New Mini Owner

Discussion in 'Starting Line - New Member Introductions' started by SgtMajor, Sep 23, 2016.

  1. SgtMajor

    SgtMajor New Member

    Sep 23, 2016
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    Hello All.....purchased my Mini a couple months back.....Love the car thus far, however, just scheduled my first service. (10K mile)

    Asked about tire rotation.....was quoted $30 per tire????? $120 bucks just to rotate tires?? Hmmmmm.....maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. That's WAY more than it costs for my Benz.....must be something I'm missing somewhere. (smile)

    Here's a pic of my new ride:

    DSCN0483_zpsxmbfiixo.jpg

    Cheers!

    Steve
     
  2. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    Welcome!!
    Think you need a new shop if they want $120 to rotate your tires unless they a rebalancing and rotating...even then, it is a bit high....
    Some systems on a MINI are pretty generic....tires and brakes meet that "generic" label, and can be safely be "farmed out" to a non dealer shop....
    Some areas are best left for a specialist....but tires, nope.
     
  3. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to Motoring Alliance the bestest MINI forum on the interweb !!
     
  4. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

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    Nice BMW Mr. Benz. Not all stealerships are created equal. Also, you could just rotate them yourself and pocket any expense. That car an auto trans? Looks... beachy. Also, if you drive in any form of a spirited manner I'd cut the service interval in half. It's a MINI after all :)
    Welcome!
     
  5. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to M/A! :Thumbsup:

    Nice ride, but, as stated above, tire rotation/balancing should NOT be what was quoted to you...figure on about $50-$60...TOPS! If you have runflats, consider a set of non-runflats and a Slime Kit. Non-runflats are worlds better than the former, anyway, and last a lot longer for a lot cheaper replacement prices.

    Again, WELCOME!
     
  6. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    Welcome!

    That is a really high price for a tire rotation, even with balancing. BTW, I am really impressed at how evenly my tires wear, especially since MINIs are front-wheel-drive.

    As for maintenance schedules, I personally use the factory recommendations, but I check my oil level often. MINIs use oil. I don't know where it goes, but I always have to add oil between changes.

    CD
     
  7. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Welcome to MA! Nice mini, welcome to the addiction.
     
  8. eMINIparts

    eMINIparts Well-Known Member
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    Mar 13, 2012
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    Welcome to the coolest MINI forum on the net.................:cool:
     
  9. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    I keeping looking at the picture of your car and the wheels don't appear to be made of lead. :biggrin5:
     
  10. SgtMajor

    SgtMajor New Member

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    Thanks Everyone for the replies......Glad to hear I'm not crazy as I too feel like the quoted price was a little high. (What am I saying.....$120 for tire rotation....that's crazy!!)

    They are the run flats which I'm okay with. I'm old and drive that way so the tires don't get much abuse. Almost 85% of my driving is freeway travel as I use my mini for a work car so I will probably either take the car in to one of the local tire shops....or just say to heck with it and watch the wear closely.

    Anyway.....thanks again for "Welcome's" ......glad to be here and love the car so far...One of my favorites!!

    Cheers!!
    Steve
     
  11. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't invest much time or money into making those run-flats last forever. If you drive a lot on concrete highways, you probably feel every single expansion joint. There is a reason they have the nickname, "run-rocks."

    CD
     
  12. SgtMajor

    SgtMajor New Member

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    That's funny!! I've already looked at a couple options down the road, however, haven't done any research etc. I've always had good luck running Michelin's in the past, even though they tend to run a little higher "price wise" than other's. I'm sure there are a LOT of good tires out there.....when the time comes I'll switch for sure. My personal opinion are "run flats" are WAY over priced anyway.....but again......just my opinion.

    Cheers!
     
  13. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    You will be surprised in the difference in ride quality when you get rid of the run rocks.
     
  14. SgtMajor

    SgtMajor New Member

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    Really? WOW!! And here I was already impressed with the ride quality. (smile) Not sure if much of anything can help these poor California roads......I think about the worst in the U.S., however, there are sections that are still enjoyable driving. I head North in a couple days towards central California. One of two trips I have left and I truly enjoy the drive, especially this time of year. Should be top down most of the way and it's ALWAYS nice to get away from SoCal traffic, if even for a few days.

    Now you've made me want to go purchase new tires. (smile) I'll have to start researching a little.

    Many Thanks!

    Cheers!!
     
  15. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    I'm 70...retired in 2002 after serving a 30 year sentence teaching high school Spanish and English. :devil: I bought MY MCS new in 2006 and it will hopefully remain in the stable until I can no longer drive it. It came with run flats and in the beginning, I loved them...until I found the didn't last more than 25k and cost a small fortune to replace. Miles are normally on the freeway and in town. Occasionally, there are twisties [like the Tail of the Dragon, during MOTD] and track days to add drama to this old guy's life.

    Old is what one wants to believe. At 70, I don't see myself as old...just a more mature guy still looking for some driving fun. :Thumbsup:
     
  16. SgtMajor

    SgtMajor New Member

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    Same here......Age is nothing more than a state of mind. I turn 62 in about 5 weeks, having retired in 2000 from the military. (28 years) I'm looking for my "LAST Car".....which I thought perhaps might be my new Mini. Still might be.....but I'm taken back at the cost of maintenance......or at least my "perceived" cost since finding out my dealership is wanting $120 just to rotate tires! I've always heard rumors from friends that BMW service is expensive once the warranty runs out.......might have to give some thought to that.

    For the time being....I'm truly enjoying this little bugger and guess I best be getting around. With the rain we've had lately, my car is a mess and need to get her all polished up again.

    Cheers!!
     
  17. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    My run flats were done at 30,000 miles. I put Continental Controlcontact sport AS tires on my car. They were half the price of run flats. The biggest difference I notice is that they are quieter.

    $120 to rotate your tires! That's terrible. I only took my car to the dealer for the free stuff, while it was under warranty.

    Discount Tire rotates your tires for free, if you bought them there.
     
  18. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    And, discounttiredirect.com ships for free. :Thumbsup:
     
  19. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    Welcome Aboard!
     
  20. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

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    Some Michelin Pilot Super Sports will put a huge smile on your face. They're fantastic, grippy when you need it, extremely quiet over any bumps/cracks in the road, and they ride very smooth. :Thumbsup:
     

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