I have a 2009 Clubman that wasn't put into service until June 2010. I'm about to hit 36K miles and I'm contemplating extending the maintenance. I have the following questions:

1) One concern I have with the program is the cars reminder system. The dealer said they only do maintenance if the computer tells them too. Obviously my car is lower in the mileage category. It was manufactured in September 2008 so coolant, brake, transmission fluids, hoses, bushings, mounts, etc. are four years old (I don't think the dealer has changed any of these items). It has become obvious to me that the dealer does not inspect the car for any issues unles you tell them there is an issue. Even something obvious like the oil leak I had on my valve cover gasket. In addition, the prior owner lived on dusty dirt roads. Does the computer really take the driving conditions and stagnant time into consideration or should I be pushing the dealer harder on these maintence items?

2) Is it worth it? Seems like a brake job alone will pay for it. My service reminder says I have 8,000 miles until my next service. Guessing that's inspection II.

3) Do I have to buy it from my local dealer or can I buy it from any Mini dealer?

4) Is the $2,200ish price they quoted me negotiable, what is the lowest you can get one of these for and if I can buy it from any dealer who offers the best deal?

5) If I sell the car before the extended maintence is up or just want to cancel it can it be refunded similar to an extended warranty?

6) Same questions above for extending the factory warranty.

Your opinions, feedback and comments are appreciated.

 

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2...mble/index.htm

 

Just thinking out loud, a few things to consider:

1. Extended maintenance, vs. extended warranty. Extended maintenance is really pre-paid maintenance: an upfront cost to cover recommended services over some time period. To calculate if this is a good value, you'd factor in your cost to have these services performed yourself, over the life of the contract, versus what they charge for the bundle of services upfront. I do much of my own maintenance work, and drive 20-25k miles per year, so it doesn't work out for me. Oil changes are <$50 for me; F&R brakes, with rotors, for <$200 per axle in my own garage. The langauge on the MINIUSA site is broader than "just doing what the computer tells them to" so things like brake fluid and coolant system flushes aren't indicated by the car computer (but "fluids" are mentioned in the offering language) so maybe you'd have to "encourage" them to do what's specified in the maintenance schedule.

2. Extended warranty is an insurance policy; they'll fix covered items *if they fail*, typically. So that radiator hose that's a little stiff after a few years? Hmmm. Probably not till it fails. Etc. The Consumer Reports link was a good read, and I don't have reason to doubt their fact-gathering. Nonetheless, something catastrophic on these cars can run into serious money. What you're buying with extended warranty is piece of mind, like any other insurance policy, and that value to you is up to you, apart from the probability of collecting against it. I don't have the ability to swap/rebuild engines or transmissions so I *did* choose an extended warranty for my MINI when I purchased it.

 

I got th extended maintenance when I got my 2010 mcs in February with 31k miles
In June I got a full brake job and the service report said I saved $875
Can't remember the exact price but it was much less than $2200, I will reply back later with the cost I just have to check

 

Hello,

It's completely negotiable. They had an "end of the fiscal year special" for $1795. I told them I'll "pay for it now, with cash" if they sold me the product at $1595, to which they agreed. Almost fast enough to make me think I should have held out a bit longer or gone a bit lower.

It can really be worth it if your clutch goes, otherwise, it's kind of marginal as to it's worth. I like having paid everything up front. I don't want any surprises until 2016-2017 when everything runs out for me.

 

The extended maintenance is something to really think about. It is something that I have been contemplating since we took delivery. I have until I hit 36k before I make a move. (at 21k now) As far as the extended warranty, my dealer suggested non MINI plan as with all BMW issued warranties there are too many exclusions. Ours is with First Fidelity. One question for you, you stated that you are not the first owner. Did you get it from the dealer as a Mini Next (Certified Pre Owned)? If so then I think that you would be covered, if not then you are headed in right direction.

 

It's not Mini next. I purchased it from a private party. In Nevada, if you buy from a private party there is no sales tax. On the bright side, the brakes and all major fluids were just done before I bought it. Plus the factory warranty goes until June of 2014. Not bad for a car made in Sept of 2008. For now, I'm thinking I'm going to pass on the maintenance. I have 1,500 miles to change my mind.

 

I actually just went to my dealer today and they quoted the extended warranty at $1750 on a 2010 Clubman S and they said that, it was Mini's price and was not negotiable. Is this true or are they just trying to sell me it at full price?

 

I tried to negotate on the extended warranty when we bought ours.The lady just kept her poker face on and said this is the price,cant lower it.

I really think it depends on the dealer if they want to negotiate.

 

This actually might be true, let me tell you all I know.

I called around 10 different dealerships (coast to coast), the lowest cost quoted, was quoted most often. >70% priced $1795. The rest were between $1895 and $2595 (San Francisco, if I remember correctly).

Then I received an email with specials from my local dealer. It was a Halloween special. It offered, among other things, 10% off the maintenance warranty extension retail price.

I email my MINI dealer's finance director to iron out the details, she said "I have it for $1895 for you!". Feeling like they were trying to take the **** out of me, I responded hastily and pretty upset . I said, among other things, that $1795 was pretty much the average price, and if she was offering 10% off that price that I would show with cash. She actually countered with the $1595 I mentioned, so long as the contract was signed within 48 hours. I signed it a couple of hours later.