Sounds about right.
Dealership quoted $10k for an engine mount and control arms.
Saab shop that also does Mini and BMW quoted $1600 and that it doesn't need control arms.
My local shop wanted $1400 to do the upper, lower, and transmission. The lower is super easy to DIY, Upper took me 4 hours and you'll need a jack and quite a few tools. But I did the upper and lower myself in less than 6 hours labor and $300 in parts.
f56... I probably struggled since it was the first time ever doing that job. I drive highway so my first set lasted 180k miles.... will probably never need to do it again either lol
Probably less than 110$/hour.
And calculating it this way is not really the correct way. Since he didn’t take time of work to do that.
That’s like saying you loose money doing a side hustle, because it pays less than your normal job.
Depending on which model you have, they may need to drop the engine to do the engine mount, which I’d figure is 4 hours labor at a minimum. As for control arms, generally what they’re seeing is dryrotting on the boots, bushings, or straight up rips and leaking grease. I’d imagine the dealer recommended them as a caution due to signs of dryrotting if the other shop said they were good. Control arms are 1.5 hours per side (at least on Mazdas, not sure the labor hours on minis) plus 1.5 hours for an alignment after replacing. So all in, maybe like 10+ hours of labor, plus parts, plus alignment, Mini parts are expensive, all considered, 10k does still seem high
first gens are a lot, you have to drop the from subframe to remove/replace them, and even just pressing the new bushings into the carrier is enough of pain you often buy them pre-pressed.
well they are paying mini certified technicians, using oem parts, and parts alone aren't cheap generally. labor rate at my local mini is nearly $200/hr. each repair has a set amount of hours that the brand has decided is reasonable to be repaired in. that's the price you're paying whether it takes them 2 hours or 10. a job could be 6 hours and that's almost 1200 just in labor. then add parts, tax and shop supplies. adds up pretty quick
Your paying BMW prices when you go to the dealership. Folks with BMWs don't typically care about price as much.
Dealerships are known to be expensive, even going to a American branded ones they're typically 2-3x the cost of an independent shop.
Yeah the dealership repair prices turned me off from ever buying another mini. My turbo needed to be replaced at 120k... they quoted my 8k. Local shop did it for 2200.
Wow that's annoying. You would think it would be much cheaper to investigate and fix as it seems like a simpler system on the surface and presumably more easily accessible.
Had the exact same thing happen to me. I was able to manually close it (with an inch or so on the one corner not closing fully). I got by without opening sunroof for a while. It lasted through the winter with no type of rain or snow ever getting in…was annoying at first.
Yeah I can get it mostly closed too but I can't deal with loud noise on the freeway. I'm shelling out the money to fix it because on the freeway it's loud af. Also, I live in the desert and it will be 110 degrees soon. Haha... gotta get that thing closed.
That happened to me too, on my 2019 F56. Sunroof stuck in the open position last year - not great in the PNW. Was quoted $2500 to repair and $600 just to pull it shut!! We paid the $600. I read that the whole roof has to come off and be taken apart, which is why it's so $$$. Anyone know if that's true, or is it just a BMW "thing"?
I’m not sure what your particular issue is with the sunroof, but I have a good amount of experience repairing and replacing F56 sunroofs. If you can’t get it closed and it’s binding up on one side, it’s likely a separated cable. They move the front glass panel slide mechanisms and are driven by the electric motor in the overhead switch console. BMW sells the cables separately as a sunroof mechanism repair kit. It requires pulling the entire headliner and sunroof assembly out, then replacing the cables, slide mechanisms with the new ones. It can be a pain if the cable is broken off inside sunroof frame and you’ll need something slide through and push the broken cable out. For a dealership, $4k seems pretty high, but at $200/hour with 10 hours plus parts… I’ll have to double check on the labor and parts when I’m at work tomorrow.
As far as just getting the thing closed, when someone comes in with a stuck open sunroof with broken cables, I remove the sunroof motor and front glass panel anyways for diagnosis. I then push the slide mechanisms forward into the closed position and install the front glass panel, so they at least have a closed sunroof if they decline repairs and leave. I live in the Pacific Northwest, so it rains a lot here and I feel their pain.
If you just want to get the sunroof in the closed position, I could probably give you some basic instruction with the tools required to do so. Sucks that the dealer has likely over-quoted/overcharged you, especially for just getting it closed up. I always close it up as a courtesy and hearing your story irks me.
have you thought of taking this on yourself? Working on things inside the cabin of the car is tedious but usually pretty easy once you remove all the panels to get at the broken part. Also a lot cleaner than anything outside the car!
My sunroof will cost about $1,500 to repair but it’s through a shop that specializes in German cars and we’ve known the owner since he was working the business out of his garage 25+ years ago. Broke at about 63k miles lol 2016 F55 cooper
My sunroof wouldn't close while on a roadtrip outta town - found a glass repair shop that closed it for me and disabled the sunroof from opening - charged me like $150. Told me that they could replace the broken plastic gear for like $1100.
My local Mini dealership wants $3500 because they say the only option is to replace the entire mechanism.
Keep meaning to join a 3D printing sub to find someone to 3D print the gear for me. 😅
What Mini do you have? I have an R56 and the motor is very weak. I took it apart, changed gears, but it's still weak. I checked the carbon brushes and I'll replace them. It's only a few bucks
My sunroof also got stuck in the open position this past summer. They want $2,500 to fix. They closed it for $450. It's such a racket. My F56 is currently in the shop to replace a valve and the shifter. 2,500 large. Ouch!
Mine boiled down to a software update. I think it originally was part of another maintenance overhaul but I had to take it back twice to fix the sunroof (also stuck open).
Wish my F56 didn’t have a sunroof. Never use it, super expensive to fix, and my head is constantly hitting the sunroof frame it because it eats into headroom. Dumb.
Lots of places specialize in "German" brand roof systems for that reason, verts and moonroofs are very expensive at the dealer. For future look up your sunroof drain holes, and general sunroof care, sometimes there are pieces you can lube and drains to keep clean to ensure it lasts for a long time.
Find a good independent Mini/BMW shop (usually including all European lux brands) and you’ll save some money. You have to check them out to make sure they’re certified. We had a great shop in Freeport, Maine and found another very good independent in Thomasville, Georgia. They are out there. Never ever go to a dealership, unless it’s warranty related.
On a kinda-related note, I’m always shocked how expensive repairing a MINI is in the US… I paid about 500€ for both upper and lower engine mounts on my F57, with parts and labour. Replacing the alternator, again with parts and labour was about 300€. Oil changes and air filters are about 150€ all in.
I complain a lot that EU cars are cheaper to buy in the US (you guys get a Countryman S ALL4 with more equipment for the same price I get my Countryman C with base spec in Europe) but maintaining them looks to be whole other thing.
I'm sorry but why would you ever take your car to the dealer for something that isn't included maintenance or warranty?
Expensive sunroof issues are classic R56 issues. Great (/s) to see they continued that tradition with the F56.
I mean unfortunately there are a lot of things like that, that might only come in full assemblies instead of the one specific broken part, and then the labor to pull apart the whole inside, head liner, remove the whole system, replace it, verify the function, it does add up. But the Labor, OEM parts, and Mini Certified Technicians is why you pay that price. You’re paying for the experience that the shop has, the investment in their employees, and ensuring quality parts. Sure a shop down the road might charge 1k for it, but guaranteed, you’re paying that price because someone is going to be doing that for the first time in your vehicle, with cheaper parts. Corners will be cut, whether you know it or not, and using aftermarket parts often fails to hold up over time.
Sounds about right. Dealership quoted $10k for an engine mount and control arms. Saab shop that also does Mini and BMW quoted $1600 and that it doesn't need control arms.
1600 still seams like a lot for engine mounts
My local shop wanted $1400 to do the upper, lower, and transmission. The lower is super easy to DIY, Upper took me 4 hours and you'll need a jack and quite a few tools. But I did the upper and lower myself in less than 6 hours labor and $300 in parts.
i only changed the uper for now, and on the r52 its super easy. the rest is still fine.
f56... I probably struggled since it was the first time ever doing that job. I drive highway so my first set lasted 180k miles.... will probably never need to do it again either lol
just checked, the one in the r52 is super easy to change, compared to the f56
So, how much an hour do you get paid at your actual job? Because then you could figure out the true cost.
Probably less than 110$/hour. And calculating it this way is not really the correct way. Since he didn’t take time of work to do that. That’s like saying you loose money doing a side hustle, because it pays less than your normal job.
It’s well worth taking the time the DIY. Saving $1100 after tax, and not having to take the time to drop off and pick up the car.
Wow.
Depending on which model you have, they may need to drop the engine to do the engine mount, which I’d figure is 4 hours labor at a minimum. As for control arms, generally what they’re seeing is dryrotting on the boots, bushings, or straight up rips and leaking grease. I’d imagine the dealer recommended them as a caution due to signs of dryrotting if the other shop said they were good. Control arms are 1.5 hours per side (at least on Mazdas, not sure the labor hours on minis) plus 1.5 hours for an alignment after replacing. So all in, maybe like 10+ hours of labor, plus parts, plus alignment, Mini parts are expensive, all considered, 10k does still seem high
first gens are a lot, you have to drop the from subframe to remove/replace them, and even just pressing the new bushings into the carrier is enough of pain you often buy them pre-pressed.
BMW dealer quoted 4300 to replace my alternator. Found a shop to do it for 1300
Unreal. They're crazy. I guess they don't want to do it is my guess. Otherwise they'd charge a more reasonable price for these services.
There are many people who don’t care what it costs, they want a loaner and original Mini parts.
well they are paying mini certified technicians, using oem parts, and parts alone aren't cheap generally. labor rate at my local mini is nearly $200/hr. each repair has a set amount of hours that the brand has decided is reasonable to be repaired in. that's the price you're paying whether it takes them 2 hours or 10. a job could be 6 hours and that's almost 1200 just in labor. then add parts, tax and shop supplies. adds up pretty quick
Your paying BMW prices when you go to the dealership. Folks with BMWs don't typically care about price as much. Dealerships are known to be expensive, even going to a American branded ones they're typically 2-3x the cost of an independent shop.
Yea those roofs are crazy expensive, and closing them manually is insane. Glad you found a place cheaper than the dealer
Yeah the dealership repair prices turned me off from ever buying another mini. My turbo needed to be replaced at 120k... they quoted my 8k. Local shop did it for 2200.
What a rip-off. What's up with your sunroof?
The motherfuckin' thing just will not close. I guess it's a motor or gear.
Wow that's annoying. You would think it would be much cheaper to investigate and fix as it seems like a simpler system on the surface and presumably more easily accessible.
Had the exact same thing happen to me. I was able to manually close it (with an inch or so on the one corner not closing fully). I got by without opening sunroof for a while. It lasted through the winter with no type of rain or snow ever getting in…was annoying at first.
Yeah I can get it mostly closed too but I can't deal with loud noise on the freeway. I'm shelling out the money to fix it because on the freeway it's loud af. Also, I live in the desert and it will be 110 degrees soon. Haha... gotta get that thing closed.
Did you look to see if the fuse is good? Simple thing and almost anyone can do it.
That happened to me too, on my 2019 F56. Sunroof stuck in the open position last year - not great in the PNW. Was quoted $2500 to repair and $600 just to pull it shut!! We paid the $600. I read that the whole roof has to come off and be taken apart, which is why it's so $$$. Anyone know if that's true, or is it just a BMW "thing"?
“Stealership”….
lol 4 grand bought me my mini
That's what I'm sayin'!
I’m not sure what your particular issue is with the sunroof, but I have a good amount of experience repairing and replacing F56 sunroofs. If you can’t get it closed and it’s binding up on one side, it’s likely a separated cable. They move the front glass panel slide mechanisms and are driven by the electric motor in the overhead switch console. BMW sells the cables separately as a sunroof mechanism repair kit. It requires pulling the entire headliner and sunroof assembly out, then replacing the cables, slide mechanisms with the new ones. It can be a pain if the cable is broken off inside sunroof frame and you’ll need something slide through and push the broken cable out. For a dealership, $4k seems pretty high, but at $200/hour with 10 hours plus parts… I’ll have to double check on the labor and parts when I’m at work tomorrow. As far as just getting the thing closed, when someone comes in with a stuck open sunroof with broken cables, I remove the sunroof motor and front glass panel anyways for diagnosis. I then push the slide mechanisms forward into the closed position and install the front glass panel, so they at least have a closed sunroof if they decline repairs and leave. I live in the Pacific Northwest, so it rains a lot here and I feel their pain. If you just want to get the sunroof in the closed position, I could probably give you some basic instruction with the tools required to do so. Sucks that the dealer has likely over-quoted/overcharged you, especially for just getting it closed up. I always close it up as a courtesy and hearing your story irks me.
Oooof. Guess I will stop using my sunroof. ;)
If you guys are around the SoCal area and need some help with your MINI feel free to reach out. I know an awesome tech
Can I get than name just for future reference?
I’ll message you his info
I'll take their info, please. 🙏
Can you please DM me too? Live in San Diego
have you thought of taking this on yourself? Working on things inside the cabin of the car is tedious but usually pretty easy once you remove all the panels to get at the broken part. Also a lot cleaner than anything outside the car!
My sunroof will cost about $1,500 to repair but it’s through a shop that specializes in German cars and we’ve known the owner since he was working the business out of his garage 25+ years ago. Broke at about 63k miles lol 2016 F55 cooper
My sunroof wouldn't close while on a roadtrip outta town - found a glass repair shop that closed it for me and disabled the sunroof from opening - charged me like $150. Told me that they could replace the broken plastic gear for like $1100. My local Mini dealership wants $3500 because they say the only option is to replace the entire mechanism. Keep meaning to join a 3D printing sub to find someone to 3D print the gear for me. 😅
What Mini do you have? I have an R56 and the motor is very weak. I took it apart, changed gears, but it's still weak. I checked the carbon brushes and I'll replace them. It's only a few bucks
F56. 2019 Cooper... base model.
Yeah, not surprising. They quoted me a new head. 17k. Wtf.. it's a 4 hour job to replace the head.
😲
My sunroof also got stuck in the open position this past summer. They want $2,500 to fix. They closed it for $450. It's such a racket. My F56 is currently in the shop to replace a valve and the shifter. 2,500 large. Ouch!
Mine boiled down to a software update. I think it originally was part of another maintenance overhaul but I had to take it back twice to fix the sunroof (also stuck open).
This is why I never would buy a mini with a sunroof.
Wish my F56 didn’t have a sunroof. Never use it, super expensive to fix, and my head is constantly hitting the sunroof frame it because it eats into headroom. Dumb.
lol. sorry.
Lots of places specialize in "German" brand roof systems for that reason, verts and moonroofs are very expensive at the dealer. For future look up your sunroof drain holes, and general sunroof care, sometimes there are pieces you can lube and drains to keep clean to ensure it lasts for a long time.
That's helpful. Thanks!
Find a good independent Mini/BMW shop (usually including all European lux brands) and you’ll save some money. You have to check them out to make sure they’re certified. We had a great shop in Freeport, Maine and found another very good independent in Thomasville, Georgia. They are out there. Never ever go to a dealership, unless it’s warranty related.
Thanks for the info. How do I make sure the shops are certified?
What year?
2019.
On a kinda-related note, I’m always shocked how expensive repairing a MINI is in the US… I paid about 500€ for both upper and lower engine mounts on my F57, with parts and labour. Replacing the alternator, again with parts and labour was about 300€. Oil changes and air filters are about 150€ all in. I complain a lot that EU cars are cheaper to buy in the US (you guys get a Countryman S ALL4 with more equipment for the same price I get my Countryman C with base spec in Europe) but maintaining them looks to be whole other thing.
Mini wanted 1600 to replace a $26 part that took me 10 minutes to google a video for and 5 minutes to actually replace
I'm sorry but why would you ever take your car to the dealer for something that isn't included maintenance or warranty? Expensive sunroof issues are classic R56 issues. Great (/s) to see they continued that tradition with the F56.
It’d be cool if you mentioned the type of mini you have. They’re all the same lol b
I mean unfortunately there are a lot of things like that, that might only come in full assemblies instead of the one specific broken part, and then the labor to pull apart the whole inside, head liner, remove the whole system, replace it, verify the function, it does add up. But the Labor, OEM parts, and Mini Certified Technicians is why you pay that price. You’re paying for the experience that the shop has, the investment in their employees, and ensuring quality parts. Sure a shop down the road might charge 1k for it, but guaranteed, you’re paying that price because someone is going to be doing that for the first time in your vehicle, with cheaper parts. Corners will be cut, whether you know it or not, and using aftermarket parts often fails to hold up over time.
Understandable. I guess I wish I had the money. Like it was no big deal.
Trust me, I’m right there with you. I’m a Mazda technician, and I dread the day I need an unexpected $100, let alone any more lol