TLC XL - worth it?
Discussion
My new-to-me 2012 Cooper has TLC coverage until March 2017. I'm mulling TLC XL, which cover the 3 years after that.
The car's history is:
February 2014: oil change service @ 6,400 miles
February 2015: oil change service and brake fluid @ 9,995 miles
February 2016: major service @ 14,001 miles
It looks like it's on an annual servicing schedule, so I'd hope that a further oil change service would be done under the existing TLC package before March 2017... although it'll probably only be on 16-17,000 miles by then.
I don't see us doing more than 3-4,000 miles per year in this car. Would TLC XL @ £275 be worth it for the years 5-8 / 2017-2020 (c.16-25k miles)?
The car's history is:
February 2014: oil change service @ 6,400 miles
February 2015: oil change service and brake fluid @ 9,995 miles
February 2016: major service @ 14,001 miles
It looks like it's on an annual servicing schedule, so I'd hope that a further oil change service would be done under the existing TLC package before March 2017... although it'll probably only be on 16-17,000 miles by then.
I don't see us doing more than 3-4,000 miles per year in this car. Would TLC XL @ £275 be worth it for the years 5-8 / 2017-2020 (c.16-25k miles)?
I would say so. Personally I'd use the TLC for servicing, but go elsewhere for anything else that may need to be done. In reality the price us to keep you going back, so they can then charge you dealer rates for other items as they are required. Bit if a loss leader really, so may as well play the game.
Curious that the OP has had annual servicing. I bought a one-owner Dec 2012 MCS last December on 18k from a main dealer and wanted them to do an oil change as I don't believe higher performance turbo cars should be strung out on their oil for two years, particularly short journey ones. They refused because it wasn't covered under TLC. Its now due its second service so I'm assuming that's the major. The car is now only on 25k after 4 years so its still only triggering on time. By my calcs that means I won't get another service out of the TLC after this one and if I go for extended I'll definitely get a minor but may not get a major if I don't keep the car until 2021 which is unlikely. That makes £275 seem expensive for one minor service when it won't really have any incremental resale value. I guess the option then would be to pay for the 6 year oil change, would they then honour TLC adoption for a new owner at that point ?
Edited by Speed 3 on Saturday 22 October 08:19
Speed 3 said:
Curious that the OP has had annual servicing. I bought a one-owner Dec 2012 MCS last December on 18k from a main dealer and wanted them to do an oil change as I don't believe higher performance turbo cars should be strung out on their oil for two years, particularly short journey ones. They refused because it wasn't covered under TLC. Its now due its second service so I'm assuming that's the major. The car is now only on 25k after 4 years so its still only triggering on time. By my calcs that means I won't get another service out of the TLC after this one and if I go for extended I'll definitely get a minor but may not get a major if I don't keep the car until 2021 which is unlikely. That makes £275 seem expensive for one minor service when it won't really have any incremental resale value. I guess the option then would be to pay for the 6 year oil change, would they then honour TLC adoption for a new owner at that point ?
The TLC XL is passed with the car, so it is transferable.Edited by Speed 3 on Saturday 22 October 08:19
The servicing should be every xxx miles or 2 years, so you'll get the two services.
Ours had a major service earlier this month at 6 years/56k as part of the TLC XL, so the 'free' minor service will come in just before the 8 year point at worst, unless it's earlier with mileage. If that makes sense!
I change the oil myself in between the recommended services. It uses next to no oil as it is.
jimmy156 said:
I just paid the £275 for the TLC XL pack (at 57,000 miles and a few weeks before the service was due), seems to be a no brainer as it works out at around £400 worth of main dealer service work, and consumables or extra work will be done at a local indy.
I did the same as you two weeks ago.its about £450 worth.
@Speed. My son took his 4 year old MCS for a service, also low miles. I checked the service book and noticed that they had not actually done anything other than a check. Apparently because of the low mileage the "key" didn't flag anything needed doing.
Queue me calling them. If you think you are not changing 2 year old oil think again! Went back in oil, filters spark plugs all done under TLC.
Make sure they do all the service items.
Queue me calling them. If you think you are not changing 2 year old oil think again! Went back in oil, filters spark plugs all done under TLC.
Make sure they do all the service items.
Boogs said:
@Speed. My son took his 4 year old MCS for a service, also low miles. I checked the service book and noticed that they had not actually done anything other than a check. Apparently because of the low mileage the "key" didn't flag anything needed doing.
Queue me calling them. If you think you are not changing 2 year old oil think again! Went back in oil, filters spark plugs all done under TLC.
Make sure they do all the service items.
Thanks for heads up. When I booked it in for next month they did mention spark plugs due but I'd be as horrified as you if they didn't change the oil automatically.Queue me calling them. If you think you are not changing 2 year old oil think again! Went back in oil, filters spark plugs all done under TLC.
Make sure they do all the service items.
Yes, I was surprised that the car had been serviced annually.
There is a stamp for a service at 6k and 14k (2 and 4 years), but also a receipt for a service just before 10k - which is otherwise undocumented in the service log.
I'm concerned that I would possibly only get a minor service at year 6 if I went for TLC XL. I'm unlikely to do more than 3-4k miles annually, so I'll check when getting the MoT at year 5 done.
There is a stamp for a service at 6k and 14k (2 and 4 years), but also a receipt for a service just before 10k - which is otherwise undocumented in the service log.
I'm concerned that I would possibly only get a minor service at year 6 if I went for TLC XL. I'm unlikely to do more than 3-4k miles annually, so I'll check when getting the MoT at year 5 done.
Rather late to this thread, but may help someone.
If anyone is considering buying TLC XL, get it now. According to a memo sent to Mini dealers it is due to be discontinued in Q2 2017. From Jan 1st 2017 TLC on new cars is limited to 3 years / 36k miles, and the next step in downgrading TLC is to remove XL.
If anyone is considering buying TLC XL, get it now. According to a memo sent to Mini dealers it is due to be discontinued in Q2 2017. From Jan 1st 2017 TLC on new cars is limited to 3 years / 36k miles, and the next step in downgrading TLC is to remove XL.
Edited by 335d on Monday 23 January 23:12
I got stiffed on my TLC " XL or whatever they call it.....unlike you guys above i am a higher mileage user (30k a year), and they wouldn't bring a brake fluid change forward so as to get it done before it was out of the miles covered. They were not very helpful in trying to get me everything out of it before the miles went above the coverage of the scheme.
they also try to scare you into thinking that stuff requires doing way before it is required. My "key" has been showing 3100 miles left on front brake pads at about 4mm thickness for about a year now, suggesting that the discs are rimmed, and they require replacing. They can stay on a little longer yet.
Annoying the computer shows brake fluid due in March, when I could have had it done July last year for free....but they wouldn't do it
A main service last week last week was £289.........so £275 for extra servicing for a couple of years on a low use car looks a bargain to me. Use your cars more....enjoy them.....get oil changed every year regardless of miles done/low miles all cars love clean oil!
they also try to scare you into thinking that stuff requires doing way before it is required. My "key" has been showing 3100 miles left on front brake pads at about 4mm thickness for about a year now, suggesting that the discs are rimmed, and they require replacing. They can stay on a little longer yet.
Annoying the computer shows brake fluid due in March, when I could have had it done July last year for free....but they wouldn't do it
A main service last week last week was £289.........so £275 for extra servicing for a couple of years on a low use car looks a bargain to me. Use your cars more....enjoy them.....get oil changed every year regardless of miles done/low miles all cars love clean oil!
Hi,I'm new here,I've got a 2012 cooper 's Tlc.history is 15k (2013)oil service.
30k miles (2015) major oil/plugs etc brake fluid.
34k mikes (2016) visual inspection.
38800k miles (2017) sorry TLC expired.car not 5 years old or 50k miles.was told initially by dealer service is covered by Tlc but when I dropped car off on the day was told it isn't.£ 200 for oil servuce,brake fluid and pollen filter.Tlc does not cover 5 years or 50k according to ambiguous wording in terms and conditions!.mini UK BAD.!
30k miles (2015) major oil/plugs etc brake fluid.
34k mikes (2016) visual inspection.
38800k miles (2017) sorry TLC expired.car not 5 years old or 50k miles.was told initially by dealer service is covered by Tlc but when I dropped car off on the day was told it isn't.£ 200 for oil servuce,brake fluid and pollen filter.Tlc does not cover 5 years or 50k according to ambiguous wording in terms and conditions!.mini UK BAD.!
Paintingace said:
Hi,I'm new here,I've got a 2012 cooper 's Tlc.history is 15k (2013)oil service.
30k miles (2015) major oil/plugs etc brake fluid.
34k mikes (2016) visual inspection.
38800k miles (2017) sorry TLC expired.car not 5 years old or 50k miles.was told initially by dealer service is covered by Tlc but when I dropped car off on the day was told it isn't.£ 200 for oil servuce,brake fluid and pollen filter.Tlc does not cover 5 years or 50k according to ambiguous wording in terms and conditions!.mini UK BAD.!
Try a different dealer. If you're near Solihull, then I can highly recommend speaking to Tristan there.30k miles (2015) major oil/plugs etc brake fluid.
34k mikes (2016) visual inspection.
38800k miles (2017) sorry TLC expired.car not 5 years old or 50k miles.was told initially by dealer service is covered by Tlc but when I dropped car off on the day was told it isn't.£ 200 for oil servuce,brake fluid and pollen filter.Tlc does not cover 5 years or 50k according to ambiguous wording in terms and conditions!.mini UK BAD.!
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