Comments on: The $252 Oil Change for the MINI Cooper http://www.cleverdude.com/content/the-252-oil-change-for-the-mini-cooper/ Family, Marriage, Finances & Life Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:59:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Elizabeth Mello http://www.cleverdude.com/content/the-252-oil-change-for-the-mini-cooper/#comment-78261 Elizabeth Mello Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:22:14 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2009#comment-78261 I agree with you, going to dealerships really cost you. They wanted $350 to do a 4 wheel alighment, Goodyear charged me $79. I went for an oil change and they said I was due for brake and fuel line flushes and would charge $200 & $300. Ala Carte quotes I believe. they quote minimun of 1 hour per service, get you up on the rack and spend maybe a total of 1/2 hour for both jobs. I love my Mini, but good god. I agree with you, going to dealerships really cost you. They wanted $350 to do a 4 wheel alighment, Goodyear charged me $79. I went for an oil change and they said I was due for brake and fuel line flushes and would charge $200 & $300. Ala Carte quotes I believe. they quote minimun of 1 hour per service, get you up on the rack and spend maybe a total of 1/2 hour for both jobs. I love my Mini, but good god.

]]> By: Al Shaw http://www.cleverdude.com/content/the-252-oil-change-for-the-mini-cooper/#comment-75301 Al Shaw Wed, 19 May 2010 01:12:37 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2009#comment-75301 Wait until the transmission/CVT goes out anywhere from 50,000 and up-just out of warranty and the dealer tells you they will be able to fix the problem for between $6,000 and $8,000 dollars. Good luck Mini owners Wait until the transmission/CVT goes out anywhere from 50,000 and up-just out of warranty and the dealer tells you they will be able to fix the problem for between $6,000 and $8,000 dollars. Good luck Mini owners

]]> By: Mike http://www.cleverdude.com/content/the-252-oil-change-for-the-mini-cooper/#comment-70227 Mike Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:50:49 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2009#comment-70227 Dealership=stealership Dealership=stealership

]]> By: sally http://www.cleverdude.com/content/the-252-oil-change-for-the-mini-cooper/#comment-68415 sally Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:11:49 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2009#comment-68415 i bought my mini used so the first time my oil change was 470 canadian. This also included getting a full inspection of the car- and two leaks were fixed. I did this for a piece of mind because i bought the car used. After that i take it to a local garage for all my needs. I don't regret taking it to the dealer initially i bought my mini used so the first time my oil change was 470 canadian. This also included getting a full inspection of the car- and two leaks were fixed. I did this for a piece of mind because i bought the car used. After that i take it to a local garage for all my needs. I don’t regret taking it to the dealer initially

]]> By: Jill Mostek http://www.cleverdude.com/content/the-252-oil-change-for-the-mini-cooper/#comment-62300 Jill Mostek Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:00:41 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2009#comment-62300 They have to charge DOUBLE in order to supply Starbuck's Coffee in the lobby. I'd rather pay normal mechanic costs and bring my own, though! One thing I have found it makes sense to go to the Mini dealer for, TIRES. Other tire places I've tried having my run-flat tires changed at, always say they cannot guarantee they won't ruin the rims. Apparently (??) those type of tires are difficult to change. They have to charge DOUBLE in order to supply Starbuck’s Coffee in the lobby. I’d rather pay normal mechanic costs and bring my own, though!

One thing I have found it makes sense to go to the Mini dealer for, TIRES.
Other tire places I’ve tried having my run-flat tires changed at, always say they cannot guarantee they won’t ruin the rims. Apparently (??) those type of tires are difficult to change.

]]> By: Martin M http://www.cleverdude.com/content/the-252-oil-change-for-the-mini-cooper/#comment-60796 Martin M Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:42:05 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2009#comment-60796 Ha, that sounds about right. We recently hit a mega pothole which resulted in our Cooper being towed to the dealer. I always find that the service guys are pretty pleasant to deal with, but when you get the bill you can see that their pleasantness is just a distraction to what's coming around the corner... the final bill. We got a bill for $785.30 to replace a wheel hub with bearing and tire for the driverside front with $386.95 going toward labor. Now the only reason I feel at all comfortable with going to the dealer is that they see these vehicles daily and follow the specs laid out by BMW/Mini Cooper, so I trust the work being done. On the other hand, the prices are through the roof, and I agree that their products are grossly overpriced for the same items you could probably find at most local auto repair shops at 1/3 the cost. Ha, that sounds about right. We recently hit a mega pothole which resulted in our Cooper being towed to the dealer. I always find that the service guys are pretty pleasant to deal with, but when you get the bill you can see that their pleasantness is just a distraction to what’s coming around the corner… the final bill. We got a bill for $785.30 to replace a wheel hub with bearing and tire for the driverside front with $386.95 going toward labor. Now the only reason I feel at all comfortable with going to the dealer is that they see these vehicles daily and follow the specs laid out by BMW/Mini Cooper, so I trust the work being done. On the other hand, the prices are through the roof, and I agree that their products are grossly overpriced for the same items you could probably find at most local auto repair shops at 1/3 the cost.

]]> By: urban zen http://www.cleverdude.com/content/the-252-oil-change-for-the-mini-cooper/#comment-57777 urban zen Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:40:11 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2009#comment-57777 I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. My problem though is I took my car to a Jiffy Lube for an oil change and found out a few months later when I went to have it changed by my mechanic, that they must have stripped the threads and put on a larger bolt? and my mechanic now won't touch it so I have to go back to the Jiffy Lube folks or I guess buy a whole new oil pan and start over? Any thoughts? I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. My problem though is I took my car to a Jiffy Lube for an oil change and found out a few months later when I went to have it changed by my mechanic, that they must have stripped the threads and put on a larger bolt? and my mechanic now won’t touch it so I have to go back to the Jiffy Lube folks or I guess buy a whole new oil pan and start over? Any thoughts?

]]> By: Clever Dude http://www.cleverdude.com/content/the-252-oil-change-for-the-mini-cooper/#comment-49964 Clever Dude Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:41:09 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2009#comment-49964 @Bob, I'll think about it when the time comes, but I'll check, recheck and triple-diple check what I do! The color is Hyper Blue Metallic (a 2005 Mini color). @Bob, I’ll think about it when the time comes, but I’ll check, recheck and triple-diple check what I do!

The color is Hyper Blue Metallic (a 2005 Mini color).

]]> By: Bob Collins http://www.cleverdude.com/content/the-252-oil-change-for-the-mini-cooper/#comment-49960 Bob Collins Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:47:22 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2009#comment-49960 Hi CleverDude, I understand the fear and concern on the brakes, but do you really trust that other guy? ;-) Just kidding, but seriously, you should try it. It is a rewarding project. Heck I know some guys who track their cars and switch pads every few weeks when they have a track event. You can do it. :-) BTW, love the MINI, is it Laser Blue? My wife just got a Mellow Yellow Clubman, and it is amazing. Hi CleverDude, I understand the fear and concern on the brakes, but do you really trust that other guy? ;-)

Just kidding, but seriously, you should try it. It is a rewarding project. Heck I know some guys who track their cars and switch pads every few weeks when they have a track event.

You can do it. :-)

BTW, love the MINI, is it Laser Blue? My wife just got a Mellow Yellow Clubman, and it is amazing.

]]> By: Clever Dude http://www.cleverdude.com/content/the-252-oil-change-for-the-mini-cooper/#comment-49938 Clever Dude Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:36:32 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=2009#comment-49938 @Bob, it's the whole "they stop the car" thing with me. I'm sure I could easily do it, but I just don't want to be the one responsible for killing myself, my wife or my fellow passengers :(. We'll let the mechanics be responsible for killing us :) @Bob, it’s the whole “they stop the car” thing with me. I’m sure I could easily do it, but I just don’t want to be the one responsible for killing myself, my wife or my fellow passengers :( . We’ll let the mechanics be responsible for killing us :)

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