Just how reliable are they ?

[bulky]

I am looking at buying a low mileage 2011 cooper s and am now slightly worried after reading about clutch failures etc that the mini is not the best build quality , i am driving a honda civic at the moment , is it going to be a big wake up call m,oving from a japanese car ?

[jamieea]

I've got an older, first gen Mini Cooper 52 plate.

It's been very reliable. I've always made sure that the oil, water etc. are topped up. When I got it, it has completed 25,000 miles. It has now done 116,000 and still going strong.

- clutch and gearbox replaced at about 90,000 miles (if I recall correctly!)
- odd electrical gremlins
- (door wouldn't open) so I replaced the door latch mechanism.
- boot wouldn't shut (dodgy joint in the lock/latch unit)
- passenger electric window wouldn't work (again, another day with the door apart to replace the window regulator)
- just had to replace the battery after 10 years of service
- front speakers blew so I replaced them
- regularly servicing and an extended BMW TLC warranty (no major work needed during that time).

But apart from that, very happy. Thanks to this forum I've attacked some of the jobs that I would have taken it to a garage to look at.

Can't comment on the new models (although my sister has just bought a Cooper D) and it looks superb.

Oh, and I'm looking for a Cooper S.