I own an MCS Coupe. Had an MC Clubman for a week while my car was being worked on (cold start rattle). I was very glad to have my MCS back. I missed the handling of the shorter wheelbase. The Clubman felt like a normal car to me, not a MINI. Also missed the power of the S.

An MC Clubman solves some problems, but not without sacrifice.

 

Yep. That's exactly what I said.

Btw, Bombadil is and awesome looking car!!!

 

Thanks a lot guys.....keep it coming.
Interesting bit regarding large hands and working on the car. I have large hands myself. Is this the type of motor configuration and orientation that requires one to pull the motor to do real work on it?

 

I have an 02 MCS and maybe they have changed this in subsequent years, but the one aspect of the MINI that truly bothers me is the lack of windshield wiper speed settings. You only have one intermittent speed which is always either too fast or too slow. I mean, was it that much more expensive to put on adjustable speed windshield wipers?

 

Don't buy a Mini that has a Midlands transmission. You'll end up changing it out before you expect to.

 

.

 

This stuff applies to the R53 models:

-Strut towers bending up (happened to me)
-Windshields can be known to crack (happened to me)
-Coolant leak from a dried up gasket very common (happened to me)
-Random interior rattles (happens to everybody )
-Sport seats suck (look nice but are pretty uncomfortable and not sporty IMO)
-random fires due to power steering pump (only applies to 2002-2004 models)
-5 spd trans on earlier models supposedly suck and break early.
-Door opens in bad places. (1st stop the door isnt open enough, 2nd stop the door is opened way too much)

Probably more Im forgetting but oh well. The car is still amazing and I love mine. The positives far outweigh the negatives.

 

The suspension on the MCS is very irritating on bumpy roads. Even with 16" non run flat winter tires it's still to stiff for my aging tastes. I cannot vouch for the ride of the non S though...may be the same.

I wish I had the garage opener option...

I can do without the sun roof. Very noisy and it doesn't provide the airflow that I would expect.

I wish I had the Xenon lights.

I can't wait till I'm not upside down on payments and I may purchase the "right" MINI for me.

Still fun as heck to drive though. :D

 

My first MINI, an 05 MCS, was a hunk O limey junk--but it was a blast to drive...

...when not in the shop.

My second, an 09 MCSa, is a much better built and refined car--and is a blast to drive, faster, with better mpg...

...and it's rarely in the shop. (three times in 1.25 years and 10K: two oil changes and the tune kit).

So far the 09 is a keeper.

 

Aha! "halogen regret," a common malaise upon those who did not opt for Xenons. (subjective of course.)

 

I've had my R53, which I purchased from my brother for a little over a year now and I love it. My only gripes with the car is that repairs to it can be very expensive if you are out of warranty. If you are looking at buying a used Mini i would suggest having a dealer or authorized mechanic look it over so you know what you're getting in to. If you're buying new then you got the warranty to cover you if anything goes wrong, which from what I've seen is rare in those first 75,000 miles.

 

Reliability sucks. Only buy one if you have a warranty and live close to a dealer, or if there's a competent independent Mini specialist nearby, or if you like to do your own wrenching.

Based on my experience with two Minis, I wouldn't recommend buying one as an only vehicle.

That said, most of us who've experienced the many reliability issues just grin and bear it because they're so much fun to drive! And BMW knows this...

 

Based on my experience, my MINI has been more reliable than every other car I've owned except my Jeep Grand Cherokee. No problem owning it as my daily driver.

 

Thanks again guys for the continued input. It sounds, for the most part, that Mini has ironed out a lot of issues. I still am unsure as to whether or not I want to take the leap. When I was younger, I'd probably have been in one by now but I guess that I have grown patient with age.