Here is a good one. Took my 02 MC wiht 59,000 miles to the dealer last week to repair the passenger seat which was stuck in the vertical position....could not adjust the back. They told me the gears were no longer aligned...$105 to repair.
Then the bad news. I was told that grease was leaking out of the front axle on the driver side and needed to replace the inner boot. After they removed the inner boot, the axle just fell apart...it was cracked. Major safety issue. If I did not show up to get the seat repaired, the front axle would have just come apart down the highway. Only the inner boot was holding it together.

Over 900$ for axle plus $400 for boot.
anyone ever hear of such a thing. I have never heard of an axle just coming apart. Purchased 02 MC new and just normal driving.

 

I saw a front axle whose splined inner shaft popped out of it's inner mount with out anything breaking - axle and (custom) control arm included, so yeah, it's possible.

Did you notice any unusual noise(s) before bringing it in?

Just thinkin' of the surprise when you go in to get your seat back fixed and end up w/ replacing an axle, though - ...

 

Thanks for your input. There was absolutely no indication of a problem with the axle. No noises or unusual vibration.
The rest of the story is that after almost 8 years of no major issues with the 02 MC, the dealer also found a crack in the coolant thermosat & of course the coolant is leaking. There is also a small leak in the oil pan (not going to fix this issue..just monitor) & I need a front/rear brake job...original rotor and pads so I can understand this item...but they want $995 for a brake job.
Can any good mechanic do a brake job or is it best to have the dealer handle? Do most people go with Mini rotors and pads or are the aftermarket rotors/pads better?

 

Aftermarket is better price wise by a long shot (close to 50% or so..)!!
There are a bazillion options for upgraded pads, and many OEM equivalent rotors for much lower prices, and a few upgrades for OEM prices. OEM pads are priced about the same as High performance premium pads...or aftermarket oem equivalent is about half the price....any shop should be able to do your brakes....they are pretty standard.
Sounds like you have had pretty good luck for a nearly 10 year old car....especially an '02!! Sounds like some wear and tear...and age.

The seats can usualy be fixed by leaning on them like a football player, pressing on them with pretty good force and actuating the Mechanism....anybody that has done it or seen it done offer a better explanation? My dealer guy showed me when it happened to me...I've done it once....and it worked!!

 

Uh, Raxles.com has new replacement axles for my Audi Allroad for as little as $200 each, complete - boot and all.

You said they wanted $900 for the axle plus $400 for the boot?

The brakes on the MINI are very easy to DIY, but if you can't do your own work an indy place will definitely save you some money.....

 

Most posters here seem to go w/ aftermarket, but we're probably a small percentage of the total owner population, so ??? I'm using chain store auto parts rotors and Mintex pads, good so far.

At this point in your ownership experience it might be time to find a a mechanic you can trust (and afford), probably one w/ european car experience - maybe he'll give you a ride in the boat you're gonna pay for for him (j/k). Seriously, find the brake d-i-y thread here (there's a trick or 2 to 'em), print it and bring it to him...

Good Luck

 

Oh, and the guy I mentioned that popped out his axle got his replacement one at the same auto parts chain I got my rotors...