Is the "Inspection II" required???
#1
Is the "Inspection II" required???
Hi All -
I have a question for the collective.
Is the Inspection II really required? What happens if I don't do it?
From the sounds of it, they go through a systems check, look for codes or issues. I am planning on doing the service myself once the 3 year/ 36K expires. Not really sure I want to spend $500 at the dealership for a look see. Besides, I am not sure the dealership would know how to service it based on what I have seen from the front office.....
Comments appreciated.
Mark
I have a question for the collective.
Is the Inspection II really required? What happens if I don't do it?
From the sounds of it, they go through a systems check, look for codes or issues. I am planning on doing the service myself once the 3 year/ 36K expires. Not really sure I want to spend $500 at the dealership for a look see. Besides, I am not sure the dealership would know how to service it based on what I have seen from the front office.....
Comments appreciated.
Mark
#4
MINI Inspection II - details....
Originally Posted by maginter
...Is the Inspection II really required? What happens if I don't do it? From the sounds of it, they go through a systems check, look for codes or issues. I am planning on doing the service myself once the 3 year/ 36K expires. Not really sure I want to spend $500 at the dealership for a look see. Besides, I am not sure the dealership would know how to service it based on what I have seen from the front office...
#5
Originally Posted by iriemanhq
Unless you're out of warranty, Inspection II should be free. If you are out of warranty, personally, I think it's worth the $500... (see attachments). Of course I'll admit I am very much not automotively inclined. HTH...
Can anyone else think of anything else that would be voided?
Thanks,
Mark
#6
Originally Posted by maginter
Can anyone else think of anything else that would be voided?
#7
Originally Posted by iriemanhq
Unless you're out of warranty, Inspection II should be free. If you are out of warranty, personally, I think it's worth the $500... (see attachments). Of course I'll admit I am very much not automotively inclined. HTH...
Where were you able to get copys of the inspection? That would be a nice resource to have.
Mark
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#10
Originally Posted by maginter
Hey iriemanhq - Where were you able to get copys of the inspection? That would be a nice resource to have. Mark
On a related note, I forgot to mention earlier that I had my "Inspection II" done at 23,000k, since I had passed the 3-year mark anyway and I'm a good schmoozer (at least I like to think so). I got new fluids and a brake job and whatever tweak-back-to-spec stuff they do. Whatever they did, it drove like a brand new MINI until I sold it a month later.
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Originally Posted by whovous
I was quoted about $800 for my Inspection II, somewhere north of 60,000 miles. As that was on top of about $800 to replace a broken power steering motor, I decided to do without a good part of it. Got the belt, however.
the service is a maintenance service, not too complicated. meaning there's no valve adjustment or timing chain replacement, or that kind of heavy work...
so if you are mechanically inclined save the money and do it yourself.
it will not void the warranty. plus is more time you spend with your car!
#14
#15
Poly-V belt = supercharger and accessory drive belt.
It's not really complicated, but does require removing a wheel and fender liner to gain access to all the pulleys. Also requires a tool to release the belt tensioner.
They 'check' a lot of things, so I guess that's where the price goes up, in addition to the belt and labor required.
It's not really complicated, but does require removing a wheel and fender liner to gain access to all the pulleys. Also requires a tool to release the belt tensioner.
They 'check' a lot of things, so I guess that's where the price goes up, in addition to the belt and labor required.
#16
Well, this was the same dealer that charged me $330 to remove four runflats and replace them with four real tires. I felt like I was kinda stuck with them for the power steering motor, but not for the whole $800 special. I do not recall what all it involved beyond the belt, all fluids and filters. It did not seem like an awful lot for the money, I recall that.
#18
Go over the list and do whatever you can easily do yourself.
Ask the dealer to do only the items you didn't do yourself.
Should save quite a bit (and **** them off a little).
For me it would be:
Rust inspection.
Read out diagnostic system (although I can read out the obdII codes myself ...
there are some other codes - airbag, abs, etc., that I can't access).
Flush coolant if at 4 years since last done (easier for them to do it).
Replace poly V-belt (don't have the tool - although Haynes says for the MC
I could use a 3/8 inch ratchet amd a 4 mm pin).
Examine SRS airbag components.
Ask the dealer to do only the items you didn't do yourself.
Should save quite a bit (and **** them off a little).
For me it would be:
Rust inspection.
Read out diagnostic system (although I can read out the obdII codes myself ...
there are some other codes - airbag, abs, etc., that I can't access).
Flush coolant if at 4 years since last done (easier for them to do it).
Replace poly V-belt (don't have the tool - although Haynes says for the MC
I could use a 3/8 inch ratchet amd a 4 mm pin).
Examine SRS airbag components.
Last edited by cristo; 04-29-2007 at 08:10 PM.
#19
#20
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Weeblegabber West (aka WLA)
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I had the Inspection II done by my favorite independent mechanic (his wife owns a MINI, and is a good pal) here in Florida last week, on my roadtrip. I was only charged about $340, and I had him install new stainless steel brakelines (which I provided), and tweak my a/c. I think the inspection is a good idea, but recommend that you don't go to a MINI Dealership if you have a good independent shop as an alternative.
#21
If your MINI is an automatic, they change the fluid and reset the adaptation values for the transmission control unit. A big +.... Can really save a buck in gas mileage of the reseting of the adaptations [or shift quality]. The engine belt is important, and so is the checking of ABS and Airbag faults.
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#23
So if it's still under warranty it would be worth it, but if it's not under warranty it's not worth spending the $7-800 for a belt change. Thats what I'm gathering from this thread.
The meat of it is to flush the coolant, brakes, and change the belt. The rest is inspections only.
If the belt goes it won't hatch the motor, so it's not critical, just inconvenient. Coolant is nice to change out, but not for $700, and in theory should last longer than the date of the inspection.
If it's under warranty it they may catch an issue, but most likely not. So the cost/benefit is leaning more on skipping it and pocketing the $700+ for future issues. The three main things like coolant brakes and the belt change wouldn't cost that at a regular shop.
How often are people right on the verge of ending the warranty at inspectionII? I would think it would be very close to the end for most cars. I suppose there's always the peace of mind that a Mini mechanic inspected the car right before the warranty ended. That may be worth something to some people.
The meat of it is to flush the coolant, brakes, and change the belt. The rest is inspections only.
If the belt goes it won't hatch the motor, so it's not critical, just inconvenient. Coolant is nice to change out, but not for $700, and in theory should last longer than the date of the inspection.
If it's under warranty it they may catch an issue, but most likely not. So the cost/benefit is leaning more on skipping it and pocketing the $700+ for future issues. The three main things like coolant brakes and the belt change wouldn't cost that at a regular shop.
How often are people right on the verge of ending the warranty at inspectionII? I would think it would be very close to the end for most cars. I suppose there's always the peace of mind that a Mini mechanic inspected the car right before the warranty ended. That may be worth something to some people.
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#25
i think its deff worth it, engine belt, air filter if still stock reading all codes from car not just the DME. and if the car is under warranty then any leaks or wear in any parts will be covered or noted to the costumer. takes about 3 hours done right. but its worth the money.
if you have the skills, do it yourself or get a good independent shop to do it. i've had cars come back with faults in the stuff they say they "check". a busy dealer will spend only the minimal amount of time necessary to get the car out and move onto the next job.