I always wanted a Mini going back to the 60's. I bought a new JCW in Jan.
I have not driven it much due to Chicago land weather, but spring is happening. I've got to stop reading this stuff. I cannot get a handle on how realible these cars are, fun yes, but at what price. I'm retired and can't afford the repair prices I'm reading about. I've already decieded that the first sign of out of pocket trouble the thing will be sold, fun or not.Even at a loss.
I understand all new cars have problems but to what degree. It appears that there are some dyed in the wool fans that don't want to accecpt the trouble some folks have with their Minis, well the problems are there, Clutches for one. Yes the car is under warranty, but I intended to keep it ten years.
All this bad news I'm reading has put a wet blanket on this purchase and now I'm just waiting for some thing to break. I'm hoping the later isssues have been improved, and a lot of repairs seem to be left to the dealer to decide, that stinks.There are other fun cars that i could have purchased for the price I payed for this little "Sports Car" so i'm keeping my fingers crossed. I have not needed service yet so the dealer remains to be tested. It's a premier dealer for the Chicago area. Hopefully they will come thru when needed.

 

I have 89k miles on my 04 MCS right now, I'm the second owner and the only expense i've had was a clutch job at 80k only due to a bad bearing, not that the clutch was bad at all, just changed it while in there. Other than that, i've had ZERO problems with the car. Yes i baby it, but there are times i get on it to see what the upgraded pulley will do too. I've too heard that the 1st generation Mini's were problematic, but if you consider mine problematic, i'll take it over any other car. I've owned just about every model Honda has ever made, CVCC, CRX, Civic's 2 door hatch;4 door, Accords, Odyssey's, and non ever made me smile ever time i get in it and drive. I don't listen to other people when they say "that's a pile of junk". I keep up with the maintenance myself, change the oil every 5k regardless of what Mini recommends, fill the fluids and have fun. I plan to pass this car to my twin girls when they get old enough to drive in high school 5 yrs from now, so i will take good care of it. Don't pay attention to anyone, just enjoy it.

 

Listen, I hear you, but it seems now a days everything is made with designed obsolescence in mind. Why else all the electronic devices when simple mechanicals would do fine. It's like the business model is to get you at both ends. I'm won't buy japanese because of whaling, and bmw's just seem to yuppie for me unless it's a z but the z is now too expensive. Porsche is my next choice but again too costly. So far I'm happy so why worry, I'll cross that bridge when I have too. And the grass isn't always greener.