If in Paul's position, I would return the car, take the cash and buy a 1st Gen-2006 with low low mileage and proven history and save up for a 50th anniversary Cooper-JCW. I just cannot see myself driving anything else but a MINI but would not want the headaches of the current new release.

I wonder how many people are actually having problems?

I'm going to take full advantage of the time I've bought myself and sleeop on this one, but at this stage everything is telling me to walk away from the R56.

I've heard nothing reassuring about the quality of the car to convince me I'll not be asking for trouble by going with another MINI just now.

Even if I did get a perfect one (and lets face it, I've had three second generation MINIs at home and two out of three have had troubles), I'd actually be so concerned about losing the wheel arch trim around my favourite local lanes (again), that I couldn't enjoy it properly. No point having a MINI if I cant just throw off my worries for a while and hammer it around the twisties with a stupid fat grin on my face.

As we've still got our 2002 S at home, I think I'm going to have to become the sensible car owner of the family, and get the old S back up to scratch again, ready for special occasions. Which will be pretty much whenever it comes out of the garage. :D

I'd love to be able to be more confident about the MINI, but I'm just not. And I'd feel a complete idiot for going for another if it gave me problems again. That wouldn't help anyone, me or MINI. As I'd be ranting like a mad man next time around!

Not any different from a legion of 5-6 R56 owners-to-be that are on a crusade to diss the R53 and its owners and creating silliy topics as to why an idiot water temp light is much better than a working gauge needle....

Cuts both ways...


don't start it here too C4. You are one of the worst offenders there.

/ignore cooperS4us

I don't blame you Paul.

I've read a lot of things about the R56 recently which would put me off buying one. You've already been through the disappointment once, and I can understand you wanting to avoid further disappointment by taking on another car which may have teething troubles. :(

At least you still have the 2002 MCS to fall back on, so the MINI adventure won't come to an end just yet. Plus, you'll get to try something new if you buy a different car so you'll get the best of both worlds. :)

I'm going to take full advantage of the time I've bought myself and sleeop on this one, but at this stage everything is telling me to walk away from the R56.

I've heard nothing reassuring about the quality of the car to convince me I'll not be asking for trouble by going with another MINI just now.

Even if I did get a perfect one (and lets face it, I've had three second generation MINIs at home and two out of three have had troubles), I'd actually be so concerned about losing the wheel arch trim around my favourite local lanes (again), that I couldn't enjoy it properly. No point having a MINI if I cant just throw off my worries for a while and hammer it around the twisties with a stupid fat grin on my face.

As we've still got our 2002 S at home, I think I'm going to have to become the sensible car owner of the family, and get the old S back up to scratch again, ready for special occasions. Which will be pretty much whenever it comes out of the garage. :D

I'd love to be able to be more confident about the MINI, but I'm just not. And I'd feel a complete idiot for going for another if it gave me problems again. That wouldn't help anyone, me or MINI. As I'd be ranting like a mad man next time around!
I think even as much as it pains me to see you not giving it another go, and even though ours is so far trouble free and made really well, I totally think you are making the right choice at this point in time;)

So then, whats on the list of potential alternatives?

I went through it with the first generation.

Abi's MINI One, apparently stuck together with pritt-stick and bits of string.

My Cooper, with gearbox/drivetrain issues, bought back.

My red S with faulty steering, rejected and replaced.

Before I finally got an S I really had no problems with (apart from the standard rattles and squeaks), which sadly I had to sell.

Then my 2006 S which was probably the best of the bunch (only had to go back once for a grinding LSD, easy oil change fix).

In a way I feel a fool already for changing the '06 S for the new model, but it was a good time to change for me in terms of the website and being in synch with facelifts etc in the future at trade-in time. That was the theory anyway.

Trouble is, the car I had in between was a Smart Roadster Coupe, and that was a pile of crap, so my confidence in cars in general is pretty low. Think I may get a nice new bike instead!

Really sorry to hear that you may move away from MINI.:(

If you do decide on something else, take a look at a Golf GTI, a very nice car.

I do hope though that you wake up tomorrow with renewed confidence in MINI ;)

don't start it here too C4. You are one of the worst offenders there.

/ignore cooperS4us

Are you "Lava"? No fricking wonder!

get over yourself! Or you also want to get this thread locked?

I am out of NAM. Leave me alone!

Well, at least the dealer is being honest and treating you as you should be.


I am completely sickened by the attitude of MINI though. At least you were aware of your rights, some people are not and would no doubt be walked all over by MINI.

If I did not have my MINI already and had read this thread, I WOULD NEVER HAVE BOUGHT A MINI - I hope MINI are reading this.

I think someone should send this thread to the MD and ask her/him to comment on how they treat their loyal customers!

Same here, would be totally put off from buying one - no question.

I went through it with the first generation.

Abi's MINI One, apparently stuck together with pritt-stick and bits of string.

My Cooper, with gearbox/drivetrain issues, bought back.

My red S with faulty steering, rejected and replaced.

Before I finally got an S I really had no problems with (apart from the standard rattles and squeaks), which sadly I had to sell.

Then my 2006 S which was probably the best of the bunch (only had to go back once for a grinding LSD, easy oil change fix).

In a way I feel a fool already for changing the '06 S for the new model, but it was a good time to change for me in terms of the website and being in synch with facelifts etc in the future at trade-in time. That was the theory anyway.

Trouble is, the car I had in between was a Smart Roadster Coupe, and that was a pile of crap, so my confidence in cars in general is pretty low. Think I may get a nice new bike instead!


Paul, the last thing you should think is your a Fool for being loyal to MINI, alot of owners have had problems but still go on to buy another MINI, I guess there is a limit to how much one can take, it's not much fun wasting time at the dealer. I'm really dissapointed for you.

If your not keen on the Swift they do very good bikes too :smile: :smile: ;) I guess you meant the powered type? :D

...

In a way I feel a fool already for changing the '06 S for the new model, but it was a good time to change for me in terms of the website and being in synch with facelifts etc in the future at trade-in time. That was the theory anyway.

Trouble is, the car I had in between was a Smart Roadster Coupe, and that was a pile of crap, so my confidence in cars in general is pretty low. Think I may get a nice new bike instead!

Paul, I really feel for you. I'm glad MINI have seen sense, you were very patient and diplomatic about the whole thing. If I were you, I wouldn't get a replacement but, like you say, what else compares? Good luck with whatever you decide.

If your not keen on the Swift they do very good bikes too :smile: :smile: ;) I guess you meant the powered type? :D

Was thinking some more proven technology. Maybe like this:

http://members.aol.com/menotomy/disp/hb3.gif

where do the aero skirts go Paul

Hi,
If you are still considering a car to supplant/replace the MINI sized hole in your daily life, there is a possible solution. If you are in no hurry, then the new Audi due out in a couple of years might be worth a look. As far as I understand, it will be a small, sporty, premium car aimed directly at the MINI market. Its appearance is loosly based on the TT. I suspect its build quality/quality control will be better than our current cars.

cheers
Marsh

Called Wollaston and told them our decision is to reject it and not go for a replacement.

They're going to "work on that" (or whatever they have to do) and call me back ASAP and let me know where/how to progress from here.

Believe me it's a hard decision, but I don't feel confident enough with the new MINI and their quality standards to order another.

As I said before, this will be the first time since 2002 I've not been a MINI owner by my own choice, and it's not something I've taken lightly, but I don't have the money or patience to spend on another below standard car, and I feel the odds aren't good enough for me to take that gamble.

If there were more problems, it would be very bad for me, for MINI, for MINI2... I'd rather get something else, something I don't care about, and keep the family S for special occasions.

SO - you are still a MINI owner? What model/year

It's not my car, but it's in our care.

2002 Cooper S.

MINI will be glad to hear that you going for a replacement heres hoping they come up with a proper car for you this time Paul.

WoW, now i am concerned about my R56 that arrives in 4 weeks!!!!

Paul, i hear your concerns and agree that you should have a vehicle that you do not have to worry about!

Looks like the GTi might be the best buy!

It's not my car, but it's in our care.

2002 Cooper S.

I am looking at a 2002 S - all I can afford on a NHS salary - any long term issues with it? (Or is that another thread?)

Louis

Called Wollaston and told them our decision is to reject it and not go for a replacement.

Believe me it's a hard decision, but I don't feel confident enough with the new MINI and their quality standards to order another.




Paul are you convinced then that most R56 owners are in for a rough time :puzzled: and not just the unfortunate few :angry:

I've just got 4 more days to go before finding out first hand :frown: Must say all the doom and gloom on here has helped to dampen ones new car, can't wait excitement factor to almost zero!

So if my car turns out to be another dog with fleas I can't say shock horror this is all out of the (Laser)blue :D but if it turns out to be as good as my other halfs 2005 MCS then "let the good times roll"

Called Wollaston and told them our decision is to reject it and not go for a replacement.

MINI will be glad to hear that you going for a replacement heres hoping they come up with a proper car for you this time Paul.

Er... he isn't. :rolleyes:

Like I said before, I don't blame you. I'm also sorry for any other R56 owners in similar predicaments. :(

At least you will be able to put the whole thing behind you now
I suggest maybe the new Fiat 500 - looks like it is being aimed straight at the Mini (& perhaps do a website too)

I am looking at a 2002 S - all I can afford on a NHS salary - any long term issues with it? (Or is that another thread?)

Louis

Long term, hard to say it's got just over 11k on the clock. ;)

It had a minor dent in the roof when it arrived, not unheard of with early MINIs. Appeared to be caused by where the robots grabbed,lifted and fitted the roofs.

The seat base has gone all squeky, probably needs some grease. And it's developed a squeak someone from the engine bay.

My question is how many other MINI drivers are in the same boat. Should we all be concerned or is it just a few bad apples???

Darro, I agree with you. I am so anxious now about getting the new car :(

At least you will be able to put the whole thing behind you now
I suggest maybe the new Fiat 500 - looks like it is being aimed straight at the Mini (& perhaps do a website too)

I do keep in touch with Frank Stephenson too. ;) :D

I think it'll be too small. Really not sure what route to take with a replacement, could be an old beater for a while.

Paul are you convinced then that most R56 owners are in for a rough time :puzzled: and not just the unfortunate few :angry:

I've just got 4 more days to go before finding out first hand :frown: Must say all the doom and gloom on here has helped to dampen ones new car, can't wait excitement factor to almost zero!

So if my car turns out to be another dog with fleas I can't say shock horror this is all out of the (Laser)blue :D but if it turns out to be as good as my other halfs 2005 MCS then "let the good times roll"

I'd say your odds are good on getting a good one. But they're just not good enough for me personally to risk it.

And the wheel arch trim I'm certain is a design/engineering issue that will take some work to sort out.

It appears that the tyres hit the inside of the wheel well and knock the arch off in the process on too rough a road surface, and I'm not happy with that. I've driven the same roads much faster and harder in first generation MINIs for more than 5 years with no trim coming off. A few months in the new car and it's happened three times.

I may be fussy, I'm pretty sure I am, but when you spend £20k on a car, any car, you have the right to expect it to be free from defects, not suffer from many

I really like the new S, I like the look (although there's pros and cons to old and new) and I love the interior (despite the centre column), but I have to be realistic and say it's just not the car for me.

The seat base has gone all squeky, probably needs some grease.

My 2002 Cooper is the same. A small quirk which I'm not really bothered about, but a quirk all the same.

I'd say your odds are good on getting a good one. But they're just not good enough for me personally to risk it.

And the wheel arch trim I'm certain is a design/engineering issue that will take some work to sort out.




Design/Engineering issues .... I thought that was just one of hundreds of reasons why motor car manufacturers go hot cold and everything else testing for 100's of thousand tough miles :puzzled:

My 2002 Cooper is the same. A small quirk which I'm not really bothered about, but a quirk all the same.

MINI replaced the seat base on my 2001 ONE for this reason.

Thanks for the info re the S. Since reading the forum of late I am really scared about being out of warranty and am looking at getting another cherished to calm my frayed nerves!