Ok so, I bought my MINI this past December and abolutely love this car. It is the most fun I''ve had driving a vehicle. I've always been a Honda/Toyota person. Owned a 80 Celica GT, Del Sol si, and S2000. When I drove the MINI, I knew that was exactly the car I was looking for.......Honda or Toyota did not make such a performance vehicle with a hatch......so knowing that a MINI may not be as reliable, I was willing to take the chance. I did consult with a few friends that have owned MINI's and had great things to say about reliability. This was important considering I'm coming from NH, which is about an hour from the closest dealer. So I ended up buying and 06 MCS that Herb Chambers found in Virginia which matched my criteria (they stopped taking orders due to the 07's coming out).
Well, I didn't get 3 miles off the lot before the first incident. Flat tire indicater came on.....checked the tires and they visually looked OK, figured the flat tire indicater hadn't been set correctly. Got home and one the tires was about 10 lbs low. Closer inspection revealed that the rim had good ding in it as well (not from me). Car was delivered from VA, so somewhere between there and here. No big deal, I was putting a set of winter wheels on anyway. I drove back down to Boston dropped off the wheel and they gave me a new wheel and tire. No issues for the rest of the winter.
About a month ago, started to notice that my felt liner in the glovebox started to peal up. Plastic piece from the door that slides over the top seemed to catch on it and peal it back. Not to long after that, no cold air from the AC. Made an appointment to have it checked. 2 days before bringing it in to be looked at, I hear a pretty good rattle from the engine bay and behind the passenger side wheel.
So, at my appointment they replaced the glovebox. They did not have the parts for the AC (compressor went) so that didn't get fixed, and replaced my engine mount, stating that this is a common issue (which I have heard from other MINI onwers recently) and that was the rattle that I heard. So with out a loaner car to give me, due to an "issue" with the new '07's, I had to make another appointment to come back for the AC.
Made the appointment, again within 2 days of the appointment the rattle was back (happened during the NHIS event this past Thursday). Figured great, I broke another engine mount. Went in for the appointment, and they fixed the AC. They also concluded that the rattle was not an engine mount, but something to do with the pulley for the AC compressor. Ok, so good, engine mounts aren't as fragile as I thought.
Now, today, 3 days after being in Boston AGAIN, my keyless remote went dead. Came out from work to get in and nothing. Figured the battery somehow died and needed to be charged. I drove home (about 40 minutes) still didn't work. Wife's key works just fine, so I definately have a dead battery...................sigh. I'm hoping that they can somehow just mail me a new key, but somehow doubt it.
So is this unusual for this many problems with an 06 MINI? Will this be then end of issues for a long time? I hope so.........so far the they fun factor (and smile factor) have out weighed the issues, but the issues are gaining ground quickly.......

scho

Sorry to hear you are having some unfortunate issues with your MINI.

I actually have a VERY unfortunate "build" related incident and I just chalked it up to the car being an English (technically German) made car and that EACH and EVERY one is different and unique.

I didn't even have the car a whole two months when the shifter had problems engaging into first after sitting in idle (say at a red light). Brought it in, they thought it was loose bushings and tightened them up and sent me on my way. Two weeks later, the shifting problem was back, and I was back at MoP only to find out that there was a "factory defect" with first gear, and that I would need a NEW TRANSMISSION! The car is only about 4k miles old mind you. So, thank God this was under warranty, so I brought it in, they put in the new (remanned) tranny and now it runs like a charm... even better than before.

Someone on the forums here said once, you can tell they are each hand built, because each has its own quirks and problems. I get rattling all the time with my MINI... just a casualty to living in NE on crappy, banged up roads.

I definitely understand the little "issues" are frustrating, but if these little problems really outweigh the enjoyment of driving the car, then certainly don't torture yourself. If you want a car with absolutely no variations from car to car, then get a Toyota, as a friend pointed out to me, they are designed NOT to be individually unique. :)

I hope this helps with the frustration! All us MINI owners know/feel your pain. :)

-Sheena

7 windshields
steering column(complete)
wiring harness(complete)
clutch and flywheel
power steering fan
"o" rings in mount for oil filter hsg
all replaced under warrentee

door lock module (driver's side)
2 sets of tires
split harness for power steering fam and main cooling fan
2 sets of brakes and rotors
main engine oil seal
various sensors ( 02,etc.)

soon to be replaced: belt tensioner assembly and new bypass valve.

I guess this is why you don't get a first year car huh? And with all these trials and tribulations, there's not a day that goes by that i regret having bought this car.Go figure,and I too was a Honda person(4 civics with roughly a half a million miles between them)

My 03 cooper at 36k had issues with power steering...the pump was having so much fun motoring that it refused to turn off...the Tech guys said that it burnt out and thats why it wouldn't turn off....but i think it just didn't want to go to bed...anyway, Road side picked the car up drove ti almost 2.5 hours to the nearest dealership (towne) and not even 20 hours later had her back in my drive way...not a penny cost to me... up to 48 k and not a problem.........my '06...only problem was that the fill gas composition of my xenons was screwed up...put too much sodium in it (i design lamps...aka "light bulbs")....had a pinkish tint to them...so i returned it, they fixed it...it was an improvement ..not 100%but I learned to live with it figuring that Its just me that's screwed up and not the fill gas
...wish u luck though...that must be really frustrating

Thanx for sharing your thoughts all. It's so true that this car is something special, it just has such a personality of it's own. Never had a car that made me smile by just looking at it (not even driving it). It's like scolding a puppy for shredding your favorite shoe. How can you get mad a such a cute face? :D

Would you rather have a car that has some personality quirks, or one that is reliably boring?
They are british-made afterall and though german designed, the cost-cutting wins. The engines are tough, so all you have to worry about are the little things, which is nothing to the priceless joy the car brings to your life every day. :)

Besides...if we were "normal" people we wouldn't care about or notice half the issues we annoy our poor service departments with!

Well, I wouldn't say the S2000 was boring, it was a hell of alot of fun. Not too many times you'll get into a production car that revs to 9K RPM. But the MINI is even more fun than the S2K. What's not fun is having to drive an hour each way to get stuff fixed, but I knew that going in. In the end (so far) it's been worth it. Plus I like to walk around Boston anywho....(just not every weekend ;) )

Would you rather have a car that has some personality quirks, or one that is reliably boring?
They are british-made afterall and though german designed, the cost-cutting wins. The engines are tough, so all you have to worry about are the little things, which is nothing to the priceless joy the car brings to your life every day. :)

Besides...if we were "normal" people we wouldn't care about or notice half the issues we annoy our poor service departments with!

This may not help any, but why don't you go to Peabody and cut your trips to the dealer in half? :smile:

This may not help any, but why don't you go to Peabody and cut your trips to the dealer in half? :smile:

and get MUCH better service to boot!

One of my keys died. It wasn't the battery. I replaced that battery and it still didn't work. The remote part of the key is toast. You can replace the battery in the key yourself, there are instructions in the owner's manual.

When I bought my car it was the best decision I've ever made. Even at 88K miles, it's still the best decision I've ever made. There have been a few problems though, I won't lie.

My visor has been replaced 3 times, doesn't like to stay in the little hookey thing.
Steering wheel was replaced, leather was peeling off of it.
Intermittent window washer fluid not working, this problem fixed itself though.
One of my tires wears unevenly and no one can figure out why.
and a few other ticky-tack things like windsheilds (rocks) and flat tire warnings (both false and true). All of those don't compare to having to replace my transmission at 62K miles. Just out of warranty.:( But the folks at Peabody went to bat for me and I only had to pay half the cost of replacement (still about $3500) but it was half. Thanks again MINI of Peabody!:D

My '03 MCS hasn't been too much trouble--nothing major yet to be replaced. It has over 80K now. I got to speak up for it, it saved me recently. The other morning I was driving to work in the break down lane (allowed during rush hour on 128/95 between Rt 24 and 9). I have to keep an eye out for the cars merging into the road, sometimes they don't yield like they are supposed to. I got caught between a pick-up truck and a landscape truck merging into the breakdown lane. It was either slam on my brakes or accelerate out of the situation. I chose to accelerate and beep my air horns. I got out of it real fast. I don't think the stupid landscape driver knew what he was doing!! :angry:

My favorite situation is when you come around an on-ramp and there is someone stopped in front of you - because they don't understand the principle of merging...

Scho06:

All i can tell ya' is that these kinds of issues are typical of European-made vehicles - any of them - cars or motorcycles. I've owned several, Saab's, Volvo's; BMW, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia motorcycles. These are not Japanese driving appliances - and unfortunately these kinds of things are part of the price of admission for driving a truly fun vehicle.

For nearly hassle-free driving (and if you can stay awake from driving such a boring vehicle) you're back in a Honda or Toyota. So, for get that! :eek:

On the dead key thing - I had a key that would not work, mysteriously, one day. The key's battery is supposed to charge while in the ignition. I use this key every day and somehow it lost its memory. MOP reprogrammed it for me and it's been fine since.

This may not help any, but why don't you go to Peabody and cut your trips to the dealer in half? :smile:

From my experience MoP have a much better service department than Herb Chambers. So not only will you reduce your travel time but you will probaby get better service as well.

I guess I've been lucky with my MINIs. My 02 MCS had to have a new wiper relay and the truck latch broke. My 06 MCS has had a few creaks and rattles fixed, period.

Besides...if we were "normal" people we wouldn't care about or notice half the issues we annoy our poor service departments with!

Very true.

Didn't get treated very well from sales department, actually wasn't happy with them at all. Thought it would translate to service. Does MOP have loaner cars??

This may not help any, but why don't you go to Peabody and cut your trips to the dealer in half? :smile:

Nope but, if under warranty, you get an amazingly cheesy rental which will make u love your MINI even if it's broken down on 128 at 3AM

Just had my '06 convertible down in for the first oil change and had them look at my transmission- you have to shove it into first and it usually grinds into reverse. The service department agreed that there is a problem but didn't fix anything- just told me to bring the car to a complete stop- wait 4 seconds- then try to shift... hmm.. sounds a bit fishy...but all my other "little" details were addressed like the boot open light coming on at random times.. needed a new switch. The car definitely had her little quirks..

Is it a Cooper or an S? Those symptoms are standard features of the newer cooper transmission. It doesn't have syncros or something like that. The first car I leaned to drive on was exactly the same.

Do we get to relive the era of the double clutch?
Now that's classic ;)

A giant step forward..........................into the past.:rolleyes::mad:

Forward ... into the past !! ( that sounds familiar...)

Drove to Turner Motorsports yesterday to see what's up with my $800 Remus exhaust they put in a couple of years ago( LOUD!!!!!!!) WHAT IS UP WITH A COMPANY THAT MAKES A LOVELY 304 STAINLESS EXHAUST SYSTEM AND USES MILD STEEL CLAMPS TO PUT IT TOGETHER?
:angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry:: angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::a ngry::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Guess you can figure out what was wrong eh? And of course "they don't have replacements and can't get them"................:bad::confused::mad::aargh::puzzle d::angry:

sooooo I guess it's off to the machine shop and make my own, sometimes being a tool maker is a curse :hmph:
nuff venting for today

sooooo I guess it's off to the machine shop and make my own, sometimes being a tool maker is a curse :hmph:
nuff venting for today

that is awesome that you are a tool maker!....If i were a tool maker I'd be making lotsa fun things for my MINI... :D

sometimes being a tool maker is a curse

Just think how Steve's parents feel...
:p

Drove to Turner Motorsports yesterday to see what's up with my $800 Remus exhaust they put in a couple of years ago( LOUD!!!!!!!) WHAT IS UP WITH A COMPANY THAT MAKES A LOVELY 304 STAINLESS EXHAUST SYSTEM AND USES MILD STEEL CLAMPS TO PUT IT TOGETHER?
:angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry:: angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::a ngry::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Guess you can figure out what was wrong eh? And of course "they don't have replacements and can't get them"................:bad::confused::mad::aargh::puzzle d::angry:

sooooo I guess it's off to the machine shop and make my own, sometimes being a tool maker is a curse :hmph:
nuff venting for today

Gotta love the internet..........after surfing my fool head off trying to find the clamp set for this system,somewhere in the USof A.............to no avail, I finally had the idea to search for the manufacturers web site IN GERMANY! "contact us" the little tab said..........so I did. Laid out my predicament to cyber space across an ocean and a continent , and bright and early the next morning comes a response , from a real person named Sonja, who states: " give me your address and we'll send a new set right out to you" HHHHHHOOOOOOO HHHHHHAAAAAAA! :tongue: Looks like my vent paid off
( what a maroon for not thinkin' of this in the first place, eh?)

Just think how Steve's parents feel...
:p
I wondered who was going to capitalize on this one, thanks Josh.

OK, so I finally got a chance to have HC MINI take a look at my dead remote entry on one of our keys. Mind you, when this happened back in August had specifically told them what was going on, and asked if there was anything......anything that I could try on my own with their guidance over the phone to avoid driving down to Boston, or waiting to do the next service. Told me nope, had to be reprogrammed there with a new key. So I chose to just live with it until my next service.
As it turns out, we met some friends in Boston today. Knowing this about two weeks ago, I made an appointment over a week ago to have it looked at. So, got there this morning and as I'm telling the guy who takes my keys what we're there for, he says, well let me see if the parts dept has an extra key in stock. I told him, I hope so, that's why I made the appointment. So he goes to the service advisor and he's not sure they have one either. Are you kidding me? I made this appointment with them knowing what I'm coming for, and that I'm from NH. They didn't have the forethought to order one before my appointment!?!? As he's scrambling on the phone with the parts dept about finding a new key, another guy comes over (I'm assuming another sales advisor) and asks what going on. I told him the story, and that one key works, the other doesn't for remote entry. He takes the two keys, goes in to the car, and does some pressing, some turning......the key is now working :eek: :confused:. He comes out and I said what did you do? He said somehow the key lost it's programing. To reprogram it (I'm going to bold this for those who are looking to fix this problem on there own), you just put the key in the ignition, turn the ignition on and off 3 times, then press and hold the unlock button, and press the lock button 3 times and there you go. :eek::mad::mad::mad::mad: . And I couldn't of done this at home!!!!!! I was speechless. I didn't know what to say, I was so frustrated and just PO'd, I just laughed. Talked with the guy who fixed it (wish I had talked to him originally) for a bit about next weekends event. Asked if I could leave my car there as we head in to Boston, said it'd be no problem. He'll park the car on the side, lock it with the key inside (I had the other) and I could pick it up anytime and walked out.

Came back to HC just after 5, went to unlock the car with my nicely reprogramed key and no flashing light. I thought great, here we go again. Tried a few times, and my windows and sunroof started to open. Guess they forgot to lock it with the keys in it!!! :rolleyes:

(see glovebox issue in first rant as a preview to the next part) So on the way home today, my wifes looking in the glove box and says, hey don't we have AC in the glovebox? I said yup (she wanted to put the goodies we got from Mikes Pastries in there to keep em cold). She says she can't find where it comes from. When I get home, low and behold, the hole were the A/C comes in, is molded shut. I checked underneath and the hose is plugged in at the far left corner, but there's no hole!!!! I checked the pics I have when I installed the Aux input, and there's an off/on valve over the hole on the original glove box!! Are you kiddin' me!!!! They replaced the glovebox, put the A/C hose on a nozzle without a hole for the AC to flow through. I am done. Never to go back. I'm going to try Peabody, but the bar is set very, very low. If they can change my oil without screwing it up I'll be happy (I'm not holding my breathe).


Ok so, I bought my MINI this past December and abolutely love this car. It is the most fun I''ve had driving a vehicle. I've always been a Honda/Toyota person. Owned a 80 Celica GT, Del Sol si, and S2000. When I drove the MINI, I knew that was exactly the car I was looking for.......Honda or Toyota did not make such a performance vehicle with a hatch......so knowing that a MINI may not be as reliable, I was willing to take the chance. I did consult with a few friends that have owned MINI's and had great things to say about reliability. This was important considering I'm coming from NH, which is about an hour from the closest dealer. So I ended up buying and 06 MCS that Herb Chambers found in Virginia which matched my criteria (they stopped taking orders due to the 07's coming out).
Well, I didn't get 3 miles off the lot before the first incident. Flat tire indicater came on.....checked the tires and they visually looked OK, figured the flat tire indicater hadn't been set correctly. Got home and one the tires was about 10 lbs low. Closer inspection revealed that the rim had good ding in it as well (not from me). Car was delivered from VA, so somewhere between there and here. No big deal, I was putting a set of winter wheels on anyway. I drove back down to Boston dropped off the wheel and they gave me a new wheel and tire. No issues for the rest of the winter.
About a month ago, started to notice that my felt liner in the glovebox started to peal up. Plastic piece from the door that slides over the top seemed to catch on it and peal it back. Not to long after that, no cold air from the AC. Made an appointment to have it checked. 2 days before bringing it in to be looked at, I hear a pretty good rattle from the engine bay and behind the passenger side wheel.
So, at my appointment they replaced the glovebox. They did not have the parts for the AC (compressor went) so that didn't get fixed, and replaced my engine mount, stating that this is a common issue (which I have heard from other MINI onwers recently) and that was the rattle that I heard. So with out a loaner car to give me, due to an "issue" with the new '07's, I had to make another appointment to come back for the AC.
Made the appointment, again within 2 days of the appointment the rattle was back (happened during the NHIS event this past Thursday). Figured great, I broke another engine mount. Went in for the appointment, and they fixed the AC. They also concluded that the rattle was not an engine mount, but something to do with the pulley for the AC compressor. Ok, so good, engine mounts aren't as fragile as I thought.
Now, today, 3 days after being in Boston AGAIN, my keyless remote went dead. Came out from work to get in and nothing. Figured the battery somehow died and needed to be charged. I drove home (about 40 minutes) still didn't work. Wife's key works just fine, so I definately have a dead battery...................sigh. I'm hoping that they can somehow just mail me a new key, but somehow doubt it.
So is this unusual for this many problems with an 06 MINI? Will this be then end of issues for a long time? I hope so.........so far the they fun factor (and smile factor) have out weighed the issues, but the issues are gaining ground quickly.......

scho

Gotta love the internet..........after surfing my fool head off trying to find the clamp set for this system,somewhere in the USof A.............to no avail, I finally had the idea to search for the manufacturers web site IN GERMANY! "contact us" the little tab said..........so I did. Laid out my predicament to cyber space across an ocean and a continent , and bright and early the next morning comes a response , from a real person named Sonja, who states: " give me your address and we'll send a new set right out to you" HHHHHHOOOOOOO HHHHHHAAAAAAA! :tongue: Looks like my vent paid off
( what a maroon for not thinkin' of this in the first place, eh?)

coming up on a month and still no clamps...................Zane's getting wicked loud. :cool: :hmph:
Sonja insists that she sent them "right out" Helllooooo federal express?