I just had the 45,000 mile inspection / service done (I believe MINI refers to this as Inspection II). It is the first major servicing that happens outside of the free maintenance period.

Total cost for the servicing at Crevier MINI (Santa Ana, CA) was $391 (including tax). I have an aftermarket intake, so the air filter replacement was not performed. The filter would have added another ~$20 to the tab.

 

Thanks for the 411 on this. I'll be getting mine done sometime in the next six to 8 months. It'll be good to plan ahead.

 

What all was done to the tune of $381.00? Just curious.


His, Chile RED over, Madness intake, Magnaflow exhaust, Helix 15% Pulley & RDR Swaybar
Hers, Electric Blue / Union Jack on top and BONE Stock

 

This gets me wondering whether or not it's worth it to pony up for the extended warranty program. I think it's 1-year/15,000 miles added to the existing warranty (I haven't looked lately, please let me know if I'm off).

Cost-wise does it make sense to extend the warranty and free maintenance for a year even though it's likely only to buy you one extra free service?

Interested in your thoughts.

Thanks.

JK

 

>>This gets me wondering whether or not it's worth it to pony up for the extended warranty program. I think it's 1-year/15,000 miles added to the existing warranty (I haven't looked lately, please let me know if I'm off).
>>
>>Cost-wise does it make sense to extend the warranty and free maintenance for a year even though it's likely only to buy you one extra free service?
>>
>>Interested in your thoughts.
>>
>>Thanks.
>>
>>JK

It should also buy you another oil change in the late 30k range. Now factor in all other costs and yes it's absolutely worth the $400 extended maintenance if you are going to the dealer for you service.

 

The extra year in the maintenance program buys you only the 45K mile inspection stop, that's it.

To make your decision easier, ask the dealer how much it is to perform the 45K service out of pocket. Then get a quote on the "Extended year maintenance" contract to see if the price is the same or more. If it is more, then it is cheaper to perform the service out of pocket. If it is less, then it is worthwhile getting the extra year contract.

 

From looking over this thread the extended coverage is running about $500 to take the "free maintenance" coverage and extend it from 36,000 to 50,000 miles (to match the 50,000 miles of the existing warranty).

 

>>From looking over this thread the extended coverage is running about $500 to take the "free maintenance" coverage and extend it from 36,000 to 50,000 miles (to match the 50,000 miles of the existing warranty).

You should be able to get it for $400 if you either look around and or tell your dealer you'll go elsewhere for that price.

 

Thanks for the info everyone. I'll probably shop around and if I can get the free maintenance extended for a good price I'll do it.

JK

 

FYI: The Extended Maintanance will also cover your 45k inspection II AND your first brake job that usually occures between 45k and 50k miles.

 

I had my front brakes done under warranty at 27k. I was told at the time to expect to do the rears AND the fronts together at around 60k, not 45k.

 

>>I had my front brakes done under warranty at 27k. I was told at the time to expect to do the rears AND the fronts together at around 60k, not 45k.

I was also told 90% + of all first brake jobs happen around 45k. 27k is very early - DiD - you were experiencing any issues before they replaced them?

 

27k they said my front pads were barely below 50% of their usable range, so they replaced the pads and with that they replaced the rotors on the front only.

I was told that was NOT unusual. Also, I was told to expect to replace the fronts twice as often as the rear, so next time expect to replace both front and rear (around 60k).

 

http://www.bimmerzone.com/inspection.htm

This is what BMW does for Inspection I and II, so MINIs should be very similar.

 

I just had this first, non-paid, maintenence done as well. It was at Otto's MINI in West Chester, PA. The cost was $176, including new (overpriced) wiper blades. I think the oil change was about half of the cost. I still have quite a bit of brakepad left.

 

That is weird. I have 27K on my car also. They just replaced my rear rotors and pads because i had worn them down to the backing plates. I asked about the front rotors and pads and they said I had about 8k left on them. I figured I would wear out the front pads first, and not at 27K. My Honda/Acura pads still had a lot of meat left at 45k.

 

That looks very close to (if not exactly) what the MINI Inspections I and II are.

 

I'm pretty sure they do not include another oil change as their policy is oil every 15k miles after the first one. So in MINI's mind, 45k miles would be the THIRD oil change (I think I've had six in 39k miles). And even if it did include it, that would only add $65 (my dealer's oil change price) to the $380 making it $445. Can't speak for anyone else but I'd rather pay $445 several yrs down the road than an extra $400 when I buy the car. The $400 will be worth way more than $445 by the time "Inspection II" comes up. :smile:

 

I just had rear brakes and rotors replaced at 39k miles.

 

>> I'm pretty sure they do not include another oil change as their policy is oil every 15k miles after the first one. So in MINI's mind, 45k miles would be the THIRD oil change (I think I've had six in 39k miles). And even if it did include it, that would only add $65 (my dealer's oil change price) to the $380 making it $445. Can't speak for anyone else but I'd rather pay $445 several yrs down the road than an extra $400 when I buy the car. The $400 will be worth way more than $445 by the time "Inspection II" comes up. :smile:

I've got 35,500 right now and my MINI is telling me I'll need an oil service in less than 2k.

 

$400 for a major inspection sounds reasonable to me. :smile:

 

>>http://www.bimmerzone.com/inspection.htm
>>
>>This is what BMW does for Inspection I and II, so MINIs should be very similar.

Interesting... the Insp II procedure in the Bentley manual for the E36 has the brake fluid and coolant replaced as well, NOT just "checked and topped off."

I've read in multiple places that brake fluid should be replaced every two years, regardless of milage.

 

If you were to do a complete brake job on both axels it would run $343 plus change for the parts. Rotors all around, new pads, and sensors, at least that is what the parts dept quoted me the other day when I was researching the value of the extended service contract.

Which brings up a couple of ??? for you guys that have replaced the pads already, anyone see a hookup for the sensors? Did you get an indication in the cockpit, that the pads had reached their limit?

By the way the owner’s manual calls for a brake fluid change at 2 years also.

I had always thought it to be normal to change out the front brakes at least once before having to change the rears, but the tech told me that MINI has the braking almost equal between the front and rear on this car. Can any one confirm or dispute this statement?

 

I've read through all the responses and i am still trying to figure out if it is worth purchasing the EXTENDED MAINTENANCE program (not extended warranty). I need to purchase it within the next few weeks as i am coming upon 36,000 miles soon. The dealership I deal with in Virginia is asking for $895 for an extra 15,000 miles (would make it 4yr/50,000). Is it worth it?

Has anone paid for Service after 36,000 miles? if so what was the cost? Has anyone been successful in purchasing it at a cheaper price from another dealer other then the one they deal with on a normal basis? Or been successful in haggling a lower price at the dealership they normaly deal with? Can anyone direct me to a lower cost Dealership?

$895.00 seems to be an execive figrue.

I'd apprciate any help on this subject.

thanks

--golden_child

I posted this on another thread to get a better idea. Sorry if you have read this more than once.

 

I'd ask the dealer to PUT IN WRITING what the extended Maint includes ( and even then probably not worth the $$). What other than an oil & filter change would it include? Belt, hoses, brakes & rotors.... even then... probably not worth the cost... Dealer Rip Off ....IMHO