I do understand this, and I'm not accusing all members of being knuckle draggers by any stretch of the imagination. Just a topic that really does irritate me is the amoutn of infighting between enthusiasts.

I don't think there is any infighting or trolling as some put it, it's called discusssion and everyone is entitled to their opinions regarding fault's, design, what owners like and dislike etc regarding their MINI's. If we all agreed and said what a fantastic car and had no more to say then how dull would this site be. In fact the more discussion regarding faults, what people like and dislike and comparing the MINI to other makes so much the better :smile: ermmmm it makes for interesting reading and makes me want to join in. I think MINI ownership makes some owners a little blinkered, I'm all for nit picking with the new model so long as their valid points. If people don't like it then maybe they shouldn't read the threads :eek: :) ;)

Well, had an update. Looks like I'll be in the 320d for a while yet. :(

Seems they've fixed the steering creak, but the tailgate needs a new latch AND a new handle. The handle (I think it's the handle) is on back order, so it could be some time.

Well, had an update. Looks like I'll be in the 320d for a while yet. :(

Seems they've fixed the steering creak, but the tailgate needs a new latch AND a new handle. The handle (I think it's the handle) is on back order, so it could be some time.

Not good :(

Does sound as though they are sorting it though.

Not good :(

Does sound as though they are sorting it though.

Any views on how this months production will differ from the past 3 months?

I assume very little but would be interested to know from those closer to the front line action ;)

My car is apparently being born as I type :biggrin: Wk6 production

Well, had an update. Looks like I'll be in the 320d for a while yet. :(

Seems they've fixed the steering creak, but the tailgate needs a new latch AND a new handle. The handle (I think it's the handle) is on back order, so it could be some time.
The parts situation on the R56 is terrible, I've had some parts on back order since November & still no date:(

:eek: Thanks for that news! :p

Better get used to life in a 5 door then!

Well, had an update. Looks like I'll be in the 320d for a while yet. :(

Seems they've fixed the steering creak, but the tailgate needs a new latch AND a new handle. The handle (I think it's the handle) is on back order, so it could be some time.

Sorry to hear that Paul :mad: at least the courtesy car isn't too bad but I know you would much rather be in your new wheels.

When I ordered an new exhaust from the dealer to replace the aftermarket disaster, the new exhaust arrived minus the brackets (didn't know the original exhaust had them?)which took 2 months on back order :aargh: I hope your bit's n pieces turn up sooner.

Sorry to hear about your problems Paul
I can empathise - my 2004 MINI Cooper has a few headaches. The run flat indicator had a mind of its own. So was in and out of the garage three or four times. Had another Cooper for three weeks and a BMW 1 for a week. Lots and lots of rattlign too (it was pre July)

Do you think it's relatively safe enough ordering a R 56 MCS now? I'm finally coming close to a spec and ordering in next few days. Should I wait?

I don't honestly think waiting will make much difference, although it should increase your odds of a good one. I only say this even our 2006 MINI (Nov 2005 build) had some minor niggles.

Do you think it's relatively safe enough ordering a R 56 MCS now? I'm finally coming close to a spec and ordering in next few days. Should I wait?

My car was made this week (Wk6 production) and it will be my 3rd MCS and I am fully prepared for it to be no better egineered under BMW's expertise compared to the original Austin/Rover Mk1's I previously owned.

When I placed my order I was hoping for much better things from BMW as experience in my company with 2 first months production 1 Series has proved to be very impressive from day one
and both cars only had a few very minor niggles with the door handles and seat belts mainly.

They have definitely proved to be very well built, rattle free and reliable cars. My faith this engineering standard would apply to the first all BMW engineered MINI Mk2 has, due to to this forum, been somewhat dented.

I hope when I finally take delivery on March 1st the reality lives up to the dream and not the dread running through my head :D

One thing I would say is that compared to my experiences with other companies such as Rover, Mercedes-Benz/Smart, Renault the service even at "bad" places seems to be better than at other companies. I always think as long as problems are solved quickly and efficiently under warranty then it's not such a bad thing.

Main reason I'm so upset right now is the number of issues, but more so the time it's all taking too. At least I have a courtesy car. :)

Main reason I'm so upset right now is the number of issues, but more so the time it's all taking too. At least I have a courtesy car. :)


If Toyota can produce a car straight out the box trouble free from day one, Honda, Skoda, BMW also then there really is no excuses for MINI Mk2 despite how good the dealers responses may be for now :frown:

The test miles 100's of thousands no doubt, have all been done and the designs all signed off as fit for purpose etc etc so what the feck has gone wrong? This is a premium product and certain faults in this day and age are just totally unacceptable IMO :angry:

Never the less I live in hope that Wk6 production was the turning point for the better :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

I agree that a decent dealer can make all the difference when problems arise.

My Problems:

Blown Hi-Fi Speakers (on collection)
Hole in the dash top (tinny)
A Piller Trim Scuff
Clutch + Flywheel

Who says those companies can? It seems to me they all have problems. For example Volvo seems to be touted as a really good company faults wise, but I know a new XC90 owner who had a fair few trips to their dealer for various issues, including a very hot dash top!

Hope you have your car back!!!

Very sorry to hear all the hassle you're having

No, still waiting on parts.

I dont understand in this day and age why the parts are taking so long. Im lucky but still waiting for an a pillar trim:(

I dont understand in this day and age why the parts are taking so long. Im lucky but still waiting for an a pillar trim:(
That'll be the same pillar trim I have been waiting for since November :(

I did "beta"testing for MINI back in 2002 when we bought our first MINI, a new MC CVT. We still have the car today and its been fairly solid all these years, but the first year we had teething problems with the ECU software, trim pieces, steering column and other smaller annoyances.

Having done this, I will never buy another 1st year car. Sorry my time and patience are way too valuable to put up with blatant lack of quality control. It seems to me that BMW uses first year owners as beta testers for their new vehicles.

My 2004 and now 2005 MCS are much better cars in terms of build quality than the 2002. I will bet the R56 in 2009-2010 is going to be a vastly superior car to the 2007 rendition (Specially after the mid-cycle improvements) and for this reason I am willing to wait a few more years to let MINI sort out the faults that will creep up in the new car.

My 2005 MCS is so rock solid reliable, why give up a perfectly fun and solid car for another with plenty of unknowns hidden under its skin?

Anyways, my tip of the hat to you guys. You early R56 adopters are doing all the Beta testing work for those of us willing to wait a while longer. Your grievances, failed clutches, rattles, blown speakers, etc will ensure that my new 50th Anniversary 2009 R56 MCS or R55 Clubman will be as rock solid as my 2004 and 2005 MCS have been.

Enjoy the trips back to the dealership boys and girls.

Hi, I havent been on for a while. My car has now had the faulty fuel pump replaced and after a couple of test drives and saying they couldnt hear a noise with the changedown in gears from 3 to 2. My husband went out yesterday with a technical bloke, and he heard it again intermittently. They have now decided it needs a new clutch. At this point, I don't know if it is time to reject the car? A car that is now 6 weeks old, in the dealers for 2+ of those weeks, having what I would consider major parts replaced, is it time to say goodbye to the Mini Adventure that never really began. Craig, if you see this, we printed off some of the other threads that people had complained about the noise, and my husband took it to the dealers with him. I think it must of helped as within 24 hours they came back with the same fault. Once again there is a back order on the part but will only probably be for another 5+ days.:pconfused:

What amazes me is that MINI has had 5 years to perfect the R56. Failed clutches and flywheels doesn't bode well for a car that should have been spotless (qualitywise) from the get go.

I did "beta"testing for MINI back in 2002 when we bought our first MINI, a new MC CVT. We still have the car today and its been fairly solid all these years, but the first year we had teething problems with the ECU software, trim pieces, steering column and other smaller annoyances.

Enjoy the trips back to the dealership boys and girls.

LOL. by 2003 they were much better than 2002. I reckon you probably had it easy. Back when I were a lad with my 2002 MINI we were looky if they start at all in the morning... :D :D

Seriously, that's **really** sound advice :)

I hate to sound like a "troll"but having been there and done that, I find these reported issues with the R56 totally unacceptable on a product that BMW claims to be a cut above the previous R50/53 generation in every aspect of the equation.

I love MINIs and will continue to buy them for as long as MINI keeps the quality up in the customer satisfaction list. But I would not feel so good if I were to order a new R56 now. BMW seems to have issues with every 1st year car they produce. I just don't understand that.

What amazes me is that MINI has had 5 years to perfect the R56. Failed clutches and flywheels doesn't bode well for a car that should have been spotless (qualitywise) from the get go.

MINI also had lots of time to perfect the old model but there were still faulty cars rolling of the production line.

There are lots (myself included) of happy R56 owners :cool:

I can't think of a single manufacturer that can get it right first time with the launch of a car. The amount of testing that goes on during the first few months of production is going to dwarf any testing that is reasonably possible before launch.

Add to this the fact that it's going to take dealers many months to become fully familiar with the car, it's faults and the best ways of fixing it and then they've got to work out which are the parts that regularly fail and maintain a stock level on them.

Our own service technicians (nothing to do with the motor trade) will say that manufacturer's training courses can be helpful, but it's only once you then have a few months of working on the machines that you really get to know their little foibles and eccentricities.

Buy a car from any manufacturer at launch and it's very likely to happen. Just make sure that it's not their policy to charge you the full commercial rate rental on the loan car after the first two days; that's one reason why I shall never, ever, buy another C*t**** :mad:

Tigger.

I agree that a decent dealer can make all the difference when problems arise.

My Problems:

Blown Hi-Fi Speakers (on collection)
Hole in the dash top (tinny)
A Piller Trim Scuff
Clutch + Flywheeldid you get a new clutch then popey

I can't think of a single manufacturer that can get it right first time with the launch of a car.
Tigger.

I can from personal experience on our small company fleet ... TOYOTA ;) Boring Bland But Brilliantly Built

RAV4 bought within 4 months of launch date and run for 7 years and 49K trouble free miles
Yaris 1.3 SR Bought within 2 months of being launched and now 8 years / 36K miles later still performing every day rattle and squeak free and 100% reliably

Corolla we had first few weeks production of the model that has just been renamed and replaced ...That car was used by 2 different reps, 3 accidents and 90K miles with nothing but routine servcing .... No wonder the car in front is a Toyota ;)

Thats not so good :( ...

I am surprised by mini, my other half picked up her 118d new in October and not a single fault in 6,000 miles, BMW can do it yet Mini does seem to struggle with new introductions... wonder why that is ?

A friend of mine had a very early 118i and the build quality on that was rubbish... so much so in fact he traded it in at less than 6 months old for a Golf...

Supposedly MINI has spend much less hours/money on build time of the updated MINI than the last so they can make more profit per car.... Never going to be a good thing for build quality....

Went in today to collect my S.

It's still there.

Not a happy bunny just now. Will try and post more later when I'm feeling a little more calm about it.

:(