I'm new to this board and need a question answered, I live in Eastern North Carolina and the closest Mini dealer is about 200 miles...Have been to Mini of Charleston twice to test drive the Cooper and the Cooper S...fell in love with the Cooper S..while doing a little research on the car, I found on consumer reports that the Mini rated very high on all the test except the reliablity but couldn't find out any of the specifics of the problems with the car..don't want to buy one if it is going to be broke down all the time and the dealer is 200 miles away...help me out with this question..Thanks in advance..

 

Ramjet - still a fairly new MINI owner here, but from my experience and what I've read on the forums here, early MINI build quality was average at best, but it's been getting better. Our '04 MCS has had no real problems - rattle in the liftgate and a headlight adjuster that doesn't always adjust - but nothing that would keep the car from getting you from point A to point B.

The MINI is a unique motoring experience, and you'll more than likely have a few 'quirks' in your car. Some would call this 'character' - it depends on your point of view. But I have yet to hear about a MINI leaving an owner stranded. If it DID happen, I'm sure it's more of a fluke than a recurring problem. These are MINIs, after all - not mid-80s Yugos!

My advice - if you like the MINI, get one and enjoy it. Don't think you'll be sorry.

 

the only reason CR bashed MINI reliability was because it didn't say Honda Accord or Toyota Camry on the boot. in all seriousness, since the MINI's introduction as an 02' MY, reliability has gotten better and better. i've had my 04' MCS for almost a year with no problems at all. every manufacturer that puts out a new model has problems for at least the first year, but reliability goes up as the design ages. i'm sure that the large majority of 05's will be more reliable than my 04, and since my 04 hasn't shown any problems, there's no reason to believe an 05 would:smile:

 

Hey, the car is reliable enough!

My dealer is 2,900 miles away and there's no MINI dealership in Guatemala.

So far so good! That doesn't mean I won't have problems. It just means that if I do its going to be more of a hassle. 200 miles is nothing!

Saludos

 

Thanks, guys, I figured it was mostly piddly stuff and that can happen with any of them. Well hopes I'll be ordering one in the next month or so, then maybe I can get some sleep...everytime I go to test one, I drive it all night....

 

Are you closer to Charleston than Charlotte? There is a new dealer in Charlotte now.

 

Here's something: If you are wondering about reliability, talk to somebody with a Mustang or a Dodge Truck! If they say they've never had any problems, ask, "Oh really? Not even a gague doing weird things? A seat belt that won't retract all the way? What about all of those recalls, hmm?"

The way I see it, the MINI will demand your full and undidvided attention, but you'll be well rewarded!

I say all of this, and I don't even have Black Jack yet!

Looking forward to your new ride!

 

I live down close to Wilmington, checked out the sight in Charlotte and it seemed that their prices were a little inflated, and besides its more fun to go to Charleston....Hopefully I'll be ordering "Scooter" by this Tuesday...:smile:

 

Ramjet, first, welcome to the board!

Here's one link to a recent thread on the same subject. If you use the search function, I'm sure you'll find lots of threads/posts discussing this at length.

Good luck with your decision, and see you 'round!

 

I agree Charleston is much more fun. BTW I have relatives that live on Oak Island just about 30 min. south of you. Maybe next time we are that way we will pass you on the road . Oh, where do YOU get good seafood in Wilmington? We have always gone to the waterfront downtown but I have also always wondered if there wasn't something better out there. Oh, one more quick question,, is there a topless seafood bar there? I am not going ,just dying of curiosity since someone once mentioned it. Good luck on Scooter!!!! HB

 

Ramjet, my 04 MCS has been to the dealer once in 21,000 miles, at the first service. They changed the oil and attempted to fix a rattle. That's it. I have a recall on my desk for a possible fuel leak detection whatever that I will have them do at my next service. Sure, any car can have a problem, but keep in mind the MINI has road side assistance by AAA so even if the car were disabled, it would be taken to the dealer for repair. I've been on the MINI website since Jan of 2004, and the most common problems have been early build (2002), cracking windsheilds, the rattle in the hatch, and occasional trim problems.

 

Update - Earl went to the dealer last Friday, had the passenger side headlight cluster and the liftgate latch replaced, and I'm happy to report that the rattle is 100% cured, and the headlight is now self-leveling! (It was adjusted too high when it came from the dealer, but a quick twist of the adjuster has is spot on.)

Easy fixes, and now it feels like the perfect car again. . .

 

I read the CR car reports and noted that the reliability is rated on number of repairs needed per X number of cars. The severity of the repair is not included. The mini was not recommended but it was not declared as NOT RECOMMENDED, which is to say it is considered about average overall.

 

CR reliability ratings are based on responses from subscribers to the yearly survey they mail out. With the relatively small number of MINIs sold in the US, and the even smaller number of Consumer Reports subscribers that would
A.Purchase an MINI.
B. Fill out the survey.
A very small number of cars with problems could lead to a "poor reliability" rating. Besides, who is more likely to complete one of those surveys? Someone who had problems.
That said, I have a little over 30,000 miles on my '04 Mini. Thus far it has been one of the most trouble-free cars I have ever owned. The things that most people complain about are little problems; rattles, etc. There have been very few major problems reported and extermely few recalls ordered. Compare MINI's recall record to the early Ford Focus and you will get the idea. While no car and no manufacturer is perfect, the MINI seems to be a great car, especially when you compare it to similarly priced cars. While it may not be completely trouble free, it probably will never leave you stranded. Also, some brands that have a reputation as being "trouble-free" are having their share of problems. Toyota has a tremendous problem with "oil gelling", Mecedes has just had one of the largest settlements in history levelled against it for not telling owners that the oil-monitoring system only worked with synthetic oil.
I would not hesitate for a minute to buy another MINI.