So I took my 06' Mini for it's first Inspection, the car has been driving fine w/o any issues. They recommended a tranny flush, fuel injection flush, and then a coolant flush. I ok'd it, but then 2 hours later got a call from MINI saying there was a host of other problems! And they will not perform the flushes unless I address their findings. I am pretty shocked with everything they're "recommending" Have you guys encountered this? This is what they say needs to be done. I was originally quoted at $1230 and with all this added stuff the estimate is about $5200!!!!! I declined and would feel better with a 2nd opinion, I mean like I said, the mileage is low, and all the driving has been city driving, and coolant level has been fine, no visible leaks. What do you fellow Cooper owners think?

Replace failed component (Crankshaft position sensor o-ring
leaking)

REPLACE OIL PAN GASKET (Oil pan gasket leaking)

REPLACE LEAKING TSTAT (Found coolant leak)

REPLACE LEAKING WATER PUMP, ADDITIONAL O-
RING, GREEN CHARGER GASKET AND COOLANT
(Found coolant leak)

Replace lower control arm bushings (Found lower control
arm bushings seperated)

REPLACE P/S COOLING FAN AND 5 AMP FUSE
(Binding)

Replace engine mount (Found engine mount
ruptured/leaking)

Replace front strut mounts (Found worn out/noisy front strut
mounts)

 

those items are possible problems, but someone besides them should look at it . Leaks are easy, other items are not too hard to see.

 

Thanks for your reply! This MINI dealership has had a rep with telling people they need other big services when they really don't. Sad..

 

What JPMM said but to be on the safe side id check the things im going to list its pretty easy to figure out.

Well just to be sure i'd check the things you can check,
the control arm bushings are notorious for going on bmws, umm but you can test them by kicking the wheels, and if like they like shake abnormally then there done for.

Oil pan gasket you can also check by looking at the pan under the headers if it looks like they're some kind of dried fluid or anything on them. I know it tends to get leaky, mine started leaking about a a year ago

The cooling fan is also known for going theres a whole thread on it.

Finally the strut mounts, if the mounts (rubber part) dont line up with the metal lip then they're worn out to.

 

Here is a list of independent MINI service shops in and around Seattle.
This list was taken from soopercooperinfo.com.
Hope you can find someone out of this list a little more trustworthy.
If you had that many ongoing leaky spigots your MINI should have died of dehydration miles ago.

http://www.euroasiangarage.com/
http://bestserviceandrepair.com/default.aspx
http://britishautocenter.com/
http://car-tender.com/services.html
http://fatcity.net/
http://www.eurocarservice.com/index.html
http://www.group2motorsports.com/index.html
http://www.SeattleGermanAutoCenter.com/
www.eliteautocareinc.com
www.scottshermanautocare.com
http://zahntechauto.com/

 

I highly suggest you call Parker Davis at Broadstroke Associates - they're off highway 9 just south of Snohomish and are BMW and Mini specialists (all ex Seattle Mini and Northwest Mini). Seattle Mini quoted me crazy prices to do unnecessary work on my car when I first bought it (used) - Parker did only the items that were necessary, for half the price. I ended up paying just over a thousand dollars instead of 2,600

 

Definitely get another opinion and quote from an independent shop (should be much cheaper than the dealer). Sadly, all of those issues are common in a MINI. Having them at 27K miles is on the low side, but wouldn't be unusual.

 

I would seriously look in the mirror and see if anyone has written sucker on your forehead while you were sleeping or taped a sign to your back that says "Please, take advantage of me". In the meantime, get a second opinion, as mentioned above.

 

Thanks guys! I am going to seek a 2nd Opinion, even asked my friend's hub who is a certified mechanic at BMW to help me out too. I know MINI's have these problems, but I guess I thought it was too soon. Pretty naive of me, but I do know not get work done at the dealership, I remember from past posts.....they cost an arm, a leg and maybe your torso! I just thought it was quite a hmm...on how much they were pressuring me to get it done then and NOW. Ugh....

 

That is an insane quote. Do you have any wrenching experience? There's pretty much a DIY guide on every single thing you listed. Parts should only cost around $400 (quick guess) if you do all the work yourself.

 

Thanks Noon! I live up in Lynnwood and that is not too far for me.....just waiting to go pick up Yoshi from the MINI dealer.

 

The control arm bushings and crank sensor are what's bumping up the bill, as they are both labor-intensive jobs. If they need to be done just space out the repairs in order to reduce the financial shock. My control arm bushings lasted until 100k, but there's nothing left of them now. My car's in the shop right now with that item on the list.

 

I thought so too, and even the break down was pretty ridiculous, honestly I do not have any wrenching experience. I think this chick needs to start learning more!

 

I would seriously look in the mirror and see if anyone has written sucker on your forehead while you were sleeping or taped a sign to your back that says "Please, take advantage of me". In the meantime, get a second opinion, as mentioned above.

No need to be mean..I didn't say I agreed to the service, I just simply took my car in for an Inspection I, I am not a sucker. Obviously I will take it in for 2nd Opinion elsewhere.

 

You can do a lot of work yourself, but I balked at dropping the sub frame to get at the control arm bushings, and if I'm not mistaken a lot of stuff under the hood has to be out of the way before you can access the crank sensor. Lots of write ups on those two issues. I can turn a wrench but I'm not going to do much more than swap out modular pieces and replace belts, etc.

 

My apologies. After rereading my post I thought it might be mistaken. I was implying that the service people at the dealership must have thought you were an easy mark to take advantage of, especially the part of the story where they quote you a rather high price for some relatively simple items, then switch the service to a very high price because they figure if you agreed to the first price they might be able to get you to agree to the second. I was not trying to insult you or question your intelligence and I am truly sorry if it came across that way.

$1230 for a few fluid flushes is insane, let alone what they quote for the rest of the service. I wonder if the service department is working on commission. You did well to question their insanity.

 

Okay took the car home, everything that they did cost me for the Inspection I was $472, which is not bad, I can save the other for a Independent service place. I loved how they made me try to commit to rescheduling a service appointment. I told them don't call me, I'll call you (not). I did not do any flushed either in case you're all curious! Going to wait till my next day off to take my car up another place and see what they have to say.

ACE- It's okay, all is forgiven! It is hard to really tell how someone can come across on a forum like this. I was not mad, just frustrated by this whole thing. Yes 1230 for flushes is mighty insane! An oil change alone at their place on special now is like almost $100! We've owned a BMW before and we know that they jack up the prices! I do wonder too if they are on commission! I hated that the girl pushed me so hard, then in my face told me that they were just concerned and wanted to take care of me! Ha!

 

Good job on running away from that dealership. I just got into the mini world and when I saw the fix list it read like every possible common problem that era of mini could have. Come on one or two but all of them.....

Let us know how it shakes out
03mini

 

You know that was what crossed my mind too when she called me the 2nd time....I got a bit skeptical because the early AM call was for the acknowledgment of the Inspection I, she then said the Tech is recommending flushes on the Tranny, Cooling, and Fuel Injector. Then 2 hours later I get the call that they "found" stuff. Mind you I was first on their service list, as I booked way ahead and did a overnight drop. I personally haven't seen any funny leaks or noticed anything, I dunno. My friend's hub just got back to me so we'll see what he says. I trust his opinion more than those sharks at MINI. I just wish I knew cars like I knew my way around assembling furniture. That is one thing I can do! LOL I am better than my husband at that! LOL I'll keep you all posted.

 

I've been to the same dealerships (the one down south is owned by the same people) and had good experiences while under warranty. I had not heard good things so kept my eyes open. After the warranty period was up the "fun" began and I ran the other way. I do some wrenching but some things I just don't want to fool with. Good advice from folks here. I'm not close (60 miles+) to any of the suggested service shops and I'm still looking around. Just may give one of them a try. If you find a good one that treats you right sometimes it's worth a couple extra bucks, but you've got to be comfortable with it in the end.

 

I have a 06, 38K mi. I am picking up the car from the dealer ship, Items replaced oil pan gasket, O ring @ crank sensor, oil change, new brake fluid, new brake rotors with pads rear only, they gave a country man 2012 for a loaner free of charge. The total charge $1,100.00 with taxes. Ft. Myers dealership is very good, point is some dealerships are not all bad, sorry for your experience.

 

+1 for MINI of Fort Myers



The quote is high and lots of stuff to "fix" but unfortunately everything they mentioned is/can be pretty common. I doubt you have all of these issues but some could manifest in the future.

A coolant flush is recommended every 4 years and brake flush every 2 years.

 

As an 06, his coolant should've been flushed in '10, so he should be good til '14, assuming it was done on schedule. Some dealerships earn the 'stealership' moniker...others don't. Just luck of the draw depending on where you live, I guess.

 

I just talked to my Portland Mini dealer and they said they do not recommend the fuel injector service/flush, I was amazed they would say no to anything that was an easy buck in their pocket. Any one else been told to avoid the service "it has never fixed any problem they have seen"?
thanks

 

I can't stress how important it is you stay away from Seattle Mini - they're a bunch of clowns, and I've had nothing but bad experiences with them. I contacted them 3 whole weeks ago about getting a JCW upgrade done (air box, 380cc injectors and ECU upgrade - which they'd told me before could be done for $975) and I've had no response whatsoever - and this went directly to the service manager. Northwest Mini are, as I understand it, owned by the same people - so I might as well avoid them too. I even contacted Rasmussen Mini in Portland, this time 2 weeks ago, and no response from them either - other than the 'your inquiry is important to us, one of our service advisors will respond to you within 24 hours'. So for us PNW Mini owners, independents are the only place we can go.