Newish MINI with battery problems
 

Has anyone had a problem with electrical components and batteries on newer models?

I just bought my new MINI last June 2011 and yesterday my battery was completely drained. Which is weird because I keep the light at the >.< middle which automatically turns off and on the MINI or at least that is what the sales person told me to keep it at.

Now the dealership wants to charge me $199 to diagnose the battery and are telling me that the diagnosis says lights drained the battery.

any comments or suggestion will be appreciated.

Stealership!
 

When you bought your new mini, you received a FACTORY WARRANTY. I assume your warranty is like mine on my 2007 mcs, 5 year bumper to bumper. I just had a Fog Light replaced under warranty on my 4 year, 11 month old mcs.
You have a less than 1 year old Mini and your Dealer wants to CHARGE you for a analysis of a electrical problem that is draining your battery.
Do you see something wrong here. Go to someone with authority in that Dealership and get the folks in the Service Dept straightened out. I'd be beating the General Manager's door down if that didn't work I'd be on the Regional Managers butte. There's got to be someone in that organization with their head screwed on right.

PS- read your manual to see if you're setting your lights correctly. I'm not sure about your "post" is saying, is the Dealer saying you incorrectly set your headlight switch? Do you ever check to see that they actually go out? I would still think if you are setting the switch wrong, they'd still be understanding with you and not charge you since it's still a fairly new car.