After reading through all of the stock problems and fixes. I'm just alittle worry about the problems that constantly showing up, which is engine knocking noise or cold start engine noise and people having to get a oil change or engine service after just 1-2000 miles. and then there are other websites there I hear nothing but positive feedbacks about the car, I've actually ordered a 2010 Coop S and it's currently in production, after reading through the forums, It's got me all worry. My question is, are there any POSITIVE feedbacks about the car, or does the engine knocking or cold start noise happen on all Minis or just certain cars.

I live in Philadelphia PA, so in the winter it gets to about 30s

HELp!!!

 

I have had an '09 Clubman-S for just over one year and over 29K miles, so far. I had two build related problems. (Sun roof gasket came loose and condensation in the high level brake light. [I understand those production issues have been addressed]) Beyond those, I have had no other issues. My first computer directed oil change was at almost 19K miles. This week I have a "Vehicle Inspection" scheduled. I have had the oil changed and tires rotated every 6.5K to 7K miles by a local garage I trust.
I have 17" wheels with run flats that are holding up very well. The brake service indicator says I should get 60K or more out of the fronts and more for the rears.
With a 40 mile commute along mostly interstates, I get a calculated 32.5 to 34 mpg average. The OBC says 33.9 mpg.
Over all, the past year has been a totally enjoyable MINI experience.

 

The oil change at 1-2000 miles is something that many of us have done because we think it is the wise thing to do. It is not something MINI recommends. We have done it on our own because we don't think it a good idea to go for 15,000 to 25,000 miles (or one year) on the oil used during engine break-in. This is something we would all probably do with any car. It is not unique to the MINI.

It is unclear whether the cold-start rattle (timing chain tensioner malfunction) is a problem with all 2nd Generation MINIs, or not. MINI has been fixing the problem under warranty when the dealer can reproduce the problem. Mine was fixed, and I was given a loaner while they had the car.

Consumer Reports surveys car owners about the problems with cars and then rates them according to owner reports. For the last few years, MINIs have come out with high ratings (much better than avaerage). If you buy a car, you may have problems. Even Hondas have some problems.

 

If you hang out at the dealer for any brand, you will see broken cars continuously. If you monitor an owner's forum for any brand, you will read complaints. Factually, there is very little difference in the quality between most all brands today. They are mechanical and a certain percentage are going to break. Over all, cars built today are extremely reliable and will easily last a couple hundred thousand miles if maintained properly and not abused.

 

The "Cold Start" issue doesn't need low ambient temperatures (like a 30DegF day), just an engine that is not warmed up.

 

As said, the oil change issue is personal preference. The cold start issue (bad tensioner) appears to have been resolved for production after some date, but obviously continues for those cars built previously. The Gen 2 car ('07 and later) appears to be an extremely reliable vehicle, particularly when compared with the Gen 1 car.

 

Forums like these, by their very nature, tend to have more of a focus on the problems that arise. If something comes up, people will post about to see if others have had the issue and what they've done about it. The vast majority of owners who don't have things going wrong generally are not going to check in to let everyone else know that another day went by with nothing going wrong. The MINI forums might make things seem worse than they are because we tend to care more about our cars than say maybe a Daewoo owner does. Even Hondas and Toyotas have problems, but on their forums you probably won't see as much concern about it simply because most people aren't as passionate about those brands as we are for ours.

 

Gotcha.. thanks fellas. It's hard to NOT get a mini really, especially after the roads that I test drive the car in. gota say i've never had so much fun test driving a car before. mini's are anything but dull.

 

Good Luck in your search MZL...the MINIs are fantastically FUN to drive, you won't be able to stop Grinning once you get behind the wheel of your New Baby!! Pics. are required once you've found that one and only!!

 

Where did you get that impression? The cold start issue has been reported on a 2010 with 1,000 miles. Others who have had the problem repaired have reported the noise returning.

 

Jallen4 has provided some sage wisdom!

One of the benefits of having an active forum such as NAM is that you can speak with others and see if they have any problems if they arise. As with any internet forum, the people that are absolutely happy with their vehicles seldom post.

We got our 2009 MCCS in May of this year and have about 4200 miles on it. While there are "quirks" such as the way the wipers work or the fact that the audio controls on the steering wheel are opposite our other cars, it just takes getting used to. We have had no serious issues to date and the car is an absolute JOY to drive. It is a bit noisier in the cabin that my VW or my wife's Liberty but the pure FUN FACTOR makes up for that. I truly look forward to driving it on the weekends or simply to go to the store during the week. My wife takes it every other time and loves it as well. If I were not so happy with the 2005.5 Jetta TDI, I would be looking for a 2010 MCS for my own enjoyment!!!

 

Sadly for all of us, I stand corrected. Foe awhile there it looked like the issue had been addressed and corrected. Fortunately, our '09 JCW has not yet falen prey to this disaster.

Does anyone know of a JCW with that problem, or is it limited to the S and the base model?

 

While the cold start issue seems to be disconcerting to many owners, has anyone reported engine problems or damage attributed to this? Or, is this just symptomatic to this engine and no real harm is done except a little clatter?

It is not abnormal for certain engines to display these idiosyncrasies but by the same token run for years with no real problem developing. My Jeep Wrangler with the 3.7L has the same problem that has been reported for years but with no attributable failures as a result.

 

Don't do it.

 

I love my MCS, more than 1.5 years and 29K miles on our '08, and the only problem we have had was a window programming malfunction. It took the dealer 5mins to fix it and at the same time they replaced our exhaust tips, which were apparently recalled for no reason that I could understand.
I have no apparent timing chain tensioner clatter, but who knows, the car is still young.
Remember, all cars have their faults and there will always be a small percentage of lemons. But from what I have seen and heard about the Mini platform puts me at relative ease. Enough ease in fact that in full confidence I banked on the longevity of the platform and payed the car off in full, it is mine, whatever problems may arise are mine, but I plan on at least a couple good decades of fun with the little guy.
Disclaimer: I daily drive, and daily-tinker, a 25 year old BMW, so my views on 'normal' maintenence may be skewed.

 

Take a look at the user reviews at Edmunds or Yahoo. Compared to many other cars--*cough*Volkswagen!-- Mini owners seem pretty happy.

 

Yeah actually edmund's ratings are pretty much 100% satisfied, from the ones I've read.