Hello all, I've been here reading up in the past but never joined but finally decided I might as well, plus there some pics I wanted to see that i couldn't without joining... .

I have looked at minis for a while now but been scared off by the reliability of the past generations. I'm a minimum of an hour away from any mini or BMW dealer so reliability is key for me, so I'm here reading up and hoping that as the next couple of years go by these prove reliable and if so I might just pick one up one day. I'm going to test drive one with my wife Saturday and see what I think in person. I think I'd prefer the power of the s, but once I option it up it is getting up there so a normal Cooper may be fine, just have to drive and see.

I currently drive a Fiat Abarth every day as my daily driver and love it, owned for close to a year and other than an oil change it has never needed a trip to get anything at all fixed, it has been perfect. Tons of fun, and I bought it brand new for exactly 19k out the door. For the money I think it is pretty hard to beat, but in a couple of years I know a mini will at least be on my list to look at.

I figure if fiat actually made a reliable car then surely mini can too right? I'll drive this weekend and share my thoughts compared to my fiat and in general if anyone is interested.

 

Welcome, I am a newcomer here myself. I also am getting a new F56 S; was interested in MINI prior to this, but the very poor reliability record of the Second Gen car had me hesitant. No guarantees w the new one, but with BMW more involved (particularly regarding the engine), I'm willing to take that gamble. The rest of the package appears to be pure fun.

 

I almost bought an '06 MINI convertible during my last car hunt, but wound up with a Civic instead. I was spooked by the reliability issues, but looking back on it I really wish I had risked it. My Civic has been rather unreliable, particularly given it's a Honda. It's the first and last Honda I will likely ever own, if that tells you anything.

The new f56 really has grabbed my attention. I loved MINIs before, now I'm obsessed. I really would love a convertible, but I think I could make do with a sun roof. I finish grad school in one short year, I'm planning on a HECK of a graduation present for myself.

 

just looked at the new Mini today in Anchorage... didn't get to drive it, but I really like the cabin from the driver's seat! I too was spooked away from a Mini by the reliability... it sounds like the new engine has been around in the BMW world for a couple years I think... (could be mistaken on this)

I'm about a year out so I'm hoping for good results!

 

what year civic did you have? I'm coming from an '08 civic and I'm at 114,000. Not a single problem thus far and it's been so cheap to service. Not looking forward to the cost of upkeep on the mini versus Honda upkeep but it'll be worth it in the F56!

 

Actually no. It's a new engine for BMW, using a number of BMW features such as TwinPower Turbo technology, direct injection, variable valve timing, etc, It should be an improved engine over the Prince engine in the Gen 2 MINIs but time will tell.

 

06. Apparently this year is a particular stinker for the Civic. Well, in either case, I would at least love the MINI more than the Honda. It would have been more fun, even if it wasn't any more reliable. In short, I prioritized "reliability" over what I really wanted and got burned anyway!!

 

Exactly why I'm getting the F56! Smart decision would be for me to keep my civic but after the mini test drive and saving up I'm sold on the F56. I can't see myself getting bored in the mini which I can't say the same for my civic.

 

not sure why it posted 2 pics

 

that's why you always wait after the first year as far as reliability goes...

 

My wife's 2007, low-mileage Civic had to have its steering rack replaced a couple months after the 36 month warranty had expired -- Honda paid half of the expensive fix. Just before the 5 year power train warranty ran out, they replaced the axles at no charge. Have owned 6 Honda products, and this was the worst. Had an '03 Accord made only months after production began, and it ran perfectly for 6 or 7 years until I traded in for my VW CC.
Am expecting the F56 to be a lot better than that Civic.

 

Welcome All!!!

 

It's good to see that I'm not the only one considering the Mini now due to the changes! The engine is still an unknown, but seeing as it's all new and I believe they are planning on using this engine/engine family in BMWs, I would think they have tried to make this one good.

I'm going to look in two days and drive one then, looking forward to it even though I'd not be purchasing for quite a while. At least by the time I'd be purchasing the reliability issue should be known to an extent anyway.

I know this new design is ruffling some feathers from the long term owners, but if it's attracting new buyers and or new interest it can't be all bad right?