It seems sad that one of the largest threads in the forum is on what is "hated the most about their MINI"!

I will say that much of this type of talk (here and elsewhere) nearly turned me off of buying my used 2011 Justa. Then, I realized that cars are cars - there is not a single vehicle out there that doesn't develop problems as they age and are used. I happen to be mechanically inclined and quite like working on, tinkering with, upgrading, etc. I am glad I didn't buy into the negative "hype" because I absolutely love my MINI. In fact, it is quite literally my most favorite car ever owned.

That being said, I guess maybe I am a little less picky or complain-y that most (I have been told this before in other aspects of my life so it may be).

The very few items on my "I wish" lists are outweighed by the fun of owning/driving a MINI so I will deal.

As for my list of only minor annoyances that I think about from time to time:

1.) I really miss a temp and oil pressure gauge. I want to notice a problem ahead of time before something pops off. Plus it is good for being able to troubleshoot. Alas, I bought used so unable to purchase the Chrono pack (if it was even available for this model/year, unsure). I do have a bluetooth ODBII tool and the Torque app that has these sensors. Haven't tested it at all yet with my MINI, but perhaps that will work which is good enough for me.

2.) The dealer is 2.5 hours from me and the only garage I trust to work on my MINI is about 45 minutes away, but no big deal. I live in the country anyway so everything is about 45 minutes away.

3.) The plastic valve cover really accentuates the clickity-clackity of the valves. After much research my fears of problems have been alleviated once I realized this is "normal" sounding for a MINI.

4.) The stock oil dipstick was pretty bad, but easily fixable - just installed my first "mod" the other day - the $75 for the Cravenspeed dipstick is fantastic!

5.) The lack of volume indicator is pretty annoying too.

Other than those minor things, I have no real complaints - yes I have some of the other issues others have mentioned, like not being able to see stoplights very well or water coming in the window, etc. etc. but none of that stuff bothers me...it is just a nuance with the MINI that I have already figured out how to work with. I don't even have any problems with the cupholders! I mainly use bottles (like water bottles, soda, etc.) and have not had any complaints.

 

Agreed. Spend hours detailing, go for a short drive and at the least the hatch is covered with dust.

My only other gripe is having to hold the window up switch. Auto-up would be nice.

Dean.

 

Yeah, these are the main gripes.

 

I hate my sunroof. Too much rattling. I also hate that it's not fast enough yet.

 

I hate the missing toggle switch, a constant reminder that my Mini is missing something.

I hate . . . nothing else...

 

What do I hate about my 75,000 mile Mini and my 180,000 mile MINI? Both are absolutely perfect. I wouldn't change a thing.

 

The clutch on my 06' MCS sport. Difficult to be smooth on a consistent basis. Other than that? Can't think of anything else. Still nice and tight, responsive and plenty of fun.

 

Yes, it is sad this thread is so long, but let me point out something you have NOT taken into account. Yes there is one long thread about the negative about the cars, but there is exactly ONE very large forum all dedicated to why we LOVE THEM!

1 thread vs 1 forum, I'll take those odds.

 

Great posting by Mike M and followup by Gone Crazy. I agree with all those ideas described.
As I read these again, I wonder why others don't have express windows both up and down. My 2008 does. Now my sunroof doesn't, must hold it. It has no rattles, however.

I may have posted this before, but my gripe is the trigger style door handles on the R5X models. I often use my key fob to open the windows by holding the unlock tab down until my windows lower and I can open the door from the inside lever. Mini has tried to fix them before without success. The car is hard to enter, but really sweet once inside.

 

The the dash and gauge lighting. Almost impossible to see in daylight. The gear selector indicator being in the closk rather than the tach.

 

On my r53 I hate the windshield defrost has to be on full blast and I hate having to hold the button in till the light stops blinking to turn the defrost down.

 

I hate that in rainy or snowy conditions road spray from other vehicles can totally blind you. During our last storm I got nailed by everything on the road from semis to a freaking cmax for 80 miles of misery. I was just shocked by how the low windshield position made me feel so repeatedly dumped on.

 

New member here. I love my gently used Mini but i sincerely don't like the speedometer as the center console.

 

What do I hate the most about my MINI ?

Makes everything else I drive a mediocre trip at best.....

 

I barely look at the analog spedo. the position is akward, I agree.

 

The center speedo was put their for the rally racers. The navigator used it for check points. Now it is nostalgia. I like when people see it and are amazed.
My $0.02 worth.
2011 R57 and No hates. Ditched the Runflats right after purchasing the Mini. Do wish for an oil temp indicator so I can know when the engine is at normal operating temp. Then it's WOT.

 

Hate is a strong word, but I don't like how the two main doors on my Clubman won't stay open. It feels like I have to fight my way out of the car because they keep wanting to shut.

There might be an easy fix for this. If anyone knows of one, please let me know!

 

Actually, a lot of the old LBC (Little British Cars) and early cars in general had the speedo in the middle of the dash. I don't think they were purely for rallying, but it's possible. It may have just been that it was an easy place to put things, without the steering column and such getting in the way.

It's definitely there in our cars because of nostalgia, though!

 

Replace the door brakes. They get worn out over time.
I've replaced Jasper's driver door brake and may eventually replace the passenger one, too.
If I recall, it took about 1/2 hour to replace one.

Thread related: I don't like how my windshield seems to be a magnet for rocks. I don't even follow other vehicles very closely, but it doesn't matter. My windscreen has a LOT of chips.

 

Looks like ECS Tuning has them, so I'll have to give that a shot. Thank you Loyal 242!

 

You're welcome!

If I recall, you'll need a Torx bit for the job. The hardest part is fishing the new door brake through the hole in the door. But it is doable.

Good luck!

 

What I hate the most is always feeling like something is going to break.

This is why I don't like reading " Stock Problems " here on NAM.

However I do check that forum every now and then to know what I need to replace before it breaks !

My 06 Mini S is a car that makes me smile, most of the time !

 

I hate that stupid gas gauge, function following style.....

 

While I rarely ever use it, I happen to love it. Its different and I like things that are unique. In fact, I really dislike the newer digital faces in newer models. I would be bummed if it weren't there!

 

The thing I hate most about my MINI is that I rarely seem to get to drive it these days