New Mini Reliability?

[electrobix]

Hi!

I've been a smart car owner for a few years now and I just seem to keep having massive mechanical problems with them so I've decided to look for somthing new with a few more seats, the MINI was my first thought, but after looking on a few consumer report sites t seems that nearly all reviews are really negative with regards to the new mini's reliability!

I was just wondering how you existing owners felt about your new mini's and if it is worth getting a used one or top look for somthing else!?

Thanks!

James

[KPKalle]

First welcome to MINI2

My MINI Cooper is coming up on 2 years old and no problems whatsoever

[Ingrid]

My mini is about a year and a half. Not a single problem Absolutly love the car, and wouldn't change him for any other car in the world

[freber]

I've only had mine since August '05 - but 3200 miles and not a single problem. I also would not trade her in on any other new car.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

21 months, 21,000 miles; extremely reliable.

I would have another without a second thought.

Tigger.

[Themikanic]

Hi, though most of us here are MINI enthusiasts, and therefore will be protective of our cars, it's also fair to say I haven't had any real problems with my car & I would replace mine with another, should anything bad happen to it.
I really enjoy my car, especially as I'm a train commuter through the week, therefore I only drive on weekends.
Mike in Australia.

[Ralph'sPop]

First, I have owned 3 MINIs since 2003, so I'm not inexperienced or dissatisfied about them. Second, I've followed every word published in much of the US press, particularly Consumer Reports magazine, and I''ve observed that the first couple of years saw a lot of skepticism. However, in its June 2005 cover story entitled "Cool Convertibles," with a MINI convertible on the cover, CR said, "of the sportier trio [MINI, VW New Beetle, and PT Cruiser] the MINI was the clear winner" (Consumer Reports, June 2005). And in its most recent issue (Apr 2006), Consumer Reports has check-rated both MINI Cooper and MCS, crediting the MINI Cooper S for "acceleration, handling, fun to drive, turning circle,character, sunroof (and) easy top operation."

I would give my car really high marks for fit and finish, awesome stick-to-the-road handling, responsive engine-tranny package, and a glorious, open-to-the-skies-feeling in the convertible.

[electrobix]

Hey,

Wow, thanks for all the helpfull replys, seems maybe people only bother posting on consumer websites if somthing bad happens?!

Maybe I will start having a look again, is there anything i should avoid like a particular make or year? I don't really have much idea about them!

Thanks again for your help

James

[Paul]

Most issues tend to be with build quality, interior rattles and the like, rather than serious faults. The later cars tend to be better build, the July 2004 "facelift" and update across the range changed some of the ways things are put together, and improved quality. Also the One and Cooper got a new gearbox and the S got a power boost and improved gear ratios.

[Carlos.]

Jan 05 build (facelift) Cooper - 11k miles, now on the 3rd gearbox Other than that, no issues.

[British SD]

Consumer reports Magazine (Unbiased U.S. Magazine and consumer org) now has a coveted recommend rating on the MINI Coopers due to the raising of the reliability to Average and high consumer satisfaction. Seems they got better in 04 and 05 models at least with the Transmissions. Had a couple of minor things serviced under Warranty on my 04 Copper but nothing major. Seems BMW and MINI is commited than most car manufacturers to working out the tweaks with their cars and will be making them for years to come.

[Lawrothegreat]

The problem with consumer report websites is that more people are likely to write posts to complain or criticise a car, or to highly recommend it as the best car they've ever owned, yet these owners probably represent just a small minority. The majority of drivers of most cars built today will believe their cars have been satisfactory or good in terms of reliability, and probably won't log onto such websites. All cars have reliability issues whether it be a Volkswagen Golf, a Jaguar XJ8, or even a Mini!

I've had minor issues with my car, but nothing that has ever prevented it from being driven. The engines are pretty solid, with examples having past the 100,000 mile mark without problems now. I think the weak areas have been clutches/gearboxes and minor electrical problems, but later builds have become better.

[Richard Crofts]

I had a 2003 MINI Cooper Chilli and only thing I had was a whining gearbox...took it to BMW and within a day I had a new box (for free). The old Cooper 5 speed box did have some issues though, but BMW now use the same supplier as they used for the Cooper S 6 speed box so 04 onwards cars use a far superior box and to my knowledge these have had no significant issues. No problems other than that. BMW even fixed one or two trim issues I didn't know I had while it was in. They cleared all my interior rattles in the space of a couple of weeks of buying the car. That car had done 35+k miles

I now have an 2002 MINI Cooper S and as yet have not had any mechanical faults except my brakes are not very good, however this is likely just to be that they need replacing because of wear. This car has now done 32k miles.

Both cars were driven quite rapidly and were really only treated to the servicing as and when the service indicator said, no special work by myself was carried out and I never filled with oil, water or other consumables as when checked they never needed any in all the miles they did.

R

[SteveM3]

Love the car so I am willing to put up with a lot but so far (2.5 years) no problems or
complaints .

[William Courant]

03 Cooper here and apart from the well documented problems (clunking steering wheel and failing window motors, all fixed under warranty) no probs. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another Cooper. In fact, the Cooper has spoiled me for any other car