I am interested in hearing about some of the weak points regarding the Mini Cooper S. I am still considering one of these albeit not likely in the near future but I'd like to know, at this stage of the game, what a consensus or majority of you find to be weak points. I have read pieces praising the Mini and pieces that say it's not practical for different reasons. I understand that this is all subjective for the most part but I would like to hear, If you guys would be so inlined to help, some of the things that you consider weak points. Again....part of the "weighting" process for me in regards to whether or not I want to jump ship. Any insight along these lines would be added value in my eyes! Thanks in advance!

 

Not sure what you're looking for here. Weak points compared to what? If you'd like a vehicle that's reasonably fast, handles well, gets good fuel economy, and can carry four adults in a pinch, I think you'll like the MCS. If it's too small for your needs, I guess that would be a weak point.

 

well it's never fast enough...well same philosophy applies to any of my cars!

 

true...nothing is ever fast enough!

mtbscott,
basically looking for points that somebody considers post purchase. Maybe things that they weren't expecting or didn't like. Size to me is not a big deal but perfectly applicable for my request. I am hoping to hear good things, not like I need too much arm twisting but in general, I am just interested in the feedback from various people. I also understand that this is an enthusiasts forum but I like to think that the owners and participants are realistic and subjective so, I think the feedback can only help (for me).

 

Knock on wood, I haven't had to take my MINI into the dealer as it is very reliable. In fact I've been to my dealer only once since I've owned it, and that was to get a spare key programmed and have mud flaps installed. However, for me that was a 90-mile drive and about 5 hours out of my day. So distance from a MINI dealer for service, etc. may be a consideration as some MINI owners have longer 'commutes' to their dealers than others. IMHO, the only MINI weak points that I've experienced is having to answer questions about the car from total strangers & drivers always wanting to 'drag-race' with me at stop-lights; and I own a Just-A-Cooper.

 

I agree with Capt'n Jack that for those of us not located near a MINI dealer it is a major pain in the neck. If you live close to a dealer, no sweat.

The other thing is there seems to be some problems with quality consistency. I've had two MINI'S an R53 and an R56 and both were solid as a locomotive, but I seen many horror stories other owners have had that seem to be quality problems.

 

Strut tower mushrooming on some versions, especially if you have sports suspension and large wheels.

 

Interesting....thanks so far guys! I am ten minutes from a Mini Dealer though I am not sure If I'd have the car serviced there but if I did need some warranty work, it would not be at all inconvenient as far as travel time goes.

Mushrooming towers with stiff suspension and bigger wheels?...OUCH!

 

The mushrooming was typical for 1st Gen and has yet to occur on any 2nd Gen cars, so don't let that scare you.

As far as weak points, really it's all in how people perceive things. There are people like myself, who's cars have been in for warranty work on several occasions but are still madly in love with it just as they were the day they bought it. Then there's the people that take a 2nd trip to the dealer for a warranty issue and are ready to sell it. As with most car forums, you'll find more people with problems then you will with positivity because when something goes wrong with their car, the owner wants to see if they are the only one out there or if there's others with the same issue.

Browse the forums, read for yourself and hopefully it will help you decide if the MINI is right for you.

Good Luck!

 

Most are subjective:
Torque steer.
Unorthodox switch gear that may take some getting used to.
Run-flat tire feel.

More serious but sporadically reported:
Cold start rattle
4th cylinder valve deposits due to accumulation from PCV.

 

1. The run flats suck but I also had them on my prior car a 06 BMW 330xi for 3 years. Swapped them out for regular tires after 5000 miles. Now the car has a more tolerable ride and I have the JCW suspension.
2. Torque steer.
3. Unorthodox arrangement of controls in the car.
4. The volume control **** on the center console is out of place. Not a big deal if you have the MFSW controls.
5. Speaking of center consoles, I wold say the whole thing is butt ugly and the most poorly designed part of the car. I cringe every time I look at it.
6. I can only imagine how expenseive the car will be to maintain after the warranty runs out.

Other than that I LOVE my car. Its the coolest, most fun car I have ever driven. No one on this planet has a car that looks exactly like mine. I don't drive it enough and dream about driving it when I am not in it.

In short my MINI is AWESOME. OP just buy one. You won't regret it.

 

Weak points of a MINI Cooper S....... I would have to say that not having a dealer close by is one. Personally, I would have to drive almost 300 miles to go to my dealer for an oil change. I know I didn't have to go to the dealer for an oil change but I didn't want a local oil change joint messing with my baby. Oh, S's long term reliability due to anything related to the turbo may be a problem. They fuel mileage is not as good as the Cooper, which in itself, is a performance level vehicle even though it is sold here in US as base model. Remember, there are lower models sold in Europe, the MINI First and the MINI One.

 

+1
Correct only apply to 1st Gen
Saturn, I love the Yellow MINI and love the name too.

 

Strut tower mushrooming is mostly a problem for cars with 17" wheels or larger with low profile tires. I am on my second R53 MCS which have both had 16" wheels and with 80,000 plus miles of New England road driving have never experienced any mushrooming. Saturn is correct, mushrooming seems to be limited to R53(1st generation) cars.

With a little bit of thought it is amazing what you can fit in a MINI.

There are various squeaks and rattles that have plagued the R50 and R53s. Coolant overflow tanks that seem to split. Steering racks in the earlier R50, R53 that occasionally needed replacement, also steering columns, but these do not seem to be too widespread.

One of the biggest complaints is that the car is just too much fun to drive. You will be finding excuses to go for a drive. You will find that a store across town, or in another town, has something that you like and will now become a new destination. Heck, there are places you will find for no particularly good reason at all.

Be warned.

 

lack of a one-touch sunroof can be a weak point? ..if you have a sunroof

umm cup holder sizes, position of cupholders, vertical windshield More prone to rock chips/cracks, random dash raddles and door rattles, heater takes a while in the winter, back of car gets outrageously dirty after every rainfall, water pours in if you open the door in rain, door handle is plasticky/flimsy, ..thats alll subjective of course

 

Guys...great feedback. Thank you!

 

Thanks!!!

As far as the torque steer, I installed H&R Springs on my car, not only did it give me the ride height that the car should have came with from the factory, but it also cut down the torque steer considerably.

 

I've been pleased with mine, including the controls that others seem to think of as a weak point. Would agree with the one-touch sunroof and the water coming in off the roof.

Not an issue for me, but I gather that aftermarket stereo equipment can be a challenge. Also seems that some of the options set in the computer should be more configurable.

 

I wish there was less road noise.

The window control switches are in a stupid location.

Otherwise, a the MCS is a lot of fun to drive. The short wheelbase contributes to the fun, but also increases ride roughness. A Clubman has a somewhat smoother ride, but loses some of the nimbleness in handling.

Reliability has not been as good as my Acura Integra, but few cars can match Acura/Honda in that catagory.

 

Would you mind expanding on this a bit? What do you mean by "reliability?" Has the car left you stranded, trips to the dealer, nit picky thing, major things? Thanks in advance!

 

R53s and R50s do not torque steer, the R56 does.

The console on the R53 & R50 is a thing of beauty with precise German efficiency, the R56's console is an eyesore with Playskool controls.

You can replace the CD player on the R53 & R50, in the R56, you can't easily do that, if at all.

Any kind of interior sqeeks and rattles can be dealt with with dynamat (or equivalent) and Durapore tape. This also cuts down on road noise.

Any mechanical issues I have ever had with my car were either a direct failure of an aftermarket part, or directly attributed to an aftermarket part. But, if you go into modding a car, you accept that things will break.

 

Never left me stranded. I am referring to mechanical issues requiring dealer repair.

Mine has had the cold start rattle (seems to be fixed). This is a major issue that can lead to engine destruction if not corrected. Dealers are doing warranty repairs on this issue when they can reproduce the rattle.

Others have had problems with the high pressure fuel pump failing. You can find out more about issues in the Stock Problems/Issues Forum.

Some have reported transmission problems (fixed under warranty).

Consumer Reports recently removed their Recommended status for the MINI because of repair issues. Still, it is above average in reliability.

 

The only problems for me would be the cost and distance (200 miles) for repairs when my warranty runs out. My 2009 Clubman has been totally problem-free in the first 15,000 miles. This is my second MINI, and I love its solidity, handling, fuel economy, comfort, ; you name it, there's nothing wrong with this car.

 

IMVHO...considering the MCC (not S) decreases the weaknesses mentioned here by about 50%. Interior space, engine reliability, ride smoothness, gas mileage, and length all increase with a MCC. Speed, maybe coolness/sporty factor, sporty handling, and price all decrease with the MCC. Just some thoughts that don't apply 100% but generally they do.

 

The car likes to get CELs when you put some types of mods on it. This is more true for 2008 R56 onwards. Also, the car is not so easy to work on with tight spaces, since I have larger hands.

Some OEM parts like the control arms and end links are a little undersized for my liking. Will not be a problem for daily driving.