15 replies to this topic

[alliepereira]

Hi all,

 

I've had my mini ('94 spi 1.3i) off the road for 5 years and have just brought him back. I was thinking of taking him for a full service. I have been quoted £200 from a local garage in Hove. Being out of the loop for so long, can anyone please let me know if this price is normal for a full service? Think VAT is on top.

I havent had time to call more garages but I will do - thought I'd ask you lot in here too.

 

Protran Garages - anyone heard or used them and can give feedback? 

 

Thank you!

[Carlos W]

It all depends on what a full service consists of.

You don't fancy giving it a go yourself?

[surfblue]

Minis, especially later fuel injected cars, without points, condenser etc are simple to service.

£200 is way too much. Even if you'd never done it before and had to buy any tools required as well as oil and filters you'd have change from £200, A Haynes manual explains all, or Im sure if you search there will be how to guides on here.

[mab01uk]

Try the Mini Motorsport Centre in Shoreham who also do Classic Minis (Tony Franks was Chief Engineer at John Coopers)

http://minimotorsportcentre.com/

 

12 Western Rd, Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 5WD

01273 446666

[greenwheels]

If it's been off the road for 5 years then you are talking more about a 're-commission' than a full service. Your garage may be thinking they don't want to let you on the road without giving the car a really thorough going over.

You should be looking for a classic car specialist or preferably a Mini specialist. Join your local Mini club and get some recommendations.

[Wiggy]

Doesn't sound too unreasonable to me. Once you tot up:

 

Oil

Oil Filter

Air Filter

Spark Plugs

Leads

Coolant

Thermostat

Fan Belt

Plus a couple of sundries.

 

Plus approx 1.5 to 2 hours labour including greasing all the nipples.

 

Garages aren't cheap.

[MatthewsDad]

I'd want to check whether they are 'only' servicing, or doing a thorough check that goes well beyond replacing consumables. I'd take it to a mini specialist as there are so many mini-specific things that a mainstream garage can and will overlook.

[surfblue]

Doesn't sound too unreasonable to me. Once you tot up:

 

Oil

Oil Filter

Air Filter

Spark Plugs

Leads

Coolant

Thermostat

Fan Belt

Plus a couple of sundries.

 

Plus approx 1.5 to 2 hours labour including greasing all the nipples.

 

Garages aren't cheap.

If I was getting all that for £200 I'd be delighted, cant see too many services being that comprehensive though!

[JXC Mini GT]

Halfords would charge £189 for a full service which would include oil and filter change, air filter change and fluid top ups, all the other items such as brakes, steering, suspension etc would be checks, and work identified would be extra cost.

As previously mentioned many of the checks could be carried out with the help of a Haynes manual.

Good luck

[racingbob]

maybe there's a mobile mechanic around k nows his minis so can come to you and go right thro it

[alliepereira]

Hello all! Wow, thanks for the quick responses. Protran Garages is a classic car (not just mini) specialist, and the guy I spoke to on the phone owns a classic mini himself.

When I asked what the £200 covers he reeled off a long list....this is some of what I caught: 

Oil change

Oil Filter

Spark Plugs

Coolant

Thermostat

Brake fluid

All lights

 

The guy basically said they check "everything".

 

I think there was other stuff too!! I would do it myself but as he's been off the road for a few years I wanted to get him to a decent level then take over from there.

From what I'm ready I'm guessing £200 is not bad if they check everything.....

 

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[Wiggy]

Doesn't sound too unreasonable to me. Once you tot up:

Oil
Oil Filter
Air Filter
Spark Plugs
Leads
Coolant
Thermostat
Fan Belt
Plus a couple of sundries.

Plus approx 1.5 to 2 hours labour including greasing all the nipples.

Garages aren't cheap.

If I was getting all that for £200 I'd be delighted, cant see too many services being that comprehensive though!

That's what I'd describe as a full service, which is what the OP asked for.

Oil and filter service? That's a different story.

[cal844]

Doesn't sound too unreasonable to me. Once you tot up:

Oil
Oil Filter
Air Filter
Spark Plugs
Leads
Coolant
Thermostat
Fan Belt
Plus a couple of sundries.

Plus approx 1.5 to 2 hours labour including greasing all the nipples.

Garages aren't cheap.

If I was getting all that for £200 I'd be delighted, cant see too many services being that comprehensive though!

£500 in bits will get you quite far actually.... I'm quite mechanically handy, so can do most working minis....

Air filters
Oil + filter
Fuel filter (fresh fuel in tank)

Dizzy service items(points, condenser, rotor arm, plugs and leads)

Change all flexible brake and clutch lines
Maybe even a clutch slave cylinder (check and Adjust throw out clearance)

New wheel cylinders if needed

£150 for the above alone, then the rest for the underneath

Check for any welding that's needed

Also check suspension arms, balljoints etc for play, then 2 rear radius arm rebuilds (if they won't accept grease)

Edited by cal844, 09 July 2018 - 03:31 PM.

[Trissy B]

I've used protram before. Nice guys. They were building a lovely mpi when I was there. They know their way around minis.

[Dusky]

200 isnt that bad if theyre using quality oils etc . ( look at the price of 5litres vr1)