I just had my wife's 06 MC to the dealer for a CVT fluid flush, since it was seemed to be revving higher than usual and showing other related issues. Well the dealer just called and said when they took out the plug the threads "just came out with it". My wife got the impression that they were replacing the transmission pan, but is not certain and they are closed for the weekend.

They are the only people to service this and did the last flush about 25k miles ago, so I think the pan should be their cost, since it should not strip out on a car this vintage unless they messed it up, either last time or this time. It only has 55k miles.

I am used to doing almost all my own work, so this is my first difficult experience with a stealership. Has anybody else had this issue? If they try to stick a tranny pan and labor on the bill and I object, what is an effective strategy? Threaten to take them to court?

I am concerned they will just refuse to release the car until I pay, so I am tempted to ask them to fax me the bill before I pick up the car. We have their loaner mini, so if we get into a disagreement, they would not have the leverage of leaving me carless.

Ideas?

 

If they are the only ones to service your trans then they should step up and replace it. This should be pretty evident if you've maintained your cvt service schedule at each inspection service interval. I cant see why they would fight ya on this. Good luck

 

The dealer should pay if they striped it.

 

dealer should pay

 

Dealer should def pay especially if they are the only ones that maintain the car ... But will they is the real question.
I would definetly hold on to their car and try to contact your dealer as soon as possible to clear it up. If they resist then contact mini usa and they will probably be able to help you out since they have no affiliations to your dealer and they are more concerned with your overall satisfaction

 

Since you have records of their service...

Usually you can take them to small claims court without a lawyer. In my state the upper limit is $5000. That would not be my preferred solution but if they don't want to settle any other way you can certainly offer them the option.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I ended up having him email me the bill before going any further and found out they wanted to do over $3000 in work. I would not have been happy about it, but probably would have gone ahead, but the write up of work was just not accurate, which made me very uncomfortable. They listed a $750 charge to fix the TPM system and noted it as approved, which we had only asked them to check and decide what the repair would cost. He ended up telling me that was for the transmission flush and replacement pan, but that did not add up and it was listed elsewhere. There was a charge for the 60k service, which should include replacing the serpentine belt, but that was also on another line for another $130. I lost my trust of them and decided to cut and run. I ended up paying $200 for the new transmission pan, but no labor for the replacement. I know it was their fault and I could have fought about it, but that seemed like a reasonable compromise and with my wife 9 months along, I was trying to keep stress to a minimum.

I have always maintained my own cars and I am fairly mechanically inclined, so now that the mini is off warranty I think I will be doing the work in the future. I have already read up on the brake pad/rotor replacement and done that on the mini, along with a brake fluid flush (I got the motive pressure bleeder.) My wife complains that the akebono pads are not as grabby as the oem pads, which I guess is true, but she adjusted pretty quickly. I actually like a bit better control, but I am double her weight even now, so I can see why she likes grabby brakes.

Anyway, sorry for the novel, but thanks to everyone who makes this a great resource. I will be asking in other areas about the other work I need to do, if the "how to"s do not answer all my questions.

Cheers

 

Well that stinks. It might be worth complaining to a GM of the dealership or try to contact MINI USA. It's not like you are out thousands, but if they stripped it, it's their fault. The other sketchy tactics they were using on you would be enough evidence to show how shady they are being and use that act of deception to your advantage...shows their character.