[MiniWannaB]

First of all, this is not flame bait! I absolutely love the Mini and plan on buying one. I had planned on a Cooper S model, then a friend referred me here to MINI2 and the "Faults and Fixes" forum where I read about the "hiccup" "yo-yo" etc. Basically, it sounds like the Mini Cooper S has a driveability problem that BMW cannot fix despite software updates galore. Frankly, I am surprised the car made it to market with such a problem.

I am no fool and I am going into this with both eyes open. I know the Mini is going to be somewhat (maybe a lot!) more temperamental than my Japanese vehicles, which are boringly reliable. Both my Japanese cars are RWD though, and I would like a small FWD hatchback both for utility, winter driving, and all-around fun. Specifically, I want a Mini!

Based on everything I am reading I am giving serious consideration to passing on the S and just getting a base Cooper. (Money is not the issue, though I would not be willing to spend $5,000+ more to get a Works version.) Both the Cooper and S are well within my budget, so one would think I should get the S- but I am concerned about the driveability issue. I'd like to have the performance of the S, though so option 3 is to wait until they fix the S driveability issue, but after all I have read I am not optimistic they ever will.

That's it. Now I would like to hear it from the horses' mouth- all you Mini S owners. Any and all responses appreciated. I just don't know if it is wise to buy an S right now.

[Redpoint Rallying]

There has been a lot written about this characteristic. I am the owner of a May 2003 'S' so write here specifically with reference to my experience of this.

The more you read about this 'fault' the more paraniod about it you could become. Perhaps it is a more noticable trait in the older cars, I dont know. My own experience is that to date, after 3000 miles, of mixed driving, I have found no real problem at all. It is almost negligible in MY experience so based on this I would encourage you to go get one now!!!

You absolutely will not regret it if you enjoy your driving.

Cheers

[Snowboard360]

I have just taken delivery of my MCS on tuesday....

nothing as yet...but i will keep you up to date as the run in takes place....

I THINK IT IS FANTASTIC...a grin everytime i get in it!!

paul

[Zulu]

Speaking from my own experience and taking into account there are not an insignificant number of others out there attesting that they have the same experience, I would have to say - No!

Not saying it's a bad car but it is running on unpredictable software at this point in time. (Put your foot down and sometimes the car stops!) Not worth the potential consequences when merging into traffic.

[mini huni]

MiniWannaB
The folks with problems are about 5% of the total MCS
ownership. That means 95% have minimum problems.
I chose the MCS over the MC 'cuz the factory modded the
car for me. Better suspension, more HP, etc.

If you have enough money for either one - go for the MCS

[Zulu]

Quote:

Originally posted by mini huni
MiniWannaB
The folks with problems are about 5% of the total MCS
ownership.

This is Cooper Ss in the US?

Knowing where this figure came from I can assure you it is more than 5% that actually have the software problems - and logic tells me you can at least double it. That is the figure that is reported to Mini USA directly from the customer. I'd venture to say a lot more than 5% of Cooper S customers don't take it past the dealer level. I am sure there are many others that think they don't know how to drive a manual car and just keep practicing to ride the clutch or are experimenting with fuel additives.

[mikeythemini]

Wouldn't get rid of my S. Its the dogs, no probs 8000 miles
Is the problem your poor petrol????

[Big Al]

I have a driveability issue with my Cooper S.
I don`t have enough time to drive it.
This car is Magnificent! No faults whatsoever.
It is an October 2002 build , registered 1st November.

[Figleaf]

There has been a lot written about this issue on the boards recently. I have had my MCS for around 10 weeks so far and have 3k miles on the clock.

I wouldn't let it go now. If I am picky - there is a low end flat spot but nothing that is bad. But the engine is more responsive that my old TT Roadster (225 bhp)

I do wonder if this problem is related to US cars as opposed to UK cars. Maybe it is about tuning for emission problems.

I would take a test drive - I do believe that the buying a Cooper (when you have talked about really wanting an MCS) would mean that you are missing out on some great driving!

[Figleaf]

There has been a lot written about this issue on the boards recently. I have had my MCS for around 10 weeks so far and have 3k miles on the clock.

I would let it go. If I am picky - there is a low end flat spot but nothing that is bad. But the engine is more responsive that my old TT Roadster (225 bhp)

I do wonder if this problem is related to US cars as opposed to UK cars. Maybe it is about tuning for emission problems.

I would take a test drive - I do believe that the buying a Cooper (when you have talked about really wanting an MCS) would mean that you are missing out on some great driving!

[MiniWannaB]

Yes, I am in the USA. That is the version of the car/software I would have. Have not been checking where people have been posting from. Is it a USA problem, a UK problem, or a universal problem?

[Z1GZAG N]

I picked up my MCS on June 12 and just turned 1250 miles today. I have no regrets in buying the MCS at all. Yes, it does surge at times but it's not so bad as to turn me against the car. Some people on here have complained about the clutch being stiff and the shifter not being smooth, but compared to my Camaros and Chevelles, the clutch pressure is nothing and the shifter suits me just fine. Some have complained about the shifter making noise, but after driving cars with the M22 Muncie that had straight cut gears, this trans and shifter are quiet. I rather like the sound as I wind it up through the gears. And the ride, oh the ride, so many have cried about the stiff ride. To me it rides better than my Corvette and as well or better than the Escort it replaced. 17" wheels look great and I wouldn't have it any other way. Will you like it? You have to want this car for what it is.

[tsprayfhs]

18,000 miles and I have had no problems of any kind with any of the software. God I love the car. From the day we brought home the MINI S we have never bothered to even start our Porsche. Why should we? The 'S' is a lot more fun and has fewer problems. Did I say I like the car? Buy the Works. If I were buying today It would be a Works.

Motor on.

[Byrnie]

I wont be getting rid of my 01/03 S. No faults all fun.

It will be staying with me till one of us dies! (and then my wife wants it he, he).

I agree with some of the earlier comments that you can get paranoid about things from reading the faults and fixes. I must be one of lucky ones but I am sure that there are plenty of us that dont respond cos there doesnt appear to be anything wrong with our cars.

[Zulu]

How is it that we can have the exact same model of cars with presumably the same or very similar SOFTWARE and have 2 completely different performance levels?

I was out for a drive last night - thought I'd try and count yoyos as I was driving through the gears. Driving normal speed on level surface and not trying to produce the effect. I got up to 20 oscillations through 3rd gear. Whilst not head wrenching the stepped acceleration does become very annoying and way beyond noticeable.

We have been told that SOFTWARE is the issue - yet after more than a year in production, BMW say there is no fix at this time.

BMW/Mini factory does not produce quantities of cars without these seemingly endemic if not innate PROBLEMS

That porsche must be a shocker.

[Zulu]

Quote:

Originally posted by Zulu
How is it that we can have the exact same model of cars with presumably the same or very similar SOFTWARE and have 2 completely different performance levels?

I was out for a drive last night - thought I'd try and count yoyos as I was driving through the gears. Driving normal speed on level surface and not trying to produce the effect. I got up to 20 oscillations through 3rd gear. Whilst not head wrenching the stepped acceleration does become very annoying and way beyond noticeable.

We have been told that SOFTWARE is the issue - yet after more than a year in production, BMW say there is no fix at this time.

BMW/Mini factory does not produce quantities of cars without these seemingly endemic if not innate PROBLEMS

That porsche must be a shocker.

[tsprayfhs]

MiniWannaB

Sofar you have 15 resplies. Four were negative, and all by the same person, and I expect his tally will grow. That says a lot. The mini is more fun than you can believe. Only wish mine were a Works. Is any car perfect? No. But this one has given me no trouble. I've have owned many cars for over a fourty years period and this one out handles all of them. It is most fun of the lot, and sofar it is the most reliable car I have ever had. I have several friends that have two or more MINIs. That does not happen to poor cars. Enjoy.

Motor on

[Zulu]

tsprayfhs,

Let's just hope MiniWannaB doesn't get a bad one after your three thumbs up - or even worse gets T boned crossing a 2 lane road because the DME said "OOPS".

There are dozens of us in the forum who HAVE had this happen [less TBone] It is only a matter of time before the worst happens.

I'll wager that BMW have already made the calculation of how many units in service for what length of time can we risk it.

You don't have to look very hard for a little smoke within this forum - and as my mum says - "where there's smoke there's fire".

[FastLaneTuning]

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Al
I have a driveability issue with my Cooper S.
I don`t have enough time to drive it.

This has got to be my favorite quote I've seen on this messageboard to date. Awesome!!!

I've only been on two test drives (they're sick of me coming back asking for more!), so I wouldn't know anything about the problems just yet. But in Sept., if there's a problem with the brand new car - THAT'S WHY THEY GIVE YOU A WARRANTY THAT COMES WITH THE CAR!! BMW doesn't want to go down in flames over some insignificant problem with their cars, nor should or WILL they ever. Why do you think they offer free maintenance for one year on MINI's? HA! Because they care about the customer??? Absolutely not, they care about their IMAGE, their resale value, their reliable cars. If they know that they are well taken care of, then they aren't going to lose stock over 'hiccups' or the infamous 'yo-yo' effect....

Just my 2 cents, take it with a grain of salt....

[MINImeat]

OK, Zulu has succeeded in making me paranoid and sending me out to my car waiting for yo-yoing and surging.
I sympathize with him and believe he has a very bad problem and others have much less troublesome versions of the problem, but:

I don't have any hint of yo-yoing or surging in my Sept-02-build MCS.

The closest I can come to yo-yoing is the 1-second lag in power I get with the AC on if I try to pull away at 1,000rpm or lower, but even that isn't annoying since it's followed by a very smooth rush of power that puts me past everyone else very quickly. And I definitely don't have any surging problems anywhere else in the powerband.
I live in the Southern US and I use nothing but premium AMOCO/BP.
This is the best-handling car I've ever owned.
The only other problem I've had was a leaky coolant overflow bottle and that was fixed quickly and painlessly.
If I was considering the purchase today, I'd still get the car I got. I heard about the early problems from the folks in England before I bought mine and got it anyway.
I wish Zulu all the luck in the world getting his problem resolved. It can be nothing but good for the rest of us.
I love my MCS.