Advice on a new Cooper S

[Stanleyboy]

Hi all.

I live in the UK, and am going to be ordering a Mini Cooper S in the near future. I've read up all the reviews, had my test drive, and have been impressed by it all. I'm going to plump for the Standard Cooper S, with Chili pack.. and CD player.

I was just wondering if anyone that has run one of these cars for a while has any gripes or complaints? Is there any annoying noises, anything that is prone to going wrong.. anything that doesn't work as it should, or is there anything that is a common fault?

Anything I've read on the mini till now has been positive, but I'm just looking for some info on things that are perhaps not as good as they should be.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[paultrfc]

hi i have had a continual problem of it pulling to the left.. been to bmw 4 times still the same. gave me a hire cooper s did the same
other problems are stumbling in 1st gear ( mine is fine) but hire car did. although it felt like the hire car had been ragged from day 1...

no other problems, it is still a good car to to have

[kapps]

Yea, the MINI really doesn't have any big problems. I've got a little stumble and yo yo but I also have yet to upgrade to the latest engine software. It's a rock solid car with a few rattles but that's because how it rides.

I'd buy another (and plan on doing it).

[TMini]

As long as you are not expecting a "smooth, quiet, luxury car" you'll be pleased with the Mini. It has a personality all of it's own and even the passengers can't help but smile...

My wish list is a less "boomy" sound from the HK sound system, hotter heated seats and nicer leather on the seats but it is worth noting that these are all options...If I were to do it over I would put in my own after market sound system but would still go with the leather and cold weather package.

T

[bobnobski]

yeah I have a problem - my main niggle about the MINI and especially the S. How much ruddy upspray you get from the back wheels. The rear screen gets plastered!!

[mjfrancis]

I am in the process of trying to reject my cooper S. Mine has the stumble problem, but through every gear not just first (although there is news of a fix for this), but more of an issue is it has a persistent fuel economy problem (18 - 20 mpg extra urban). These problems have been evident since day 1, but the dealership has not yet been able to rectify either problem (it has been 6 months now). Thus the more worrying problem for me is the appalling service from the MINI garage. The Service staff are rude and unhelpful, and it has taken the full six months of ownership to even get anywhere with trying to fix the problems. I have given up with the dealership and are now going direct through MINI. Perhaps get a drive of your car with the garage before you sign for it, as any problems like mine will show up immediately. Don't get sparkly eyed over it (very easy as they are lovely cars) and take delivery of it with a promise that it will be fixed later - you will just have grief trying to make the dealership keep their word!

In a nutshell - it is a fantastic car to drive, but check out the service of the garage you plan to use by asking other people that have bought through them, and had work done on the car through them. You can always go somewhere else... however, this is the second BMW garage I have dealt with (on separate cars) and both have been equally as bad as each other. My advice would be that if you want good customer service and support, buy a different brand of car.

Another point to note is that the service interval for the Cooper S does not appear to be the 10,000 miles the dealership will tell you it is, the dealership have recently told me that they are consistently getting Cooper S's in at 7000 to 8000 for their first service - so definitely buy the 5 year service pack for £100, and be prepared for the miles on the service indicator to plummet initially.

If you do buy one - I hope it is trouble free, and if so, enjoy!

[bobnobski]

Quote: Originally Posted by mjfrancis

I am in the process of trying to reject my cooper S. Mine has the stumble problem, but through every gear not just first (although there is news of a fix for this), but more of an issue is it has a persistent fuel economy problem (18 - 20 mpg extra urban). These problems have been evident since day 1, but the dealership has not yet been able to rectify either problem (it has been 6 months now). Thus the more worrying problem for me is the appalling service from the MINI garage. The Service staff are rude and unhelpful, and it has taken the full six months of ownership to even get anywhere with trying to fix the problems. I have given up with the dealership and are now going direct through MINI. Perhaps get a drive of your car with the garage before you sign for it, as any problems like mine will show up immediately. Don't get sparkly eyed over it (very easy as they are lovely cars) and take delivery of it with a promise that it will be fixed later - you will just have grief trying to make the dealership keep their word!

In a nutshell - it is a fantastic car to drive, but check out the service of the garage you plan to use by asking other people that have bought through them, and had work done on the car through them. You can always go somewhere else... however, this is the second BMW garage I have dealt with (on separate cars) and both have been equally as bad as each other. My advice would be that if you want good customer service and support, buy a different brand of car.

Another point to note is that the service interval for the Cooper S does not appear to be the 10,000 miles the dealership will tell you it is, the dealership have recently told me that they are consistently getting Cooper S's in at 7000 to 8000 for their first service - so definitely buy the 5 year service pack for £100, and be prepared for the miles on the service indicator to plummet initially.

If you do buy one - I hope it is trouble free, and if so, enjoy!

Not all dealers are like this - I rejected my 1st MINI with no problems whatsoever?

[sorlo]

One problem: You can't stop thinking of the car and can't focus on other things!

[monkeynuts]

picked mine up yesterday and got plenty of new pics so check my gallery

[pappillon]

Quote: Originally Posted by sorlo

One problem: You can't stop thinking of the car and can't focus on other things!

....... ditto, sorlo. having the same problem myself. just how long do you have to own a MINI before you stop looking back at it when you've just got out?

[mcsdan]

I'd avoid the Mini full leather and if you want leather get it done after market.

Replace the runflat tyres with proper tyres. The runflats are rubbish.

Get the side skirts from the aero kit. You can specify them on their own. Much better
looking than the black pastic.

Dan

[shedend]

never bothered with the chili pack - don't need air-con in this country (mostly, and worsens fuel consumption anyway), didn't want bigger wheels due to harder ride (yep they look good though), so didn't seem worth it to me. No regrets - just got fogs, stripes, and CD, (spent the rest on fuel..... )

[SFJAMES]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stanleyboy

Hi all.

I live in the UK, and am going to be ordering a Mini Cooper S in the near future. I've read up all the reviews, had my test drive, and have been impressed by it all. I'm going to plump for the Standard Cooper S, with Chili pack.. and CD player.

I was just wondering if anyone that has run one of these cars for a while has any gripes or complaints? Is there any annoying noises, anything that is prone to going wrong.. anything that doesn't work as it should, or is there anything that is a common fault?

Anything I've read on the mini till now has been positive, but I'm just looking for some info on things that are perhaps not as good as they should be.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Search thru this site you read ALL the dirt and the good things, personnaly my biggest problem is not being able to drive all the time because I have to WORK! minis rule! Brutus is a 7/02 model that had his coolant tank replaced and boot latch replaced under warranty.

[pappillon]

Quote: Originally Posted by SFJAMES

Brutus is a 7/02 model .....

BRUTUS.... what a cool name for a MINI

[Spy Car]

Quote: Originally Posted by pappillon

BRUTUS.... what a cool name for a MINI

<--------------------checks calendar....suggests you all beware the ides of March