[thehotrock]

How long, on average, does everyone wait for an oil change at their Mini dealer?? I waited a good 1 hour and 45 minutes for mine, and was just curious as to everyone else's experiences. Not sure if I should be upset or relieved here.

[stryder]

I think it depends what your dealer did. If you had any other service issues, either that you mentioned, or they pulled up automatically when they typed in your VIN it could take much longer. Does your reciept only say Oil change?

Also, was this the 1st 10K oil change, or a later one? The later ones aren't just oil changes, they're a service, and include more things.

Barring that 1:45 seems a bit long but nothing too awful, unless of course they promised it'd be done in 30 minutes. Personally, I never had just an oil change, so I can't comment specifically.

[Goonery]

Styder is right, the dealer will also carry out any service items that are not recall but to be done at the first opportunity, software upgrades, adjustments , change parts etc. If you need the car back quickly , its best to let the dealer know in advance, so that you an have any longer jobs done at a separate time and date.

[thehotrock]

all it was was a oil change (7000 miles, no service). and it was scheduled. they did change a recall part having something to do with the steering column. but i doubt that could have added much time. i was just curious anyway as to others experiences. thanks for the posts.

[stryder]

Haven't heard of the steering recall, but it should (usually at least) show the labor even if it was free on your invoice. Sometimes small parts do take 30 min or an hour to change if there's a lot of digging and removing necessary to get to it.

In any event, Next time make them promise to get it done at a certain time, I've had good experiences saying 'Ok, I'll bring it in, but I have to be somewhere in an hour, can you do it?' If they agree to a certain time, you have more weight if they screw it up. I think dealers tend to forget how boring it is sitting in the waiting room.

[gtshnzr]

Best bet is to drop it off in the ayem, get a loaner or a ride to work, and then pick it up after 5. The only time this didn't work was when the Lexus dealer had my old car all day and didn't go get a non-OEM bolt to finish the car. So, I fired them and bought a MINI instead of the IS 300 I had my eye on. And never looked back.

[stryder]

Except not every dealer gives loaner cars.... I had to wait a few times for short things. My dealer got me a rental when they needed the car for a few days, but for 'normal' use they only offered loaners to people who bought from their sales dept, and I moved into the area already owning.

But yes, given the choice, just leaving is better.

[markjenn]

With the paperwork and general overhead associated with going to the dealer for anything, I think 1 hr 45 min is a little long but far from out of bounds. I've waited once while on a trip and let the guys know that I wanted to get going. The whole thing took about 1 hr 15 mins and I think they were doing everything they could to move it along given all the paperwork and the 20 or so cars that they were checking in for service at the time.

Beyond two hours, I'd start to be annoyed if I was waiting and was told they could get me in the front of the queue.

BTW, most Mini dealer wash your car no matter what is done, so if you don't want them to do this, it will often save significant time.

- Mark

[Goonery]

I've thought some more, 1 hour 45 minutes at my dealer means oodles of great coffee, bacon sandwiches or patisserie type cakes dependent on time of day, comfy sofa's, all the daily news papers, TV, brochures and latest Magazines, and other BMW and MINI owners to talk to if the other stuff runs out. IMO not a bad way to spend some time.

[richmds]

Same with me, when we first got our S. I changed out the oil at 1700 miles. Made an appt for 7am, got in and took 1hr.
Dont know if people needed their morning coffee or what, but it was a good thing because after that I bought 3 oil filters and have done all my own oil from that point on. Except for the free scheduled.