I'm looking at getting a Cooper S this summer, so I've been going through these forums to read what current owners have to say about their MINI's, both good and bad. I made the mistake of doing a forum search for 'repair costs', and that has spooked the heck out of me!

I currently own a 2003 VW Jetta. And that by no means has been cheap, especially for the past 2 years or so. After cat converter, O2 sensor, temp gauge, I've spent about $2000 on it. Now, I think the flex pipe in the exhaust has a leak to which my mechanic says will be about 800-900 bucks.

I'm not looking at the MINI's thinking they're a economy car like a Civic or Corolla, but because they are a blast to own (assuming there aren't any issues). I bought a MINI in 2006 that I only owned for a couple of months, because my credit was horrible, my payments were ridiculous, but I've missed my MINI ever since I let it go. And now that Im in a better place, I want to get motoring again.

The warranties on them seem to be really good, so that is definitely a plus. Everyone also seems to be very high on the service they get over at MINI of Peabody in MA. But now I'm afraid these ghost stories are going to keep my up at night wondering what gremlin will be lurking under my hood.

I'd love to hear from some of you guys on your thoughts, and help set my mind at ease. Especially any Boston Area folks that have had dealings with MoP, both good and bad.

 

VWs are the worst made car ever in my opinion.
You were lucky that is all you spent.

Most of the horror stories here seem to be on the S version.
Maybe you have your mind set on it but think about non S to
reduce your fixing costs.

LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING YOU BACK IN!

 

A lot of people have said the same about the VW, so I guess I have been lucky with it. Right now, Im trying to get her to the finish line so I can trade her in for something else.

I have had my heart set on the S, but I haven't test driven the non. Maybe I'll give that a shot and see how I like it.

 

I had a 93 VW Fox for about 6 years... everytime something needed work I modded it. It had a 1.8 w/ 266 TT cam,adj.cam gear, full TT manifold back exhaust.. Rocco 16v 10.5 brakes... 5spd out of a quantim diesel.. it was quick and fun little car pretty much reliable...

Then it started nickel and dimeing me... the floor started to rust... I got stuck on a road trip vaction....

I decided it was time....

I bought a 2011 JCW.... all I can say is what a blast I'm having.... I do miss my Fox, a kid bought it and is enjoying the crap out of it (which he should) it had like $4,500 into it by the time I was done....

I just got back from a 2,300 mile road trip down South which I will write up in the next few days....

Buy what you want.... you want an "S" get one. The price isn't much more then a "justa"....

As far as reliablity.... buy a honda... all machines have quirks....
2011 cooper vs 2011 cooper s 120hp v 180hp is a big difference spare tire v no spare... And you don't have to MOD the S just drive it...

Coming from a Jetta will bring a big grin... just remember youll have less storage space..

Since MINIs hold their value it might not be worth buying used unless certified... even then for the price of new.. put a good down payment and you know it wasn't abused, you get a full warranty, and if you can wait you can build it the way you want it...

I looked really hard at the 2010 TDI Cup Edition Jetta before I choose MINI..
but the body was changing for 2011 and at a $31,000 MSRP I had to say no... because of the loss I would take with the change over....

I then had to choose between an S and JCW... For the on paper differance of $6,000 an extra $100 a month more or less 60 month payments..
I have something different... probably less then 1,000 factory JCWs will be built for 2011 looking back at the numbers of 09\10s...

I don't have to do any mods to the car, yea yea someone can build up an S for less that will be faster..but mine is a factory car with warrenty it comes with bigger brakes, bigger turbo, bigger injectors, better mapping (maybe) better transmission posi or limited slip? and I didn't have to touch it... It's fast enough for me there will always be something faster out there...
I'm old enough to know it's not how fast you can go ... but how to handle what you have....

If I go to sell my JCW in 4-5 years or even later on... which would sell easier a factory built car or something made up of something of this and some of that.... what would you buy? I'm not saying a "built" car is a bad thing and there are a lot of aftermarket parts that will exceed factory but I just look at used cars that have been modded in a different light....

I was fortunate enough to be able to buy the JCW ... and not have to always think what if?

Get your S you wont be sorry... and yes, now I look back I could of lived with an S as well and been very happy..but the price was only ......

Sorry to ramble... but it's your money..it's your investment...go with your heart....

Dave

 

Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...Buy the S... Buy the S...

 

Read deeper and you will find many comments about the ratio of complaints to MINI's on the road and it is very small. A forum attracts problem postings while those with none are busy out motoring. When paralysis by analysis sets in remember the age old rhetorical fallacy that states: "All Indians walk in single file because the one that I saw did".

 

To build on Melangell: ONE OF US...ONE OF US...ONE OF US... #freaks

I needed a commuter and daily driver, and wound up with an MCS. Insanely fun. I now love that I can take twisty long commutes instead of the short, straight highway commute. I wanted fun with some fuel efficiency, but I love motoring so darned much that I'm not saving on gas, because I drive a lot more...

I'm sure this weird behavior from a non-car-person will stop soon. It's just a phase. Yeah. I can quit any time I want...

 

The problems with Minis are not as bad as the forum makes it seem. People get on here to get info about problems and how to fix them. There are a few problems to look out for but not a bad as some other cars. The key to these cars is maintence, if properly maintained they will last a long time. I would imagine the Mini will be no worse than the vw. I looked at tdi and gti vws and was scared off by fuel system and cam wear issues. I chose the Mini and do not have regretts yet.

If you want cheap maintence buy a honda or toyota. I know they are not fun to drive but that is one of the trade offs that you have to make.

 

I've had my S for nearly a year now and I love it. I haven't had any issues other than a peeling sunroof graphic. I went through Herb Chambers for my MINI and I totally regret it. I've heard so many good things about MoP I may start going there if I have any issues. Believe me, get an S and you will not be disappointed.

 

Go with what you want and can afford. I went with a Justa because of 3 reasons.
1) It was the right price at the time.
2) I drive between stoplights, so a Turbo wouldn't really do any good lol.
3) I saw that the Justa is a little better on gas and a little more reliable.

It is just as fun to drive and it turns heads.

I was told that I would regret not getting an S, but honestly, I love my Justa. I wouldn't trade it for anything at this point, except maybe an Aston Martin DBR9.

 

You all are right. The only time I ever visit the VW forums is to look up or post a problem Im having. So Im sure there's a lot of that going on here.

I'd much rather drive a car that's fun than something 'practical'. My gf drives a Corolla, and that works for her, but I HATE when I have to drive it. I am gonna give the Justa a test-drive, because I never gave it a shot the first time around. I looked up the specs and the S def has more HP than the Justa, but the Justa has more than my Jetta, and is lighter. And one thing I like is since the base price is much lower, I can customize it a lot more for me, and then maybe in two years upgrade it to the S. Or maybe I end up loving it. Im probably still going to go with the S, but Im going to at least give the Justa a try.