Periodically someone will put a link to this topic on the NAM Mini Cooper forum (creates a certain degree of alarm).
After Analyzing this scary looking group of problems my concerns lessened. I wrote it up on the NAM site. Here is a copy:
Having felt a great deal of concern After reading the European Mini forum’s 2nd gen faults and fixes segment, I decided to read in detail all 45 postings along with their many sub postings to ferret out the real story. I logged the results on a spreadsheet and here’s what I learned.
. There were several (8 – some multiple) early growing pains quality problems that are no longer showing up. These had people pretty concerned for a while (November and part of December). For instance, leaking fuel pump problems were of great concern (safety issue). There were also rattles, squeaks, pieces falling off, and whatever.
. There were six non-issues (also, I deleted another 4 that shouldn’t even have been posted in this topic string).
. There were six one-of-a-kind irritants that were repaired or are being repaired by Mini.
. There were six little issues that were quickly fixed.
. There were 5 minor irritant issues.
. There were five issues that turned out to be operator misunderstandings.
. There were three issues that fell in the category of, “Nature of the Beast”.
. And, finally, there were three issues that warrant watching:
…. Gearbox problems (5 of them). These non-catastrophic issues are currently being addressed by Mini. It’s worth going to that site and reading what popey, craig, tracywebb, aisling and ichy600 have to say. It’s worth it to know what to look, listen, and feel for as we test-drive our new cars.
…. Upgrade speaker problems (several). Fixed by Mini but check out those speakers when you take ownership of your car.
…. One case of Obviously lousy workmanship along with poor QC. Only once, but this kind of thing stands out glaringly. If I had been the owner I’d have not accepted the car.
Anyhow, what looked scary and horrible to me at first viewing (2nd. Gen. faults and fixes) turned out to be nothing really to lose any sleep over. There are a lot of postings there that have nothing but glowing things to say about their new MCs and MCSs. I'm not a bit concerned about this very few folks who have experienced legimate issues.
After Analyzing this scary looking group of problems my concerns lessened. I wrote it up on the NAM site. Here is a copy:
Having felt a great deal of concern After reading the European Mini forum’s 2nd gen faults and fixes segment, I decided to read in detail all 45 postings along with their many sub postings to ferret out the real story. I logged the results on a spreadsheet and here’s what I learned.
. There were several (8 – some multiple) early growing pains quality problems that are no longer showing up. These had people pretty concerned for a while (November and part of December). For instance, leaking fuel pump problems were of great concern (safety issue). There were also rattles, squeaks, pieces falling off, and whatever.
. There were six non-issues (also, I deleted another 4 that shouldn’t even have been posted in this topic string).
. There were six one-of-a-kind irritants that were repaired or are being repaired by Mini.
. There were six little issues that were quickly fixed.
. There were 5 minor irritant issues.
. There were five issues that turned out to be operator misunderstandings.
. There were three issues that fell in the category of, “Nature of the Beast”.
. And, finally, there were three issues that warrant watching:
…. Gearbox problems (5 of them). These non-catastrophic issues are currently being addressed by Mini. It’s worth going to that site and reading what popey, craig, tracywebb, aisling and ichy600 have to say. It’s worth it to know what to look, listen, and feel for as we test-drive our new cars.
…. Upgrade speaker problems (several). Fixed by Mini but check out those speakers when you take ownership of your car.
…. One case of Obviously lousy workmanship along with poor QC. Only once, but this kind of thing stands out glaringly. If I had been the owner I’d have not accepted the car.
Anyhow, what looked scary and horrible to me at first viewing (2nd. Gen. faults and fixes) turned out to be nothing really to lose any sleep over. There are a lot of postings there that have nothing but glowing things to say about their new MCs and MCSs. I'm not a bit concerned about this very few folks who have experienced legimate issues.