Baby's first visit to the dealer - EEK! - Lesson's learned
 

I purchased a 2005 MCS a few months back with 53,000 miles from a private party. I have a 2011 MCSC. My fiance is driving the 2011. I bought the 2005 so I could mod a MINI without worring about warranty.

Last week the check engine light went on. I took her down to the local dealer, Minis of Madison, figuring they'd tell me what was wrong. I also planned on an oil change ($89 with synthetic). When the service guy handed me the sheet to sign authorizing the work, the total was $220. EEK! I said, "huh?" He said, the rest of it was their charge for engine diagnostic testing. Feeling rather helpless, I signed the authorization.

He called later that morning. He said the good news is that the O2 sensor was bad but it was covered by warranty including the diagnostics. I smiled, having ducked a $130 bullet that could easily have turned into quite a bit more. Then he said my brake fluid was very dark and should be replaced, $120. He also indicated that the passenger engine mount was leaking ($240).

I had scanned through this section of the forum before buying my MINI. When he said front engine mount, a little bell rang alongside my ear. I authorized the brake flush but declined on the front engine mount.

I left my baby at the dealer that night and ran through a number of posts on front engine mounts, including one on NAM that must be 60 pages. I learned that if they leak and the fluid isn't wiped right away it bakes on the frame. I checked for evidence of fluid leakes where I parked my MINI. NADA!

When I picked her up, I popped the hood. The engine mount was dry. But fluid residuals are baked on the frame. This tells me this happened a while ago, probably while still under warranty.

I'd been meaning to call Way from Way Motor Works anyway, so I gave him a call. I described the situation along with the fact I plan to do a suspension mod anyway and asked for advice. What a cool guy. The skinny is I have an aftermarket engine mount on the way along with a sway bar and some bushings. I also have a set of new Koni FSD's I picked up from a buddy a month or so ago. My buddy decided he wanted to lower his after buying the Koni's. I got them for a "I want to get rid of them" price.

I feel good about spending $550 with Way. I figure $240 is coming out of the dealer's pocket and I was planning on getting the other stuff anyway.

Here's what I have learned so far from this experience.
1. Spend the money and pick up an ODB code scanner. They range in price from around $50 to around $200 for back yard mechanic level equipment. I picked up a PC based product for $45 that does the basics. I have a HP netbook laying around unused that I'll turn into my auto computer. The hardware interface (ODB socket on one end and USB on the other) is supported by a number of higher end PC based auto tools so I have an upgrade path if and when I am ready. With the code scanner, I'll walk into the dealer knowing what is wrong. Or I may be able to fix the problem myself.
2. If you have a upper passenger engine mount leak, call Way. In reading through the 60 page thread it appears as though some owners have replaced that part 3-4 times. The aftermarket part (solid rubber rather than a bladder) installed myself, comes out ahead of what the dealer was going to charge. And the fix is permanent. I plan on upgrading my suspension one corner at a time, taking care of the engine mount in the process.
3. Learn how to do stuff yourself. I could have saved $100 doing the brake flush myself. I also could have saved $40 by doing my own oil change. :razz:

Having said all this, I'm glad I took my baby to the dealer. They did a complete inspection in an attempt to locate problems they could charge me to fix. I feel pretty fortunate I escaped for around $200. That doesn't count what I spent with Way of course. I look at the money I spent with Way as an investment. I am now one of his customers. So when I have another problem, I won't feel guilty giving him a call. :nod:

Tom

Won''t places like advanced auto or autozone read your codes for you for free?

My understanding is they will. Of course, you need to drive a MINI with a check engine light to those resources in order to use them. The same is true for the dealer. I'd rather get to the botttom of the issue without driving my MINI.

Tom

Autozone reads codes for free?
 

That is correct, but they will NOT clear the code.
So I bought a ScanGuage II that will clear it.

Will the Peake code reader clear codes (found on on the cheap)?

$89 for an oil change is cheap... well relative to what my Mini dealer wants. Recently I received a coupon for an oil change. Regular price $300, discount $245... includes oil/filter and cabin filter.

At 53k, you should look at the Lower Control Arm bushings... they go every 30-40k. Dealer price on those is about $850-$950. Those bushings aren't made of rubber but popcorn... German engineering nevertheless.

Gotcha, I wasn't certain that they had the correct scanner for MINI's. My local autozone checked the code on my previous car and actually let me hit the button and clear the code myself. They wouldn't take on responsibility for clearing it. This was also a knock sensor/oxygen sensor code so it wasn't like my car was in any danger.

Skrzastek,

Apparently the Peake will.

http://www.peakeresearch.com/products.htm

I hadn't run across them when I was researching ODB readers. That's probably because they read the BMW codes rather than the ODB codes. It may also explain why they only support years up to 2007. They claim because they read the BMW codes directly, they are more accurate.

They mention support of "late model MINIs in one of the FAQs.

The device puts out a 2 digit hexadecimal code which you look up in a manual. There are a number of indicators that can be reset.

One last point on investing in a code reader rather than depending on AutoZone. "He who dies with the most tools wins!"

Cadenza,

I thought $89 was reasonable for an oil change. $300 is not!

Way recommended I replace the front control arm bushings with powerflex bushings. That is part of the $550 I spent with Way. Is that what you were recommending?

Tom