Does anyone know what the major service (not oil change) intervals are?

The service maintenance guide is vague, It talks about Inspection 1 and Inspection 2 service, says the dashboard light will indicate when its due. Does any one know at about what mileage that occurs?

 

my understanding is that the *average* service intervals are about 10K for the first one then 15K after that. the MINI computer will calculate this for you based on your driving habbits. when you turn your key on, look at the speedo where the odo is normally displayed - it should show service interval and a mileage which will tick down to 0 at which point you should be getting your service. hope this helps - keep motoring!

 

I believe that 10000 and 15000 are the oil change intervals, not the major sevrice intervals. Check the service warranty booklet. Major service Inspection 1 includes transmission fluild replacement and a/c filter change. Interval two service includes new drive belt as well as dozens of other items. . If these things have to be done every 10- 15 thousand miles, maintenance costs will be quite high. I really think there is a longer interval for these items but dont know what that is.

 

When my dealership was "suggesting" that I get the extended warranty, they told me that the first major service (not just oil) was at about 45,000 miles. I'm not sure when the next one is to occur. I'll have to make sure I find that out when I finally pick up my car this weekend.

 

I picked up my car today and asked about this...

I was told that Inspection I and Inspection II occur staggered at every other oil servicing. I.e., regular oil change at 10K miles, then at next service (15K later) you get Inspection I. Next sevice interval is oil change, then after that Inspection II. Then the cycle repeats every 15K miles.

I think that is right.... someone can correct me if I'm wrong!

 

I called MINIUSA and they stated that you only get your free service when the little "counter" goes to zero..In my case, doing the math, I will not get a "free" 1st time oil change till appx 12600 miles!!! (unless I want to pay for it,.When I talked to MiniUSA they stated that under no circumstances would they pay for the service if it was done early!! (She gave the following example: Going to Florida have 800 to go to zero for service ,Would like to bring the car in for serv as it would be "past" zero time you got to Florida, Would have to pay for the oil change if you changed oil before "trip".. "That' r "policy"..Well THAT POLICY IS JUST PLAIN STUPID!! ( I really want to spend a day of my vacation (on the road" finding a MINI dealer (remember it was BMW's call to have "tons" of dealers)..I believe it is "reasonable and predent to have "some leeway" (under 1000 to o for service as an examp) to get an oil change especially if you r going on a trip.) Also they pitched the "Free service during your warrenty period and I paid the extra 350 to bring it up to 50K and in my case, the rate of my oilchanes it 25% > miles over " and I will get rooked out of one "free oil change,,and my dealer charges $129!! Do an of you on the board agree with me that their policy of "down to zero" instead of the normal service intervals of EVERY car I have owned (Example bring car in for service at 10,000 /20000 ect instead of this "vauge down to zero "hard nosed policy!!, Any comments MINIUSA?? Sorry for the long post!!..I have to take my "pills" before bed time.! also would luvto have MINIUSA explain the "major services" beyond oil changes,on this forum in the name of better communication,Example someone posted that their dealer stated that their was a "major service at 45,000 (pitching the extend service plan, ) that will cost appx $800,My dealer does not know anything about this service! (He said it was at 60,000 (how convient, you r out of warrenty...GRRRR..) and he said it was a "tad expensive,,"

 

it is quite amazing that mini and their dealers know so little about the service intervals and requirements of the car.

based on the scanty and conflicting information I've been able to get so far it seems that

inspection 1 is due at about 25000 miles and cost about $300 US

inspection 2 is due at about 40000 miles and is about $600 US

in addition and not included in the above costs

brake fluid change is every 2 years

and coolant change is every 4 years

ps i drive the mini as my second car and concievable might not put 10000 per year.

the manual states that oil change should be at least yearly.

Will mini cover the cost of their recomended yearly oil change, if you drive less than 1000o mile/year??

 

I wish all folks who view /post this board would call MINIUSA to voice "concerns" over their "service policies" Example the going on vacation and not allowing dealer to perform the necessary oil change without paying!..If enough folks voice "concerns" maybe MINIUSA/BMW will go to a straight "mileage based system to perform Service ending alot of confusion,,Anyone willing to assist me by calling MINI.? Also where can I find the Services that have to be performed at the 25000/40,000 mile intervals.,,and what is exactly done ? As I mentioned, my dealer in Detroit area wants $129 to change the oil!!!..So much for "free service"...but those BMW ultimate drivers out there R used to being charged high prices,,,,

 

the services needed for the car are described in the Service and Warrenty Booklet which is seperate from the owners manual. Hopefully the dealer gave you one, The problem it does not give any clue as to how oftern these services need be performed stating only to rely on the dash indicator. The problem is I can't estimate how much maintenance will cost and if the extended service plans are worthwhile.

 

I just recently had the 10k maintenance done at the dealer.
The clock now reads...15k till the next service...

Peace,
D

 

Were you down to "0" when you had the 10 service done?..How many miles were on the car when you had the service?

 

I'm a little concerned that my service countdown thing is going down VERY quickly. Right now it says I need service in 9300 miles with only about 430 mileson it. Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

ya, same thing here! i think it depends on how hard you're driving it!

 

I understand that the service indicater of the MINI works in the same way as that fitted to recent BMW's. Those are based upon the fuel consumed by the vehicle. Drive them hard, use more fuel and the car get more frequent trips to the service bay and more frequent oil changes.

 

Yes, it does depend on how hard you drive it. Lots of high RPMs will drive your indicator up...but anyway, you shouldn't be driving it hard enough to do that during break in (where you're supposed to be keeping the revs as much under 4500 as possible!!).

As far as whether the counter is at 0 or not...I'd say you should ask your service department to get their opinion (when it gets closer to time for you to worry about anything that they'd pay for...i.e., 10000 miles) THEY're the ones that make the practical decisions. MINIUSA is notorious in terms of the cluelessness (shall I say stupidity?) of many of the people who answer the phone. It seems to be a rather ridiculous reading of policy to say that the counter has to be actually at 0 before the service will be done. What, are we supposed to circle our dealers until the counter runs down and then zip in to the service bay just at the right moment?

 

It's not just RPMs, though. My understanding is that frequent short trips and cold starts will also affect the service interval. You don't have to hot rod it to drive it hard (although it might be more fun). I have a relatively short commute (about 13 miles each way) and as a result, even if I drove it like a senior citizen, I'd have a shorter service interval. I'm on a pace to get to my first service at around 9k.