I have a 2011 clubman S 7000 mile fit and finish is the best of any car I ever owned. I have not had any problems at all and love the turbo would not by it any other way.

 

Well if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck.....

I think you'd be fooling yourself if you said that Minis don't have any more problems than other cars; they certainly do. The list of issues is long and getting longer every month. Ask any professional mechanic that works on them regularly. Also, they are rated consistently fair to low by Consumer Reports and other rating agencies and the Mini forums reveal a lot more problems than the Honda and Toyota forums I've been familiar with.

So I can't blame anyone for getting frustrated or discouraged. But what I hope does not get lost in your reading are all the people who willingly and lovingly care for these cars' shortcomings. (I'm one of those people)

People who are looking for reliable, economical cars should steer way clear of Minis IMO.

And lest the OP get the impression that my attitude is bad, I say no way! I love these cars and don't see ever owning anything else. It's just that I'm a realist. They demand a high maintenance relationship.

Well at that rate you're not really that far into ownership. I am pleased to say I had the last 8k miles trouble-free, but I put 8k on since last July 1st. (I drive about 2k miles/month).

The 12 months/25k miles before that, I put around $4k into repair and upkeep and that didn't really include any typical wear parts such as tires and brakes. But alas, after this glorious trouble-free 8k miles/4 month stretch, my oil light has now failed--as in the LED bulb won't light. So I'm looking at a few hundred dollars to get that fixed (probably get a gauge installed). Still, I love this car and wouldn't trade it for any other make!!

 

Don't think you understood my original post. I love my Mini. I drive it only on weekends for a number of reasons. I live in suburban Chicago. My 40 minute commute averages 21 MPH. Half the year the roads are coverd with snow or salt. A 458 Ferrari would not be "stimulating" under these conditions. My post was meant to elicit responses on the possible changing perceptions for the brand.

 

A lot has been mentioned about Consumer reports and its opinion of the reliability of the Cooper S, but it also rates consumer satisfaction , and Mini always gets very good ratings for satisfaction (ie would you buy this car again).
A persons opinion is going to depend on their own "luck" in getting a Mini that is trouble free, versus one that just seems to have one problem after the next.
I have owned Bmws, Toyotas, a Honda,a Miata, and a Jeep, and my opinion of Toyota and Honda is lowered by the cars that I had that had nothing but problems.
My Mini has been great so far and my opinion of Mini, and its parent BMW is that they make great cars, not always the worlds most reliable, but not the worst either, and they are fun to drive and look great.

If I could find a car that was as much fun to drive, and looked as good as a Mini, and had the repair record of a new Honda Civic, for example, I would buy it, but to my knowledge that car doesnt exist.

 

I still enjoy driving my '02 MCS more than any other car that I have had but I wouldn't recommend it to a non-enthusiast. If you can't do any of your own work, off-warranty repair costs are IMO, excessive for the category and price point of the car.

I can't help but think that given how long BMW has been in the business that some of the lack of reliability is engineered in to create post sale revenue.

 

I speculate that it's the result of building to a price point---at least in the case of our earlier models.

I assume the reason my front control arm bushings failed so early-and why my clutch release bearing is dry and screaming at me in the morning with so few miles on the car is b/c they decided to save money on bushings and bearings (for instance) so that they could spend money elsewhere in and on the car.

Just a hunch.

 

Hate to say it, but I agree with you 100%. Only the first-time owners now seem to really into the fun part. I just hear complaining from old owners.

 

It's good to have something to look forward to!

 

This is just a natural progression. New experiences are the most powerful and then fade as time goes by. Additionally, the more time goes by, the higher the probability that an owner experiences one of the costly mini failures.

 

Loved the our 06 Cooper S convertible till it threw a connecting rod and destroyed the engine w/ 71k miles and all scheduled service. Not so mad at the car just the fact that BMW/MINI has denied any fault or assistance and the dealer wants 9k to put in a rebuilt engine. So with the purchase price and repairs over the 5 years we would be into this car almost 60k if we did the engine. But instead the dealer offered us $4500 for it as is or I have to try and sell it on Craigslist. any one want it. So I would say my opinion has changed greatly.

 

Doesn't this "below average" reliability rating make a very good case for leasing MINI's? That way, you're not left holding the bag, so to speak, when the warranty runs out and the below average reliability starts costing you money.

 

Only if Mini (or the leasing company) fails to do its homework. They should have a good grasp on what a Mini's resale value is (with- or off-warranty) and will structure the lease accordingly - meaning you will probably just pay for it up front in your lease costs.

 

Yes perhaps, but I no longer get any tax advantage for leasing... And I really hate the fact that I am just renting a car from MINI/BMW, rather than it belonging to me. I would rather own it and modify how ever I like and sell it when the warranty is up if I find it to be less reliable than I had hoped. It's going to be a depreciating asset no matter the reliability - it is a car after all. Despite the reliability concerns of the "S", they still hold their value relatively well right?

Anyways the whole leave vs. buy has been discussed to death and is a very personal decision. I figure in 4 years if I can afford a different car, I will sell the JCW. What I hope is that there is more choice in small sporty cars in North America by then... And/or MINI complete a redesign of the R56 that I like.

 

I definitely concede that the inability to do whatever mods you'd like is a big downside to leasing a MINI as compared to other cars that you're much less likely to want to modify.

 

On my car the residual based on MSRP is 59% and based on the price I actually paid, it was 62.6% (3 yrs, 15k/yr and for 12K/yr it was 61% and 64.7% respectively). I thought these were pretty reasonable.

 

I would agree, that is reasonable. As always comes down to the actual terms. I always just assume that the stealership will try to fleece its customers.

 

WHOA! There's another International owner here. I have a 68 Travelall 4X4 Adventure Rig in the works. Redoing it all on my own. No computers at all! Mostly mechanical everything. Although I did replace the points with a Pertronix Yup, easiest thing to work on and enjoy every minute of it...

Anyway, I like this thread. Considering a 2012 Mini and appreciate real user input. I'm leaning towards a Non-S manual 6spd because of what I have read, but not sure it will give me the needed DD fun factor I'm looking for. Only tested a manual 6spd S so far. Very nice smooth and constant accelleration. Hoping the Non-S will feel as nice, just not quite as fast. Any thoughts on the current 2012 automatic transmission?

 

I've heard it's one of the smoothest anywhere - but that's just second hand knowledge.

But I also hear they're wicked expensive to repair if they go. And considering how MINI really likes to impress upon people to go with a manual tranny, I'd avoid the auto.

 

The 2012 auto box is the same as the last few years... it's a slush box (torque converter) style. If you get a Sport Button on the justa Cooper in your area, then it may be adequate... but here in Canada, it does not and the auto box is just "meh"... It does not blip the throttle during down-shifts on any model Cooper and on the justa Cooper sometimes makes the car feel lethargic.

I would definitely recommend the manual on the justa Cooper. If you are going for the S, then you could go either way depending on your preference (but I would personally still choose a manual).

 

Thanks for the input. I like the direction Mini is going with the Paceman All4 (hopefully coming in 2013 and possibly able to order next summer or fall?).

I did have a 67 Austin Cooper back in the 90's before the New Mini was known to be. Had the unibody of an 85 Subaru RX shorttened and mated the Mini body to it. Retained the entire 4x4 driveline with HI/LOW and 5spd. I was planning on importing a WRX engine for it and set up the gearing of the LOW range for parking lot autocross and the HI range for street and speedway courses. Unfortunately I was forced to sell it after my deparment at work was cut and merged with another company across the country. No place to store it after a move.

Then the New Mini was announced and I've been wanting one ever since. Have been hoping for AWD in a Cooper, but the Paceman is a great start!

Not being a current or past owner of the New Mini, my opinion hasn't really changed much. I've always been a "little" concerned with it's repair history, but not enough to turn me away. Although slow at times, Mini seems to be responsive to getting faults repaired. The numerous use of electronics is my biggest concern of most new cars today (prefer cable throttle and rack and pinion steering, modern fuel injection and variable timing is great on new cars). If the electronics don't have the bugs, your owner experience can go down hill fast. Engine internals seem to be sound at this point with the 1.6L in use in both models (I think, correct me if I'm wrong). Aftermarket ungraded racing clutch/pressure plate/throw out bearings (if a problem?) should take care of them. My research so far indicates that the "6" speed GetRag seems to have a solid history.

 

Porthos,

Why all the Resentment and Ill feeling towards us R53 owners?

I own a 2006 MCS with 128,000 miles and plan on driving it till the wheels fall off. However, I love all Mini's regardless of model.

I, for one, do not want to fork out the extra dough needed for a new R56. When the time comes for it, I will happily head that direction though.

In the meantime learn to be happy with what you got, there really is no need to rain on anyone's parade!

UfoMini

 

I have a 2005 Mini S with over 80k miles and it's ben problem free for the most part. Right now my airbag light is on and I am arguing with the dealer that it is covered under warranty but besides that all I have done is change the oil and the brakes, the car still has its original clutch! I average 28mpg and the pep is there when I want it.

 

I really want the new Countryman, I think it looks like pure, rude, unedited professionally filmed in a warehouse sweaty sex.

 

I drove my '03 over 84,000 miles. I posted all the time for a few years, lost interest. Some things broke, and was shocked at the gold-plated part prices. But I still loved it.

I recently got an '07. It's better as is! EXCEPT.......... the key fob "chrome" ring is a POS! How can MINI design such a vulnerable thing that you touch every time you drive? Didn't they realize people drop things? For such a tiny thing, it's a big issue. Feel like I should buy a dozen for spares. So, now that I vented, now what? Won't divulge the really big problem right now.

 

Thought they made metal ones now that we could put on once the plastic ones broke or wore. The previous owner of my vehicle glued mine on...haven't gotten around to yanking it off yet to replace with a metal one.