[lashaw]

Hi, i'm interested in getting a Cooper, or Cooper S. However, my dad is not so certain, because he heard that they got a really horrible reliability rating.... Is there any truth to that? What kinds of problems have there been with Coopers? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Johnny225]

Your father has reason to be suspicious of the reliability. Many MINI owners have minor problems with their cars. However, these are usually only minor rattles, sqeaks, etc., and can be easily fixed by the dealership. If he's worried about the car failing on you, then you can tell him that very few MINI's have serious problems, after all, you are getting BMW quality...

[CooperS4us]

2004 MCS, 6 months old, 6,300 miles and absolutely ZERO problems. Solid and tight as a drum.

2002 Cooper CVT, 17 months old, 21,800+ miles and not a single problem either.

[dr remulac]

2003 Cooper , 21,460 miles... no problems except one loose piece of plastic
trim replaced under warranty. Happy owner here.

[lashaw]

Are there any other cases of reliability issues, or is everyone honky dory with their MINI? Thanks.

[Paul!]

Quote: Originally Posted by lashaw

Are there any other cases of reliability issues, or is everyone honky dory with their MINI? Thanks.

If you look at the individual forums, you will find a couple people talking about their MINI rattles, squeaks, and problems. Does this mean that it's an unreliable car? I don't think so. I think that MINI owners tend to be a bit more... erm, obsessive about their MINI then people with other cars. Why? Because we love our MINIs!! So when we hear so much as a trim piece rattle, we go into a panic and speed over to the service center (not picking on you dr remulac, it's just the truth !! I've already gone once myself!).

Now this isn't to say that all of the problems are not serious. Some are. But that's when the MINI service center shines through. It seems to me that most people are very satisfied with the level of service that they provide. Heck, some service waiting areas are more like a hotel lobby than an auto shop!

For example, I have never spent any money on anything extra for any of my cars besides audio systems and air fresheners. But since I picked up my MINI on Monday, I've already spent a couple hundred dollars on little chrome bits, and researching a few more items! (And I'll post pictures as soon as the weather around DC clears up!! Grr!!!)

Hope this helps!

-Paul!

[Wing0949]

I would agree with the other replies so far.

If you have access to check Consumer Report online, you'll find that the new minis have a really good rating overall in all categories, just reliability sucks... and i would agree with the other replies above that most problems are noise issues and a handfull of mechanical or electronic details which may need some fixing... usually for free covered under warranty.

the body of the new minis are really stiff and if you have sport suspension in the MCS with runflats, you can definitely bet noise will be an issue... rattles, squeaks, and road noises... the rattles and squeaks are usually fixable, road noise, however, will simply be there... just turn up the music.... welll, i don't know about the base cooper model, but if you're going for an S, chances are you're into the whole sportier feel and performance and know to expect a stiffer ride with added road noises.

I don't konw where Consumer Reports gets its info, but I wouldn't really mark the new minis as bad as they did in regard to "reliability". The mini is very reliable and a great daily commuter. I would have placed the noise issue under some other category.

And yes, mini technician service is generally really good. Though, some times, some places, and/or some technicians might not take the right steps to properly address and solve a problem.

Anyways, what car doesn't have it's problems?

If you want a fun and nice car, a new mini is still a good choice. Get one already! And if you have change, get another!

[Paul!]

Wing949,

Just a quick note: The Consumer Reports review was done on Oct 2002. If I understand correctly, the first 'batch' of MINIs did have reliability problems, but were for the most part corrected since then, so I don't think that the report is really valid anymore.

Feel free to yell at me and tell me I'm wrong though!

-Paul!

[krb]

My 2003 Mini One whilst not in any strict sense unreliable - ie. no problems that left me stranded - did have numerous small niggles. The usual rattles (boot, dash and seat belt slides), water leak, paint defect (resprayed under warranty) etc.

My new (March 2004) Cooper is a different kettle of fish. No rattles whatsoever. Perfect paint. In fact no faults whatsoever after 1,300 miles.......

[dmholmes]

Mine was rock solid for about the first 3000 miles. Since then it has been coming a bit unglued. The transmission failed at 3500 miles and the squeaks and rattles started in force. For the rattles I usually wait for a scheduled service interval as each time they track one down I get new ones anyway. I had a burned battery cover (bad connection from factory), NAV system replaced, incessantly creaking driver's seat (still, aargh!), stalling problems, air bag light stuck on (twice), rattling passenger side speaker (twice), ECU flashed for stalling problem (still has problem, just stalls differently now), and blistering leather on the steering wheel. I know I'm missing a couple of other things but I don't have the service records handy.

Overall, I am happy with the car. It is still a blast to drive but I do wish it was built better. Will I keep it at the end of 4 years? Not sure, I like variety in my vehicle choice. Would I buy another one? Probably. I seem to see a lot less issues with the 2004 models so maybe they are starting to get things ironed out finally. Not to mention, the convertibles are coming!

[MINImeat]

'03 MCS (9/02 build) 12,600 miles. Coolant overflow bottle replaced for leak very early on. No other mechanical problems whatsoever. I've added felt tape to the rear of the door panels to quiet the door rattles and a strip at the forward trim below the sunroof to quiet that one. It's now as quiet and solid as the day I bought it.
Love it more everyday.

[Wing0949]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul!

Wing949,

Just a quick note: The Consumer Reports review was done on Oct 2002. If I understand correctly, the first 'batch' of MINIs did have reliability problems, but were for the most part corrected since then, so I don't think that the report is really valid anymore.

Feel free to yell at me and tell me I'm wrong though!

-Paul!

Was it? I don' t know? Actually, my stepdad printed up the Consumer Report report for me to check out but I don't recall a date when the review was made. I do remember the report containing 02 & 03 models and there were differences in reviews, the goods and bads...namely being the 02 models had a lot more black or half circles* (*Consumer Report ratings, i believe black circles being really bad and 1/2 red 1/2 white circles being okay/average). I assume the report was pretty current since it included the 03 models... as with the 04's? I would say it also safe to assume that the report will be comparable and more or less equal to 03 Mini report.

[miniman marshall]

Quote: Originally Posted by dmholmes

and blistering leather on the steering wheel.

Did you get anything done about that?? My steering wheel has the same thing almost like the leather has been stretched....

[dmholmes]

No, but plan on taking it in next week or maybe the week after. Am waiting to get the Miata out of storage so I don't have to deal with borrowing a car from a friend while the dealer does the work.

[Scargo]

2003 MCS zero problems that some duck tape couldnt fix

[Spy Car]

No problems here. A strut bolt was replaced under recall...no big deal. Otherwise perfect.

And I could not love driving my MCS more

[ArmyDog]

1500 miles and no problems yet.

The Consumer Reports information stated the Mini has high unreliability. This is because some (not all) Mini owners are picky (anal???) about every little squeak, rattle, or other strange noises produced by their cars and bring em to their dealers to get fixed. There are not many mechanical problems with the newer models per my local dealer...NW Mini Fife Washington.