MINI TLC Problem

[Mini_Anton]

I have a 52 plate cooper (July 02), and I bought the car at 24,000 miles from a MINI dealership. Its had just had its second service. I had another service at 36,000 miles. Today the car has been taken to the dealership with 48,100 miles on the clock and with my car having TLC, I though it would be included in the TLC package. (5 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first).

Later this afternoon I get a call saying that I'm going to have to pay £300 for the service, as its the fourth service! I was shocked at this, so decided to call MINI and double check my car had TLC, and it does, but apparently the TLC only covers 3 services! Well i wasn't impressed on the phone to find this out, and to be honest I feel a bit conned.

Apparently my car has always had slight earlier services, all via the service clock on the dash. but they have all been a few hundred miles early, and apparently thats why mine has come early. I seriously not impressed about this, and just a warning to others out there who are approaching the 50k mark, about the service. I'm thinking of writing a letter to MINI, because I am not impressed at all, and feel a bit conned. if something says "50k or 5 years, which ever comes first" - thats what you expect really?

Funny though, read on car pages today that 98% of MINI owners take out TLC. the 2% that dint, said that its too good to be true! I sort of understand where they are coming from!

http://www.carpages.co.uk/mini/mini-tlc-xl-04-12-04.asp

Your thoughts please...

[Adrian_T]

Sorry to P on your bonfire but did you read the small print.

I do think that there are a lot of people selling their Minis 2nd Hand and stating the services up to 50,000 miles are covered.

If the car works as per schedule the last service is in the 30,000's and a lot of people know that this is the last service and so are misselling the TLC.

If you read the info from the Mini Website.....


YOUR MINI IS COVERED FOR HOW YOU BENEFIT
1st oil service at approximately 10,000 miles

1st inspection/service at approximately 25,000 miles

2nd oil service at approximately 40,000 miles

1st brake fluid change. Service History fully stamped with MINI Dealer stamps

Fixed cost/inflation proof service

A fully transferable package, that may enhance the resale value of your MINI


This offer is only available if purchased at the same time as you purchase your new MINI.

The moral of the story is don't believe all you hear.

[Capsaisin]

Adrian_T is spot on. Everything is clearly stated in the small print and indeed it is obvious if you count the TLC vouchers, what is covered.
TLC is misleading, the biggest for example is the brake fluid changes. TLC is supposed to cover you for 5 years or 50,000 miles, but the 4th year brake fluid change IS NOT included. Also further observation will reveal that you actually only get 1 full service with TLC and 2 oil changes. Still good value for £100, but perhaps not what might be expected from reading the large print.

[Electric Blue]

Kinda glad I have the TLC XL package thrown in for free then, at least it'll save a few quid (car is at 38K now)

[:: Jon ::]

i had the same problem had to upgrade to the TLC XL @ 40000 miles.. 10k early..

[Parc77]

I spoke to local Mini service dept the other day, just wanted to know if I had to pay the amount (£300 for TLC XL) before 50k or at the first service past 50k...say 56/57k.
Was told that at the next service id have to pay the £300 but if I had a service paid for it and then tried to purchase the TLC XL that they wouldnt allow me to purchase it.

Sorry to hear about the confusion Anton...am sure the TLC XL will be worth it though in the long run

[Mini_Anton]

Well at the moment I'm faced with a £300 bill for a service. I cancelled the service yesterday and this cost came at a shock. The guy at MINI did explain to me that the reason for this costing £300 is that I would get a new fan belt, new spark plugs and air filter and oil checked and other bits and bobs etc etc.

But not only that, but they want another £300 for the TLC XL. Now I do want to get this, but £600 on servicing in one month is one hell of a figure. My dad has an X5 and he says hes never paid that much out in one month on servicing! Anyways, ill keep you posted on what happens....

With regard to the TLC, it is stated incorrectly. The 5 Years or 50k, like you say is very misleading. They should just state the 3 services and thats it. 5 years or 50k doesn't really come into it does it?

[Yellow/Black OneD]

Come on guys, you can't expect your car to cost absolutely nothing at all to run. It is one of the cheapest cars out there to run, and I think at times, we expect just too much.
For example, my Dad has just had his 1st service on his S-Type Diesel at 13,000 miles, and it cost £330. That is basically for an oil service. I rekon in the period that the TLC lasts on my MINI, he would have forked out nearly £1000 in servicing costs, and I would have paid £100 in that period. When you look at it like that, it is a very good deal, and so is the TLC/XL at £300 or whatever it is, but that is just my opinion!!

Come on guys cheer up, just think of the fun to be had inbetween services!

[coded2112]

Could not agree more, the TLC makes v cheap motoring, if you read the small print it is all there. 50k or three years does come into it cos that is roughly how long it lasts for most people!

Try min of £600 every 6k on my last TVR or my brother had an Integrale which never cost less than £1000 every service.

[DaftBoyfriend]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini_Anton

Well at the moment I'm faced with a £300 bill for a service. I cancelled the service yesterday and this cost came at a shock. The guy at MINI did explain to me that the reason for this costing £300 is that I would get a new fan belt, new spark plugs and air filter and oil checked and other bits and bobs etc etc.

But not only that, but they want another £300 for the TLC XL. Now I do want to get this, but £600 on servicing in one month is one hell of a figure. My dad has an X5 and he says hes never paid that much out in one month on servicing! Anyways, ill keep you posted on what happens....

Surely you only need to pay the £300 for the TLC and that will cover your service? So your total bill should be £300.

On another point, how hard are you guys driving your cars or are they modified?

A friend of mine has got a Cooper S which the service indicator didn't call him in for his first service until about 13,000 miles! If this overallowance caries on his 2nd service would be at about 32,500 miles, and his third service at 52,000 miles! which is after the end of the TLC so it wouldn't be free!

From the sounds of it, in the time he would have 3 services some of you guys would have 5 services!!!!! What are you doing that is so different. He's not a slow driver, and will give most cars a run for their money, maybe it's because he drives very smoothly and hasn't modified the car at all.