Question Most liked posts in thread: Help--is my car past the point of no return?

Welcome to M/A!

I have 3 "new" MINIs. One is an '03 R50 and the other 2 are '06 MCSes. All 3 have had mechanical problems over the years, which I have had repaired. I love my cars and will not get rid of them even though I am heading towards my 80s in 5 more years, God willing. Of the 3, I bought one of the MCSes right off the lot NEW, and have had few problems with it, even though it is modded and has been driven to the Dragon as well as with BMWCCA on various tracks. My wife's car is the other MCS and is pretty much bone stock. I bought it used and it has had a lot of problems but was repaired correctly and still makes her happy driving it. I bought my R50 less than a year after it was sold new. It had the worst transmission BMW ever made, a CVT. It lasted around 60,000 miles before it gave out and I replaced it with a remanufactured CVT, because BMW does not manufacture them anymore. Even though it was nearly $7,000 to replace it, the remanufactured one is even better than the first one and is going strong with no hiccups at all. It now has over 95k and I expect it to go well into the 100,000s.

The bottom line for me was to get my cars repaired at reputable shops...ones that can be trusted. That's the advice I'd give you. I'd go with detroittuned.com or that shop in Montrose. and, listen to MCS02...a good guy, trustworthy and knowledgeable.

 

What everyone else said..
The dealers dont always offer the best deals on service, and possibly some of that work can be deferred to help spread out costs.

My local guy for many years has been Import Service Center in Glenview, but if your car isnt running it will be tough to get it anywhere for additional estimates.

 

I haven't posted on this forum in a looong time but your question has raised my ire. Thank the dealership for their efforts, get your dear Kitten (couldn't find that character on my ascii table) out of that shop and find a reliable German motor independent shop in your area, I'm sure whatever needs done can be less than that and some of that they claim may not need done. Other MINI people where you live can point you in the right direction. Dealerships make their living on finding things to replace whether or not they need replaced.

 

Most of those prices look spot-on for what I'd expect from the dealership (but probably 30-40% high for what a quality, independent shop should charge).

Detroit is a long way away, but Chicago should have some shops that know their way around MINIs. Go find your local club (they should have their own website or at least a facebook group) and ask for some recommendations of good wrenches. It will be worth the towing fee to have the car taken to a quality, independent shop (and they can probably quote you a new price based on the list you have, above).

 

[QUOTEif gear shift cables are needed $825[/QUOTE]
Made me go look. I had shifter cables replaced just this year (at near 140K miles) at just a hair over half of what they quoted you. My guy had it done in about an hour and a half with no book and it was the 1st one he'd ever done. Luckily, it broke with the box in 3rd gear. With some delicate clutch and throttle modulation I could get my little guy moving then drive to the shop.

 

My quick thought would be what mileage and condition is the car in ?? Did you take it to the dealer because you were having problems ?? By all means if there is a reputable independent repair shop in your area I would get an estimate for repairs needed.

 

You have to decide if the car is worth it to you or do you prefer to have a car payment. These car require servicing and with all that needs to be done on your car it sounds like you have neglected yours. I have a 2005 MCS that a got new and have spent a lot on but I plan on never selling it , but that's just me.

 

Oh and welcome to Motoring Alliance.

 

How many miles on tour car and do you like to drive it?

 

Good luck with the repairs and let us know how everything turns out.

 

Uhaul Tow Dolly, and Detroit Tuned here I come...


Insert image of appropriate MINI....

 

Hmmmm...that "might" be a tad difficult for her if her S IS the vehicle that would be on the tow dolly...especially if her S is her only car...........................

 

Perhaps she has a biker friend.....

 

If so, let's hope that friend has adequate snow tires for that trip....

 

I had to go and do some Googling after seeing the photo of the motorcycle towing the car, above. The video is obviously not in the US, but it looks like a great way to get through backed-up traffic from an accident to get the cars off of the road (looks to have a speed limitation... not going to cruise at 65 MPH). https://www.starbikeforums.com/threads/honda-gold-wing-motorcycle-tow-truck-that-tows-cars.77801/

 

Not being some kind of towmaster guru but being familiar with towing that looks to be a very sketchy setup. If’n you were towing on very flat terrain at low speed maybe but any other conditions would seem to be a catastrophic accident waiting to happen.