Just wanting to know if anyone can tell me about the servicing costs for new Minis? I am looking into buying a 2nd hand Mini Cooper R50 but before I bite the bullet I want to know what I'm going to be up for around service time.
I have been told not to bother with taking it to BMW and after speaking to them today I can see why....was quoted $450.00 oil change and parts.
If I take the car to my own mechanic how will that compare to say servicing a Toyota?

Also the run flat tyres, I read somewhere about $400 each....Think my Visa would pack up and leave me at that price? I am really hoping that What I have been told is not accurate...Can someone out there in New Mini land set me straight?????

Thanks!!![/b]

wow a punter from FAR-KEW lol i have a longsleve t-shirt with that on it lol
we have a few BINI owners take no offence as classic mini owners we are a lil defensive of our lil cars but try poki she has a bmw mini and there is a site dedicated to the new mini called mini-one or something like that but dude ya welcome on here
oh and no idea i service my car i dont need a computor to do it lol
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

Hi Tricky,

The site Makka is referring to is www.mini2.com.

As for servicing - yep $450.00 at the dealer for what amounts to an oil change is about right. It is highway robbery of the highest order - however as the warranty is so crapulously short most BINI owners have them serviced at the dealer as BMW will sometimes cover things out of warranty if they have done the service work.

The runflats are expensive. They are also crap tyres. There are not many BINI owners who stay with them. Most of us have replaced the runflats with some class of performance tyre (less road noise, much improved handling). Average BINI owner spends about $300 a corner which is still red hot but if you are going to drive it like you stole it, probably not a bad investment in safety. We all carry portable compressors and cans of goo.

By the by - Watch out for the 2002 models - they were plagued with early build problems.

Good luck with the purchase, the car definately lives up to the hype.

Cheers,

poki

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heya lead foot
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

$450 for an oil change


I wouldn't imagine the service charges would be much more, but if they have to get specific parts then looks like that'll cost ya.

Hullo Myles :p

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Thanks guys!!!

Funny how the VW beetle is looking more and more appealing!!! hahaha....Just kidding..

So I could just throw the run flats, keep the wheels and replace with some decent standard tyres?....Well thats something at least.

The car I've been looking at is a 2003 model.....yellow, yellow roof, 53,000 on the clock...any thoughts there? (might as well ask now while your a captive audience)

mmmm liquid yellow. (I did hear that yellow has the lowest resale value - but that won't stop me from buying the next one in that colour - I love it).

Yep, the rims are like any others - you can put any old tyre you like on them.

Have you test driven one yet? (Thought about the cooper s? - many people buy the cooper and get S envy cause they don't think the cooper is fast enough. That tends to happen most with young men who cannot afford to insure an S.)

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Have thought about it, sat in one....wouldnt take it for a test drive as its over my budget....was worried I would like it more, but have taken the little yellow beastie for a drive today....loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still worried about the servicing tho.....So debating over just getting something else...Ive been test driving all day.....Anything else just feels like a compromise....I really had my heart set on a mini.

Servicing costs also vary dramatically between dealers.

I had a oil change done at 7500 kms and it cost about $180 (also has some other stuff done too )

A Cooper is great fun, as I am sure you know. An old Mazda I owned costed more in servicing costs. So go figure.

Cheers and good luck

Chris

Servicing depends on the dealer to be honest. My service cost me about $300 which isnt bad considering the car is nearly 18 months old and the next service is due in 22000kms. If you join clubMINI you should get trade prices on any servicing.

The runflats are complete crap, I replaced mine with Nexen tyres, had never heard of them before but the perform better than the Yoko's I had on for about 2 weeks before changing them. Only cost $175 a corner.

Buy the MINI mate, its the most fun you'll have with your pants on!

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1965 Riley Elf
1974 Ex Army Moke
1997 Rover Cooper
2002 JCW Cooper
2003 JCW Cooper S

Does it have a TLC pack? 5 years prepaid servicing and fully transferable. Can only be bought when car is new. Cost $500 here in NZ.

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1971 Clubman GT - Jet Red
1980 Mini 1000 - Bold As Brass
1967 Riley Elf - Red/White
2002 MINI Cooper - BRG/White
2005 MINI Cooper - BRG/White
2022 MINI Cooper SE - BRG/White

Whats your thougts on cruise control on manuals?.....(sorry I know this isnt about servicing but its still about the yellow mini)

Chris....

Where abouts do you get your mini serviced?...Are you a strict BMW mini garage....or just your run of the mill mechanic?