Extended Maintenance Contract?

[tdsjbrown]

Hi All,

I just picked up my Cooper S and the dealership offered an Extended Maintenance contract. $1495.00 extends the maintenance from 3 yr / 36,000 to 6 yr / 100,000. I plan to keep the car for at least 6 yrs but I don't plan to drive it more than 10,000 per year.

Does anybody have any experience with these plans? Is it worth it for me in your opinion?

Thanks,
David Brown

[MINIAC]

Is your MINI new? If not how many miles does it have and how many miles are left until the next service?

What does the dealer charge for an Inspection 1 Service, Inspection 2 Service, coolant flush and brake fluid change?

[tdsjbrown]

The car is brand new, about 9800 miles to the first recommended service. The extended service contract is offered by Mini so it is usable at any dealer and transferable with the car. I don't know about the cost of the service items you mentioned but I will check.

[OttoMannS]

I purchased the 6 year/100K mile plan extension yesterday after picking up my '05 R53 Cooper S from service. I paid $1,395 plust tax. Now my car has its maintenance prepaid until March 2014 or 100K miles whichever occurs first.

This extension of the free 3 year/36K scheduled maintenance is a fantastic deal!

And best of all, the entire clutch mechanism is covered! Just replacing the clutch kit on a MINI post-warranty can run you up a bill in the $2,500 range!.

Brakes, rotors, pads, wipers, oil, filters, clutch, belts, etc are all covered. For $1,395 this is a STEAL!

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by tdsjbrown (original)

The car is brand new, about 9800 miles to the first recommended service.

I'm surprised your miles to service reading is so low on a new R56. One owner reported having a 2 month old R56 with 3300 miles and still 18000 miles to go before servicing. A date should also be displayed on the service interval counter.

Quote: Originally Posted by tdsjbrown (original)

I plan to keep the car for at least 6 yrs but I don't plan to drive it more than 10,000 per year.

The R56 goes even longer between Inspection Services than the 1st Gen MINI. Certain things if not covered by an Inspection Service need to be changed based on build date ... oil every 2 years, brake fluid every 2 years, coolant every 4 years.

Based on your anticipated yearly mileage, at least 1 Inspection Service (includes oil change), 1 oil change, 2 brake fluid changes, 1 coolant flush and most likely a brake replacement would be required during years 4 - 6. Getting the extended warranty probably makes unless you do these things yourself or have an independent mechanic who does them for less.