* * 1 Year with the MINI Cooper S (Long Term Report) * *

[bigmini]

Hey Dave,

I'm thinkging about getting rid of my 17" s-lites and replacing them with 16"'s. But, if I use non-runflat tires, what do I do about a spare? Can you put one in the wayback or what?

[BruceK]

Dave, what a great post! Very detailed with super pictures.

Hey! It's my MINI's birthday too.

For those of you that don't know, Dave's MINI and mine are identical twins. Same color, same option and they were built the same day with VINs just 2 digits apart! They were sold at the same dealership by the same salesperson.

Dave, I think your car has lead a fuller life. My MINI has only half the miles of yours - 13,000. I haven't changed much - it still looks like it did when it was born, but I recently added a chrome Cooper S grille and a chrome boot handle. My car has had only one replacement windshield, but that was due to a little bit of a road hazard! (flying pickup truck tire/wheel striking the windshield).

The first 10 months of ownership there was no local dealer, and after living through 4 months of the cold start problem (3 to 5 tries each time to start) I traveled 200 miles to the nearest dealer the week they opened up to have that fixed and my coolant tank replaced. I also got the recall improved seat levers at that time.

The only other technical problem that comes to mind is that I had a xenon headlight replaced - the low beam xenon part was great, but the high beam could not be aimed properly. So the whole unit was replaced.

Hard to believe I owned it a year now. It still feels like my "new car" and I still get a thrill walking up to it and climbing in. (not to mention driving it!!)

[Spy Car]

Hey congradulations to both of you. What an amazing coincidence that two such huge contributers to the MINI community would have "identical twins".

Quick question. Are we going to count the cars birthday from when it was built or when we took delivery of our pride and joy?

[AprilWhine]

I would say from delivery. Your birthday is counted at the day you entered the world, not the day you were conceived.

[dldds]

What an awesome recount of the past year! That was a great post. Congratulations on your first year. I've also had some minor glitches with my MCS, but it's all been worth it 'cause I don't know of any other car which has been as fun to drive as my MINI! It has given me opportunities to meet great people and soon I'll be going to the tracks to see what I can really do with my MINI.
Keep Motoring!!

[jimskater]

Wow. Great job David. Well reasoned & balanced report. Being on windshield #2, I'm wondering if #3 is on its way...

I'm looking forward to my first Autocross on 08/31/03... Maybe I'll surprise myself.

[RickB]

Great report. I took delivery in Sept. of '02, and while I also have made a few trips to the dealer (next up; replace foggy taillight, and gas gauge that erroneously reads empty), I'm happy with the car. I haven't had any problems with my windshield, other than one 1/4" star.

[DeniseK]

Nice write-up, Dave. I wish I could get as excited as you re: Ralph Schomp Mini. I drove up from Santa Fe and they did nada to help me, except change the oil. Said they didn't have cold start and hesitation software; nor did they fix sunroof rattle.

[mike]

Great write up! While I have an earlier car, I only have 15,700 miles. I have had the cold start problem and the frozen shift cables, NO windshield or coolent tank. Yet. I consider the MINI very reliable and quite the joy to drive. Love it!
motor on
Mike

[visionary]

Good long term report Dave

Wow sooooo many miles, I would have had my baby MINI for one year next month (Sept.'02). So far I've got only 1450 miles on her

Drive safe,
Peace

[dav]

Dave, great article! I am still in wait mode, and hopefully many of these minor issues (NOT windshield) will be ironed out.I am curious what Speedy glass charges to replace a Mini windshield with PPG brand?

[LMB]

I had my previous Cooper S for nearly a year and whilst I didn't cover the mileage you did (9,000 miles) I never had a problem with the windshield cracking.

Mind you I have found it to be prone to stone chips. My new S is barely 4 weeks old and it already has two stone chips.

Great report though – doesn’t time fly, I remember reading about your road trip to pick the car up.

[paa100]

Great thread. My car comes on Friday. Off on a loooooooonnnnnggggg trip on Saturday. Very nervous...... and excited. Lithuania to Germany by ferry. Across Germany and Holland. Ferry to England. Trip around England including visit to Worthing for JCW kit. Then back to Lithuania via Germany. Should make running in quick.

[jimskater]

Quote: Originally Posted by visionary

Good long term report Dave

Wow sooooo many miles, I would have had my baby MINI for one year next month (Sept.'02). So far I've got only 1450 miles on her

Well, now that she's through the break-in period, it's time to take her out & thrash her along some old country roads. Why in a year or two, you might even get 2000 miles more on her!

At 4 1/2 months, I've got 8500 miles on Ollie, with the miles to service indicator reading 325.

Get out & drive.

[visionary]

Quote: Originally Posted by jimskater

Well, now that she's through the break-in period, it's time to take her out & thrash her along some old country roads. Why in a year or two, you might even get 2000 miles more on her!

At 4 1/2 months, I've got 8500 miles on Ollie, with the miles to service indicator reading 325.

Get out & drive.

Ok jimskater,

Straightaway I'll say that I love my MINI. Wish MINI/BMW/JCW had the b*lls to put out a real tuneing kit for the car. Guess I'll wait for some other tuner.

However while the MINI maybe brilliant for a car, Suzuki's GSX-R1000K3 motorbike is UNFREAKIN' BELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Been riding rather than driving this summer.

There's something 'bout riding a 180mph motorcycle
Peace