Driver #1 drives 12,000 miles a year. His/her first scheduled maintenance takes place at 10,000 miles. Typically the second (inspection 1) takes place 15,000 miles after that. So, 2 services after 15 months. 15,000 miles later, the third service is due. That's only 30 months, but oops, he/she has gone over their allotted mileage. So, the “typical” driver gets essentially 2 free services.

Driver #2 (Let's call him Kal) drives 6,000 miles a year. His first service is done after a year of driving, but the scheduled maintenance indicator is not reset; that's one service for him. The second takes place when the service interval indicator says it's necessary; because of the intermediate oil change, let's say this takes place at 12,000 miles. This would be the beginning of year 2 of the scheduled maintenance period, so he would have gotten a free oil change anyway on the anniversary, instead he gets the full service due at the first interval. At 18,000 miles, he gets another oil change (assuming he's been nice to his SA) based on time and not mileage. Okay, so he has to pay for inspection 1 when it comes around, but in reality he's gotten 3 services when the “typical” driver gets only 2. All of this in addition to the full warranty and being able to bring it in anytime for all the squeaks and rattles he wants. Sounds like a great deal to me!

I don't mean to pick on you Kal, but I don't feel like you've really thought through your position on this. You're not being screwed because you're atypical. You're not being screwed at all.

$500 for an oil change? Nah, I'll pass. :)

G.

Take this scenario of two drivers, say A and B. Driver A does 20,000 miles a year so he/she will be able to take full advantage of the prepaid maintenance program because they will reach the 36k limit before the 3 year time limit. This is because they will have utilized the full program via the mileage limit. Driver B does 6000 miles a year, but due to the nature off the maintenance program having a limit of 3 years he/she will not be able to take full advantage of the prepaid maintenance program. This is because by time 36k comes around the 3yr limit has passed. Perhaps this is me but I would think for the maintenance program it should be 3year/36k, which ever comes later. The time limit on the maintenance program would be like MINI saying your car comes with turn signals and we have noted from the OBC that you have not used them so we are going to disable them.

I understand that the BTB warranty has a mileage and time limit, which I agree with. As for having this prepaid program as an option, per the MA's answer to my original question it will still cost me either way.

One final note and not trying to beat a dead horse, but the program is not free, the cost has been rolled into the selling price just like the BTB warranty, the engine, paint, electronics, wheels, tires….etc. Because it is marketed as a free program does not mean it is. If the maintenance program were truly free, then yes the time limit would be fair because if you are not able to take advantage of it you have not lost anything.

That's why it is called 3 yrs. OR 36,000 miles – whichever comes first. Read the fine print – it works the same as a warranty.

How is MINI accomodating someone “who drives the other extreme”? I'm not sure what you mean by the other extreme, but the 3yrs/36K miles averages 12K a year – which is more than likely below the nationwide average. MINI is not going to give me any special treatment when I hit 36k within 2 years. I've used up my miles at that point and that's my choice just as much as it is your choice to drive your MINI as much or as little as you like.

However, I think you have the wrong perspective on the scheduled maintenance plan. MINI isn't really “charging” you for it. Yes, it's true that the car may be slightly more expensive than it could have been because of it, but it's not an option that you can just not have put on the car. If that was the case, how many people would choose not to get it then complain about how expensive the cars are to maintain at the dealer?

You're not being penalized as you like to put it. Your car comes with a warranty, too, I'll bet you'd be pissed off if you ever had to use that!

Don't get me wrong, they are totally willing to take my order. I fact, I had previously spoken to anothe sales guy there that said that they would be able to take my order this early, but he wasn't working yesterday. The Mini dealership that I have dealt with (Moritz, TX) has been very patient and understanding with me and all my questions.

Just for the record… I totally understand the feeling of many about an automatic S. But I have a left kneecap that is 1 and 1/2 inches out of place. I drive a standard now, but it's a very soft clutch and my leg aches if I drive it too much. I've drive the MC CVT, MC standard, and the MCS standard (convertible). The MCS was enough of a difference that I am willing to wait an extra 6 months. I am happy that I will be able to own an S, even with my bad leg, and glad that Mini decided to provide an option. I guess I'm just saying “I have an excuse”. If I didn't have the bad leg, then I would be in the standard only camp myself.

If you equate MINI dealers and the MINI faithful, you're making a dreadful mistake. Most dealers couldn't care less what cars they're selling as long as the cars are selling.

I would challenge anyone to find a dealer that flat-out won't take an order. I can understand why some dealers won't take orders for January now, since it's so far away, but otherwise I doubt there's a dealer out there that would refuse anyone's money.

http://www.club4ag.com/faq%20and%20techpages/limitedslipsdifferential101.htm

Everyone I have talked to says that delivery will be in February. I live in Texas. I actually went to drive an S today, I had my checkbook in my pocket and my configuration in my hand. But they wouldn't take my order for the automatic this far in advance.