 'cause he wants you to come back. Visit with other MINI and/or BMW people for recommendations. What the dealership has quoted is robbery.

 

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2009 mcs w/ 170K miles here:

1) Replace throttle with OE vdo unit $162 from RA
2) Replace battery with one from Walmart ~$140
3) Crank Seal: Find Indi to replace it
4) Obtain used tail light housing from ebay and replace bulb holder of light-housing using ebay one

Stay away from stealership

Good Luck!

 

These prices from dealer are literally insane.. and programming the battery or ECU after replacing one... what? how? why?
1) I'd go with used throttle, just to make sure that there is a problem with the unit itself, not a messed up wiring or smth..
2) as it was advised in a previous reply, wallmart battery will do the work
3) if you have a seal leackage in 9 cases out of 10 the only thing that need to be replaced is the seal, the rest needs cleaning, that's it
4) just get a used tail light, the replacement is simple and sraight forward

 

$456 for a battery?! How dumb do they think their customers are?