Hello everyone, I just got an estimate for my O2 mcs. The mechanic wants to charge me $1,250 parts & labor. As it stands, I need:

New radiator fans
Water pump (leaky)
Thermostat (leaky)
Serpentine belt

Does this sound pretty fair?

 

There is only one fan. Why does it need to be replaced? (correct answer: the low speed resistor is dead)
Water pump - haven't really heard of these leaking. Leaking from where?
Thermostat - THIS is a well known leak spot (for later models, anyway, and a whole lot cheaper than R&R the water pump
Serpentine belt - yep, standard replacement

If you were near Santa Cruz, I'd do the lot for half the price, but it's not my biz. Then again, if you want to take a road trip vacation...

 

For the work you have listed that price seems fair to me. The water pumps do leak on high mileage MCS'. They leak through the weep hole on the pump. While your MINI is in service mode I'd have the oil changed in the S/C.

 

Thank you both for the input! I would love to take a road trip, but my wallet disagrees hah. I'm going to take your advice with the s/c oil as well. Also, i have a bit of a grinding noise while idling. Is this my tensioner? It goes away while revving a tad.

 

Should be a rattle, not a grind.. . . Might want to see if mechanic can fix. If he's doing the belt, ask for the tensioner also ... Worth it while he's there. Especially if it has over 50-60k on it... See if you can put a tensioner stop also ?