Hello everyone,

I've wanted to buy a MINI since 2002. Now that I think I'm ready to and have looked at several used ones, I'm not so sure that I really do want one. I've read so many complaints about transmissions, power steering failures, faulty fans and parts falling off that I'm scared. Also, the huge repair bills that people have encountered makes me think that a MINI could become a money pit.

I would appreciate any honest comments you have about my concerns. While I expect cars to need maintenance and repairs, I don't want a car to become a constant headache. Minis look great and are so much fun to drive, but huge repair bills and unreliability are deal breakers for me. So please convince me to buy one or tell me to run away. Thanks for your help.

John

 

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]A new MINI comes with one of the best warranties out there.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]The build quality is getting better. I know someone that has a 2005 MCS,[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]I have a 2009 and there is a big difference in the quality of the interior that I have noticed.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]I would say stay on top of the service and don't let things go, get them taken care of under warranty, for any little problem, thats what its there for.[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

Lease a 2010 for 3 years/36,000 miles and just about everything will be covered under warranty and fall within the free maintenance window.

 

Don't think they are unreliable or money pits, keep up the maitenance and should have no more problems than any other car. It sounds like you are the nervous type would suggest you buy new, you will drive yourself nuts worrying about what could go wrong with a used one.

 

JOhn,

I respect your asking for straight up answers.

If reliability and low cost maintenance is your priority, but you'd like to be able to have a little fun, get a Civic or Accord. I had an Accord, and I have to tell you that for a sedan, that thing moves and doesn't handle too bad.

If fun is your priority, then go for the MINI hands down. But yes, a used one out of warranty can very well become a money pit - especially if you can't live with say the rear wiper no longer spraying or one of the windows not going up or down anymore.

I was honestly afraid to buy a used one out of warranty, which is precisely why I bought another new one.

Considering your post, and the fact that I never try to convince someone to buy a MINI, that they need to 100% be committed to wanting nothing else, I would say take a pass on a used MINI...

 

I've got almost 10,000 trouble free miles on my 2009 MCS convertible.

MINIs are not as bullet proof as a Honda but if you read similar boards for Honda, Toyota, Porshe - or most any make, you will find lots of scary stuff and problem posts. It is not possible to know how wide spread a problem is and people are much more likely to post about problems than "everything is fine".

I have enjoyed the last 12 months with my MINI as much as any car I have every owned.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Not sure anyone has ever purchased a MINI based on factors of: "reliability and cheap." Afterall, it's a BMW and the new ones are made in England....

If you are looking for reliable and inexpensive transportation buy a Honda. Unlike Toyota, wearable replacement parts are cheap, and overall a very reliable car.

Personally, Honda and alike are not my cup of tea and the MINI fits like a glove.

Good luck.

 

Just sold my Accord and bought my dream MINI. An Accord is just a car, MINI is a lifestyle. Just turned 1000 miles and don't ever remember having this much fun in a car.

 

I bought one two years old and it has been great. Had it a year and no problems till recently and that was something I added. If you get one only a few years old, it will still be under the 50k warranty and you could extend it to 100k if that makes you feel better.

And also remember most of the people come to post when they do have a problem. Nobody posts "Hey, I did not have any problems with my car this month!" so all you mainly see are the problems. There are tons of us that are happy with their Mini and many more that never visit the boards. And yes, CVT automatic transmissions that were on early MINIs do have a lot of problems so stay 07+ and you should be fine on a used one with minimal issues.

And mine has become a money pit, but not because of problems. Because you fall in love with the thing and then want to keep buying it accessories, mods, upgrades...

 

Thanks for all of the advice. I didn't want to give the impression that I wanted to be cheap about this. I don't. I already own a Honda and it is a great car. I want a Mini because I love their looks and I know it would be great fun to drive. I'm a near sixty-year old guy who has never bought a car just because I really wanted it. Now I think it's time to have some fun! I have been looking at a couple of '07s and a couple of '08s with the warranties still in effect. Two are mellow yellow, one is chili red, and one is oxygen blue. Three are 6-speed sticks and the other is automatic. I really love the '08 MCS!

I really enjoyed the comment about the mini becoming a money pit because of the things added to it. I'm could easily see myself falling into that category. As to the negative posts on websites; I know the people who are happy don't go there to ell us how happy they are. Anyway,thanks for helping me out. I think I see a mini in the near future.

 

There's no age like 60 to have fun in a MINI; speaking from experience

 

Youngsters like me (54 when purchased) have fun in my MINI

 

I'm almost fifty and this is the first new car I've bought just because I wanted it. After almost a year, no regrets. It's a great little car. If you can afford it, treat yourself. Life is short.

 

As a new owner (okay I will be in a few hours ) and currently having a 1997 Land Rover in my driveway and trading in a 2003 Jaguar when it comes to reliable look either of these up and be thankful someone built the Mini. My Land Rover, unlike BMW's have been rated one of the worse vehicles to own for years. But I love mine and will never get rid of my Land Rover (unless I have to get another). The mini is the exact opposite of my Discovery, it is (speaking of the mini) Fast, Economical, fun to drive on the road, comfortable, clean (maybe I should wash my Discovery ). Not to mention Cheaper to drive and maintain and all this and a blast to drive. Did I mention it is more fun to drive?

3 more hours......

 

I've had my MINI for about 3 months and I have no regrets on my purchase. I originally was going to replace my 7 yr old SUV with a new SUV, but my sister convinced me into getting something fun instead and just holding on to my older SUV. I read Consumer Reports and they give good marks to the MINI Justa, slightly less to the S model. But the real point here is that a MINI is more than just a small car. Its a small, solid, sports car. After the free maintenance, the repair costs will be more than a Honda/Toyota in most cases. My wife has had 3 Bmws over the years and they are not cheap to maintain. If you can live with that fact, a MINI is a great choice. I have never had a car that I enjoyed more. Its has great gas mileage, but its not an economy car.

 

One year from 60, 2.5 years of shear enjoyment of owning my MINI. I have started Autocrossing, now there's something to give you an adrenalin rush! If that is something you'd like to try, get LSD and to save weight try to avoid the sunroof (but I've got one)

ENJOY!!