Well, after driving my R52 S MINI for about 25,000 miles, the thing I hate the most is my addiction to 'modding'. When I bought my MINI 3 years ago, I was going to leave it bone stock. That lasted till the first MOTD and I met Chad and the guys from Detroit Tuned. So much for leaving it stock. The only real problem I've had with it is a blown front motor mount, and I considered that just a reason to install an upgrade. And the mods just keep coming and coming. I can't stop I tell you...

HELLO. MY NAME IS TEDDY AND I AM AN ADDICT...

 

I am on my fourth MINI and, don't get me wrong, I really like my '19 JCW. But, I really wish they had made the tach the center of the display in front of the steering wheel. I like an analog tach and a digital speedometer.Tthere is plenty of room to accomplish this in front of the steering wheel. What do I know? I am just a MINI owner.

 

I've only owned this 2015 Countryman for a few days, but I hate the fact that I can't play audio via USB on any of my Apple devices. And hate the fact that there is no available software update that will allow iPhones past the 5S. According to the the release notes version of the multimedia software that my car has, it was released to support iPhone 5s. I'm not liking the fact that the MINI Connected site I would go to to update doesn't seem to work. I found the BMW one, and it seems the latest version of the software is the one that I have. It hasn't been updated in years, which makes me think that there are no plans to do it.

 

As an owner of two MINI's, an '04 R53 & an '06 R52 JCW, I am going to add my "two cents" worth here.....most of what I have to offer might have already been said.....but I didn't want to sift through many pages here, so please just humor me as you read my list.

With that said, I think the word "Hate" in the title is a little harsh, at least to me....I'm going with "annoyed" or "could have been engineered a little better" .........So, here's my list

First car, 2004 R53 dark silver with matching color roof and sunroof, we have had the car since July of 2016

1. No engine monitoring gauges except temp gauge, which is not all that accurate anyway. Would like an oil pressure gauge and an accurate water temp gauge. I did add a boost gauge and voltmeter to this car......but with me being a "gauge nut", I would like to have seen better instrumentation for the engine vitals

2. No spare tire....common issue with the "S" model....the solution would have been to take out one of the rear mufflers, which most people do anyway and make it a "one ball" style, take the battery in the boot and turn it lengthwise in the battery box, make the battery box smaller, and then I would think a spare tire would fit under the car in place of missing muffler and smaller battery box......

4. Useless cup holders...again, beat to death here.....I use them for spare change,, I don't drink anything in the car

5. Torx bolts and screws for holding the car together.....more annoying than anything to me.....

6. The MINI's butt gets dirty real fast....even after a washing....

7. The little horn buttons on my steering wheel....I'm so used to hitting the center of the wheel to let someone know how I feel, I have not liked "hunting around" for the little buttons to make my presence known to other drivers.....I do really like the large radio controls on the rear of the wheel.....

8. Just found out about the "deadlock system" on the doors....where you can't get out of the car if someone has locked the car with the key or remote and you are inside....I have not seen if this actually works as advertised yet on either of my cars.....

9. The lighter socket in the middle of the console under the heater controls....should have been placed somewhere else, hard to get items stored in the little tray under there

10. $300 for a new remote key for the car?? What a ripoff

11. The outside heated mirrors are on all the time when key is on or engine is running.....that puts a large load on the electrical system, they should have had them tied into the rear window defroster grid......(my opinion)

12. Oil filter location.....should have had a screw on filter in the oil pan like on our Chrysler 2.4l engine....(again, my opinion)

13. The rear seat headrests are a little large and block a lot of view out the rear window....problem solved, remove headrests and store them away



Our second car is a 2006 R52 JCW MINI that I bought last year Astro black with black top ....needed a lot of work, I have only driven it twice in the last few weeks, it's back in the garage dead again on jack stands, long story....

1. Again, no gauges, not even a gas gauge because I have the NAV system on this car....gas gauge is little orange squares, and "idiot lights" for oil, temp, & battery....I will mount auxiliary gauges soon

2. No spare tire....(see #2 in the R53 list above)

3. The OE center armrest is a joke, seems they are always broken. My R53 didn't have one, so I bought the heavy duty unit off eBay a few years ago for that car. I might try a "piano hinge" to fix the one in the convertible, if not, I'll look for another better arm rest for this car

4. I'm not liking the little "butterfly buttons" on this '06 steering wheel for the radio and cruise control....my thumbs are too big.....however, I like hitting the center of the steering wheel for the horn.....

5. Not fond of the "OE style lug bolts" for the wheels, had the left font wheel come off the car a few weeks ago on the freeway.....will change over to "stud style" with standard lug nuts soon

6. Lighter socket in the center under heater controls, (see #9 in above list)

7. The "AUX" input is inside the glove box.....who's bright idea was that??

8. Again with the heated outside mirrors....(see #11 above)

After reading a lot of the "complaints" here.....I did notice that both my cars windows work up & down with the doors open......I also noticed that on the '06 R52 that after driving and shutting the car off, both doors will "unlock" when key is removed.....wish that feature was on the '04 R53......I don't think it can be coded into the car

I have not had the R52 out much, I'm sure there might be more issues that may arise after I get more seat time

Bryan

 

When it's running, none.

(we all know what I'm talking about)

 

This is an old thread and this is my first comment in it. What I hate most about my MINI is that it is sitting in the garage ready
to go off on marvelous road trips and my co-pilot and I are not. Chalk it up to jealousy.

 

I'll second that. I'm convinced that they send their sales staff and cashiers to classes on how to look down their nose at your client. I've gone to dealers in Chicago, Cincinnati, Lexington and Cleveland. I was completely ignored at the Chicago dealership (and there was no one else in the showroom), Cincinnati, it seemed like they have younger (hip) sales staff but when it was time to pay for a couple of parts, the cashier seemed bored and bothered I'd interrupted her conversation she was having with her co-worker. Cleveland and Lexington dealers were marginally better but not by much
However, find it amazing how that "attitude" changes when you tell them you're thinking about getting a new Mini and spend awhile strolling around the showroom/lot; complete personality change then they're offering to get me a Starbucks or an Evian while I look.
I'm glad my days (at least for awhile) of going to my local Mini dealer for service are in the past. Found a great shop that does a great job and are honest (and treat me like a human!).

 

I resemble that remark.

 

I'm gonna partially agree on the dealership thing. We got really lucky in that there was a local mini specialist tuning shop a few blocks away from our condo that we've used for repairs. And our local dealership is actually pretty cool, with a few caveats.

We took our minis in to the dealership for recall inspection of our PS pumps (one was replaced) and it seemed that all they wanted to do afterward was give us a laundry list of overpriced and unnecessary repairs. They, of course, followed this up with "We'll give you a great deal on a trade in for a newer model w/warranty" schtick. They're sales people, I won't fault them on that, but I'm not interested in a sales pitch when I've brought my car in for a repair. Probably true for all dealerships.

The guys in the service center were very friendly and polite. They even gave us free car wash vouchers once we were done (after they already washed our cars after the inspection!), so that was a nice little touch on their part.

Still won't likely go back unless there's something they can do that either my tuner nor I, myself, can't, and that's a very short list. Dealership repair costs are overinflated and just not worth it once you've exceeded warranty.

 

The ease in which the shifter will find reverse or 3rd when what i really need is 1st....And the amount of radiant heat from the heater core on my foot.

 

 

 

?? What I hate most: It causes me to maybe drive "very slightly" over the speed limit (not faster than the flow of traffic of course) particularly on on/off ramps!
I'm serious.

 

Still hate the small fuel tank on the F56.

 

The *%^^&ing glove box door on my R53.

 

1. Changing the oil is a pain.

2. Can't make my own changes to the ECM.

3. The hydraulic clutch, prefer mechanical.

4. Can't jack the car up from the front or the rear, only the sides But I do like the front end being low to the ground..!?

5. Hate the hydraulic clutch...

6. Having a hard time getting the stickers off of the sun visors.

7. Would like a more supportive (side to side) seat(s) without breaking the bank.

8. No full gauge package (I know, not many cars do !).

9. The big interior rear view mirror, (changed to a smaller one).

10. The hydraulic clutch.

Mike

 

The fact that my 2005 R52 is 15 years old and if I am on the road and anything happens to it the insurance will total it in a quick second. I don't drive it much, in the last 2.5 years I have put 22223-ish miles on it but when I do I enjoy tak it it out. The last time I was at the dealer for service they were amazed that a 2005 could look as good as mine does, I just rolled 80000 miles.

 

All of my mod money has gone to fixing BMWs bad/faulty/garbage designs.

 

Ha...I agree 100%. Mine's just over 20,000 miles.
AND...there isn't much likelihood of finding another 2005 JCW like mine is setup (factory setup) to replace it with. I've watched the add's in various publications since buying mine, seems the early cars are drying up fast as far as being for sale.

I also REALLY do not like the hydraulic clutch. Mechanical is very much prefered.

Mike

 

Can't say I've even driven a car with a mechanically actuated clutch...

Maybe a C3 (not sure if it was), that thing was a beast.

 

All our VWs had mechanical clutch cables.
75, 76, 82 Rabbits, 76 and 84 Rabbit convertibles, 01 Cabrio,
and my mom’s old 68 bug.

 

Ontario MINI in California. Alternator failed at 140K near their dealership so I decided to have them replace it. $1500 later, overhauled alt $800+ minus $250 core they tell me new alts. are not available, total BS.

 

Easy:



(since June. Includes a clutch+tranny explosion, but still)

 

I hate that if your hands are larger than Kermit the Frog's it is hell getting to whatever needs getting to in the engine bay if it's any lower than the valve cover.

 

My comments are about my 2005 R50 Cooper with the Getrag 5 speed and N/A 1.6 liter 4.

I would say the worst things about it are: high parts prices, lack of factory replacement internal parts for the transmission, lack of aftermarket replacement parts for the synchros (seriously... there is better parts support for the trans in a 30 year old Geo Metro), the need for premium gas (for a 115 hp 1.6, I would expect it if it was supercharged), the lack of bolstering to keep me in place in corners, and the horrible cupholders. Honorable mention goes to the excess of ABS plastic in areas like the console, the console lid armrest does not lock in place, the vanity mirrors in the visors (mine are bad and the rare anthracite color so people think they are worth a fortune), the low clutch pedal and the notchy shifting. I think those last two issues are just down to my car though as I think the dogs may be worse than they looked when I had the transmission apart. Oh, and I also hate the need for a scan tool to bleed the brakes and change the brake fluid. Otherwise, it's a blast to drive and I enjoy it immensely... Just wish I could fix the transmission issues inexpensively.