[WHITEY_]

Took the mini in for the oil service and had the usual done, coolant change, oil change, brake fluid change and a health check, which was all fine and dandy, but when I went to go pick the car up later that day I got quite a big shock. Turns out that apparently all the disks and pads need replacing, I was kind of expecting something about the brakes to pop up but not the flippin' disks! thought just the pads or something. The other thing the bloke said was the bl**dy shocks!! he said that they have 'split' which I was really surprised about and quite angry. Are Mini telling me the truth do you reckon or are they just trying to flog me more money? I can honestly say that the shocks are absolutely fine, nothing wrong with the ride while in the car what-so-ever, and to say they've 'split'...what the heck does that mean, how can a shock absorber split? So what I thought was going to be a regular £200 odd service, turns out to be nearly £900 all together (including front tyres as they really do need to be changed also). I havn't bought new shocks, disks and pads YET, because I think the stuff about the shocks and disks is a load of crap and getting it checked out again at the local garage where I know the owner. If the pads and disks DO need replacing do you guys think I should just get them replaced by the standard gear or opt for some branded disks and pads like brembo disks and greenstuff pads? Would very much appreciate some responses.

[I love MINI, Laura]

How old is your MINI?

My sister has basically gone through exactly what you say plus some more. Cost her £1000+ but her MINI is 7 yrs old and sometimes these things happen. I'm sure MINI are not trying to get extra money out of you and they are honest but by all means get someone elses opinion before parting with that much cash!

[oldmots]

Quote: Originally Posted by WHITEY_ (original)

Took the mini in for the oil service and had the usual done, coolant change, oil change, brake fluid change and a health check, which was all fine and dandy, but when I went to go pick the car up later that day I got quite a big shock. Turns out that apparently all the disks and pads need replacing, I was kind of expecting something about the brakes to pop up but not the flippin' disks! thought just the pads or something. The other thing the bloke said was the bl**dy shocks!! he said that they have 'split' which I was really surprised about and quite angry. Are Mini telling me the truth do you reckon or are they just trying to flog me more money? I can honestly say that the shocks are absolutely fine, nothing wrong with the ride while in the car what-so-ever, and to say they've 'split'...what the heck does that mean, how can a shock absorber split? So what I thought was going to be a regular £200 odd service, turns out to be nearly £900 all together (including front tyres as they really do need to be changed also). I havn't bought new shocks, disks and pads YET, because I think the stuff about the shocks and disks is a load of crap and getting it checked out again at the local garage where I know the owner. If the pads and disks DO need replacing do you guys think I should just get them replaced by the standard gear or opt for some branded disks and pads like brembo disks and greenstuff pads? Would very much appreciate some responses.

The only things I know in the front suspension that split are the front lower wishbone bushings. My 03 was just diagnosed with this at 50,000 miles. It is doable oneself but it takes some grunt to change them. It runs $700 at the Dealers.

[mab01uk]

It is certainly possible the brake discs need replacing but do get a second opinion on them and the shocks. Can you feel quite a step on the outer edge of the disc with your fingernail ? It is not that difficult a job but if you are not into diy mechanics an independent Garage will be much cheaper than BMW.
Brake discs used to last for many years but with the banning of asbestos brake materials the discs of modern cars have a much harder time often needing changing with every other set of pads or even every set. Mileage of course depends on the type of driver you are !
On my own MINI all the pads and both front and rear discs had to be replaced at 30,000 miles.

[WHITEY_]

OK, well it has done 38k miles and is an 03 Mini One. Not sure about the fingernail outer disk thing but I looked at them tonight and felt around on them (fronts) and they feel absolutely fine. As for the shocks, how would you know if they're faulty? because i was going over speed bumps tonight with the windows open with my head out the window listening for creaks and the like and couldn't hear a thing just sounds and feels smooth (considering the stiffness of mini suspension). I think pads and disks fair enough but shocks...wtf, can't be. Might have to buy some aftermarket brake gear like drilled disks and better pads as the brakes on minis aren't too great, according to lohen.

[saxon1]

girlfriend took her mini d in for service, cost £270 plus vat, dealer then quoted £50 to change wipers, which we sourced from halfords for £18, also quoted £200 for front pads(not including discs) and £300 for rear(also not including discs!!!) got front and rears for £22 and £30 from halfords and rear discs from swedish german french for £55,me and girlfriends son completed work in 2 hours, rear discs were badly worn and beemer obviously didnt check them as offside rear wheel was nigh on welded to hub,they didnt grease hub centre as written and signed off in service schedule, oil change service due soon and it wont be going to beemer garage!!

[mini-millie-n-dan]

Had an email from onlineautomotive.co.uk (bought an exhaust from them last month) during April they are running an offer where if you buy any set of brake discs you can get the pads for 1p!!! A good offer, just thought I'd let you lot know if you want to DIY.

[beej]

hi whitey,

Quote: Originally Posted by oldmots (original)

The only things I know in the front suspension that split are the front lower wishbone bushings. My 03 was just diagnosed with this at 50,000 miles. It is doable oneself but it takes some grunt to change them. It runs $700 at the Dealers.

My Cooper S, also 50,000 miles, has also just been diagnosed with needing wishbone bushes replaced.

The dealer has quoted £340 for parts and 3 hrs work, and Lohen have quoted £390 for 4 hrs work but nicer-sounding powerflex parts

When I found my discs and pads needed replacing at about 40,000 miles, I replaced them with GTT brakes and kevlar pads, as it cost no more than having BMW do it with the factory parts. In fact, I think it cost a tiny bit less, but I've only just got round to doing the sensors

[batou]

Sorry couldn't read your post very well, too much text in one block so I stopped halfway lol.

* Brakes & Pads can wear out at the same time depends... I think you get 2 pads to a disk if you don't give them too much stick.
* Supension, both my wishbone bushes were split at 35k replaced at 1320 the other week for less than £250 (replaced with superflex poly bushes).

If I was to go back in time to when my disks pads needed changing at the same time I'd have fitted an MBK ( medium brake kit ) like the JCW one lol. If it bothers you that much get a second opinion or check them yourself instead of ranting, disks wearing out isn't an unusual thing.

[B1ANK]

Lohen charged me £210 inc vat for lower wishbone bushes, i buy pads at BMW and get my local garage to fit them, cost £20 for fitting of pads last time...
Servicing is always carried out at Mini dealership... Even though i do think they are ***** it adds value to the car with a full service history...

[CCroker]

If you can remove the wheels yourself, get a mm rule measure and measure the width of the rotors. There is a minimum wear # stamped on the rotor edge. Do not include ridge on outside edge of rotor. If your rotor is within this measure they are OK. If not replace both. You can find good sets of rotors on Ebay for 1/3 price of dealer and upgraded dust free pads anywhere. Open bonnet (hood) and check the rubbers at the TOP of the shock towers ( top of shocks ) these split with age. This is probably what the dealer meant. I have seen quite a few 03 Cooper and S with these split. Not easy to do, but doable by a good garage.

[batou]

Quote: Originally Posted by B1ANK (original)

Lohen charged me £210 inc vat for lower wishbone bushes, i buy pads at BMW and get my local garage to fit them, cost £20 for fitting of pads last time...
Servicing is always carried out at Mini dealership... Even though i do think they are ***** it adds value to the car with a full service history...

I think for main services BMW it's true about value but I think taking your car to a mini specialist for other things won't devalue the car, only in the eyes of an incompetent buyer.

I'm keeping the car as long as I can and I'd rather it be worked on by a proper expert (which is not always what you get from BMW) rather than risk it. If I ever sell it and a buyer questions my extra, over servicing thats done by Mini specialists and not BMW and asks for money off they will hear two words they won't like second of the two being "OFF".