So I take my 2006 Mini Convertible to Dilawri BMW in Regina for service work. I explain I have a leak and that the fan runs fast and for several minutes after I turn the vehicle off. They say the oil pan gasket is leaking oil, requires a new oil pan gasket, $33.12 in parts and they charged $640.62 to install it. Then add to that they say the power steering pump is still running after the vehicle is turned off and I need a new pump. That little job by itself costed $1325.37. So with all that and an oil change, I drove off $2,362.39 later and drove 70 miles away only to shut off the car and find out that the fan is still running loudly. I called the manager of the service desk and now he tells me, "that is normal, all cars do that." REALLY, then why did I need a new pump if that was normal? He says because I needed one. And their central office will not respond to my emails asking for an explanation of the charges and services. Is this normal customer service care for minis??? Is this car going to drive me to the poor house? Let me know folks - I am beginning to think that only mechanically inclined people should be owning one of these.

 

Greetings, Ladyhawk!

From reading your post, it's not clear if you have a Cooper or an S.

In case you have an S, when you turn off the car, there is a perfectly normal pump/fan noise that will run for several minutes pumping coolant through the turbo to cool it down. Now that the weather has been warming up, I've noticed the pump working a bit harder when I shut down the car.

I'm not sure if that's the noise you are hearing, but I wanted to throw it out there. I can take a video of mine tonight for comparison if you'd like.

Jon

 

An '06 MCSc (R52) is supercharged, not turbo'd therefore the bonnet scoop is funtional.

 

Jon, it is a Mini Cooper S convertible - a video would be great so I could confirm if what my car is doing now is considered normal. Thanks!

 

Sorry to say, but you were taken advantage of. I know you don't want to here that. Don't ever be afraid to get a second opinion and estimate before any work is done. Especially if you Don't know the dealer.

 

Many threads on the forum you will find the spelling altered to 'stealerships'. Don't know where you hail from but this may help find independent shops in your area.

http://soopercooperinfo.com/

There's lots of other good stuff there too. Thousands of links to all sorts of MINI stuff.

 

Ladyhawk...Fly'n'Brick is correct, your car is supercharged, so it will be a bit different than my R56, so I'm assuming the noise you hear may be different than mine. Feel free to PM me if you'd like a video for comparison anyways.

good luck!
j

 

Thanks to all for the info - I stopped the charge on the credit card till the dealership answers my questions.