[bebop]

after much pressure from my future in-laws, i may be trading in my cvt mini for a z4. they are very concerned about all the problems my car has had. i also have concerns over safety in a mini. however, i am quite reluctant to part with my mini.

my question is, is the z4 plagued with problems like the mini? i do not have much confidence in bmw cars but i don't know what else to get.

the problems i have had with my car:
-stalling at stop light
-stalling while reversing (and couldn't restart car)
-transmission fluid recall
-jerkiness
-engine light coming on

i would like to know people's opinions before i make a decision. thanks.

[Bk MCS]

I dont have mine yet, but trade it in for a MCS. The newer model year more than likely has less problems than your cvt.

[Mini M!]

your future-in-laws want you to have a z4, or is that your choice?? quite different cars.

i dont think a z4 is any safer than a MINI.

pricewise, your CVT MINI is what, half of what BMW wants for their z4 3.0 SMG?

you can check roadfly.org for their z4 forum, but beware that the owners are quite biased and defensive of their z4's.

which dealership is servicing your MINI? those problem should have been sorted out. jerkiness is the way this CVT behaves.

i live in vancouver and has a MINI CVT as well as an M coupe and an M roadster. test droved a Z4 quite extensively. drop me a line if you wanna talk more.

[bebop]

the z4 is my fiance's choice. i like the car but a 2-seater will be inconvenient.

i'm also in vancouver. i bought my mini at mini richmond and i go there to have it serviced. i must say, i am very happy with the service there. they are very helpful. but the problems with the car are very frustrating. what makes it even more frustrating is the fact that the service department does not open on weekends and i have to keep taking time off work to take in the car. i am sure the problems will be sorted out eventually but in the meantime, i don't know how many more trips to the dealer i'll have to make before then.

have you had any problems with your msc?

[bebop]

i heard of the problems with the mini before getting my car. mine is a 2003 model, built in october 2002, i believe. i thought that all the bugs would have been sorted out by the time i got my car since it came out in 2001 in europe, 2002 in north america, and mine is a 2003 model.

i went to roadfly to browse through the z4 forums and it seems that there is one person whose engine failed in traffic. scary. maybe i'll keep my mini.

[Mini M!]

your problem with the CVT has been experienced by a few others. Oct 2002 production is pretty much one of the first ones anyways... so your 2003 MC CVT is one of the first ones on the road.

i hardly drive the MINI so.. haha.. very few problems.
good luck.

still difficult to think how/why someone cross shop between a MINI and a Z4...

if reliability is your issue, go with an MB or audi; at least it is made in germany.

[cooper4us]

Have a late '02 MINI Cooper CVT with 8K troublefree miles and ZERO problems. Sorry to sound so rough, but do you have an ounce of personality? Do you have to buy a car based on your finace's and future in-laws choice? I am sorry to say but that is non-sense! Buy what you like, not what others tell you to do. If you have had problems with your CVT, guess what, trade it in for a newer one if you like it so much and you'll see that you won't experience any issues. My car has been running smooth as silk since I got update 32.2 and jerkiness is most definetely not a normal operational trait of this fantastic transmission.

My opinion on the BMW Z4? A very ugly car with excellent powertrain and handling, impractical and very expensive. It seems that between your fiance and future in-laws they have their own little secret agenda to manipulate you (Beware of marital relationships where ovewhelming pressure to manipulate come always from one side) and make you buy what is a blatantly smaller (interior wise) impractical, ugly an expensive car. Why the heck they don't tell you to get a BMW 3 series? A sedan or even a coupe is a less expensive and more sensible choice.

My advice to you is to have personality and the cojones to say no to to their ongoing pressuring. If you like the MINI, then stick with MINI and if your car of choice becomes the "deal braker" in your ongoing relationship, so be it...don't let anyone step over your choices so they can satisfy theirs. Remember its YOUR money and Your car of choice.

Good luck.

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by Mini M!
your problem with the CVT has been experienced by a few others. Oct 2002 production is pretty much one of the first ones anyways... so your 2003 MC CVT is one of the first ones on the road.

i hardly drive the MINI so.. haha.. very few problems.
good luck.

still difficult to think how/why someone cross shop between a MINI and a Z4...

if reliability is your issue, go with an MB or audi; at least it is made in germany.

Are you joking, right? Have you seen the late quality stats on MB and Audi? At the bottom of the barrel. Actually BMW is many times more reliable than either MB or Audi combined. Rest assured that late model Audis and MB's are not known for any stellar reliability.

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by bebop
i heard of the problems with the mini before getting my car. mine is a 2003 model, built in october 2002, i believe. i thought that all the bugs would have been sorted out by the time i got my car since it came out in 2001 in europe, 2002 in north america, and mine is a 2003 model.

i went to roadfly to browse through the z4 forums and it seems that there is one person whose engine failed in traffic. scary. maybe i'll keep my mini.

Even though your car is a 2003, it is still a first year MINI. MINI was launched in the US in March 2002 and your car was built only 8 months after that. Early 2003 build MINI CVTs had problems due to the incorrect transmission oil viscosity added at the factory, which triggered a recall campaign. Your problems, I am assuming, are the after effects of wrong tranny oil damage, not defects in actual CVT design.

My '02 Cooper was built in early August '02 and came with the correct tranny oil from factory, s therefore was never part of the CVT recall and has never given me any problems.

If you like your CVT so much, then trade it in for a new 2004 CVT which will be a third year car (Albeit much better than the one you have now). 2004 production begins in September 1st, 2003.

[mikeoconnor1]

Wasn't there a software upgrade for the CVT's? I have not followed the issue too closely, but the problems you are having sound familiar. It sure would be nice if a simple reprogramming solved your car problems.

One last thought... since I trust dealers so little, do you think they are trying to pull a fast one on you. Convince you that the CVT has problems and get you to buy an expensive, highly profitable Z4 (Nice car, the looks are starting to grow on me). Then they reprogram the CVT MINI they got from you and sell it. Since you brought it in with "problems" which may not really exist, they lowball you. Then upgrade the ECU and have a fine running, MINI CVT. Which they get big $$$.

Just my crazy idea, the coffee is working well this morning.

[scm6079]

I love my Mini ('02 S), and wouldn't get rid of it personally. BUT, my '01 330i is is a better car-- better made, better fit, and safer. There have been numerous 'small' issues with my S (rattles, cold start problem, etc) -- but it's been major problem free. But driving the two back to back regularly, I really do think the materials and finish on the BMW brand is better. I read that the Z4 shares lots of parts with the 330i-- and I know that it shares the motor-- so I would expect less problems with the Z4. I'd suggest looking at the 330ci or 330i with the sport package or 330ppi performance package (6-speed, 3.0L, carbon fiber). The 330 is more practical than the Z4 (back seat) and has a longer track record with good resale value. BUT, with any such purchase like a Z4-- it's more about personal taste than a 'good financial decision.'

_Scott
'02 Cooper S
'01 BMW 330i
'71 Porsche 914-6

[cooper4us]

Agreed, but that 330i costs like $10K to $15K more than your MCS. Really, to compare a BMW 330 to a MCS is not really a very fair comparison..two different cars in very different price brackets.

[thegrommit]

Quote:

Originally posted by bebop
after much pressure from my future in-laws, i may be trading in my cvt mini for a z4. they are very concerned about all the problems my car has had. i also have concerns over safety in a mini. however, i am quite reluctant to part with my mini.

...

i would like to know people's opinions before i make a decision. thanks.

Ever considered that it's none of your prospective in-laws business? This does not bode well for your future dealings with them.

I'm a fan of convertibles, and think the Z4 looks very slick. However, if it's the only car for two people, I'd stick with the MINI.

[antnich]

If you want to compare the mini compare it against similar cars ie same price bracket same size. Ford Fiesta anyone or even a vauxhall corsa how about a corrola or honda civic but not a beemer. i bought this car after owning the late model bmw compact the car isnt as smooth isnt as big and doesnt have the same prestige. However the mini is a very fun car (in manual form) it handles superbly and is very easy to control as it is front wheel drive day to day driving i wouldnt go back to the bmw. But in a year or two i will be buying the Z3 m coupe 330 bhp and the size of a mini and a boot i can fit my dog in
Just one last question in america and canada what is the obsession with automatic cars? in general they are heavier worse on fuel more expensive and slower ok i know they are great for commuting but its a mini not a commuter car its a fun little sports car in the guise of a small hatch

Get the Z4 3.0i SMG...Amazing car. If you think the CVT is a good automatic, you will be amazed by the SMG.

-Andrew

PS. Make sure you get the M technique front bumper. Improves the car's looks dramatically.

[Bonjour]

For the price of a Z4, can't you get his 'n hers Coopers?

[antnich]

Question for mike

Which do you prefer to drive mini or beetle?
Never drove a beetle does it drive the same as the golf is it only cosmetic differences or have they improved handling etc???

[Humourl3ss]

MINIs are among the safest small cars available. Your future in-laws should get the idea out of their head that size = safety. Show them the 4-star crash test results if that helps.

With the Z4 you give up a lot of practicality, though you certainly won't suffer on the performance end of things.

-CW

[Bonjour]

The MINI is indeed a very safe car. Having been involved in an accident at 70mph last week and escaped with not a single injury (not even whiplash) I feel I can testify to its safety.

I believe if I'd been in my old car, I would not be here typing this now.

[mikeoconnor1]

I prefer the MINI. I like the sportier feel. The Beetle is produced for a much wider audience and therefore is not as sharp. (I don't know how it compares to a Golf, haven't driven one.) I don't knock VW for doing it, they are in the business of selling cars, right. The good part is that there is a large number of suppliers who can turn a VW into a serious performer for not too much cash. For 2,000, I can go from 150 hp to almost 220hp. The potential behind these cars are limited only by your budget.
I hope you are not getting the wrong impression of the VW. I traded in a 2000 Mustang convertible on it. The Mustang had 260 hp and 300ft/lb torque. A beast for sure. I feel much more comfortable driving the Beetle faster than the Mustang. The MINI just takes it to the next level.


Nice Black ONE. Haven't taken my car swimming yet, though.