Are current build Minis any better?

2139 Views 15 Replies 13 Participants Last post by jnzmini, Jan 25, 2003

corkmini

Discussion Starter · Jan 21, 2003

Hello all,

23 different problems and 4 months of legal wrangling later, myself and a number of other Mini drivers are attempting to get our dealer (so far unsuccessfully) to take seriously that there are any problems with our cars.

We are looking at several different options - one that was raised was that we simply trade in against new models. So, I have a simple question -

ARE THE NEW BUILD CARS (MINI ONE) IMPROVED?

Do they still leak?
Are the seats still crap?
Do the electrics (ABS, tyre, ECU) still fail all the time?
Does everything still rattle like the clappers?
Do they still all pull/drift left?

Would I be crazy to swap in this beauty I've been driving for the last 8 months for a new model???

I would really appreciate some straightforward answers. The frustration of dealing with these dishonest, ignorant people is beginning to wear me out.

Thanks in advance,

Corkmini.

PS - please don't tell me to accept the bad build because of the drive quality and the style. I agree the drive quality is great and the style is fab - I just want a car that works...!

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

flipper

· #2 · Jan 21, 2003

Only had ours since november - now done 2K
Going like a dream with no probs

KenL

· #3 · Jan 21, 2003

Do they still leak?
No.

Are the seats still crap?
My July 02 seats haven't squeaked once. There are no problems with adjusting them as they've changed the design.

Do the electrics (ABS, tyre, ECU) still fail all the time?
No.

Does everything still rattle like the clappers?
You may still get rattles but nothing that shouldn't be able to be fixed by your dealer.

Do they still all pull/drift left?
No, this has been fixed.

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Hat

· #4 · Jan 21, 2003

my Dec 02 cooper is so far completely fault free

TJL

· #5 · Jan 21, 2003

I had one of the early Minis (Sept. '01) which exhibited all the problems you mention and more, within the first 2k miles. I was fortunate enough to get a replacement car from my dealership which I took delivery of in Sept. '02.

So far, with 5k miles, none of the previous problems have manifested themselves; the windscreen hasn't cracked (it has a new process for mounting it I believe), the seats have been redesigned so the latching mechanism is better and they don't creak, it definitely does not pull left as the old one did (I had lots of practice checking for this !), the electrics are so far good (they now use Bosch harnessing instead of Valeo, have updated the BC1 body controller and CD player - hence no more flat batteries), I've had no leaks and no real rattles to speak of (perhaps a bit of trim squeak intermittently).

All in all, I'm very happy with the second car. I would say that they have sorted out all the teething problems that my first car had and don't seem to have introduced any new faults.

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cordial

· #6 · Jan 21, 2003

My September 02 MCS is perfect at nearly 8'000 Km. No squeaks, rattles, leaks or anything else serious.....

What has appeared is a slight "click" in the steering when turning left. I shall try and demonstrate it at the time of the next service.

Mini Tech

· #7 · Jan 21, 2003

Besides the newer ones being better, there are cool new options too! Since December production I ve seen: auto dim rear view mirror, rain sensing wipers, cool new sport steering wheel (coop s), new pedals (coop s again) and harmon kardon sound system! Good stuff!

dmholmes

· #8 · Jan 21, 2003

I have a 9/13/02 build and no significant problems to date. Only issue was squeaky seats but that seems to have rectified itself after the first 1000 miles or so. Only thing I'm wrestling with is the NAV not wanting to come up on cold mornings. It seems like a few people have been having this happen.

lightbody

· #9 · Jan 22, 2003

October 01 build here. No problems for 6 months+

thegrommit

· #10 · Jan 22, 2003

No problems on my July '02 build after 4000km.

The left drift problem was fixed by a new suspension setup early in 2002 (there's a thread somewhere with pics).

corkmini

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 23, 2003

Thanks all - seems like things might be improving...

I appreciate the answers!!

Maquis

· #12 · Jan 23, 2003

I picked up my cooper last week 14/01/2003 and have noticed that it does rattle quite a lot. As for the other problems, I haven't noticed any yet (Only 500miles on clock so far, so there is still time).

cooper4us

· #13 · Jan 23, 2003

maquis73 said:
I picked up my cooper last week 14/01/2003 and have noticed that it does rattle quite a lot. As for the other problems, I haven't noticed any yet (Only 500miles on clock so far, so there is still time).

It seems to me that interior rattles are more common in MINIs equipped with stiff runflat tires and SS+ suspensions.

I don't have a single rattle in my August 2002 build Cooper CVT with 15" non-runflat tires and SS suspension.

Maquis

· #14 · Jan 23, 2003

cooper4us said:
It seems to me that interior rattles are more common in MINIs equipped with stiff runflat tires and SS+ suspensions.

I don't have a single rattle in my August 2002 build Cooper CVT with 15" non-runflat tires and SS suspension.

I did think that it was something to do with the suspension + wheel set up.

I had reservations at first about fitting 17inch S-Spokes with SS+ suspension - but then again, I can put up with a few rattles in payment for better looks and road holding.

KenL

· #15 · Jan 23, 2003

I've had a few rattles (hatch, seat belt adjusters, door buzzing, dash creaks) in my 15" wheeled MINI ONE which has slightly softer suspension than the Cooper ! Still love it though.

jnzmini

· #16 · Jan 25, 2003

Had all the reported problems with my early (Oct.2001)Cooper but so far so good with Nov. 2002 'S' - seem to have sorted it all out, even got doors which seem lighter, steering which seems lighter so VERY pleased!

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

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