Hello,

Recently test drove the new 14 base mini cooper hardtop in manual and loved it. Question is, I know its new but, should I wait a year and see how it pans out or make the move now?

Just want to get some opinions regarding people who have already purchased the F56's and people who are like me and may consider waiting a year to see how the reliability etc pans out.

Thanks,

Scott W

 

No one will, as yet, have any reliability data... just about 2,500 miles on mine... still smells new...

 

My question would be is this your first Mini experience? Most people here are going from an older model Mini to the new F56. They have a base to draw from. I'm trading in my 2006 S convertible after driving the base Mini and loving it. I feel it's a better car than the S model that I drive now. You really don't have anything to compare it to. If you order now you are getting a 2015 anyway. I would say if you love it get it. BMW doesn't make bad engines.

 

This was a major factor that helped me decide, plus (for me in my own first MINI experience) the whole car seemed less "cute" than the previous five years I'd been paying attention to them...

 

This will be my first mini. I haven't owned a Mini but, I have driven a few of my friends (r56's).

I would be trading in a 2012 Mazda 3 i touring for the new Mini.

Really like the car. They have one on the lot the meets my requirements and am ready to make the move. I just wanted to get some opinions.

Thanks,
Scott W

 

Hmm... I guess it depends on how much you loved it and your patience level.

It's always safest to wait and see how things play out. If you scan through this forum you'll see there's already been a software issue (we think/hope) that's causing strange error messages to pop up, been some limited run issues with the Dynamic suspension system. The engine platform itself is brand new and its long term reliability is unknown.

That said, MY 2015 is coming out soon and seems largely unchanged from 2014 besides pricing (its higher) and option setup(more linked options). Most options becoming available as time goes on. Also, there'll still be plenty of questions remaining about long term reliability a year from now. Not going to be a big sample of how the car does at 100K+ miles within a year!

How's your current car doing? Its trade-in/sale value today vs potential repairs over the next year and trade-in/sale value in a year would be my personal biggest deciding factors in your position. Personally, I'm driving a Chevy Cobalt-IngitionSwitchApparentlyTryingToKillMe that needs new brakes & new suspension , so it wasn't a very hard decision to take the chance on the 2014 F56 =)

 

We've had ours a while now, and I love it.

Though something to consider, BMW built its reputation on performance, and not necessarily reliability.

If you're looking for something to only do oil changes to, any MINI/BMW may not be the right choice, but if you're looking for a dynamic driving experience, MINI will get you hooked.

 

This will be my first Mini.. I am going from a 2013 JKU wrangler to a 14- MCS
Here is the jeep when I first got it to its current look..
I can't wait to start changing the Mini

 

When you trade in the Jeep what are you gonna do with the Jolly old Elf and 8 tiny reindeer?

I say go for it. You can wait for reliability data while you're out Motoring.

 

[QUOTE=TheBigNewt;3946563]When you trade in the Jeep what are you gonna do with the Jolly old Elf and 8 tiny reindeer?
HUH-

 

I would wait a year, I personally don't like first year potential problems, it seems that you are covered in term of transportation so you should be good, even if you get the 2015 now doesn't mean a thing, it is still a new car, my guess is that none of this cars still have 20,000 miles on them, by then we should have more info, I wonder who has the most miles logged here or in Europe.

 

This is really funny...I have a Commando Green JKU too. My gf just got a countryman and I think I'm going to pick up an F56 this year.

 

Reliability doesn't factor in much for most MINI owner's decision. They're generally well built (and I'd argue the F56 is by far the best built) but they're like any other European car.

I've never hesitated from jumping into a first year model re-design personally. I also don't tend to keep my cars that long though.

 

I recently bought my first MINI, the F56 S. Coming over from BMW. Neither one is as high in the reliability ratings as some of the Japanese cars. Depends what you want - for me, I can give away some reliability for the fun to drive factor that BMW and MINI give you. Most Japanese cars are boring to drive IMO.

 

[QUOTE=ItchyPigCreations;3946566] I'ts a sled. Drive freeways in Jeep and you're ready to put a gun to your head by the time you get there.

 

[QUOTE=TheBigNewt;3946609]guess you haven't driven a Jeep in a while. Mine does quite fine on the highway except on very windy days.

 

If you wait a year or two, the car will be more reliable, better sorted, and cheaper. And you'll get some time to see how the new guinea pigs are faring which also gives you a chance to change your mind all-together if things look bad. As well, maybe something else will come along that you fancy more. But you'll have to wait and when you do get the car, you'll have a shorter time before your car is obsolete. These are the standard tradeoffs and there is no right/wrong answer.

If you're the type who is really bugged by reliability issues, very money/value conscious, tend to lease rather than buy, and tend to keep a car beyond warranty, then these things all support waiting. OTOH, if you're the type who doesn't mind a few problems, aren't terribly budget conscious, and tend to lease a car or trade early on while still in warranty, then go for it.

We don't have any data on F56 reliability yet, but the track record of Mini, BMW, and Euro cars in general is shockingly consistent.... the first year of a major redesign is ALWAYS more problematic. Don't let anyone tell you that this generation will be different or that Mini has "turned the corner" on its reliability issues. Until proven otherwise, it is safe to assume the leopard hasn't changed its spots.

- Mark

 

The only reason I would wait would be for the F56 JCW (next year I think). That will probably be a killer car. Or for the JCW body kit, which may be available this fall when the 2015 model comes out. I don't buy into the reliability will get better idea. There were issues with the R56 in later years that didn't happen the first year. These cars are checked out pretty well before release. They don't want a bunch of warranty issues.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

Thinking I may go forward with the purchase.

My Mazda is just a boring car - need something with the fun factor and the new base mini fits that very well.

We'll see.

 

That's funny, as I'm going the other way - From an R56 to 2014 Mazda3 i grand touring. Never thought I'd leave MINI, but the F56 lost the go-kart feeling to me (after having an R53 then R56) and since I couldn't find another new R56 I'm jumping over to Mazda this time. It really impressed me and I don't find it boring at all. To me, they both were similarly fun to drive, but you get a lot more features with the Mazda. It's weird having a bigger car now, but it's not like the MINI is that mini now anyway.

I'm stubborn when it comes to a MINI - if I'm owning one it better have a central speedometer, full tach behind the steering wheel and window controls/locks in the center stack. Those are core MINI features to me. When you add in the loss of the go-kart feel, it's basically now a small BMW. Of course that's fine for many, but I'm just not a fan. I hope to come back with gen 4, but I doubt we'll ever get those features back so who knows.

 

Yea, Coming off a Mazdaspeed 3 and going to a 2012 Mazda 3 iTouring with skyactiv and Auto. Major difference. Traded in the speed3 to save Monday and make the lady happy. She sees how unhappy I am with my Mazda and says, I can go ahead and get a new car. So I am considering the Mini.
Gives me that fun factor that the speed3 gave me. Although not as fast, I still enjoyed it. I've also had issues with the battery on my '12 Mazda and am tired of going back and forth to dealer to fix issues with not starting etc and its boring to drive.

 

AWESOME license plate! Now you'll have to apply for "SINCE 59" if it isn't already taken!

 

Here's the thing. I bought an 2010 R56 thinking that everything would be sorted. NO! What I purchased was a 2007 car. 2007 radio and Bluetooth. Clutch with a dual mass flywheel that lasted 20,000 miles before it began to slip. My timing chain tensioner broke and all the oil drained from the crankcase!
Point I'm making is in 2011 they made some upgrades. Better engine. Fixed the Bluetooth Mike...etc...
So....I would by the car now...or wait 4 years. I bought mine before there was a review....these are the cars I love to hate and drive very fast. 😎

 

Thanks!

 

We can always think of reasons to wait but I say get it now. You're protected by a good warranty and if you wait you're giving up time that you could be enjoying your MINI.