Anyone else regret getting a used mini?

[gmorat]

I was looking at used Mini's but it didn't make sense financially. A new one cost me about 3k more than a used one with 35k and 2-3 years off the warranty. Good prices on the 2010's before the 2011's show up and make them a hard sell.

[Akack]

Yes I regret my purchase, been in numerous times to get things repaired albeit under warranty but still a hassle, warranty until Feb 2011. Hella fun car to drive but too many headaches.......

07 MCS bought with 23,00 miles May 1 2010, currently have 27,000 miles on it.

Minor things replaced under warranty:

-clips on the front chrome trim broke
-water/condensation in passenger front fog light
-garage/autodimming mirror malfunctioned
-passenger vanity light mirror cover broke off
-one of the swivel a/c vents broke
-replaced back part on passenger seat, cloth seat was torn

Major things replaced under warranty:

- airbag light came on, replaced driver's airbag
- ABS light on....faulty sensor

[mellowmac]

I purchased a barely used '09 MCS with < 4000 miles a couple of months ago from a Mini dealer. The original owner took delivery in April '09 and traded for a convertible a year later. I now have about 8k on the car and couldn't be happier. My only issue is that after having driven one for a couple of months, there are some additional options that I would have looked for in a used car had I been more aware of them, or possibly ordered new to get them.

[oneway]

My 07 Mini Cooper S is being returned on lease shortly, and I pity the poor sod who gets it. Looks awesome, drives pretty good. but there is no way it will make it though another winter, actually it hasn't made it though any winters since I got it. The electrical system was screwed from amateurish dealer repairs. Intake freezes in anything below -5C, car regularly starts in limp home mode for awhile before going to full engine when cold, sunroof broken since new, interior squeaks and rattles like nothing I've ever heard... I could go on... look up my old forum contributions if you want to know how bad of a car BMW will put the road.

Took delivery of two replacement cars (yea bigger family), a Nissan and a Honda... both zero defects on delivery, that beats my mini's score of 27 quite handily. several of these defects have never been fixed even though my car spent a total of five months in the shop or waiting to go into the shop - out of a 39 month lease.

My buddies at the German-Canadian club have my lease return date marked on the calendar, they are looking forward to the end of my whingeing opinions regarding the pathetic state of German engineering.

[Headlands]

Wow, Oneday, sorry to hear about that. Like I've said many times MINIs are simply not at the high build quality of other brands like the ones you mentioned, and they seem to enjoy using some pretty cheaply made parts in some areas...it's a crap shoot as far as reliability is concerned. Some get lucky, some don't.

If I were buying a used MINI I would want a full account of all servicing done or else I would never take the chance.

[Keyser_Soze]

Sadly, I think most people have little idea of the service issues that MINIs suffer... I know I didn't before I pulled the trigger... I've been lucky, only having regular maintenance items and a few quirky little issues...

It does give you pause though when you consider what you get from other manufacturers for comparable $$$... Considering a MINI S is going to cost between $31K - $45K depending on model & options, you could have any number of more powerful & reliable autos...

I've never owned BMW's as I have always known them to be service nightmares... That is until I bought the MINI... Perhaps that's why they include all service & maintenance on new BMW models for the first 4 years or 50K miles...

[gmorat]

$31k-$45? Eh?

$25k-$32k is probably a bit more realistic.

[sequence]

owning a MINI is like owning a Harley: you either love the damn thing, and will put up with all of its mechanical quirks, or you don't, and get a Honda instead.

Weird: my 05 S had a rock-solid engine, but all that surrounded it fell apart. My 09 S s just the opposite, the engine has had its problems, but everything surrounding it has been rock solid. Maybe the 3G car will get it together. I am not holding my breath.

BTW I would never buy a MINI used, but then after selling cars, Im not big on used period, especially if the car has over 10K and is more than a year old

[Chris G]

I consider myself lucky, I guess. Last year, I was trying to lower my car payment while I worked for the MINI dealer in Denver. Having been around the cars all the time and seeing their problems, I was a bit weary. But the sales manager found one that suited me for the most part and ended up giving me a great deal that lowered my payment by $100 every month for the next 4 years (3 years left now, I've already saved $1200). I ended up with an 07 S with 21k miles, basically fully loaded with lounge leather, LSD, 17's, new tires, new front brakes, for $19k. I couldn't complain.

The car ended up being a MININext certified pre owned car - so it has warranty through May 2013. If it wasn't certified I believe the warranty would expire next year. I figure I'll have the car nearly paid off by the time warranty is up. And if it gives me significant problems, I'll get rid of it - plain and simple. But, so far, I've had great luck. All of the small things I've noticed, like a few of the front grill surround clips being broken, are not worth going in for warranty for repair.

[kat1689]

Wow, as if I needed more reasons to regret this particular mini, it overheated AGAIN just a few days after the dealer techs had it. No way I'm keeping this one after it's warranty is up, although at that point it will practically be new! =P

[N666BK]

My friend regrets he bought used 05 S. Continuous problems with the engine. He said he would not even think driving it to Florida or Wisconsin as I did. Moneywise he already paid more than I for new one. His advice - only new.

[Maurtis]

I was helping a friend of the family buy a new car yesterday and spotted a very clean 2008 Mini Cooper S on the showroom floor (Toyota dealership) with 17k on the clock. Of course this would be for me, my friend picked up a Scion xB, lol. They are asking $18.5k. I know the sales manager, he said they have come down twice on the price already since they are having trouble moving it, but most likely will not go any lower on that price.

Seems like a good deal, price-wise, and I have wanted one of the new minis since they came out.

BUT, here is my concern. My current car is a 2006 Kia Rio which has been extremely reliable. The only time she has seen the shop has been for routine maintenance and for a faulty gas cap. Since this car is my commuter to work and the family grocery getter, unreliability would be a huge pain. If I have to take my wife's car to work, that leaves her and my four year old at home, car-less...

I know that cars vary and it depends partly on how the previous owner treated it, but in general would y'all suggest a (seemingly) gently used Mini Cooper S for a daily driver?

If I do decide to pull the trigger I would get a nearby Mini mechanic to check it out and get a Carfax report, but I don't NEED a new car, just WANT one. This one.

I will be scaring myself by reading through the maintenance/issues stickies tonight, as well...

Thanks all!

[kat1689]

I would proceed with caution, and hope you live nearby to a mini dealership to take advantage of your warranty haha. So far my 08 has needed an oil pump, water pump, steering rack, and plenty of oil. Pretty sure I'm forgetting something but that list is long enough considering it's only been 4 months. I will NOT be keeping mine after the warranty is up, not worth it! :(

[MotorMouth]

You know, my toaster has been very reliable over the years. Hundreds of slices of bread have been through it. I've only had to empty the crumb bin on occasion. Can't beat a good ol low tech toaster for dependability.

My newfangled high tech computer at home however, seems to need new parts every year.


That said.. I wouldn't want to be the person to buy one of my old cars (of any type). I tend to drive them harder than the average person.

[MisterClean]

Bought my used 2009 MINI Cooper with 8500 on the clock back in April. Nothing significant to report. Just wanted to post to even out the responses from the other "quirky" MINIs out there

BTW I received an awesome deal on this car but to say whether I would buy used ....I spent probably a year looking at MINIs and doing research. So I would buy used if it was newer, low mileage (<10K Miles) and if I can get a good price. Chances are I will buy new next time as I want to customize

[minicoopergrl]

*deep breath in*
I have my moments where Im mad at myself for letting my wants take over me for this car. Ive wanted a MINI since I was a kid, nothing was going to get in my way. Ellie was bought at Carmax, and has had it fair share of travels before meeting me. Orgin bought in NY, then sold at an dealer auction to a VA owner, then became a DC owner and then became mine (im in MD).

I bought Ellie in 2008, I still love her to pieces and I treat her like a third child (I have a 2 kid maxium with Ellie and thats why I only have 2 kids). But she starting falling apart in 2009. My trans died in 12/09 and could not be rebuilt, she was shelfed for 5mos. I got her back 4/2010 and in june 2010 she broke again. Due to a broken valve spring. She came back home on 7/2010. Ive also replaced the battery twice and now my PS is being funky. Im not worried about the PS since its just a luxury on cars (ive had a 84 chev cavalier that was built w/no PS, I know what its like to have nothing on a car). My husband said the next major repair its not getting fixed and im getting another beater GM car since they have held up better than my Ellie (eye roll).

Ive spent over 4k in having it fixed on top of the 16k price tag that im paying on. Everything I have as a s/n is minicoopergrl, I cant be that w/o a mini!

I always say I learned my lesson - im getting a 2nd gen or newer with a warranty! Sometimes I think I just got a dud car and the previous owners didnt realize what kind of work is involved with the car, Id be willing to give mini another shot.