I hope this is the right place to post this...

My son just turned 16 and is saving for a car. I've been checking models and prices of used (cheaper) cars, I'm a fan of the mini cooper, and he wants a stick shift. Minis are available at prices that are in his range for a first car, and the mileage is usually around 80-120k. The owners seem to generally take good care of the cars and the cars appear to be in good condition most of the time, BUT.... Mini seems to get terrible reliability ratings.

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/yahoo-au...645171772.html

Members here may be a bit biased, but what kind of reliability problems are typical? A blown transmission, head gasket, or other big repair would be a pain, while a bad window regulator, glove box latch, heater ****, etc. is something we can live with.

Thanks!

 

It depends on which generation and model you're considering.

Before purchasing any MINI you need to have it inspected by a MINI specialist.

Unless you work on the car yourself, fixing things will be expensive. I just paid $510 (labor + parts) to have the driver side window motor and regulator replaced in my 2002 MCS. This was using an independent mechanic and sourcing OEM parts myself (at about $125 less than dealer list).

 

Depends on what gen you're looking at. For the R50/R53, there is a great buyers guide here that you should take a look at. It goes over common issues with each year and what you should look out for. If your son is willing to work on the car, it'll save a lot of money when it does come time for repairs.

 

I do my own work/repairs, as much as possible, big and small, but I'd like to avoid big jobs on a daily driver.


Thanks for the info. Keep it coming. Much appreciated.

 

ehhh... I love my r53 it's a solid performance car. That being said These cars have known issues, they are fixable but they will cost you. It's not a car you want unless your able to spend 2k a year on maintenance.

 

From the buyer's guide linked by Pelican Parts, it looks like the 2006 and newer are much improved from previous model years, although I'm not crazy about the oil leaks.

What type of maintenance is required for $2k/year? My 2008 335xi requires a lot less than that.

 

Things such as water pumps, timing components, fueling components, pulleys, batteries, alternators, oil leaks, coolant leaks, suspension components such as control arm bushings, etc. are somewhat common repairs you tend to see the most. If you're looking at an S, some people will say you should look into the N18 engine over the N14 as they fixed a lot of issues, but they still will have their quirks. We have some tech articles here too, which provide not only help for repairs, but information about common issues or issues that may arise. Take a look and read up on some things. Also, when you figure out the gen you're most interested in, you may have better luck posting and asking about it in the model specific section of this forum for a better response. If you have any questions, let me know.

 

Thank you Pelican Parts! I've used your site very often when helping friends with their BMW's and my 335xi. Those repairs/maintenance seem reasonable, especially on higher mileage cars, but wouldn't occur every year.

To clarify, you're saying I'd be better off with the N18 rather than the N14. Correct?

 

You're welcome! Glad you've found them helpful. From what I have seen, the N18 seems a bit more reliable in a sense, but that being said they still have their issues. Both the N14 and N18 have their advantages and have their issues. Here is a thread on NAM with the engine break downs and post #4 gives some good advice. Here is another thread on NAM, linked directly to a good post and followed by some more good insight. This is, of course, if you're looking at the Cooper S model and not just the Cooper.

 

Do your research and you'll probably find that the Mini Cooper is rated in the bottom half when it comes to the question of quality. I love my '13 Base Hardtop and so far it's been flawless but honestly I wouldn't own a Mini that didn't have a factory warranty. If I had only one car and had to rely on its dependability I'd probably be driving a Civic or something similar.

 

Those were the engines in the 2nd Gen Cooper S models. Are you looking for a normally aspirated Cooper or a supercharged or turbocharged Cooper S?

 

I have a 2005 Mini Cooper, my dad would drive out of town everyday for work (about 35-40 miles to get there) and he never had problems . He would drive it there almost everyday for about 2 years and now that I was given the car it still runs great it has been a good first car for me.

 

When considering a first car for a young person, look at those that have the highest volume sales. Why? Parts and service are cheaper in larger volume. Honda, Toyota among others. Mini's in general are going to be pricey to repair and being more sporty might lead to aggressive driving behaviors if your kid is so inclined.

 

Mini is not a good choice for a first car, unless you have deep pockets. As another poster mentioned, stick with a Honda or Toyota..

 

These cars are a lot of fun...that's the reason that all of us are on this website.

I will say that MINI Cooper repairs can be costly...especially at the dealer. I don't know where you're located, but if you do buy I would recommend that you find a small shop or an independent mechanic who works on MINIs as this will save you a ton of money... The key is to have a plan ahead of time.

Stay away from the 2007 - 2010 S Model with the N14 engine. I owned one before and the main hassle I had was oil consumption. After 36,000 miles I was buying quarts of SYN 5W-30 motor oil all of the time. There are also problems with the timing chain (AKA - The Death Rattle) and carbon buildup on the N14 engine. The carbon problem is easy to fix; however, the timing chain can cost upwards of $2,000 to replace.

Good luck in your search.