Keep em coming.

 

The MINIs haven't been as reliable as the Civic they replaced (that never went wrong in 150,000 miles).

Tristan's got 41,000 miles on him, and he's had a few minor issues, nothing which stopped him moving. The return spring on the clutch broke. The hatch handle stopped working. The O2 sensor was recalled. The chrome ring on the key broke (twice). The trim on the driver's side door sill (which says "Cooper") came lose. Those were covered under warranty. Something in the airbag needed replacing, that was covered under the extended warranty. The battery needed replacing after 4 years.

Shawn's been more reliable, he's only got 24,000 miles on him, his only problem was his front windows started winding down on their own and needed reprogramming (under warranty). His aux water pump was recalled. His battery is getting close to needing being replaced after 4 years.

After all that, I forgot Shawn had a rattle in the tach which was fixed under warranty, and now there's a rattle in the centre roof console which was supposed to be looked at today (but wasn't). Also his hood scoop is looking a little melty so they're replacing that under warranty.

 

No reliability problems/mechanical problems in the first year/8K miles on my '11 S, just some minor noises and other annoyances that seem to be common. I too was on the board a lot before I ordered my car and had serious concerns. I was ready to buy the extended warranty before the car even showed up, but now I have no reason to believe this will not be a reliable car long term. I do, however, follow old school BMW maintenance, including the 1200 mile break in service.

 

I have an '06 R53 (S hardtop) that I purchased in Sept. '10 with a shade under 28K miles. 1.5 years later I'm at 40.5K miles. My MINI is a three-pedal DD that deals with crusty rush hour traffic in Tampa Bay regularly but also gets some fun runs around town. I drive in a "spirited" manner

I replaced the coolant reservoir and a valve cover gasket just after purchase (issues found during the PPI). Since then it's been oil changes, wiper blades, and tire rotations but nothing more.

I've been very happy with the reliability of my baby, but the fun factor and ratio of smiles:miles is what makes every day a good day in my MINI.

 

Great to hear these stories.

I bought my 2007 Mini Cooper s 2 weeks ago and the stories on the forum have scared the you know what out of me. The car had 33,000 miles on it and I have enjoyed the last 1,000 miles I just put on it.

But I love this car, never felt this way about a car before. I will love it and care for it and hug it and .........

Your get the point

I can deal with some little issues and will do some of my own wrenching.

 

So far for my experience with my first MCS..not so good. Problems started to occur around 24K miles and now I am at 32K miles. I recently had problems mechanically and exterior stuff. I am considering trading her in for a new car as soon as possible but I don't want to give her up especially when I did some test driving three days ago...I REGRET IT. My MINI is the best car I've ever had compared to my Base R56 and others. It's so much fun and the character of the car is unbelievable. I get questions about her all the time and thumbs up. But driving the other cars, I felt weird and not right either. So I might stick it out til I found out whats wrong with her AGAIN, for my next appointment. Wish me luck.

 

We are on our 3rd MINI now ( own 2 currently )....

2004 MCS R53 - Great car!!!! with some mods. The few issues it had were under warranty ( window motors & harmonic balancer )

2011 MC R55 - Awesome car! No issues, Great MPG, Fun to drive, etc.. this is our family truckster - the GO TO car when it has to get done.

2010 MCS R55 - Just bought this one - to soon to tell, but so far - so good.

The 2010 R55 replaced my wifes VW Beetle Convertible - let me tell you, THAT car had issues. I will NEVER buy VW again....

 

2007 Cooper currently @ 76000 miles.

Replaced under warranty the sunroof, clutch & seat-belt tensioners. Other than that this car has been extremely reliable.

 

Thank you for this thread. We just bought a used mini 5 days ago. I started to wonder how long our 'honeymoon' would last. I believe in buying and maintaining a car as long as it makes financial sense.

Hans

 

I am about 10 days shy of my first year of owning my 2012 S and I have 10,200 miles. I have had zero issues and can't think of one thing bad to say about it. Everything including the dealership experience (Sewell Plano, best dealership ever?) and the joy I've had owning "Groo" has greatly exceeded my expectations. It's everything I expected and more. I would do it all over again and wouldn't change a thing.
j

 

My Clubman just turned over to 75,000 miles. No problems except minor ones. She's at the dealer right now getting new brakes; but I consider that maintenance & not a reliability issue. We bought her from the MINI dealership with 47,000 miles on her.
Best car I've ever owned! We plan on keeping her for a looooong time.

 

Purchased October 2006 at 5600 miles, it had been a demo car put in service by Mini of Pittsburgh January 2006. Driven enthusiastically, modded reasonably (pulley, boost gauge, exhaust, intake, G4 splitter/diffuser, upgraded brake pads).

Total issues other than normal maintenance (oil changes, filters, brakes, struts and plugs at 65K because I wanted to not because I needed them):
- Clutch at 70k (perhaps a lil' early, but not terrible given circumstances) The clutch was actually fine, but the clutch actuator bushings were going bad and I chose to replace. Easily had 15-30k left in the clutch but as long as we were in there...
- Windshield - rock, poorly repaired by Safelite (never ever again) redone by Ryans Auto Glass

Sheesh, can't really remember anything major other than that, runs great. I do go through things like brakes and tires faster than most, but mainly because it's driven enthusiastically. Agreed it's not an Asian car, but it's not a moneypit either (except for the near-constant desire to clean, mod, and drive it).

To the poster who hates driving their Honda Pilot: We also have a Honda Odyssey "BattleVan", 135kmiles, actually mildly modified (H&R springs, KYB shocks, a couple of other goodies), that I really do enjoy driving, have even autocrossed the beast!

 

Oh good, this thread came up again.

8500 miles on my 2012 MCS, just finished 4 months of ownership.

No issues, great fuel economy, a blast to drive.

 

16,000 on my 11 base Cooper HT, (knock on wood) not one problem. Love her even more than the day I bought her new.

Looking forward to many years of happy ownership.

 

Just crossed 75,000 miles on my '09 Cooper a couple days ago.

3 trips to MOTD, 1 MTTS, and drive it HARD at track days at Sebring, Road Atlanta, and Roebling Road. Zero issues.

 

We bought our 06' MCS a little over 2 years ago & have driven it 10589 happy carefree miles so far. Love it more & more each day. The only thing we have done to it is oil changes & regular maintenance except we got rid of those hard riding run flats. We put on some nice all weather Michelins & took the ouch off the bumps. Buying a mini cooper was one of the best decisions we ever made and the fun factor is off the charts!