[David McLaughlin]

I took my MINI [2010 JustaCooper] in to the local dealer at 60k miles for an oil change and to check on a check engine light that came on and went off a few weeks back. Well, they said the fault was something to do with the emissions, a solenoid or something. What ever an exhaust vanos solenoid is. At $450+ it will wait.

My frustration stems from the other things they found wrong.

I was told I had 4 marker lights and a license plate light out. They wanted $150 to replace these peanut bulbs and the plate bulb. I was warned by the service advisor that the peanut bulbs are high resistance and may show light even though they are really blown. I bought 4 peanut bulbs and a plate bulb from the parts counter. I knew about the plate light prior so I replaced that. I looked at all or my markers and found one in the left rear fender guard blown so I replaced that too. There are no other lights out. As far as my electrical knowledge leads me there is NO way for a "blown" bulb to be lit; right?

The other item the service advisor mention was tires. It was time for me to rotate at this mileage. I informed him prior to me dropping off the car that the tires were just replaced and I just had an alignment. I tell him they were new and fine. He insisted that the tech measured them and they indeed were worn enough to rotate. Um; no. at 1000 non spirited miles they are not worn. you can still see the molding nubs. I know times are tough but crap.