To buy or not to buy that is the question...

[chillired]

Hi all

I have been reading this forum for two days and now am posting my first question. Ordered a Cooper for my wife two days ago with a delivery in Sept. Since then I have read so many problems about the car that I am more than a little concerned.

I understand that a forum is likely to have more problem related posts as it is unlikley people will write about how reliably their cars are working but I still could do with some true user input.

The MINI comes high in last years TG and the Which? surveys but I would like to hear from you all. I know the car is fun to drive, it looks nice too and my wife has fallen in love with a car for the very first time in her life. Any helpful and honest pointers would be welcome.

Thanks.

[fred3]

Quote: Originally Posted by chillired

Hi all

I have been reading this forum for two days and now am posting my first question. Ordered a Cooper for my wife two days ago with a delivery in Sept. Since then I have read so many problems about the car that I am more than a little concerned.

I understand that a forum is likely to have more problem related posts as it is unlikley people will write about how reliably their cars are working but I still could do with some true user input.

The MINI comes high in last years TG and the Which? surveys but I would like to hear from you all. I know the car is fun to drive, it looks nice too and my wife has fallen in love with a car for the very first time in her life. Any helpful and honest pointers would be welcome.

Thanks.

with any model car you'll get reported problems and I'm sure you've read some wicked ones here. Ignore them. Why? Because like any model/make/year the most posts about any car are the problems encountered, not the problems that don't exist. There have been some posts that have tried to address those with few or no problems, but like newspapers and tv it's the bad that gets the most press. So if you want a Mini, buy a mini. Like with any other car you buy you never know whether you'll get one that's full of problems, one with few simple problems or one with no problems. Look more at a dealers reputation for customer service and then enjoy the ride. With 4000+ miles(knocks on wood) and zero problems as reported by others at this web site and others I'm hoping for a relatively problem free ownership(probably jinxed myself now . It's a great car. Get it or not, but don't count on someones else's experience to steer you toward buying one or not. Buy if you like, not if someone else likes or doesn't like.

[tntomek]

I have a 2002 Cooper and mine has had its fair share of problems but they were all fixed. The 2005's are much more reliable vehicles then the first MINI's. And should you encounter any problems BMW will fix anything. Don't kid yourself the MINI is no Toyota/Honda but this car has a soul and there is a reason your wife fell in love with the car. Careful inspection of the car will reveal that is is very well made. I ran over a curb at 50km/h and freaked out, well… nothing happened, my alignment is perfect. This car is rock solid in terms of quality of materials and safety. The car also has very good clearance, better then almost any sedan/coupe. If I didn’t already own a MINI I would buy one in a heartbeat, esp. a 2005. Also keep in mind that if for some weird reason the warrantly ran out and you had to sell this car, it has the best resale value of ANY car under $50k.

[marlin]

Had 2 mini,s a Cooper and a Cooper S works, no problems with either cars. Also the BMW service has proved to be excellent.

[DeadCanDanceR]

Quote: Originally Posted by chillired

Hi all

I have been reading this forum for two days and now am posting my first question. Ordered a Cooper for my wife two days ago with a delivery in Sept. Since then I have read so many problems about the car that I am more than a little concerned.

I understand that a forum is likely to have more problem related posts as it is unlikley people will write about how reliably their cars are working but I still could do with some true user input.

The MINI comes high in last years TG and the Which? surveys but I would like to hear from you all. I know the car is fun to drive, it looks nice too and my wife has fallen in love with a car for the very first time in her life. Any helpful and honest pointers would be welcome.

Thanks.

Check this thead, it might help you:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-discussion/84703-no-major-problems-my-mini-thread.html

[chillired]

Quote: Originally Posted by DeadCanDanceR

Check this thead, it might help you:

Thanks guys for all the help. I think I was right in assuming you will only read about problems and not about the reliable cars and the last link puts us at ease.

We drove the Cooper S and my wife found the gearbox too notchy and I found the auto too dull, she therefore ordered the Cooper instead. We are however having another test drive of the CS to see if a different car is better and get that instead. The problem with this is that the MC can be had in September but the CS won't be until Oct or Nov.

I have sent my wife the link to this thread and the other link also.

Thanks.

[INDIIAN]

I have a 16 month old One with 18500 miles up and no problems. Only one visit to dealer and that was for first service at about 11,500 miles.
Oh I forgot, one extra dealer visit to have white stripes put on.

[dcfkan]

Had my Apple since Feb 02 (Jan 02 build), apart from one or two minor niggles that are really just niggles, the car has been fine, with more than 50k on the clock, passed her MOT in Jan 05 with no issues

Perhaps I am lucky that my car is not a lemon

Chance it I'd say

DK :apple:

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by dcfkan

Perhaps I am lucky that my car is not a lemon

thats because she's an apple :apple:

sweet not sour