I tried doing a search and couldn't seem to find what I was looking for.

From what I've read in various places there seems to be this assumption that because MINI's are smaller and more simply engineered (without all the gizmos) cars that they are also cheap to maintain? I don't know how true/ untrue this is but thought I'd ask as someone who is a MINI aficionado looking forward to purchasing their own MINI one day soon... I'm also considering shooting for an MKVI GTI but I know the negative reputation of VW's service departments and the general knowledge that Vee Dubs cost an arm and a leg after the warranty expires.

 

Minis have had their share of warranties issues but that is no cost to a new buyer other than the pain of taking the car to the shop. The maintenance is basic and similar most other new cars. From that standpoint Minis are cheap to own.
However, Minis can be expensive to own because there are so many aftermarket items that can be brought for the Minis to personalize the car. Many people on this forum (including me) have been bit by the modification bug.

 

I know I've read something about brakes needing replacement after 20k mliles (which can't be true) and costing $700 to replace (expensive!).

 

I'm not so sure about the lack of gizmos. Seems like there are as many electronics and computer systems in there as on the space shuttle. On the other hand, they cost nothing to maintain until they fail. So there's that.

 

Brakes would be covered under warranty 3/36K

 

My MINI has been inexpensive to own, but like all cars there will be a wide difference in experiences.

 

Buy the extended maintenence,keep it 50k and if its resale holds up like it has been, it should be dirt cheap to own for a new car. Keep it longer and the maint and repairs probably make it above average in ownership costs.But it is soooo fun to drive.

 

Pftt. I did my rears at over 90K for $50, and my fronts at over 120k for $180 - replaced rotors too. I do all my own work so maybe I'm saving some money.

Here is a link to a thread I started when my car hit 150k, has a breakdown of costs ( both mods and Maint)

Nik

 

$700 is the normal price for brakes in the
new world order if you don't do the work yourself.
That's on a normal car like a civic.
I overheard the dealer quoting a fellow $975
for brakes one time when I was in for service.

My guess is that VW brakes (at the dealership)
are $1500.

You do not want to own a VW that is not under warranty.

Also, it is my understanding that even under warranty they
end up charging you (diagnosis fees, then X Y Z isn't covered
under warranty, etc).

We have a passat but it has only been to the dealer
to have the airbag light reset. Several times.

We'll probably keep it until it breaks bigtime, then put it in
the yard and part it out because the book value isn't so high
now. But it's the one and only VW we'll ever have.

We've had a friend of my wife's keep ours up at best friend prices.

"general knowledge that Vee Dubs cost an arm and a leg after the warranty expires."

Hopefully you have a friend that can do the same, or you can do it yourself.
VW's are not "BMW high" (meaning prices) to maintain.
They're more like "Ferarri high".

I know there are a lot of ppl out there that are happy with VW.
We wouldn't buy another one if it came with a free civic/mini.

 

I will have to say both.

Cheap since routine maintenance is covered under the 3/36K mile factory maintenance policy.

Expensive if you want to personalize your Mini or after the basic 4/50K miles warranty and 3/36K miles maintenance expires.

 

I'd say that hits it right on the head for me.

I had more than a few repairs on each of my MINIs but they never cost me a penny. Sure spent a lot on mods though! But if you keep the car stock and for less than 50K, it will barely cost you anything other than gas... and the payments of course.

 

My mini is over three years old now and the only money I have spent on upkeep is $200 and that was for parts to do my own brakes and oil change. This has been the cheapest car to maintain than any other car I have owned (so far).