$265 for an oil change?!?!

This cannot be a new thread on here. But it's new to me. I called our pals in Fife today to see if my extra key had come in for SCOOOP (need one for Mrs. Cupcake, you know, and the car lot I bought from had only one), and mentioned that it was 2K overdue for what the computer said was "inspection." Was told it was probably time for an oil change, and that it would be $265 for that. Um, no thanks. ZahnTech just did an oil change on CUPC4KE for $65.

What gives? The $265 oil changes were a big reason why I ditched my E-class Mercedes, even though I simply loved that car. Besides, when CUPC4KE needed an oil change recently, the computer said "oil change."

OK, I'll stop ranting now. Just curious what you all had experienced.

-- Mr. Cupcake

I think they were trying to get you in for a few other things. Then, once there, they'll find more things wrong so they charge even more  I can do it myself for approx. $45 so $65 is good!

Edited by YakiMini - November/30/07 at 9:52am

I don't understand how some of you have had such a bad experience with NW MINI and yet I've only had good.  They have bent over backwards to give me deals and even replaced my entire headlight assembly when it wasn't under warrenty.  They saved me money several times.  Last time it was around $900 on my tranny and clutch.

IMO; NW MINI rocks!

Spencer

Scooop, if your's is an '04, shouldn't it still be under warrantee?  The oil change should be free! 

I'm the same as Miniack, I've had nothing but great experiences at NW MINI.  Heck, I even found David there!  It doesn't get any better than that!! 

PS - We put an offer on a 2 bedroom condo in my building, so we are moving in together in the Spring!  Yay for MINI-love!!

Miniack wrote: I don't understand how some of you have had such a bad experience with NW MINI and yet I've only had good.  They have bent over backwards to give me deals and even replaced my entire headlight assembly when it wasn't under warrenty.  They saved me money several times.  Last time it was around $900 on my tranny and clutch. IMO; NW MINI rocks! Spencer

Oh, the experience was great. They are always very friendly and helpful. Still, I think there's a difference between us folks who are part of the family (bought new at NW MINI and paid way over retail), and those of us who are not part of the family (found a realstic price elsewhere).

(Edit: Dangit. Sorry. using Mrs. Cupcake's computer so my sign-in is wrong)

Edited by Cupcake - November/30/07 at 1:29pm

Don't get me wrong... I know the best of places are not always 100%.  And maybe they they like to thank, as you say "part of the family" (said with the godfather accent) by going a little bit farther than they would with strangers.  But, correct me if I'm wrong, I think all MINI service dept. use a book that says how much a job will take.  The only difference is a hourly rate.  $265 for an oil change is ridiculous but I bet there is much more to it.  2 ways to think of it... are they trying to up-sell unnecessary service, or are they being thorough, keeping your baby in tune.  It's your choice to educate yourself to what is important, necessary, or what can be done elseware.

Spencer

BTW: I paid $500 over MSRP.

I don't think they quoted you for an oil change, I think they quoted you for an "inspection" either 1 or 2. The inspections are more involved than an oil change. The OBC should alternate between "Oil Change" and "Inspection" and your owners manual has the differences.

Scoop - are you sure about the helium? - could it have been nitrogen which some tire places use so they can charge you more for no practical benefit?  

If in fact you have Helium filled tires check your pressures frequently - every-other day - because helium will leak out very quickly.  Expect to pay a premium to have them refilled filled with helium - and the stuff used in balloons is only a small percentage pure helium.   The mythical 3 pounds saved is in no way worth the trouble it would be to maintain helium (or nitrogen) filled tires.

Glad you came out OK on the inspection / service -

Edited by CINIMIN - December/03/07 at 11:34am

Yes, I know the Hindenburg used Hydrogen. But I could not pass it up.

John

As Spinstr mentioned above, she and I did meet at NW Mini.

My most recent experience (and really all prior) have gone very well.  I dealt with Terry, and he did what he could to get me back on the road.  I was in because my Nav system was acting up.  When they started testing, it decided to behave, but they went ahead and updated the software anyway.  The bad part was, my extended warranty would not cover a software update.  The good part was Terry and the technician working on it decided to do it anyway and did not charge me for it.  I'm not sure if it has to do with the Nav compute having been replaced less than a year ago, but i definitely left there with my car working as intended...

Now we just need to train them to remove the front license plate when it's mounted in the no holes bracket when they run it through the car wash... 

The guys there are well aware of my club status (the web address on the back window might help with that), and while admittedly that should not actually make any difference, it just might...

I'm going in to Fat City tomorrow for an oil change, and I'll report my
findings. It's close to work, so I can go there after work and then take the
bus downtown for some x-mas shopping. The OBC or whatever it is says
"inspection" but I'll see what they want to do.

I was going to do this myself but couldn't get the drain plug out and even
broke my Craftsman 13mm socket! It appears as if someone used an air
wrench to put it in (it really does- the gasket is very compressed). Fat
City told me they had seen this before on other German (!) cars and they
know how to drill them out. My worry is that the aluminum oil pan now
has damaged threads, which they said can happen. That would probably
be more than $265.

Val

Fat City=good experience.  They charged a grand total of $77.05!  This included filter, 5 quarts of Elf Synthetic oil and a BMW drain plug.  It has a different design with an aluminum gasket ring.  They also did some inspecting, and found worn rear pads (down to 3-4 mm) and tested the boiling point of the brake fluid (!) and found that it is dirty and needs changing.  They also spotted a slight seepage in a power steering hose and recommended keeping an eye on it.  I think that counts as an "inspection" even though they maybe didn't go down the MINI USA check list.

My only quibble is that they did not reset the OPP indicator or whatever it is until I was about to leave and noticed that it said -175 miles.  They promptly came out with a laptop type computer thing and reset it.

Also- I dropped my car off at about 11:15 am and got a call that it was done at about 2:00 pm.  I think that's pretty good for having called for an appointment just the day before.

Based on this experience, I can recommend Fat City.

Val

I should throw this in, this is someone else quote,maybe someone here can either deny or confirm this recommendation.

John

"Here's the deal with the oil counter. 

If you are due for a service and your MINI is still under warranty then I would recommend NOT reset your counter, however, if you are past warranty the only reason to reset the counter is to not have your service/oil mileage indicator go into the negative numbers.

It really is just to help you decide when is best for your oil change."

I replace the oil and filter at approx 5,000 miles, out of pocket. Rasmussen in Portland charges $69.00. I make an excuse and drive down (after arranging a date and time.) I`ve had nothing but good luck w/ Rasmussen...
Milt

After the debacle I had getting my windshield replaced as a condition of the
sale of the car to me ( 5 replacement attempts, negligible help from NW MINI
, and finally I had to get the regional manager for Safelite involved -
something Terry or Bert should have done since it was their REO ) and a few
other incidents, I no longer go to NW MINI - not even for parts. I go to
Rasmussen or Cantrell Motorsports in Kirkland or Adrenaline Racing in
Portland.
When it finally comes time to get a new MINI or BMW, I will not go to Fife.