SUPERIOR CARE FOR YOUR MINI COOPER

One common theme for all German cars is: maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. If you're not diligent about maintaining your MINI Cooper, the repair bills will add up quickly. But when you do properly maintain your MINI, it will run reliably for a long time and will be more affordable along the way.

Our team of MINI Cooper experts is here to keep your vehicle running at the same high level of performance as it did when it was new.

How? With a combination of fair pricing, a superior warranty and a practical maintenance schedule.

Why Should I Choose VFC Over the Dealer?

We build German race cars. We've won two championships. If we can make the brakes, suspension and engine cooling system perform under extreme racing conditions, then we can certainly ensure your MINI Cooper accelerates, corners and stops exactly as it was engineered to do, whether it has 10,000 or 100,000 miles on the odometer. At VFC Engineering, you'll find unquestionable talent, real-world experience and a commitment to perfection.

Not to mention, the cost of our services tends to be 20 to 30 percent less than the dealer. (Keep in mind that the cost of a repair or maintenance service varies by procedure, vehicle age, mileage and general condition.)

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What Kind of Parts Do You Use?

We use only OEM, or original equipment, replacement parts on your vehicle. In many cases, the OEM parts makers have multiple lines for the same part—good quality, better and best. In some cases, the standard OEM part doesn't perform to our standards, and we will use the higher quality parts line.

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What is Your Repair Warranty?

We guarantee all repairs for 3 years or 36,000 miles. Our warranty is among the best in the business and reflects our confidence in the OEM parts and quality service we provide.

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Do You Offer an Auto Repair Financing Program?

Yes, we offer financing through Bosch Service. You can get 0 percent financing for 6 months on repairs of $299 or more. You can apply online for instant approval or ask us to email you a link.

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What Kind of Parts Do You Use?

We use only OEM, or original equipment, replacement parts on your vehicle. In many cases, the OEM partsmakers have multiple lines for the same part - good quality, better and best. In some cases, the standard OEM part doesn't perform to our standards, and we will use the higher quality parts line.

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What is Your Repair Warranty?

We guarantee all repairs for 3 years or 36,000 miles. Our warranty is the best in the business and reflects our confidence in the OEM parts and quality service we provide.

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Do You Offer an Auto Repair Financing Program?

Yes, we offer financing through Bosch Service. You can get 0 percent financing for 6 months on repairs of $299 or more. You can apply online for instant approval or ask us to email you a link.

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What Common Maintenance or Repairs Do You Recommend?

Here are the most common services or repairs we see on MINIs:

Brake Fluid Flush
There’s a ton of humidity in the air in Chicago, and this moisture can cause a lot of problems with your MINI’s braking system. That’s why we recommend having your brake fluid flushed every 10,000 miles or 2 years (regardless of mileage) to prevent a mushy pedal and corrosion of the brake system from the inside out—your calipers, brake lines, even the ABS module.

Cabin Air Filter
We typically recommend changing the cabin air filter every 8 months on a MINI because, like on BMWs, the cabin filters are more exposed to the elements than on some other car makes. A clean cabin air filter ensures you and your passengers are breathing clean air when you’re in the vehicle with the windows up. When possible, we use an activated charcoal-style filter that cleans the air and prevents mold and mildew buildup.

Coolant Flushes
This is one of the most important maintenance services you can do on your MINI. Because MINIs have electronically controlled thermostats and water pumps, it is important to ensure the engine coolant is clean and not corrosive or full of dirt and contaminants. Continuing to drive with old, corrosive coolant will likely destroy the thermostat and water pump, which is a costly repair. How often will your coolant need to be flushed? It depends, which is why we check your coolant level and condition as a routine part of every service visit.

Engine Air Filter
We recommend a new engine air filter every other year. And depending on availability, we’ll upgrade you to a cold weather or severe duty filter, which is thicker and will do a better job of filtering the air going into the engine. If you live in the city and don’t drive very often, you may be tempted to wait longer before replacing the air filter. But we don’t recommend that, especially if you park your car outside. Even when you’re not driving the car, the air filter is subjected to rain, cold and all the environmental elements, like high humidity. This takes its toll on your air filter.

Induction Cleaning
Most modern engines have a direct-injected fuel system, which leads to a lot of carbon buildup on the valves and in the engine cylinders. This carbon needs to be cleaned or removed on a regular basis to ensure proper air flow for best overall engine performance. We recommend a cleaning every 18 months or 10,000 miles to enhance performance, increase fuel efficiency, extend engine life and reduce harmful emissions.

Oil Changes
We recommend synthetic oil changes every 5,000 miles or 5 months using engine oil that is specifically formulated for MINI engines (or European engines). It’s also critical not to overextend your oil change intervals on a MINI. Why? MINIs are notorious for timing chain problems, and if you regularly drive beyond the recommended oil change interval, you’re asking for trouble.

Do you have an MINI that needs a straightforward oil change or a more complex diagnostic? We invite you to give us a try and experience first-hand what it's like to work with MINI experts who have an unmatched level of attention to detail.

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