Well I care a lot about my 2005 MCS, and I have been to multiple Meguiar clinics on car care, changed my own oil mulitple times (about 4 so far) and have driven the car to events in San Francisco (BSSP run) , Las Vegas (AMVIV 2 & 3), San Diego BMWCCA Autocross, done a 12 hour overnight ITN Rally, and multiple shorter TSD rallies...

Suffice to say, I really care about my car. So much so that I drove over an hour to get to what I thought was the best dealership to have my car looked at. Southbay.

Well, after my 25,000 mile check up, I shortly discovered a chemical had been put on one spot of my silver paint speaker cover, which I noticed about 2 weeks after because that one spot was bubbling up paint from some nasty solvent. (probably brake fluid)

So I figured I would just deal with the fact that they screwed up and not say much. Well, things got worse, after 2,500 miles (and a trip up North to Monterey Historics) I happend to notice that I had a major oil leak developing... I have had Central Coast Coopers install minor things like rear sway bar and rear camber links and other little goodies.

So I brought my car over to them as I trust them more than any dealership. In less than half an hour they determined the source of my sudden oil leak. Turns out the MINI Tech had broken the rubber seal on the oil filter housing which overlapped itself when they tightened it down. (could have been worse, and not overlapped, but separated ) So 2,500 miles later it started to really leak oil.

Let me tell you - These guys are awesome

They had me out of there in no time flat, with full knowledge of what happend. Needless to say they have earned my trust and business because of how they work. Anyone can make mistakes, but this guys are the real McCoy... They understand how precious our cars are to us...

Unfortunately the dealerships are loaded with minimum trained personnel, that will call you sir, and maybe give you a coffee, but watch out :impatient What they do to your car could cost you major buck-a-roos!!!

I have heard other stories from dealerships. One person had their car backed into a wall, and it took three "we're done fixing your car attempts" to get it somewhat right. Another had brake fluid spilled all over the passenger side door. A third had the oil cap not put on properly and it was "found to be missing" a few WEEKS later!!

I highly, highly recommend Central Coast Coopers and since I know you are on this website, I know you highly respect your car. Be very careful. A little screwup on a dealerships part, can wreck your car, stress your life, and really suck.

Since they also own a MCS and are dealers for M7, Fireball Tim, Alta, and may others - And owned by a BMW Master Mechanic with 20 plus years of experience AND at AMVIV, Monterey Historics, SCMM and other events - they know about MINI Coopers

I know where I am going the second my car needs a checkup or a cool new mod...

 

South Bay screwed up my oil change twice, with the EXACT same problem you had! I was lucky I didnt lose my engine.

I definitely won't be taking the car there for an oil change ever again, but they did help me recently with a new battery (thanks SB).

I hear they're pretty good at changing clutches though...

 

Guess the issue is they throw the easy jobs on newbie mechanics and save the skilled mechanics for the hard work...